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Monday, December 19, 2005
More power for Quebec
Stephen Harper has just wrapped up his sole event for the day, a speech to the Quebec Chamber of Commerce, in snowy and windy Quebec City. The crowd was enthusiastic, and even gave Harper a standing ovation when he was introduced.
Harper used the speech to unveil his platform for Quebec, a platform that contains fewer specific initiatives than the B.C. one he unveiled on December 17 but, nevertheless, undoubtedly has greater impact on the national scene. The Conservative leader pledged to rejuvenate federalism by: allowing Quebec to play a greater role in international institutions (something he also said during the French-language debate in Vancouver last week); correcting the “fiscal imbalance” between the federal government and the provinces; and recognizing provincial autonomy in legitimate areas, as well as recognizing “the special cultural and institutional responsibilities of the Quebec government.”
Much of this will be broadly encompassed in a document a Conservative government would adopt, called the Charter of Open Federalism.
In answer to a question, about whether Quebec should have more powers than other provinces, Harper said, “I believe in general that we should treat all Canadians similarly,” but added that Quebec wants more powers than other provinces. All of this is subject to more negotiation and change will be incremental.
In a later talk I had with MP Rona Ambrose, who is now accompanying Harper, she stressed that Harper's approach would benefit all provinces by more clearly delineating federal jurisdictions.
As well, she recognized that the "fiscal imbalance" remedy for Quebec might well be different than the "fiscal imbalance" solution for "have" provinces such as Alberta. The former wants more federal transfers; the latter want the feds to transfer tax points to them.
I'm no economist, so I can't possibly figure out if trying to solve both these issues is an attempt to square a circle or not.
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Harper has increasingly been noting the possibility, during his scrums with the media, of his becoming prime minister. It’s never more than a few words in passing, but I believe he is trying to get voters used to the idea of the Tories winning. His strategy was never more apparent than today, when, referring to a Conservative government, he described himself in the third person, using the term, “this prime minister.”
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I don’t speak French, so I didn’t catch a gaffe Harper apparently committed during the scrum. Asked in French about a rusting bridge, Harper gave an answer about an airport. Ouch.
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While Harper talked about making federalism more welcoming for Quebec, he steered clear of any discussion of the democratic reforms he unveiled in B.C. Strangely, no one from the Quebec media asked about them either. This is odd, because under Harper’s pledge to ensure that all provinces get exactly the representation their population merits in the House of Commons, the percentage of seats allocated in slow-growing Quebec would decline to more than a full point under 25%, the magic number to which Quebeckers cling.
Posted by Terry O'Neill on December 19, 2005 in Canadian Politics | Permalink
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Comments
Squaring the Cirle
hmmmmmm = now isn't this all very interesting
Fiscal imbalance is probably spelled virtually the same in English or in French - but somehow "it may have" a different meaning in P/Q and the ROC. Really!!!!
The talk is to give more power to Quebec internationally. Well, why not. Fluently French people control the entire agenda of all the "National" institutions, so why not internationally as well.
Duceppe was very, very clear about what his vision is for Canada during both of the "debates". Rather unlike the others, wouldn't you say.
The ROC - especially Martin and idealistic federalists - contiune to see Duceppe's position as a ploy - that Quebecers really don't want separation, etc., etc. How much clearer does Duceppe have to be. And here we are - talking about more concessions, just as has been going on for the last 35 years. Of course this is what they are really after.
A Charter of Open Federalism. Will this have something to do with the repealing of Bill S-3??
Provincial autonomy in "legitimate areas". Hmmm does this mean that the P/Q. Bill 101 covers a liegitimate area (the language law that overrides pretty much all of anglophone linguistic rights in Quebec. Gnerally "we must treat all Canadians similarly". Right!!!!!
Making things more welcoming for Quebec. The fact that in the civil service/military,RCMP, Senate, 3000 political patronage appointments, etc, etc., there is a huge imbalance of Fluently French speaking people isn't welcoming enough?????? That there simply is no career opportunities in any of the federal institutions for Anglophones/Allophones who do not speak French fluently. This is not "enough".......they only make up 70% of the rest of Canada.
Yes, Quebec surely would like more tranfers with less strings. What is this about the ROC wanting tax credits????? Somehow I think it goes more like the rest of us are totally fed up with having paid the transfers we already have for 35 years to Quebec and are't likely to have a whole lot of interest in paying much, if anything, more.
If "more" is to go to Quebec - hmmmmm, what does this mean for the ROC
Posted by: calgary clipper | 2005-12-19 1:58:14 PM
Calgary Clipper,
You've asked a whole lot of questions and raised many concerns.
I think though that what Harper is driving at with the transfer of tax credits is to address the fiscal imbalance issue. Specifically, I think that what is going on is that under a Harper government, there would be a structural realignment of responsibilities between the federal and provincial governments.
What is currently happening is that due to the fed's stranglehold on most taxation issues (especially income tax) they have taken it upon themselves over the last number of decades to try and steal control of the national agenda by sticking their noses into provincial jurisdictions (i.e healthcare/social programs).
By overtaxing the average Canadian, they have built a 'war chest' with which they can then throw breadcrumbs at the provinces in exchange for the provinces agreeing to adopt or follow federal programs (childcare for example).
Harper, I believe is going to give the provinces more opportunity to generate revenues by using the tax system and then they will become responsible for funding (or not) any provincial programs. Quebec wants a $7/day daycare system. Fine, but they pay for it and not by having the federal government transfer funding. In this way, the federal government will not have a reason to need all of the funds being currently generated, but provinces will. It will then become a provincial matter as to whether or not they want additional programs, and if so, then they will be responsible to tax their citizens to pay for them.
In this way, there should be offsets by not having to transfer as much in the equilization programs, thereby reducing the amount taken from more affluent parts of the country and given to other parts.
All provinces will see a reduction in the amount of taxes paid to the feds, but will also see a corresponding reduction in the amount of money they receive.
I think that is the way that Harper is trying to go.
Ed the Hun
Posted by: EdtheHun | 2005-12-19 4:35:43 PM
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