News in Review

o n l i n e

November 1997

CANADIAN UNITY: THE CALGARY INITIATIVE

A Grassroots Consultation

During the fall of 1997, nine Canadian provinces and the two territories are undertaking a consultation process with its citizens in response to the Calgary Declaration. Below are excerpts from the Newfoundland information package. Most provinces and territories have e-mail addresses, Web sites, toll-free phone numbers, fax numbers, and postal addresses set up to receive input from its citizens. Most can be found most easily on the Internet. The excerpts reprinted here explain the Calgary Declaration and the consultation process in question-and-answer format. Read these excerpts and discuss whether or not, from your point of view, they effectively explain the process. Then identify any questions you might still have that the information provided here doesn’t answer. You may wish to contact the office of your provincial premier, government leader, or the Assembly of First Nations for further clarification. Newfoundland Questions and Answers on Canadian Unity Q. How will the unity issue affect me personally? A. Every citizen has an interest in ensuring the strength of the province and the country. A strong, united Canada will pay dividends to all its citizens. Q. Why are consultations being held? A. The views of residents of this province are very important in this issue. Input from citizens regarding the Calgary Declaration is required. The principles agreed to by the premiers in Calgary will need the support of the citizens of the province if they are to be effective. Q. Why should I consider public consultations on national unity a priority at this time? A. This issue is particularly important today since a Quebec election will likely take place in 1998 and, if the Parti Québécois wins that election, a Quebec referendum will probably follow in 1999 or 2000. There will be severe negative economic consequences for Newfoundland and Labrador if Quebec separates from Canada. In order to ensure political and economic stability in Canada, Canada must remain a strong, united country. Q. How are these principles different from the present situation? A. There is nothing different. The principles simply give expression to what already exists, and this is important. Q. Will there be separate powers for any province? A. No. Principle 6 states clearly that if the Constitution is amended to give a power to one province, that power must be available to all provinces. Principle 5 recognizes that Quebec has a role to protect and develop its unique character, but no special powers are associated with that role. Q. In dealing with Quebec, why is “unique character” used instead of “distinct”? A. The word distinct carries with it baggage from earlier discussions. It has taken on a negative meaning in many parts of Canada. Also, “distinct” suggests a “separateness” that is inconsistent with the concept of unity. By contrast, “unique character” suggests something special which does not undermine unity. Therefore, “unique character” more accurately describes what is meant.

• Introduction
• Step By Step
• A Consensual Declaration
• A Provincial-Territorial Initiative
• A Grassroots Consultation
• Every Voice Counts
• The Question of Western Alienation
• Discussion, Research, and Essay Questions

Indicates material appropriate or adaptable for younger viewers.