When the prime minister and Canada’s provincial premiers meet, what should they talk about? Anything but the constitution, some say.
After all, there are so many important issues to discuss – jobs, deficits, deregulation, decentralization, those nasty Americans, many troublesome special-interest groups, whether the medicare system should tolerate extra-billing, etc.
“Constitution” is such a boring word. Besides, if anyone tries to discuss it, Lucien might get mad. Or Roy or Ralph.
In the army, there is a term for that type of attitude. It’s called dereliction of duty.
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In corporations, there is also a term for directors with that attitude. It’s called failing to show due diligence in protecting shareholders’ interests. Directors can be sued for their entire net worth for that sin.
Yet the premiers of Canada seem to be able to shrug off the troublesome topic of the constitution, without any ill effects.
“Constitution” is indeed a boring word. It doesn’t make for catchy headlines. But what it means is national unity, the whole issue of whether this country stays united or whether it crumbles in an economically disastrous balkanization.
Quebec’s secession would have far-reaching effects on all of Canada. Preventing separation, or at least taking measures to mitigate the damages, should be the top priority for the leaders of Canada’s federal and provincial governments.
Someone who was hired to manage a cattle herd would be in for grief if he learned of a case of foot-and-mouth disease and then decided to spend the next few days mending fences.
How are the premiers any better? They know, as every Canadian does, that there is a virulent separatist virus in Quebec.
They know that the separatist Quebec government is re-activating its ugly “language police” to enforce laws restricting the use of English in signs.
They know that such measures are being undertaken partly to discourage anglophones from staying in Quebec, so that the odds of success will be greater in the next referendum on the issue of Quebec’s separation.
Yet the premiers don’t want to talk about this difficult topic.
They seem to either find it boring, or figure it won’t win them any votes.
If that’s the case, then maybe Canadians need to hire a different group of people to manage their affairs.
Or they can try to give the premiers a clear message – national unity should be job one. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.
