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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