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INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
MINISTER STÉPHANE DION RESPONDS TO
PREMIER LUCIEN BOUCHARD REGARDING
THE REFERENDUM IN SCOTLAND
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, September 12, 1997 – The Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, joins Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard in
congratulating the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, for having
offered the Scots the opportunity of electing their own parliament.
Nevertheless, Minister Dion notes that yesterday’s referendum was not on
secession, but on the devolution of powers to a new legislative assembly.
He draws Premier Bouchard’s attention to the fact that, even with the proposed
changes, the Scots’ new status within the United Kingdom will give them far
fewer guarantees than those enjoyed by Quebecers within the Canadian federation.
The new Parliament will remain dependent on Westminster for its very existence;
a majority vote in Westminster will be enough to abolish the new assembly or
strip it of powers. For its part, the National Assembly of Quebec has powers
that are fully protected by the Canadian Constitution.
The Scottish assembly’s power of taxation will be limited. That of the Quebec
National Assembly allows for much greater autonomy.
If there is one thing that the case of Scotland demonstrates, it is that
political systems, be they federal or unitary, can evolve and adapt to the
aspirations of their citizens. And those changes can be effected within the
established legal framework on the basis of a clear procedure accepted by the
parliament of the existing country.
The Government of Canada hopes that the strong solidarity that unites Quebecers
with other Canadians encourages all countries to have full confidence to give
their different components greater autonomy.
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For information: André Lamarre
Press Secretary
(613) 943-1838
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