From: jmorriso@ee.ubc.ca (John Paul Morrison)
Subject: Re: Beyond the referendum
Organization: University of BC, Electrical Engineering
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 02:19:20 GMT

In article <BvBsxG.8rL@ireq.hydro.qc.ca> beaurega@ireq.hydro.qc.ca (Denis Beauregard) writes:
>In article <1992Sep28.214510.21071@pandora.matrox.com> thood@corvus.matrox.com (Thomas Hood) writes:
>>
>>What should happen after the accord is rejected?
>>
>>--
>>Thomas Hood                                                  thood@matrox.com
>
>What about a new agreement proposed as a basis for next elections?
>PC and PLC promoting some very close "renewed" constitution and
>NDP (why not) promoting the obvious, asymetrical federalism?
>PQ is already promoting asymetrical federalism (aka SOuverainete-Association).
>
>Asymetrical federalism will solve 2 major problems addressed but not
>resolved by Charlottetown agreement :

I'm not clear on what asymmetircal federalism is.

I think we can saitsfiy Quebec and some other provinces if:

we clearly define Federal powers, and give strict constitutional limits
on what the Federal government may do. All remaining powers would go to
the provinces.

These Federal powers should be agreed upon by all the provinces. These
powers should be weighted so that no province can be percieved as gaining
more than another province from it. We need to structure federal powers
so that the will of one province can not be imposed on another province.

The provinces are seperate regions, and what is good for Ontario, may not
be good for BC. Therefore, it is fair that federal powers do not end up
giving Ontarians explicit or implicit say on what goes on in BC, or Quebec
etc. The issue of representation by population has no meaning when we are
talking about geographically seperate areas. I don't know why this is
so difficult for Ontarians/Quebeckers to understand. Ontario has around
1/3 of Canada's population, BC only 1/10th or so. But Ontarians are over
THERE, and we BCers are over HERE.

I think federalism has served the interests of the reigning PM, it doesn't
matter whether it is PET, or BM; and not the provinces, and the people
in them. It would be fairly simple for the provinces on their OWN to 
negotiate with each other, and outline purely national policies, human
rights, economics, defense, foreign policy, a national system of justice. 
But the Feds keep butting
in, they are trying to retain power that has not been used wisely in the 
past, and they want the power for its own sake.

If you want more justification, think of this: if Quebec is "sovereign" then
so is every other province, why would BC have less claim than Quebec?
And if Quebec wants the rights of sovereignty, then Quebec has to abide
by the responsibilities too. That means treating other "sovereign" provinces
equally, and the other provinces will have to respect Quebec in the same
way.

>1- Special status for Quebec


Why? If we give Quebec exclusive control over matters within Quebec, (and the
same to the other provinces), then what special status remains for Quebec
to claim? 

>2- Quebec being out of most power positions (doing on her own), Central Canada
>has much less power than before and Westerners are happier and less
>afraid by Central Canada.

If Quebec gets control over internal matters, so should every other province.
Once every province gets that control, the province could no longer claim
a right to make decisions relating to other provinces (as happens now).

That's where I am a little unclear about Quebec, and asymmetrical federalism.
If Quebec gets power over internal decisions, Quebec (and every other province)
should relinquish any power affecting outside of Quebec. The National
Assembly has no power over other provinces, but through the Commons, Quebec
(and Ontario) can covertly exert power outside of the province.


With each province equal, and with control over its own affairs, I believe
the provinces can negotiate a renewed Canada, in a civilized manner.
If the USA and Canada can negotiate a trade deal, surely the provinces
can negotiate a coalition of what we all aspire to. Once Quebec feels 
safe that the rest of Canada can't threaten it; once western Canada feels
that Central Canada can't threaten; and once Ontario gets used to the
fact that it can't call the shots outside its borders, I think Canadians
will be able to put aside their mistrust, and be able to see what it is
in Canada that is really worth preserving. Federalism is just a political
structure: the death of Federalism is not the death of Canada.

I'll say this again: federalism has poisoned the waters. 
>
>The Natives problem is not yet resolved, but taking into account the
>number of persons involved, this one is less important.

Numbers don't count. Their problems are no less important to them, as
your problems are to you. 
>
>-- 
>  \_\    Denis Beauregard  *  internet:beaurega@ireq.hydro.qc.ca
> /   \   Genealogiste officiel : Beauregard/Jarret/Jarest/Vincent
>J   __>  Un Quebec renouvele dans une Amerique renovee
>\_.-===                                                  Opinions ? Et pis non !


-- 
__________________________________________________________________________
 John Paul Morrison                     |  Just another "Enemy of Canada"
 University of British Columbia, Canada |  Say NO/NON to Constitutional
 Electrical Engineering                 |  hegemony and fear-mongering
 jmorriso@ee.ubc.ca              VE7JPM |  by politicians/scum.
________________________________________|_________________________________