Speech

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Prime Minister Harper and Premier Charest sign historic agreement establishing a formal role for Québec in UNESCO

May 5, 2006
Québec, Québec

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First of all, I would like to thank Premier Charest and his government.

I would also like to thank Minister Mackay for his hard work during the discussions that have brought us here today.

But in particular, I would like to commend the contribution of the Conservative ministers and members of Parliament who have played such a key role.

We are pleased to have here with us today:

the Minister for the Quebec City region, Josée Verner,

Ministers Lawrence Cannon, Maxime Bernier, Jean-Pierre Blackburn and Michael Fortier,

the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Sylvie Boucher,

the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Jacques Gourde,

the Member of Parliament for Lévis-Bellechasse, Steven Blaney,

the Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, Luc Harvey,

the Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles, Daniel Petit,

and Senator Andrée Champagne.

We will soon be celebrating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.

I know how proud Quebecers feel as this historic event draws near.

Our government will do its part to ensure that this anniversary is celebrated with dignity and remembered in a lasting manner.

Because the anniversary of the founding of Quebec City

is also the anniversary of the founding of Canada.

That’s why I’m always impressed to be here, in the National Assembly.

the first Canadian parliament.

In 1792, here in Quebec City, the first expressions of our parliamentary democracy were heard.

Some of our first parliamentarians spoke French, others English.

Some were born here and already called themselves Canadians.

some came from France

others from England, Scotland or Ireland.

But, with different accents, coming from different cultures,

they said the same thing.

They said: together, we can

build a great country and

give our children a better future.


In their own way, they said:

“We need to respect the differences that characterize our old societies, and the values we share as a young country.”

One of Canada’s strengths is its system of government.

Our country’s founders had the foresight to establish a flexible federal system, to allow strong, distinct voices to come together to pursue common goals, and thus to be a source of strength and innovation.

Our new national government’s federalism is a federalism of openness and it means drawing on the experience and expertise that the provinces and territories can bring to our nation.

Open federalism means respecting areas of provincial jurisdiction.

Open federalism means drawing on the expertise of the provinces and incorporating it into Canada’s positions in international negotiations or within organizations that are active in areas that affect provincial jurisdictions.

Open federalism means trying to bring Quebec out of the trap of polarization.

This is the very idea of open federalism – a stronger Quebec within a better Canada – and that is what our government plans to achieve.

Federalism of openness does not mean “playing favourites” or stirring up jealousies.

But it does mean that the time has come to forge new relations with the provinces, relations that are open to all parts of the country and respectful of their differences.

There are those who would like to turn back, to go back to polarization, confrontation and corruption.

That’s not how open federalism works.

We need to work together with all orders of government, and recognize the roles and responsibilities of each.

We need to look to the future and determine what we can accomplish together.

It is especially clear that it is time to turn a new leaf and deal directly and effectively with the question of Quebec’s presence at UNESCO.

For the Liberals, and I am talking about leadership hopefuls like Joe Volpe and Michael Ignatieff, the mere thought of having Quebec play a role at UNESCO is a threat to Canada’s very existence.

And for the Bloc, if Quebec can’t veto Canada’s position at UNESCO, it’s a humiliation.

Those extreme positions tend to undermine the simple recognition of a more important and cooperative role for Quebec within an organization that often addresses linguistic and cultural issues.

Open federalism means inviting Quebec to take its place and express its voice at UNESCO, and thus to complement Canada’s efforts within the UN family of nations.

And that’s what we’re doing today.

And I am very proud, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to have concluded an agreement today with Premier Jean Charest that will enable Quebec to fully participate in the activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

This agreement establishes a formal role for Quebec at UNESCO.

From now on, Quebec will participate fully, formally and directly in all of UNESCO’s activities, with the Permanent Delegation of Canada.

Today’s agreement establishes new and unprecedented mechanisms to ensure Quebec its rightful place and voice at UNESCO.

We will also be exploring innovative ways and mechanisms for UNESCO to better draw on the contribution of federal states in its activities.

Today’s agreement clearly illustrates a new era of progress within a strong, united, independent and free Canada and with a confident, autonomous, supportive and proud Quebec.

This agreement gives Quebec a greater voice on matters affecting its language and culture and strengthens its place in Canada.

For Quebec, for Canada, this agreement is an historic achievement.

This agreement will not only support the evolution of our own federation, it will help strengthen and enhance our presence and our influence in the world. It shows the UN community of nations that our federalism is an asset and a strength for us, at home and abroad.

By giving Quebec a formal role at UNESCO in collaboration with the Government of Canada, this historic agreement represents neither centralization nor separation but an arrangement that symbolizes our vision of a strong and flexible Canadian federation.

This agreement will not only support the evolution of our own federation, it will help strengthen and enhance our presence and our influence in the world. It shows the UN community of nations that our federalism is an asset and a strength for us, at home and abroad.

This agreement benefits Quebec

and it benefits Canada.

Based on open federalism, the Quebec City Commitments, which I set out here on December 19, included an invitation to the Government of Quebec to participate in Unesco.

As we sign this agreement today, that commitment has now been met, and we will very soon be reaping the benefits of our cooperation at UNESCO.

And I believe we all have one more reason to be proud to be Quebecers and Canadians.

Thank you.

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