SASKATOON – There was no death of a country, no birth of a nation. But for western Canadians, trepidation lingers over unfinished business in Quebec.
Comments from two western premiers were alike in their views for the future of Canada after a narrow victory by the no side of the referendum question.
“People are fed up with constitutional wrangling … but we will talk about administrative changes that will allow Quebec to work in confederation,” said Alberta premier Ralph Klein.
Like Klein, Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow talked of the constitutional debate ahead, and Quebec’s role within it, but said he doesn’t anticipate major constitutional restructuring.
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Focus on finance
“The future of Canada includes further decentralization of the federal responsibilities,” said Romanow. “I don’t see the federal government being tied up in constitutional matters in the immediate future. There will be a focus on finances, debt and deficit.”
Romanow blamed the close race on “a sense of arrogance in the ‘no’ campaign. They just got a little too cocky.
“If Quebec accepts this vote we may be able to look at some constitutional change. If they continue to insist on separation then it will be very difficult to make those changes,” said Romanow.
With the referendum over, the chair of the Citizens Concerned About Free Trade thinks the premiers will use the results to further some political agendas.
“I see them (Klein and Romanow) riding the coattails of this vote to help them achieve their own goals of more power to the provinces, further eroding the Canada they pretend to defend,” said David Orchard.
Manitoba New Democrat leader Gary Doer was also passing out criticism in the minutes following the ‘no’ victory. He chastised the Montreal business community and federal finance minister Paul Martin for using “scare tactics that offended Quebecers” in the last days of the campaign.
Message sent
“Quebec has sent us a message and this time we had better be listening,” Doer said.
Western Canadian farmers contacted after the vote said they see the narrow no-side victory as more of a beginning than an end.
“At some point we have to settle things with Quebec,” said John Kolk, a chicken producer from Picture Butte, Alta. “The vote is just the first step in that direction. There is still a long way to go.
“I think a desire for decentralization is something we have in common with Quebec … Alberta, like Quebec has some issues surrounding increased provincial control, that we need to make changes to.”
Canadian Cattle Commission executive vice-president Dennis Laycraft said communications remain open with cattle producers and markets in Quebec. He anticipates little change as a result of Monday’s vote.
