Harper's Quebec motion seen as potential step in plan to rebalance federalism
Wed Nov 22, 10:24 PM
By James Stevenson
CALGARY (CP) - Attempting to recognize Quebec as a nation within Canada could be the first step in the Conservative government's campaign promise to re-balance federalism, says one of the Alberta Tory leadership contenders.
Ted Morton said Wednesday that he hopes Prime Minister Stephen Harper's surprise announcement opens the door for "not just side-deals for Quebec but reducing the intrusion of Ottawa in the government of all 10 provinces."
Morton, who faces a Saturday vote for the leadership of the ruling Alberta Progressive Conservative party along with seven other candidates, has campaigned aggressively on a platform of limiting Ottawa's impact on the lives and pocketbooks of the province.
But Alberta Premier Ralph Klein dismissed Harper's announcement, saying he had no idea what the prime minister's motivation was, adding that "it might be politics."
"First of all it's not legislation," Klein said. "He can say what he wants to say, as I say what I want to say from time to time, and until it's legislation, there's no need to worry about it."
Morton also acknowledged that Harper's announcement was likely an "inside-Ottawa political strategy" aimed at exploiting differences on the Quebec issue within the leading Liberal leadership candidates.
"If it's more than that, I'm hoping that it will basically produce some results that go back to Harper's campaign promise to re-balance federalism."
Over the years, Morton and Harper have shared similar beliefs when it comes to social and economic conservatism and the role of the federal government within Canada.
In 2001, the two were part of a group that wrote the "firewall letter" which advocated limiting Ottawa's influence on Alberta and urged the province to run its own tax, health and pension plan systems.
Some people in francophone communities on the Prairies said Wednesday that they have always recognized Quebec as a distinct part of the country.
"Quebec is really the centre of the francophonie in Canada and I don't think there's any problem with that," said Daniel Boucher, president of the Societe Franco-Manitobaine.
"I think it's important for Canada to have a strong Quebec and it's also important for Canada to have strong (francophone) communities outside Quebec."
Others were more muted in their praise of the Prime Minister's motion to recognize Quebec as a nation within Canada.
"Myself, for instance, I am not a Quebecois, I am a Western francophone," said Henri Lepage, a former mayor of the French community of Gravelbourg, Sask., about two hours southwest of Regina.
"Obviously it's not a separate country, but it being a distinct nation? Yeah, I think it is something that should be recognized for sure."
Some people in Vancouver said that Harper's motion just recognizes something that is obvious to most Canadians.
"I think it's about time, it's long overdue," said Dwayne Doucette, 37, an engineer, who said he has no political leaning.
"I don't see any problem with that. There can be communities within cities, nations within nations and families within extended families."
William Mitchell, who works in the film industry, said accommodating Quebec has long been part of Canada's history.
"This isn't a new thing," he said. "This has been going on ever since General Wolfe."
Copyright © 2006 Canadian Press
Wed Nov 22, 10:24 PM
By James Stevenson
CALGARY (CP) - Attempting to recognize Quebec as a nation within Canada could be the first step in the Conservative government's campaign promise to re-balance federalism, says one of the Alberta Tory leadership contenders.
Ted Morton said Wednesday that he hopes Prime Minister Stephen Harper's surprise announcement opens the door for "not just side-deals for Quebec but reducing the intrusion of Ottawa in the government of all 10 provinces."
Morton, who faces a Saturday vote for the leadership of the ruling Alberta Progressive Conservative party along with seven other candidates, has campaigned aggressively on a platform of limiting Ottawa's impact on the lives and pocketbooks of the province.
But Alberta Premier Ralph Klein dismissed Harper's announcement, saying he had no idea what the prime minister's motivation was, adding that "it might be politics."
"First of all it's not legislation," Klein said. "He can say what he wants to say, as I say what I want to say from time to time, and until it's legislation, there's no need to worry about it."
Morton also acknowledged that Harper's announcement was likely an "inside-Ottawa political strategy" aimed at exploiting differences on the Quebec issue within the leading Liberal leadership candidates.
"If it's more than that, I'm hoping that it will basically produce some results that go back to Harper's campaign promise to re-balance federalism."
Over the years, Morton and Harper have shared similar beliefs when it comes to social and economic conservatism and the role of the federal government within Canada.
In 2001, the two were part of a group that wrote the "firewall letter" which advocated limiting Ottawa's influence on Alberta and urged the province to run its own tax, health and pension plan systems.
Some people in francophone communities on the Prairies said Wednesday that they have always recognized Quebec as a distinct part of the country.
"Quebec is really the centre of the francophonie in Canada and I don't think there's any problem with that," said Daniel Boucher, president of the Societe Franco-Manitobaine.
"I think it's important for Canada to have a strong Quebec and it's also important for Canada to have strong (francophone) communities outside Quebec."
Others were more muted in their praise of the Prime Minister's motion to recognize Quebec as a nation within Canada.
"Myself, for instance, I am not a Quebecois, I am a Western francophone," said Henri Lepage, a former mayor of the French community of Gravelbourg, Sask., about two hours southwest of Regina.
"Obviously it's not a separate country, but it being a distinct nation? Yeah, I think it is something that should be recognized for sure."
Some people in Vancouver said that Harper's motion just recognizes something that is obvious to most Canadians.
"I think it's about time, it's long overdue," said Dwayne Doucette, 37, an engineer, who said he has no political leaning.
"I don't see any problem with that. There can be communities within cities, nations within nations and families within extended families."
William Mitchell, who works in the film industry, said accommodating Quebec has long been part of Canada's history.
"This isn't a new thing," he said. "This has been going on ever since General Wolfe."
Copyright © 2006 Canadian Press
