ESTEVAN, Sask. (Staff) – Reform party leader Preston Manning says Western Canadians want the Quebec referendum to put a definite end to the national unity debate.
“The West has been saying this thing better be resolved,” he told reporters during a stop on a prairie tour earlier this month.
Manning said Quebecers need to be told three simple things about their vote. If they vote yes, they are voting for separation. “But no means not only no to separation, it also means no to the status quo.”
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This doesn’t mean changing the constitution, he said, but perhaps changing the terms of federation.
Manning said the outcome of the vote will play a role in his party’s future, depending on what the Bloc Quebecois members do. He said Reform members are “playing the role” of the official opposition now and are ready for the job.
“The Bloc is not interested in other issues,” he said. “They don’t do their share of committee work.”
Higher interest rates
He also said a yes vote, perhaps resulting in the loss of Quebec markets, would more likely have a general negative economic impact on agriculture. A declining dollar, higher interest rates and uncertainty could hurt more than the loss of some markets, he said.
As well, Manning criticized the Liberals for not doing more early on to help farmers deal with the loss of the Crow Benefit under the Western Grain Transportation Act.
