In support of my post on the “nation” issue being but a single small move by a chess grandmaster, I have found Mr. Plonka translating some French for me. The translation comes from La Sphére des idées J.H.
I’ve just learned from a reliable source today that Prime Minister Harper will announce, on this coming December 19th in Quebec City, his proposal to limit the spending power of the federal government in provincial jurisdictions. There’s exactly one year between that and last year when, at the same place, the Tory chief promised Quebecers a new and open federalism during his electoral campaign. Many political analysts considered this announcement to be the key to the Conservative breakthrough in Quebec.
Harper plans to execute his promise by way of a Constitutional amendment which would limit the spending power of the federal government in provincial fields of jurisdiction, and would demand the approval of the provinces when creating a national program within a provincial field. Aside from these two conditions, in the event in which a federal program is created, a province will have the ability of opting out from the program with full financial compensation. To do this, the Conservative government will need the signiature[sic] of at least 7 provinces representing at least 50% of the population.
How could any province say no to these two items?
Continuing on further into the post.
We’re witnessing, at this moment, a renaissance of the Canadian federation, to the slow agony of the sovereigntist movement
…
Decentralization is the key to the survival of Canadian federalism and to inflicting slow, painful agony on the separatist movement, the latter finding its essence chiefly in the anger of nationalists towards an unrepentant federal government.
This is quite indicative of what I see coming and alluded to in my last post. A stronger Canada via stronger provinces, and not a centralized powerhouse. The downscaling will drop taxation dramatically at a federal level which will in turn put pressure on provinces to raise taxes to compensate for programs they are supposed to run and the amount of hands on the feds provide will be minimal and there to provide some equalization for the poorer provinces.
The feds can in one fell swoop drop taxes, give the provinces (including Quebec) more control of their own destiny, remove the fear of separation, alleviate the west’s feelings that Quebec is appeased and fix, or dramatically reduce, the fiscal imbalance.
And the chess game continues. Stay tuned.