The Parliaments of Alberta and Saskatchewan have recently passed or are about to pass legislation aimed at protecting areas of provincial jurisdiction, particularly in the field of energy, against the centralizing desire of the federal government to Justin Trudeau. After notable amendments, Alberta passed the Alberta Sovereignty in a United Canada Act on December 8, while Saskatchewan voted unanimously in favor of the “Saskatchewan First” bill at the second reading on November 28.
Although slightly different in their application, the two acts have the same main objective: to protect the jurisdictions of the provinces and to take concrete action against policies or initiatives of the federal government deemed harmful or causing harm to Albertans or Saskatchewanians, particularly in connection with the exploitation of natural resources.
The Conservative Party of Quebec salutes the legislative courage of the two parliaments and will continue to follow with great interest the development and implementation of the two “autonomist” laws of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Although we are still in the process of analyzing the provisions of the two laws in more detail, at first glance, we find the approach interesting and innovative in trying to curb the centralizing approach of the Trudeau government. However, it is necessary to study in more depth whether such an approach can be applicable and desirable for Quebec and to take into account their impacts on the First Nations and the Inuit.
That being said, we do not understand the summary opposition and without serious study of the Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, who is continually having the door closed in his face on his demands by the Trudeau government. For the first time in decades, Quebec is being robbed of the leadership role in defending provincial jurisdictions and opposing the centralizing measures of the federal government. Premier Legault should instead welcome these initiatives and make the two provinces allies in the quest for greater autonomy for Quebec, within the Canadian Confederation.
Mr. Legault talks a lot about the repatriation of powers and has made it his top priority, but he has no strategy, no ally, no concrete steps to protect and increase Quebec’s powers. Once again, a lot of empty words, without concrete actions. Obviously, Mr. Legault preferred rants and symbols, rather than results and concrete gains for Quebec.
Instead of rejecting the initiatives of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Conservative Party of Quebec would try to better understand their actions, to make them partners and, if possible, to expand a coalition that more effectively protects the powers of provinces.
A “conservative alliance” with the conservatives of the other provinces, but also with the federal conservatives. Historically, the Conservatives have always been more decentralizing and respectful of provincial jurisdictions than their Liberal or New Democrat opponents. It was the Conservative Party of Canada, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which also recognized that Quebecers form a people.
For far too long, Quebecers have been divided on the constitutional issue, while English Canada was practically a monolithic bloc.
The time has come to unite all Quebecers, who are overwhelmingly autonomists, in order to join forces with the Blues of Canada.