By STEPHEN HARPER
Thursday, December 22, 2005, Page A21
The Globe and Mail
Following my recent speech on open federalism in Quebec City, The Globe and Mail wrote an editorial asking for more information. I am happy to elaborate on the concept of open federalism, which has been welcomed by all mainstream federalists in Quebec and across Canada.
"Stand up for Canada" is the title of our platform, and that is what we are going to do. We are going to make Canada work better, not by transferring federal powers to the provinces, but by co-operating with the provinces in the exercise of their legitimate constitutional jurisdiction.
A Conservative government will put an end to the Liberal scandals that have so damaged the cause of federalism in Quebec. Paul Martin's party has been held responsible in a judicial inquiry on corruption. Mr. Martin should have known and acted against this corruption when he had the chance. If Quebeckers face only a choice between the tainted Liberals and the Bloc Québécois in this election, the majority will opt for the Bloc. That is why putting forward a Conservative federalist alternative is so important to Quebec and, indeed, to all of Canada.
As Conservatives, we do not believe national unity and federalism itself should be punished as a consequence of the actions of one party. A Conservative government will offer a complete departure from the approaches of both the federal Liberals and the Bloc Québécois. Instead of the old paternalistic and arrogant attitude of the federal Liberals, and the blind and sterile obstruction of the Bloc, a Conservative government will practise an open federalism.
Our commitment is to establish a new relationship with the provinces, while clarifying the roles of both levels of government within the division of powers of the Constitution. That means working constructively with the Council of the Federation. For example, we will support the creation of practical mechanisms to facilitate provincial involvement in the development of the Canadian position in areas of federal jurisdiction where provincial jurisdiction is affected.
We also recognize that Quebec has certain linguistic and cultural responsibilities that are of less interest to the other provinces. We will invite Quebec to participate in UNESCO in the same way it has participated in la Francophonie -- an arrangement that has worked well for Canada as a whole, as well as for Quebec.
These are mainstream positions of federalists in Quebec and across Canada. They have been welcomed by Quebec federalists, including Premier Jean Charest and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Benoît Pelletier, as well as Action Démocratique du Québec Leader Mario Dumont, who opposes holding another referendum on sovereignty. They have also received support from the Council of the Federation, which represents all provinces. And, until very recently, they were positions that Mr. Martin himself supported.
In contrast to the Liberals, the Conservatives have openly acknowledged that a fiscal imbalance exists in this federation. Again, this is the mainstream position of all federalists in Quebec. And it is the position of the Council of the Federation. Only Mr. Martin finds himself outside this mainstream national federalist consensus.
It is common knowledge that the federal government enjoys large and growing surpluses -- estimated at $83-billion over the next five years -- even as most provinces are struggling to balance their budgets while maintaining indispensable social services, such as health care, public education, highways, and municipal infrastructure. Correcting the fiscal imbalance means ensuring that the provinces can deliver on these responsibilities.
The Conservative Party has proposed realistic measures in this campaign and has offered to bring integrity and political accountability to Ottawa, to reform federalism, and to help taxpayers. It is a balanced approach that strengthens the federal role in areas of its own jurisdiction and works with federalists from coast to coast to address the concerns of all Canadians.
By its corruption, the Liberal Party has gravely damaged federalism in Quebec. Nonetheless, Mr. Martin has spoken recklessly and repeatedly of a referendum in Quebec ever since the campaign began. He has said nothing constructive about working with Mr. Charest, the most federalist Quebec premier in a generation, to head off separatism. And yet he attacks Conservative positions designed to rebuild federalism in Quebec. It is time for a new hand at the tiller.