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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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