Last week, Alberta’s newly minted premier, Danielle Smith, tabled legislation entitled “Alberta Sovereignty in a United Canada”. An oxymoron if I ever heard one.
It will appeal to those Albertans who feel isolated from the rest of Canada. However, it is also a shot across the bow when it comes to Canadian unity. It is an attempt to emulate Quebec which for centuries has been successful in “having its cake and eating it too” in relation to special rights within the context of Canada. Saskatchewan has also been making strides in this regard and other provinces cannot be far behind.
Yves-Francois Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Quebec and a sovereigntist himself, said this about the Alberta Sovereignty in a United Canada Act. “I believe that if Alberta wants to be an independent country, Alberta should call a referendum to (sic) its people. And if they vote yes, that’s the end of it.”
Surely, there is a real question here as to whether the Canadian federation is unravelling.
Specifically, the Alberta government is seeking the power to override any federal legislation that affects Alberta and that the provincial government does not like.
Quebec, in some instances, has done the same thing overriding the Constitution, ignoring the English language rights of some people in that province, trampling on the religious rights of others, and unilaterally declaring itself a “Nation”. All of this while remaining at the federal trough.
Part of the problem, as I see it, is that successive federal governments in Canada, particularly the Liberals, but not them alone, have catered to Quebec over the decades, in part because of the unique status granted to them at Confederation, and in part because of pure self-interest politics. It is not surprising that other provinces, when unhappy with federal mandates, get a bit in their mouth for similar treatment.
But the time is coming, in my view, when the current federal government, or the one that succeeds it, is going to have to deal with the reality of growing federal-provincial dysfunctionality. Tensions are growing and, frankly, there is little leadership forthcoming from either federal or provincial governments to address the problem before it gets out of hand.
All of this is taking place in Canada within an atmosphere of widespread populism, particularly infecting western democracies. People are demanding what they believe to be their “rights”, and governments in many instances are responding. There is a growing movement for change, and at times, change that risks throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Cancel culture is becoming rampant, and alternate facts and disinformation acceptable.
Governments then tend to tread carefully when dealing with major issues that spring from public sentiment for more freedom and for government to stay out of the way. That may be the reason that the Trudeau government has been mostly silent in dealing with Alberta’s proposed Sovereignty legislation, while at the same time apparently negotiating with Quebec to pay less tax for carbon emissions than other provinces.
There is a cry for less government in Canada and this is understandable, especially given the restrictions that were put on people’s lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are times when national governments need to remain tough. Primarily, this relates to the health and safety of its citizens, a vigorous economy, and the preservation of our absolute national sovereignty.
Klaus Schwab, who heads the World Economic Forum, wrote in his recent book, ‘The Great Reset’, that pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, are “known agents for major societal shifts”. He goes on to describe his view of how this most recent pandemic will be an agent of significant consequences in relation to our global future.
Whether he is right or wrong in his overall predictions, which are both comprehensive and somewhat frightening, there can be little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has become a catalyst for major societal shifts.
In Canada, the so-called Ottawa trucker’s convoys and blockades across the country were an outward and visible sign of these shifts. The election of Pierre Poilievre as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada was another.
Most people in Canada are not happy with the government. Some want more from them and some less, but there is an overall belief that the government is moving away from the people they serve, and there is a growing lack of trust and tolerance for that.
According to a recent poll, 87 per cent of Canadians believe that we are now in a recession or soon will be. In spite of this, another national poll showed that health care is now the major concern of Canadians, followed by inflation and climate change. Most people in this country are not seeing any real movement by government on any of these issues, especially the first two.
With a lack of reserved patience, following COVID restrictions, and a mood in this country that is not particularly positive about the future, I wonder how long Canadians will put up with a lack of political action on key issues of national importance.
Could this be the beginning of a “great reset” in Canada?
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Hugh Holland and Brian Tapley….great comments from both of you….its nice to read positivity on Doppler. ( I hope positivity is a word that would be accepted by Oxford). In any event thanks for brightening my day.
Thank you Hugh Holland and Brian Tapley for your key points of view.
When people have more than they actually need they have the time to worry about how much better off they could be, or maybe we should say “they think they might be”.
This is perhaps like movie stars who have millions upon millions of dollars. They have a great wife or husband, both with fantastic attributes but there is always someone they think might be a better deal, hence so many divorces in this segment of society.
I know some will say this is a poor example and maybe someone has a better one but perhaps, Canada would do better if we all looked more toward improving “all of Canada” for “all Canadians” instead of gazing only at ourselves and wondering how we could make ourselves look better in the mirror.
We are far from perfect but we are far better than many areas of the world and have been blessed with vast areas and resources and many smart people. Instead of bickering about if one Province is getting a “better deal” from the Fed’s over others there must be many things we could work on as an entire country to better all of us rather than trying to scrape up some leftovers from a Federal breakdown.
Where are our visionary leaders today? The ones who have a vision of an improved Canada and it’s place in the world and will work for this rather than bickering about what are likely to be viewed by historians a few decades from now as “trivial rivalries”. The ultimate purpose of a politician should be much more than to just get reelected. If that is all they can do with their 4 years, we’d be better off without them.
We have so much in this country, we should be able to do so much more than we are doing and we need to question this, shall we call it “lack of performance” and work to improve it, not start chipping out a block here and another there to carry off with us like squirrels to some unknown place to try to create something just for our immediate group without looking at the whole country.
Provinces trying to separate are a sad thing to see. A Federal government pandering to this (Quebec is an example) in an effort to retain power at any price is even sadder. Everyone loses in a separation like this.
Aim for things like better health care, better food security, a better solution to indigenous and racial issues, a strong sense of the environment and attempt to move away from carbon emissions. We all need all these things and we need some of them yesterday. The constant bickering of our leaders is not useful.
Canada has an opportunity to set itself up as a beacon of success for the rest of the world and we should at least try to do this.
Mr Golding:
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, in 2019 cost of health care in Canada was roughly $7,000. In contrast, according to Health Affairs (Vol 40 Issue 1….a peer reviewed journal) the average US citizen paid $11, 515 in health care costs.
Greg and Doug- Here is a little summary for your consideration
There are small changes as the ratings get tweaked every year, but the relative positions seldom change.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Canada vs the United States?
Canada pros:
Canada has better healthcare. On average, you fare better in Canada than in the US health-wise. It’s also universal, so no chance of losing your home because your kid has asthma. You will also live three years longer. Ranking of the worlds health systems for 2022 shows USA @ $12,318 pp per year and Canada @$5905 pp per year. In the US, health care costs are supplemental to taxes. In Canada, health care is paid out of taxes. There are health premiums in Canada for supplemental healthcare – but these are much lower cost than in the US.
Canada has better education. Again, on average, depends on what you pay for in the US. (Canada ranked 3rd best country in the world for education)
Lower taxes in Canada. Since 2018, average taxes in Canada are less than the US. (Canadians Are Now Paying Lower Income Taxes Than Americans-OECD)
Less corruption. Better policing. Less litigious. Corruption Perceptions Index (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index#/media/File:Corruption_Perception_index_2018.svg)
Higher quality of life (Study ranks Canada #1 in the world for quality of life)
Better chance your child will have a better economic outlook than you do.
If you’re living abroad, Canada doesn’t haunt you for taxes.
US pros:
Larger economy, more opportunity.
Dollar has greater spending power.
Better climate.
________________________________________
If you are seeking wealth, the US has the advantage. If you are rich, things can be better in the US.
If you are seeking quality of life, Canada has the advantage. If you are poor or middle class, life is, on average, better in Canada.
Obviously, there is huge overlap, and individual circumstance and location in each country make a huge difference.
I would suggest that Mr. Holland check his facts on his comments re: the cost of health care in the US and US taxes . It would be interesting to know what Canadians pay for health care.
Mr. Holland, I guess you’re making a good sales pitch for Albertans to stay, but boy oh boy Trudeau and especially now Marco Mendicino are sure trying hard to kibosh that sale. Trudeau and his ministers basically spit in the face of these people, openly antagonizing them. Note Zeihan’s statistics, this is a young, smart, hard working, entrepreneurial people. How much longer will they put up with this? $24K USD may end up being a bargain, just to ensure that their children and grandkids don’t have to endure the idiocy of a PM Hadrien Trudeau some day
Greg – Correction – If Alberta were to join the USA, Alberta employers and self-employed people would pay an average of $2,000 per month or $24,000 US per year per family for private health insurance, if you could get it. And that is over and above higher taxes in the US. According to a 2018 report from the OECD, combined federal, state, and municipal taxes in Canada are now lower than in the US? Good deal for Alberta? I don’t think so.
Greg, If Alberta were to join the USA, they would have 1% of the seats in Congress compared to the 10% of the seats they have the in Canadian Parliament. They would have to spend money and years adapting to all US systems. Alberta employers would have to start paying for private health insurance premiums that can amount to over $2000 per employee for an average family. And it’s no easier to build pipelines in the US than it is in Canada as both countries are trying to move away from fossil fuels. None of that is a good deal for Alberta.
Greg Reuvekamp
2 minutes into this video, geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan details well just how and why Trudeau and the federal Liberals will fail, and Alberta will succeed. Most likely scenario in the next few decades is they will join the USA. A fine legacy for Trudeau. He has well earned this disgrace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX4PbrOpb1Q
Another example of preferential treatment is Quebec negotiating a better deal with the Feds under the federal carbon tax initiative.. Canada now has a regressive tax that is not applied fairly across the country thereby stoking the flames of division and separation again. Mr Cocktam is right maybe the rest of the country is finally catching on.
The Canadian federation is broken. The entire post-1982 constitutional order (asymmetric federalism) is designed to benefit one province above all others – Quebec. It is not, therefore, surprising, that Alberta has decided it doesn’t like its position in the federation. What is surprising, in my view, is that it took this long for asymmetric federalism to begin to crack.