MINISTER STÉPHANE DION STATES THAT THE CANADIAN IDEAL
OF THE HARMONIOUS COHABITATION OF POPULATIONS OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
AND CULTURES IS UNIVERSAL IN SCOPE

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, June 10, 1999 – Speaking today to the members of the South Asia Council, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, stated that the Canadian ideal, which is based on the harmonious cohabitation of different populations within a single state, is universal in scope.

After noting that the countries of South Asia--Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan -- are characterized by tremendous cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity, Minister Dion stated: "The cohabitation of different populations within a single country may well be the main issue of the next century, not only in South Asia but elsewhere in the world as well." Mr. Dion pointed out that a 1997 Carnegie Corporation report states that since the end of the Cold War, the number of conflicts within states has greatly exceeded the number of conflicts between states and that a study published by the United States Institute of Peace Press has identified 233 ethnic or religious minorities that are calling for improvements to their legal and political rights, many of which are in South Asia.

The Minister then outlined the main principles that guide the Canadian way of seeking unity in diversity. "It is based on the primacy of individual rights. But it does not establish these rights in the abstract; it takes into account the diverse realities of which individuals are a part." Mr. Dion showed how the major collective issues in Canada, such as the Aboriginal question, Quebec's specificity, and multiculturalism, give tangible expression to the integration of individual rights with collective realities.

In reference to the notion of founding peoples, Mr. Dion pointed out that "Canada has inherited from its history the good fortune, the privilege and the duty to promote French and French-language cultures in Quebec, in Canada as a whole and throughout the world, and to make this heritage accessible to Canadians of all origins".

The Minister also refuted the idea that the existence of a separatist movement in Quebec is proof that Canadian federalism doesn't work. "I say that's inaccurate: Canada is undeniably a country that works in comparison with others, in the sense that it provides its citizens with one of the best qualities of life in the world. That quality of life stems in large part from a spirit of tolerance, openness and mutual trust between different populations."

Mr. Dion pointed out Quebecers' attachment to their plural identities, noting that according to all the opinion polls, something like 80% of Quebecers feel that they have a Canadian identity. "Quebecers in general see themselves as a people, but they also see themselves as belonging to the Canadian people, and they don't have a problem acknowledging the existence of more than one people in Quebec. Many remain attached to the French-Canadian people. They appreciate these different identities and make them their own, and are wary of exclusive conceptions of the nation." The Minister added that "the separatist leaders know that their exclusive nationalism is rejected by a clear majority of Quebecers. That's why they don't want to ask a clear question on secession."

The Minister concluded: "I am not saying that Canada has managed to achieve its ideal of the harmonious cohabitation of populations of different languages and cultures. I am saying that the pursuit of this ideal holds the key to strengthening our unity. I also believe that this ideal is universal in scope, and that the pursuit of this ideal may help countries that, in contexts more difficult than our own, in South Asia and elsewhere, need to achieve harmony among their populations, and to seek, in some way, their own Canada."

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