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BEYOND PLAN A AND PLAN B:
MINISTER DION
OUTLINES THE GOVERNMENT'S
VISION ON CANADIAN UNITY
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, December 3, 1997 – Speaking to the Montreal Press
Club, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Stéphane Dion, stated that
the issue of Canadian unity goes beyond the notions of Plan A and Plan B. It
must promote substantial discussion that goes beyond slogans.
Mr. Dion asserted that the many questions raised
by Canadian unity and Quebec's future can be classified into two debates. The
first deals with the comparative advantages of a united Canada and an
independent Quebec. The second deals with the procedure through which Quebec
could become an independent state. The Minister added that these two debates are
in no way contradictory, and "must be advanced together, in the same spirit
of clarification."
With respect to the first debate, on the
advantages of Canada, Mr. Dion sought to counter the argument that the existence
of a separatist movement demonstrates that Canada is a failure. That false logic
masks the wonderful successes that all Canadians have achieved together.
According to Mr. Dion, the Canadian federal system is responsible in large part
for our success: "The changes we are making are not designed to make Canada
acceptable: it already is," he said, before rejecting the notion of the
status quo. The Minister pointed out the progress made in the past two years
regarding the Canadian social union.
The Minister said he is aware that the argument
of Canada's indisputable success will not be enough in itself if the battle of
identity is not also won. "Convincing Quebecers that they don't have to
choose between Quebec and Canada is undoubtedly the most important issue,"
the Minister stated, citing polls indicating how proud our fellow citizens are
to be both Quebecers and Canadians.
With respect to the second debate, on the
procedure through which Quebec could become an independent state, Mr. Dion
reiterated that the Supreme Court reference challenges the Bouchard government's
claim that it can effect independence unilaterally, not Quebecers' right to
self-determination. He stressed that this crucial distinction is too often
overlooked. He emphasized that our country must be based on the voluntary
adhesion of all its components. He noted that the Government of Canada has a
duty to ensure that Quebecers really want Canada to withdraw from Quebec before
entering into negotiations on secession.
Minister Dion proposed finding, among democrats,
a just and fair procedure to settle the issue of secession. That procedure
should be inspired by three principles: peacefulness, clarity and legality.
"If Mr. Bouchard would agree on those three principles tomorrow, we would
have taken a giant step as democrats in this difficult debate," added Mr.
Dion.
The Minister concluded his speech by stating that
Quebecers will never give up Canada in an atmosphere of clarity.
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For information: André Lamarre
Press Secretary
(613) 943-1838
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