Straight talk : on Canadian unity / Stephane Dion.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dion, Stéphane.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Federal government--Canada.

Federal government.

Québec (Province)--History--Autonomy and independence movements.

Québec (Province).

Physical Description:

xxi, 254 p. ; 24 cm.

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Subtitle on cover: Speeches and writings on Canadian unity

Place of Publication:

Montreal ; Ithaca : McGill-Queen's University Press, c1999.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

So begins this collection of Stéphane Dion's speeches from 1996 to 1998. Organized around four central themes, Straight Talk shows the breadth and strength of Dion's convictions. Dion believes that Canada is first and foremost a nation of caring people, in contrast to the image projected by the endless, dry constitutional debate. He argues that the melding of diversity and unity that is the basis of this nation is possible only because of the particular federalism that Canadians have invented. This federalism, however, is far from perfect and it is the responsibility of government to continue to work to improve it, always remembering that its core must be the quality of service it provides to Canadians. Dion believes that the Quebec question is not a constitutional question but one that concerns identity: many francophones believe that their identity and culture are not respected in the rest of Canada and see the anglophone majority as a force for assimilation, while many in other provinces feel that separatists do not share the same values of openness and tolerance. He believes strongly that the secession process the Parti Québecois has proposed - effecting independence on the basis of incorrect legal theory, an unclear referendum question, and a majority of fifty percent plus one - is difficult to reconcile with democracy and raises questions that must be discussed openly and resolved democratically. Straight Talk is a refreshingly honest and frank discussion about a matter that has been at the forefront of Canadian's thoughts for too many years.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Preface

Introduction

The Spirit of Federalism

Regaining Confidence in Canada

Canada's Communities and the Hope for Canadian Unity

Speech to The American Council for Quebec Studies

The Ethic of Federalism

Our Two Federations: Contrasting Evolutions and Common Challenges

Canada: A Fair Federation

A Changing Federation

Federalism: A System in Evolution

History and Prospects of the Canadian Social Union

Amendment of Section 93 (Education) of the Constitution Act, 1867

Amendment of Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada (Newfoundland Schools)

The Decentralized Nature of the Canadian Federation

Zero Deficit: Our Common Objective

My Praxis of Federalism

Social Union: Canadians Helping Canadians

Canadian Identity and the Quebec Society

The Canada We Share

Fears About "Distinct Society" Status Are Unfounded

Quebec's Reasonable Request

Canadian Diversity and the Recognition of Quebec

Francophone Communities Outside Quebec: At the Heart of the Canadian Ideal

Renewal and the Role of the Métis

Respecting the Balance of Equality and Diversity

On the Harmonization of Federal Legislation with Quebec Civil Law

The Canadian Ideal

The Dangers of Secession in Democracy

Speech on a Motion by the Opposition

Letter to Mr. Lucien Bouchard

Letter to Mr. Bernard Landry

Why a Quebecer Wants to Keep British Columbia as Part of His Country

Letter to Mr. Jacques Brassard

Beyond Plan A and Plan B: The Two Debates on Canadian Unity

Letter to Mr. Claude Ryan

Respect for Democracy in Canada

The Practical Difficulties of a Unilateral Secession

Statement in Response to the Ruling of the Supreme Court

The International Community and the Secessionist Phenomenon

Notes:

Published simultaneously in French under title: Le pari de la franchise.

ISBN:

1-282-85811-4

9786612858116

0-7735-6788-7