The premiers of Canada’s provinces gathered together in Toronto this week, and put on a brave face as they determined they would discuss those items which they could agree on, so they could present a united front to the citizens of Canada.
More importantly, they’re showing the federal government how it’s done, and apparently they are putting the case forward to Justin Trudeau and his minority Liberal government when they begin their first session in the House of Commons this week.
There is no doubt that Trudeau’s administration will be facing an uphill battle as they are anxious not to have their government fall soon after the federal election.
This means, they have to listen to the concerns and demands of the country, in particular the disenfranchised Western provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta which have no Liberal MPs to represent their interests.
There are definitely some major differences between the provinces, but there was an agreement between the premiers not to raise those at their meeting. For example, reporters asked Ontario Premier Doug Ford about Quebec’s law banning provincial employees from wearing anything that is religious in orientation, and he simply put that question aside with the comment the premiers will respect what each province has decided is policy within their borders.
Even with a divisive issue like that, the premiers actually put their misgivings aside and made the effort to not openly dispute such policies. That took a lot of effort, because with Quebec’s policy, there are very few premiers of other provinces who would agree with it, and many have publicly denounced it in the recent past.
The message seems to be (going by the example of the premiers), if the premiers can accomplish this, then the federal parties can do it too, and work together. This means, for example, that the major economic issues facing Saskatchewan and Alberta due to the severe downturn in the oil and gas industry need to be listened to and not just swept under the rug because one federal leader of a Quebec-centred party chooses to hurt the West rather than to help it. The federal government has to serve all Canadians and not just bow to their friends in Quebec.
They need to step up and make sure their plans and policies are not going to continue hurting any region of this country, or else they do not deserve the opportunity to govern for the next four years. They need to follow the example set by the premiers and work together.
