From: breton@McRCIM.McGill.EDU (Pierre Breton)
Newsgroups: can.politics
Subject: Re: PLAN B
Keywords: referendum alternative proposal
Date: 2 Oct 92 01:25:48 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: McGill Research Centre for  Intelligent Machines
Originator: breton@helios.mcrcim.mcgill.edu


NOTE: Plan B is an attempt to show that there is an alternative to 
the Charlottetown Deal that we are asked to vote on.  

Gerald Olchowy writes:
>Pierre Breton writes:
>>Within a federation, in general, I believe what amounts to a fair 
>>compensation corresponds to the amount dedicated to the program 
>>times the fraction of the population that the province correspond.  
>>For a "have not" province, this amount should gradually decrease to 
>>the amount it puts in the federation as the province opts-out of 
>>more and more programs or take over jurisdictions.  
>
>But this is not the type of compensation or equalization we've
>agreed too.  Charlottetown will condemn us to eternal provincial 
>fighting over compensation and equalization... 
>[more comments on Charlottetown deal deleted]

Right.  This is what I propose as an alternative.


>The unlimited ability to opt out with full compensation implies
>equalization...and doesn't imply a common citizenship which
>recognizes that the collective whole is more than the sum of the parts.
>
>>Note that the structure I propose could evolve peacefully toward 
>>this extreme asymmetrical model of federation, but the regional VETO
>>should give people the assurance that they are better served by the 
>federal government.  
>
>There would be no federal government...as there will ultimately
>be none under Charlottetown, because they accept "tribalism" and
                                      ^^^^who is "they"?
>fail to simultaneously recognize the greater community and the
>individual...both of which are essential for a common country.
>
>Europe is struggling to achieve this sense of greater community
>and sense of the individual out of a "tribal" past...under
>Charlottetown, we are embracing a new "tribalism" at the expense
>of the individual and the greater community.
>
>Gerald

In the case of this alternative proposal, opting-out or transfering
legislative powers to the provincial legislature implies a gradual 
reduction of equalization for that province if it's a "have-not" 
province while it does not imply diminishing contribution if it is
a "have" province.  Its only advantageous to consider these options 
if the population perceives a redundancy in the services.  

Your conclusion that the federal government would disappear seems to
derive from your impression that my proposal promote some "tribalism".
I totally disagree.  It is possible that this PLAN B proposal permits 
the EXPRESSION of this "tribalism", but it DOES NOT PROMOTE IT.  By 
empowering people with respect to their government structures and 
according a veto to every region, this proposal reinforces the 
People's confidence in their central government.  The Cabinet 
Ministers should be more inclined to listen to the MPs when they 
elaborate their policies.  



-- 
       __
      (..)        Pierre Breton
   --mm--mm--     breton@mcrcim.mcgill.ca
Newsgroups: can.politics