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What precisely is the "vision of open federalism?" |
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Niagara Falls, Ontario, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 by: Joe Hueglin |
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As of March 31, 2006 the Conservative government will withdraw the federal funding of the Canadian Unity Council, an organization whose mission "is to inform and to engage all Canadians in building and strengthening Canada."(1) Prime Minister Harper's Quebec lieutenant, Lawrence Cannon has justified this action by saying: "In our vision of open federalism, the role of the council had no place."(2) The Canadian Unity Council's purpose was to address "stresses that sprang not so much from reforming federalism as they did from addressing a threat to the country's very integrity." (3) This threat not only remains but has been compounded with some factions in Alberta, as well as Quebec, considering secession. (4) In addition the Council also is concerned | ||||||||
Lawrence Cannon |
with the ways that “globalization, the | |||||||
internationalization of national economies, the growing influence of international organizations and powerful multinational corporations” erodes the sovereignty of individual states. (3) The two mandates of the Council address national unity and Canadian sovereignty. What is this ‘vision of open federalism’ in which the Canadian Unity Council has no place? |
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References: | ||||||||
1. The Canadian Unity Council, The Council's Mission as seen on the web March 28, 2006 |
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3. The Canadian Unity Council ,Moving with times, as seen on the web March 28, 2006 |
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