Harmony through a Dialogue on Diversity in the Federation

Abstract

Québec has initiated a dialogue with the other governments and civil society organizations in Canada with the release of its Policy on Québec Affirmation and Canadian Relations. This discussion would see Québec’s place in the federation recognized in a mutually satisfactory way, ending the stalemate that arose out of the constitutional talks in the 1980s and 1990s. The dialogue is overdue but perhaps only possible now that the emotions of those past constitutional struggles have subsided. While the Affirmation Policy provides a good starting point, there are some important points of caution to note, particularly with respect to Indigenous relations, the territories, and asymmetry in the treatment of provinces. Before discussing these issues, however, the Affirmation Policy should be located within Canada’s founding federal principles.