T H E V I E W F R O M M O N T R E A L
Speaking for all of Canada After months of intensive talks behind speak with one voice internationally: closed doors with federal officials, the Canada’s. Last week's Charest government has finally given
agreement, while tentative, will be up on the idea that the Quebec government
ironed out more formally between should be free to act on its own
the Quebec and federal governments on the international stage in matters at a meeting scheduled for of provincial jurisdiction.
Oct. 7.
News of the sudden policy shift is
Despite past differences on this welcome. It is almost surprising, as
issue, there is no reason why closer well, given the weak defence of the
co-operation between the two levels constitutional principle of federal
of government in a variety of foreignjurisdiction over foreign affairs that policy areas shouldn’t be encouraged. foreign minister Pierre Pettigrew Ottawa clearly has a duty had put up in recent weeks.
to keep the provinces in the loop,
Canada is best- served by having
conceivably even to give them, collectively, just one foreign minister, not 11 of a veto. them. This proposition is self- evident.
But this should happen within And yet successive Quebec nationalists
Canada’s sovereignty. Ottawa did accept have tried to circumvent it. Quebec having its own seat at
It was Paul Gerin-Lajoie, a member
La Francophonie. But in other cases, of Jean Lesage’s Liberal cabinets
such as immigration, successive Ottawaof the 1960s, who first claimed that Quebec City deals have given Quebec deserved its own international
Quebec some say over who gets in voice on matters under Quebec’s — but no foreign state signed those constitutional purview. He
deals, and under them Canada even rubbed Ottawa’s nose in Quebec’s
alone is responsible for national new assertiveness by signing
standards and objectives. The conciliation an education pact with the French. of Canadian regional interests
With time, Gerin- Lajoie’s assertion must be done, in general, within became an article of faith for Canada, before our diplomats go Quebec. Pelletier tried to turn that
abroad. This slows down talks, but faith into reality, but was finally persuaded
it is part of the price of federalism. to see the merits of a compromise
The government of Canada has deal that will give Quebec
the right, the duty, the power, the greater representation within foreign
will and the ability to speak for all delegations.
of Canada.
While the Quebec government will make its voice heard within these delegations, they will unfailingly