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MINISTER DION OUTLINES THREE STEPS
TO NATIONAL RECONCILIATION
LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, October 18, 1996 – According to Stéphane Dion,
President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, there
are three steps that must be taken on the road to national reconciliation. These
are: moving toward a rebalanced, more efficient division of responsibilities
between the federal and provincial governments; recognizing the distinctiveness
of Quebec; and celebrating what is positive about Canada. The Minister outlined
each step during his speech today in Lethbridge to the Annual Social Studies
Council Conference of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
Mr. Dion reminded the audience that "national reconciliation is profoundly
important for each and every one of us." Although the break-up of Canada is
unlikely, the Minister argued, it is important that no one take it lightly.
"The reorganization implicit in Quebec’s departure would be very costly
and unfortunate for all Canadians," Mr. Dion noted.
Rebalancing the federation for greater efficiency
"The point of rebalancing the federation is to provide better service to
Canadians," stated the Minister. The federal government, Mr. Dion noted,
acknowledges the desire of Canadians for a more efficient federal-provincial
distribution of powers in certain areas. "What all politicians should be
aiming for is a win-win situation for Canadian citizens, not a victory for one
level of government in a win-lose situation," the Minister argued. "We
politicians must never lose sight of the fact that it is the health, safety and
welfare of living, breathing Canadians that is being discussed."
According to the Minister, the proper approach to rebalancing the federation
involves striking a balance between solidarity, "the sense of common good
and compassion for our fellow citizens, which allows us to act together, in
common, to pool our strengths", and subsidiarity, "the principle of
local autonomy, of keeping government close to the people." It also
involves building on federalism’s strengths, such as its flexibility. In this
respect, Mr. Dion noted, the federal government is working to make "the
federation more flexible where possible, so that provincial governments can
better respond to regional needs."
"We have taken substantial steps in this direction," stated the
Minister. Mr. Dion discussed initiatives in sectors of interest to all
Canadians, such as labour-market training, forestry and mining development, and
health and social services, as well as steps the federal government is taking to
address the recent concerns of Western provinces in particular. "We have an
effective federation and a fair one too," the Minister observed.
Recognition of Quebec’s distinctiveness
To illustrate why recognition of Quebec’s distinctiveness is important for
Quebecers, the Minister invited his audience to perform an exercise of the
imagination, imagining their province was the only English-speaking province in
a continent of 300 million Francophones, with Anglophones outnumbered by
Francophones three to one within Canada. "Wouldn’t you, in this
situation," the Minister asked, "want some sort of guarantee that you
would have warm support from other Canadians for the preservation of your
language and heritage?"
And recognizing Quebec’s distinctiveness would not mean Quebecers had more
rights than other Canadian citizens, the Minister pointed out. "All
citizens are equal, but that does not mean the government should not respond to
the diversity of their needs and circumstances," explained Mr. Dion.
"Recognizing Quebec’s linguistic and cultural differences involves the
same principle used in other public policy areas. It responds to a unique need
and circumstance, without undermining the equality of provinces or that of
citizens. We can be equal but different."
Celebrating Canada
"It isn’t hard to find reasons to celebrate our country," observed
Mr. Dion. While Canada is performing well economically, and in terms of quality
of life, the Minister suggested that "we should celebrate Canada for
greater reasons than its benefits for our pocketbooks."
"Canada is an outstanding achievement. It is a multicultural society, with
two official languages, stretching thousands of kilometres from coast to coast
to coast, and yet able to bridge those kilometres and that tremendous diversity
with its values of tolerance, openness and compassion."
As new technologies make the world seem smaller, the Minister noted, "it is
becoming increasingly obvious that we will have to find ways to co-exist
peacefully. This will be the imperative of the 21st century. In Canada, we
already have an important edge in this respect. We have already, within our
borders, adapted to this new global reality."
"Quite simply," the Minister concluded, "Canada deserves to
remain intact."
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For information: Claude Péloquin
Press Secretary
(613) 943-1838
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