Canadian Federalism a Fraud

Lorne Gunter argues persuasively that the love affair of Alberta and Quebec under the Harper’s PMship will be short lived. While Liberal Party mythmakers argue that Alberta and Quebec can leverage the feds at Ontario’s expense (but this one adds Alberta really should submit to the East), Gunter points out that this alleged cooperation that can be had between Alberta and Quebec is undermined by the fact Alberta pays and Quebec receives. It has always been this way and will always be that way.

Diefenbaker and Mulroney tried and failed to build a coalition of Albertans and Quebecers. There’s no reason to think Harper will fail.

But Harper is raising expectations of a new federalism among both Albertans and Quebecers. Raised expectations may mean that, when disappointed, more than the coalition will break apart.