Background/assumptions:
The Calgary "...framework for....... public
consultations ..." (taken from the text of the statement made after the Calgary
meeting of the Premiers on Sept. 14), has provoked many reactions already.
Although there are many problems which should be addressed
to renew our federation, the risks posed by Quebec’s dissatisfaction with the present
constitution is the most urgent one. The main reason the meeting in Calgary was held was
to address the Quebec problem.
From the point of view of Canadians who respect the wish of
Quebecers to feel welcome and secure within Canada, it would seem that it is in our
interest: to promote the positive spirit behind the Calgary framework, and to ensure that
the process of consultations is not hijacked by extremist views, views which inevitably
will be given a high profile by the media.
Suggestions to accomplish these goals:
We should enter the consultation process by submitting
statements which praise the initiative of the Premiers, and which stress the opportunity
it gives Canadians outside Quebec to show Quebecers that they are respected.
Points which could be made in these statements are as
follows:
* The Premiers should be praised for not attempting to
include all of the problems which were included in the Charlottetown agreement, e.g.
Senate reform and improving the situation of the aboriginal peoples. Until the Quebec
issue is solved,the temptation should continue to be avoided to burden the discussions
with other matters.
* Whether "distinct society","unique
character"or some other phraseology is used, it should be made clear to Quebecers
that Canadians outside Quebec wish:
- the French language to continue to flourish,
- the French culture to do the same, and
- Quebec’s distinctive institutions to remain if that is
the wish of Quebecers
* For the benefit of Quebecers, it might be useful to point
out that:
- Premier Bouchard was invited to attend the Calgary meeting,
and he was the one who declined to do so,
- in the absence of a government in Quebec in whose interest
it is to make Canada work better for Quebec, the rest of Canada’s natural partner for
discussions is the Quebec Liberal Party; and
- the Quebec Liberal Party’s position is that although
"distinct society" is the preferred phraseology for a future constitutional
amendment, these words are not sacrosanct.
* In spite of Premier Bouchard’s intention not to
consult Quebecers on the points made in the Calgary framework, we should consider
attempting to give them a means of expressing themselves. It is not clear whether there is
a strong desire of Quebecers to be consulted, and if there is, how such consultations
could be carried out. Daniel Johnson might be one of the first to be spoken to in this
regard.
