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Fed-Prov Conference needed on COVID (Waddell)

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November 23, 2020

Fed-Prov Conference needed on COVID (Waddell)

By Ian Waddell, QC

There’s a way forward: Trudeau should hold an open, televised federal-provincial conference
By IAN WADDELL NOVEMBER 19, 2020
The Canadian public needs to actually see the politicians struggling with these issues. One forum would be an open televised a federal-provincial conference. The prime minister should immediately call one.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Quebec Premier François Legault. Provincial premiers are getting whipsawed, forced to choose between lockdowns and opening up to keep the economy going. The previous unified federal-provincial approach appears to be cracking. And Canadians are worried, very afraid, writes Ian Waddell. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
VANCOUVER—The headlines are alarming: “Daily cases may top 10,000 next month: Tam”; “Hospitals stretched to the limits”; “Health-care workers exhausted”; and “Canada’s unity cracking.” Pressure is mounting to declare a national emergency, with Ottawa taking control. Provincial premiers are getting whipsawed, forced to choose between lockdowns and opening up to keep the economy going. The previous unified federal-provincial approach appears to be cracking. And Canadians are worried, very afraid. What’s the way forward?

Permit a senior with 50 years of experience in the Canadian political system to make a suggestion while reminding us how our Indigenous cultures actually value the thoughts of elders.

First, even though Canadians often see provincial politicians taking shots at the feds and vice versa, Canada has one of the best-working federal systems in the world. Look at how provinces pioneered new programs—Saskatchewan, medicare; British Columbia, the carbon tax; Quebec, affordable child care. Remember how, in the 1940s, the federal government ran an amazing war effort. More recently, (dare I say it), our Canada Revenue Agency quickly rolled out support programs for Canadians out of work because of COVID-19. The reality under our Constitution, the Constitution Act 1867, is that health and education are provincial jurisdictions. At the same time, the federal government has vast emergency powers that are rarely used. It has one other important thing—money.

Then prime minister Lester B. Pearson, pictured Aug. 12, 1963, with cardinal Paul-Émile Léger in Montreal, often talked of ‘cooperative federalism.’ It’s defined as a flexible relationship between the federal and provincial governments in which both work together on a variety of issues and programs. It works. Let’s apply it, writes Ian Waddell. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Former prime minister Lester B. Pearson talked of “cooperative federalism.” It’s defined as a flexible relationship between the federal and provincial governments in which both work together on a variety of issues and programs. It works. Let’s apply it.

Here’s how. The Canadian public needs to actually see the politicians struggling with these issues. One forum would be an open televised a federal-provincial conference. The prime minister should immediately call one. The federal delegation should consist of the prime minister, his health minister, and the leaders of the Conservative Party, the Bloc, the NDP, and the Greens, as well as the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. The premiers and territorial leaders would bring their health ministers and the chairs of their provincial or territorial associations or municipalities. All will pledge to work together. It’s a big ask, yes, but this would be real leadership, and reflects what was done in wartime. Then they should get to work.

The goal is to lay out all the issues involved in successfully tackling the virus. There will be differences—this is inherent in our vast country—but there is a need to show Canadians a united front and to reconnect to the public. Canadians are not well-served by the patchwork of policies which we have now. The conference would come up with an agreed plan which would deal with lockdowns, aide to small businesses, and the timing and rollout of a vaccine, amongst others. Canadians are a northern people, and to survive we have come to value community, compromise and working together. I’ve seen our politicians come together in a crisis. They need to do that in full view of the public.

The public too has a role. Avoid taking cheap internet shots at the politicians. Then follow the plan.

Ian G. Waddell is president of the Association of Former Members of Parliament Foundation and president of the Former MLAs of British Columbia.

The Hill Times