IN THE nuanced and arcane world of the “whither Canada?” industry, Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard managed last week to create three stirs when he traveled west to meet fellow premiers.
The first came when he actually agreed to attend the 39th annual premiers’ conference, this year held in Saskatoon. Quebec does not always attend, even though these gatherings have evolved into an Ottawa-bashing event seemingly tailored to give any Quebec premier a good time.
But Quebec premiers have at times thought that mere mingling with other premiers could compromise the sovereignist theology that Quebec is a nation equal to Canada, not a province equal to Saskatchewan.
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So Bouchard’s decision to attend impregnated the event with anticipation.
The second stir came when he actually joined a provincial “consensus” that Ottawa should repair Canada’s tattered health-care system by spending more money.
It is easy for a politician to screw up his courage to ask another politician to spend more money. But with the underlying theme from other premiers that a renewed health system would make Canada work better, it was risky for Bouchard to sign on.
It helped Bouchard that all provinces agree they should have the right to opt out of national social programs and take their share of the cash. From income tax collection and student loan programs to pensions, Quebec is the opt-out champion.
But even that piece of provincial bravado was undermined a bit by the concession that opt-out with compensation would only be possible if the province established a similar program that met national standards.
Then, at the end of the conference, the Quebec premier performed his coup-de-grace. He would be “honored and pleased” to host next year’s premiers’ conference.
Is he a closet federalist, making one more “virage” in a political career filled with breathtaking reversals of allegiance?
Is this a trap, with Bouchard secretly savoring the prospect of welcoming a convoy of premiers to their first meeting on foreign soil, in the newly proclaimed Republic of Quebec?
Is it a political ploy built on a presumption of failure?
It could help attract soft-nationalist Quebec voters if he is willing to play the Canadian game. Then, when the provincial common front fails to convince Ottawa to relinquish more powers, it would be evidence that Canada cannot accommodate the aspirations of even co-operative Quebeckers.
Or, it might be Bouchard’s judgment that an attempt to forge a new Canadian co-operative federalism model can only be sabotaged if he stays inside the tent to urge against compromise.
For now, he keeps his strategy to himself. No doubt the other premiers are aware of his volatility. For now, they are welcoming him aboard the Canadian train, hoping his presence might inspire Ottawa to compromise in order to secure Quebec’s place in the federation.
Of course, they also will have to watch their backs.
