MINISTER DION SPEAKS OUT FOR CANADIAN SOLIDARITY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE PERVERSE EFFECTS OF SEPARATIST BLACKMAIL

TORONTO, ONTARIO, February 14, 2001 – Speaking at the Faculty of Law of the University of Toronto, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, expressed the hope that all our political leaders who believe in Canada renounce using the threat of separatism as an argument to further their own political or constitutional preferences. "I would like to hear them say that nothing justifies secession in Canada today."

The Minister referred in particular to comments by the Canadian Alliance leader: "He needs always to make a crystal-clear distinction between his ideas for improving the country-including the West's place in Canada-and separatist blackmail. Canadians are entitled to hear Mr. Day make this simple statement: 'Nothing in Canada today justifies secession: not in Quebec, not in the West, not anywhere else in Canada.'"

Mr. Dion spoke out for the principle of solidarity, which he expressed in the following terms: "Whatever happens, we will choose to stay together." This assurance that we will stay together gives rise to "greater trust in one another, a stronger and more sincere desire genuinelyto look out for one another, an enhanced capacity for frank discussion and for finding solutions when disagreements arise," he pointed out.

A country is in the best position to improve itself if all its citizens support the principle of solidarity, the Minister stated. He deplored the fact that, in Canada, the principle of solidarity is called into question not only by separatism, but also by those who either practise or give in to separatist blackmail.

The more direct form of blackmail consists in saying: "Do what I say, or else I'll leave." A more indirect form is expressed as follows: "Do what I say, or else those who want to leave will have more and more good arguments for doing so." And we give in to this kind of blackmail when we respond: "Let's give the separatists at least some of what they're asking for, in order to avoid separation."

Mr. Dion said he has no doubt that, although the expression "separatist blackmail" is pejorative, the vast majority of those who practise it or give in to it do so in good faith. "It is a habit that catches on quickly: as soon as some people take it up, others become inclined to follow suit. And so we come to lose sight of its negative effects."

And yet, those negative effects are particularly harmful, the Minister explained. He listed five which "are also five good reasons for rejecting" separatist blackmail.

First, separatist blackmail makes us lose sight of the public interest, giving way entirely to the sole concern of allaying separatism.

Second, separatist blackmail trivializes the issue of secession, leading us to make the mistake of looking for a non-existent solution between secession and Canadian unity, a sort of semi-separation.

Third, at the same time as it trivializes the extreme act of secession, separatist blackmail blows out of all proportion the quite normal disagreements that we have in Canada.

Fourth, separatist blackmail aggravates regional jealousies by fostering among citizens who do not use it the fear that their concerns do not figure in the order of governmental priorities.

Finally, separatist blackmail relieves the separatist leaders of the burden of proof, so that, ultimately, no further questions are asked about the why and the how of secession.

In conclusion, the Minister reiterated his desire that we all remain loyal to the principle of solidarity. "It is what gives us the best chance of making our country ever better. The assurance of remaining together helps us to dialogue, to keep our sense of perspective in the event of disagreement, and to find together the means of furthering the common good," Mr. Dion concluded.

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For information:
André Lamarre
Special Assistant
Tel: (613) 943-1838
Fax: (613) 943-5553

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