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Politics : Canadian Political Free-for-All -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: foobert who wrote (2564)	5/7/2003 9:19:53 AM
From: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 37228

Chrétien labels Klein a meddler 'The PM's reaction explains why there is Western alienation' Robert Fife, Ottawa Bureau Chief National Post Wednesday, May 07, 2003 CREDIT: Jason Scott, CanWest News Service Premier Ralph Klein says Ottawa shouldn't interfere in provincial affairs. ADVERTISEMENT OTTAWA - Jean Chrétien delivered a tough message to Alberta yesterday to keep out of federal jurisdiction and stop complaining about Western alienation after Premier Ralph Klein angrily accused Ottawa of "messing" in provincial affairs. The Prime Minister dismissed as unfounded the Conservative Premier's assertions that the Liberal government ignores the grievances and concerns of the West. "We have some federal responsibility that we discharge quite well. The country is doing quite well at this moment and Alberta even better than the rest of the country," Mr. Chrétien said after a Cabinet meeting. Mr. Klein said on Monday that Ottawa must "stay out" of exploitation of Alberta's natural resources, the delivery of education and provincial health care. But Mr. Chrétien said the Premier seems to forget that Ottawa delivers a lot of money to the province for health care: "We're sending them money for health care; perhaps we should keep it." Mr. Chrétien also lashed out at Mr. Klein for writing a letter in March to Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, expressing support for the war against Iraq and denouncing anti-American rhetoric from Liberal MPs. "Apparently he writes letters to ambassadors; it's not his business," he said. While the Prime Minister was dismissive of the growing Western alienation movement, Ralph Goodale, the Public Works Minister and the political minister for Saskatchewan, conceded Ottawa is failing to properly address the issue. "Western alienation is a real phenomenon," said Mr. Goodale, a supporter of Paul Martin, the Liberal leadership front-runner. "It must be treated seriously by the national government ... to get at the root of this old malaise and make it possible for more Western Canadians to feel comfortable and satisfied with their national government." Stephen Harper, the leader of the Official Opposition and a Calgary MP, said the Prime Minister is out of touch with Western Canadians. "The Prime Minister's reaction explains why there is Western alienation when Premier Klein raises valid areas of provincial jurisdiction in the interests of Alberta and he is simply dismissed in Ottawa," the Canadian Alliance leader said. "This is typical of the way concerns of many provinces, but particularly Alberta, are treated by this government." In a speech to the Economic Transformation in Western Canada conference on Monday, Mr. Klein offered three ways the federal government could immediately resolve Western concerns. He proposed Ottawa allow the provinces to nominate candidates to the Senate; hold annual first ministers meetings; and guarantee provincial input before signing international agreements, such as the Kyoto climate accord. "These are simple things that Ottawa could do," Mr. Klein said. "I'm not talking about huge changes here. It's something the Prime Minister could do tomorrow." Later, Mr. Klein told reporters the Liberal government wants all power concentrated in Ottawa while it feels free to interfere in such provincial affairs as education, health and resource exploitation. "We don't mess around with the CBC, the RCMP, the Criminal Code, the Canadian army or Foreign Affairs. Stay out of our bailiwick and we'll all get along," he said. Alberta has also complained Ottawa is too sensitive to Quebec's concerns, noting it refused to fight a Quebec court ruling that softens the new Youth Criminal Justice Act. Mr. Goodale, who is working on a Western reform package for Mr. Martin's leadership team, said Ottawa needs to admit that Western alienation exists and deserves national attention. He agreed there is a need for an elected and effective Senate and a more representative House of Commons. But he said one of the biggest problems is the unwillingness of federal leaders to listen and communicate with the West. "We at the federal level have to make a much better effort to be on the ground in the regions in this country communicating ... and listening to the messages coming back." bfife@nationalpost.com