|
MINISTER DION OUTLINES CONTRASTING
EVOLUTIONS AND COMMON CHALLENGES
OF THE U.S. AND CANADA
CLEVELAND, OHIO, December 10, 1996 – "There is no doubt in my
heart and mind that federalism is the way of the future," Stéphane Dion,
President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, told
members of the Council of State Governments at a conference in Cleveland, Ohio.
In his address, the Minister outlined the contrasting evolutions of the American
and Canadian federal systems, and discussed two common challenges both countries
face today.
Mr. Dion noted that federal constitutions are not "strait-jackets that
prevent change -- they are instead frameworks which allow change to take place.
That is why the U.S. and Canada have been able to evolve in very different
directions. The U.S. has become more centralized over time, in spite of a
relatively decentralist Constitution. By contrast, Canada’s Constitution was
centralist at the time of Confederation, but today we have one of the most
decentralized of all federations."
The Minister observed, moreover, that, "although, in their written form,
neither has changed a great deal, both our federations have evolved
dramatically. They demonstrate that major changes can be brought about without
altering a single comma in a constitution."
Mr. Dion put forward reasons why the U.S. has become more centralized over time,
and Canada more decentralized, and then turned to two of the principal
challenges facing the two countries today. The Minister identified the first
challenge as "the need to get our fiscal houses in order while maintaining
our social policies." Mr. Dion stressed that making decisions about
spending cuts is always tough, and assured his audience that the Government of
Canada has "chosen to cut spending significantly in areas such as
transportation in order to preserve our social programs."
The second challenge both countries face, according to the Minister, is
"the need to maintain unity while adapting to our increasing cultural
pluralism." Noting that both federations are very multicultural, Mr. Dion
suggested that this issue will become increasingly salient.
The Minister observed that the concentration of Canada’s most prominent
minority in a single province "has led to an additional challenge, as it
has provided an impetus for a secessionist movement." Mr. Dion stressed
that he spoke "as a Quebecer and a Canadian who is very attached to both
his identities," a dual attachment that he noted is shared by the vast
majority of Quebecers. The Minister indicated that the Canadian government must
"demonstrate how well federalism responds to Quebecers’ needs, and
encourage other Canadians to show how important Quebec is to their sense of
being Canadian."
"Canada works well," Mr. Dion said, adding that, "it can be
improved, and it will be improved if Quebecers and other Canadians resolutely
decide to work together." The Minister concluded by predicting that
"the forces of unity will prevail."
-30-
For information: André Lamarre
Press Secretary
(613) 943-1838
|
