"TO EACH PEOPLE ITS OWN STATE"
IS AN IMPRACTICAL IDEA, SAYS STÉPHANE DION
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Septembre 30, 1996 – According to Canda’s Minister
of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Stéphane Dion, the idea that any population
with its own distinctive characteristics should have its own state is
"completely false" and "impractical."
The Minister delivered a speech today in Sainte-Foy at a conference on
federalism, organized by the Université Laval’s Institut québécois des
hautes études internationales, in collaboration with the Centre international
de formation européene de Nice and the University of British Columbia.
Necessary cohabitation of cultures
The Minister stated that the idea of "to each people its own state" is
impractical and also a moral error, because "by learning to have their
component cultures live together, states give their populations the opportunity
of elevating themselves [....] Cohabitation of cultures is necessary and,
indeed, the only solution, because neither cultural assimilation nor cultural
separation is practical or morally acceptable."
"The reason that Canada is so open, so tolerant and so generous
today," the Minister continued, "is because the French and English,
from their earliest beginnings, have striven to get along and to take advantage
both of their respective identities and of the complementarity of their two
great cultures."
At a time of market globalization and pressure for autonomy, the Minister
pointed out that, on the one hand, "the pressure for larger units has been
generated by a growing awareness of worldwide interdependence and a need for
greater influence in international decision-making", while, on the other
hand, "a demand for smaller, self-governing political units has arisen from
the need to make governments more responsive to citizens and their primary
attachments: linguistic and cultural ties, religious connections, historical
traditions and social practices. These are the pillars of community."
"Federalism helps to reconcile these dual pressures," stated the
Minister. "Canada is a federation where each province can have its own
perspective and solve its problems in its own way." As an example, Mr. Dion
noted that all ten of Canada’s provinces have had budget deficits, but each
has found, in its own way, the means to resolve that situation and, today, seven
of them have balanced their budget or are showing a surplus. "All provinces
seek out their own inner strengths, but that does not prevent them from helping
one another through solidarity."
To illustrate the ethic of federalism, Mr. Dion referred to Alan Cairns, a
recognized Canadian authority on federalism, whose work has shown that
institutions not only enable us to do things, but also encourage moral
principles, contributing to the way in which we view the world and ourselves.
Tolerance and solidarity: two great moral principles that federalism
encourages
Mr. Dion believes that federalism encourages two great moral principles:
tolerance and solidarity. Tolerance "is expressed through our ability to
understand different ways of doing things." It "encourages our ability
to accept different ways of contributing to the life of a society."
"In its most basic form, tolerance gives people the freedom to be
themselves, so as to help one another more effectively."
Mr. Dion feels that those who say we must all be Canadian in the same way are
mistaken. Unlike those who see decentralization as a threat, he is convinced
that the opposite is true.
"I’m a little guy from Quebec City, my birthplace, now living in
Montreal, and I have my own way of being Canadian; I don’t have to be Canadian
in the same way as someone from Winnipeg. I know instinctively, however, that
sharing this same country with that person from Winnipeg makes both of us better
human beings."
The Minister could not agree less with those who suggest that federalism can
work only in a homogenous society, with the same religion and the same language.
"Federalism works well in a homogeneous society and it is necessary in a
heterogeneous society, because it promotes tolerance, which a heterogeneous
society needs more than anything else," Mr. Dion stated.
Referring to Professor LaSelva of the University of British Columbia, Mr. Dion
noted that "this institutional structure of federalism is the bearer of a
moral principle which I call solidarity [....] Solidarity, which I define as a
sense of the common good and compassion for our fellow citizens, enables us to
act together, to join forces and pool our resources."
"That’s the real meaning of Canadian solidarity. It’s more than
tolerance; we not only tolerate others as they are, we want to help them be what
they are."
Reforming the federation
In terms of reforming the federation, the Minister noted that "A federation
can and must always be improved and adapted to the evolving needs of its
population, but always by relying on the moral principles it encourages. That is
what the Government of Canada has done."
In setting out the federal government’s proposal to the provinces regarding
labour-market training, the Minister stated, "We have given the provinces
more flexibility for this public policy that is so important for the world of
tomorrow. Labour-market training is a crucial sector, because countries such as
Canada will maintain their competitive edge only if they can rely on a highly
skilled labour force."
"The Government has therefore taken steps to eliminate any conflict or
overlap, by giving the provinces the opportunity to manage the some $2 billion a
year the federal government currently spends for active employment assistance
measures."
"Each order of government will thus have its own responsibilities, and we
will be able to take on the next century with an effective labour framework,
thanks to a good understanding of what Canadian federalism is all about."
"Federalism is helping human beings all over the world to live together
more harmoniously. That is why I am convinced that federalism is a valid
solution for human societies, a solution that we must preserve for ourselves and
for our children."
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For information: Claude Péloquin
Press Secretary
(613) 943-1838
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