Sunday, April 02, 2006

Why I Fear Harper

I came across this article this morning:
Stephen Harper is saying he's ready to go where no prime minister in more than a decade has dared to tread into Canada's constitutional minefield.

In an interview aired yesterday on CBC Radio's political program, "The House," Harper surprisingly said he'd be willing to reopen the constitutional debate.

"Ultimately, there will have to be constitutional changes, not just to accommodate Quebec but also to accommodate demands we have from the West and from other parts of the country and from the population of Canada," Harper said.

The Prime Minister, who said he would approach it "cautiously," said he thinks Canadians are demanding "that our constitution be renewed and that it be updated and that it be modernized and that it be democratic; that we have, for example, a Parliament where everyone's elected."

If there is one area that Harper has the potential to do the most lasting damage, it is his approach to federalism. I have argued before that Harper approaches federalism with the narrowness of a Premier's perspective. What a dangerous situation for Canada to have potential constitutional talks, with a federal leader who continually demonstrates open disdain for the federal role. Forget the facts that clearly show the transfer of power and money to the provinces over the years, Harper holds the view that we must stop "federal incursions" into provincial jurisdictions.

The drift towards regionalism has one counter, the federal government. The provinces always demand more, as they should in representing their constituency. The role of the federal government is too blanket the provincial perspective with overriding principles that project a symmetry that fosters union. With Harper, Canada now lacks the "check" on provincial aspiration. The word "centrist" is taboo, but that stance is essential for the federal counter. There needs to be a tension in our federal system that keeps all parties honest.

I fear Harper will use Quebec's unique status as nation within a nation to further devolve the role of the federal government. Other provinces, particularly Alberta, have used Quebec to prop up their own agenda, even though the argument clearly lacks the social characteristics of Quebec. Harper seems bent on approaching federalism from the old Reform perspective, which is narrow and short-sighted. Harper's superficial Senate reforms will eventually necessitate provincial consultation, which may provide the opening for constitutional talks on a wider scale. We will then have the bizarre situation where a provincial Premier will have to step forward to argue for Canada, clearly Harper favors devolution.

Ironic that Harper argues against "American bashing" for political purposes, yet has no opinion on the federal bashing that has become civic duty in some regions of our own country. I favor a strong central government, with adequate concessions to ensure a vibrant, self-sustaining Quebec society, because I believe the human condition is advanced when we come together and rise above superficial differences. Canada is unique in the world, in that it can project the way forward through the experiment of union amongst the most diverse population. I fear Stephen Harper lacks the vision to see the opportunity, instead fixating on any policy that will ensure a future majority, forget the long-term consequence.

As a side note, I agree that we need constitutional reform, desperately in fact. However, we can't afford talks with this perspective at the helm, we must wait until we have a Prime Minister, not the eleventh Premier.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You make a crucially important point - if Canada is to work, it has to be as a strong federation that is able to represent a clear understanding of the two solitudes. To simplify to the point of mere regionalism, as Harper does, is easy since it caters to the lowest common denominator in us all and represents no vision of what Canada could be capable of.
(Mind you, Chretien's post referendum give away of federal powers was not that intelligent either).

D said...

Great post!

As a Westerner (born in Ssk and went through high school and 1st year post-secondary in Ab), I am somewhat inherently partial to the idea of the provinces having more power.

I have come to the conlcusion that the West, or Quebec, will never be satisfied with any constitutional changes unless it grants them the power to do whatever they want. This includes the power to suceed from the rest of the country.

I believe the provinces should have greater power over their energy and mineral resouces, but ultimately when it comes to culture (this is for Quebec), the Senate (for the West), and for health care (the whole kit and kabootle) a strong central government needs to be at the helm for these issues.

The uniqueness of Alberta and Saskatchewan is not the same as the uniqueness of Quebec. It is not cultural as much as it is economic.

I am an advocate for Senate reform as long as the powers of the senate are increased! Electing senators that do nothing is counter-productive and a short-term remedy for a long-term problem; which is, the very question of whether or not a Senate is needed.

My favorite line in your post Steve, is Harper's quote that Canadians are "demanding... a parliament where everyone's elected" this is coming from the guy who appointed Fortier to cabinet. What an asshole.

Steve V said...

lept

"caters to the lowest common denominator in us all"

Harper's UNESCO decision, while attractive, should be seen for what it is- a cynical political powerplay to garner votes, rather than a geniune concern about a vibrant Quebec.

dylan

Harper's Senate reform does nothing for democracy and accountability, since the Senators will never have to face the voters again and can act with impunity until they are forced to retire. Again, just a bandage to appease westerners, without any vision to actually make the body relevant.

kevvyd said...

Excellent post.

As a Maritimer I have lived mostly outside of the regions that demand changes to the federal/provincial balance of power. However, it seems to me to be somewhat disingenuous to on the one hand say that the federal government must maintain control of certain social programs such as health care, while at the same time devolve nearly all of the costs of delivering those programs to the provinces.

By downloading more and more of the costs of balancing their budget on the provinces, the federal government has done a pretty poor job of selling federalism. Even in a poorish province like Nova Scotia.

That we require Constitutional reform is obvious - we have a province that is not even included in the one we have now. However economic nationalism from Alberta would not add positively to the discussion that we must have.

Scotian said...

Good post Steve.

Like yourself I do agree a certain degree of Constitutional change is needed, but what I do not think is needed is to have those changes authoured by Harper and the CPC. I have worried about a CPC minority since before the election for one reason more than any other, that being a de facto coalition between the CPC and the BQ on devolvement of federal powers to the Provinces. For all the CPC rhetoric about how overly centralized Canada is and how it is absolutely necessary to devolve powers to the Provinces because of it, the reality is that Canada is one of if not the weakest federal government structure in the world and the Provinces have more powers than most subunits within national structures.

Harper though does not have a mandate for opening up the Constitution and I suspect that if he tries in this minority to do so that it will not sit well in the public. It will also be useful for opposition parties to say "See Harper did have a hidden agenda and here it is, is this really what you were voting for?" which in turn will undercut his credibility and moral authority to enter into such agreements as he would be interested in with the Constitution.

If this is where Harper is going I am not sure he truly understands the can of worms he would be opening. For most Canadians the idea of opening up the Constitution yet again will remind people of Mulroney's overreaching the last time out and the negative fallout for the country that created, and Mulroney was not stupid enough to try to do something like this in a weak minority. This is in my opinion a really really really bad idea for both Canada and Harper.

Anonymous said...

I'm afraid of Americans.

But I'm more afraid of Gringo-style politics & corporate pandering...

yeah, let's hitch our wagons to

Anonymous said...

I'm afraid of Americans.

But I'm more afraid of Gringo-style politics & corporate pandering...

yeah, let's hitch our wagons to the pedophile, corrupt, Skull&Bones-dominated Republican juggernaut.

Yeah, that's it - Harper you're Our Man in Washington!