November 30, 1995 For Immediate Release
CHRETIEN VETO FOR QUEBEC WOULD MAKE SASKATCHEWAN 2ND CLASS PROVINCE
"Canada is a federation of 10 equal provinces. How can Chretien justify giving Quebec a veto?"
Ottawa - Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, slammed Chretien's so-called Unity Plan for violating the fundamental principle that Canada is a federation of 10 equal provinces. The Chretien Unity Plan would officially recognize Quebec as a "distinct society" and give the power to veto future constitutional changes to the four regions of Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic and the West. "Quebec continues to drive the agenda. In fact it's been the only thing driving Parliament for over two years. Can't the Prime Minister walk and chew gum?," asked Breitkreuz. "What happened to getting the economy on track, getting government spending under control, getting some justice in the criminal justice system, reforming the Young Offenders Act, getting rid of the National Parole Board, and giving victims more rights than criminals? These things are more of a priority for all Canadians whether they live in Quebec or Saskatchewan."
"The Chretien Unity Plan ignores the wishes of the majority of Canadians," said Breitkreuz. "After the 1992 referendum on the Charlottetown Accord, the Maclean's/CTV year-end poll reported that 69% of Canadians 'viewed Canada as a relationship between 10 equal provinces'. The same national poll even found that 56% of Quebecers felt the same way."
"In 1992, the majority of Canadians and Quebecers saw Canada as a federation of 10 equal provinces, why then is Chretien trying to redefine the country as a federation of 4 unequal regions?" asked Breitkreuz. "I support and defend our principle of equality of the provinces which is enshrined in the Reform Party's constitution. Principle #1 states: 'We affirm our commitment to Canada as one nation and to our vision of Canada as a balanced federation of equal provinces and citizens'."
"The Chretien Cabinet will order the Liberal backbenchers to support the Unity Plan proving the Liberals are an elitist, top-down political party. Alternatively, the Reform Party is a grassroots, bottom-up, political movement which is bound by the policies passed at our membership Assembly 'the highest authority and the supreme governing body of the Party'. I reject any veto for Quebec, and support the Reform policy passed by our Assembly, with respect to Popular Ratification of Constitutional Change as written in our 1995 Blue Book: 'The Reform Party supports amending the Constitution Act 1982 to provide for the popular ratification of constitutional change. Each province would have to secure approval of its position from its electorate by way of achieving a simple majority of votes cast during a popular and democratic referendum. A simple majority in at least two-thirds of the provinces as well as approval by the Parliament of Canada would be required for passage of an amendment'."
"I promise to work to defend the principle of '10 equal provinces' and the interests of Saskatchewan voters. If Quebec gets a veto, then so should Saskatchewan," declared Breitkreuz.
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