REGINA,
SASKATCHEWAN, October 15, 1998 – Negotiation on a new framework for social
union "provides an opportunity to build a new partnership and a new balance
to manage our interdependence in the service of Canadians," said the
Honourable Stéphane Dion, President of the Privy Council and Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs, during a speech in Regina today.
The Minister stated that the social
programs that make up our social union reflect Canada’s shared values, our
commitment to one another, our diversity and the unique advantages of our
federal system. He reiterated the importance of ensuring that all Canadians have
equal opportunity and access to programs that meet their basic needs. The
history of the social union, he said "[...] is a story of the commitment of
generations of Canadians to caring for one another and to accommodating our
differences as we pursue our common purpose. Most impressive has been our
ability simultaneously to achieve Canada-wide initiatives while enhancing the
freedom of provinces to act for their residents."
Mr. Dion stressed the fact that
Canada’s Constitution and our federal system have provided provinces the
freedom to develop programs that are responsive to the specific needs of their
residents. He added that our federal system has allowed governments to learn
from each other and to ensure that all Canadians could benefit from the
innovations of any one province.
While Canada has one of the best
social systems in the world, the Minister noted, we face tremendous challenges
– an aging population, globalization and the emerging information economy, new
developments in medical technology – which make cooperation in the delivery of
social and health policy more important than ever.
He added that negotiations on a new
social union framework should be consistent with the fundamental principles of
Canadian federalism:
The Constitution must be respected.
- Respect for constitutional powers and jurisdictions is a prerequisite for
clarity in public policy and represents the mutual respect essential to
partnership.
We must show greater cooperation to
meet the needs of Canadians. -
Government jurisdictions touch on each other in almost all sectors, and
governments must coordinate their work on behalf of Canadians now more than
ever, given the challenges we face.
Government’s ability to act must
be preserved. - Greater cooperation
should not and cannot mean that governments cannot do anything without asking
permission of all others.
The federation must be flexible and
fair. - A new social partnership must
take into account Canada’s diversity and must reflect a commitment to fairness
and equity.
We must keep each other informed.
- Governments should inform each other before they take action that may have a
significant effect on each other. We must exchange information that will help us
compare our performance, assess how we are doing and learn from each other.
We should enhance accountability to
Canadians. - The framework should
contribute to greater transparency and enhanced accountability. Canadians have a
right to know who is doing what, how their money is being spent and what is
being achieved.
The Minister offered a test to
measure the success of our efforts: "Are Canadians better served? Are
governments more transparent and accountable to Canadians? Are we in a better
position to improve our health and social policies and to promote the well-being
of Canadians in all parts of Canada? Have we improved mobility for Canadians?
Have we achieved greater equality of opportunity in Canada?" These are
questions that must guide governments’ efforts toward a new social union
framework, he concluded.
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For information:
André Lamarre
Press Secretary
(613) 943-1853
