MINISTER DION IDENTIFIES COMMON PRINCIPLES
TO GUIDE INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS WITHIN FEDERATIONS

MONT-TREMBLANT, QUEBEC, October 6, 1999 – Speaking today during a session on intergovernmental relations at the International Conference on Federalism being held in Mont-Tremblant, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, asserted that despite contextual differences, there are common principles that can help federations achieve efficient intergovernmental relations.

The Minister discussed the great diversity that exists among federations around the world. He pointed to great variations in size, population and economic prosperity and also compared intergovernmental relations within parliamentary and presidential systems, noting that the former produces interactions between strong executives. Mr. Dion demonstrated that, compared to other federations, Canada is very decentralized. In addition, he stated that intergovernmental relations within Canada take place between executive branches that are clearly distinct as provinces do not choose members for the upper chamber of the Canadian Parliament.

Mr. Dion asserted that over the years, the role that governments play in the lives of citizens has increased, making federations more and more similar. "Everywhere, both the federal government and the governments of the constituent entities have seen their responsibilities grow, and as a result, their areas of jurisdiction increasingly touch," stated the Minister. Consequently, governments have had to learn to work more closely together.

Mr. Dion outlined seven principles that are common to all federations and which form a foundation for productive intergovernmental relations. These principles include respect for the Constitution, active cooperation, the preservation of autonomous action, flexibility, fairness, information sharing and transparency.

The Minister conceded that there will always be a certain creative tension inherent in the federal system of government. The perspective of the federal government is not the same as that of the constituent states. But he stressed that a "federation in which the different governments preserve their capacity for innovation and initiative, while working together to achieve common objectives, is better able to identify the best policies adapted to each context."

Mr. Dion stated that federations should be judged pragmatically "based on their results in terms of the quality of life they provide." He went on to stress that "it is too easy to be negative and compile a list of the intergovernmental conflicts and disagreements that exist in the life of a federation, without pointing to the more numerous agreements. In Canada, around 500 intergovernmental agreements have been signed over the last 15 years. They have had a beneficial impact on Canadians."

The Minister noted that constitutional issues should also be judged by their results. He argued that, while the Constitution Act, 1982 is perfectible, its main elements are appreciated by Canadians, including Quebecers. These main elements are "a charter of rights and freedoms, better protection for the French language, the inclusion of equalization in the Constitution and the possibility of bilateral constitutional amendments."

In concluding, the Minister noted that federalism "is also an apprenticeship in negotiation, the art of conflict resolution." He suggested that the federal experience can help a country address even the most difficult issues, including its own potential break up. The Minister admitted that "intergovernmental relations within a federation are often highly complex, but (...) we must never forget that (...) federalism is, first and foremost, a profoundly human undertaking."

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