The Calgary Declaration: A Different Kind of Unity Initiative
Date
2000
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ORCID
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Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The Calgary Declaration is a unity initiative created by the nine English-speaking premiers and two territorial leaders on September 14, 1997. In contrast to both the Meech Lake and Charlottetown accords, little study has been completed on this document, despite the fact that it was the last attempt by Canada's first ministers to deal with the national unity issue in the twentieth century. Study of this initiative is required to identify the status of the national unity debate at the start of the new millennium and to contribute to a better understanding of Canadian
federalism.
The unsettling results of the Quebec referendum of 1995 caused the attitudes of Canadians outside of Quebec to harden. Within Quebec, separatists were prepared to depict a lack of action as an insult. Canadian federalist leaders had to put forward a goodwill overture before the next Quebec provincial election or face the prospect that the "two-solitudes" would become further estranged. However, when the meeting in Calgary finally took place, historic provincial and regional disputes re-emerged. The premiers were only able to agree upon a list of descriptive statements about Canada and a vague public consultation process. Unlike its controversial predecessors, the Declaration focuses upon the principle of federalism instead of institutions. When this fact is combined with its focus on public consultations, the Declaration becomes a document concerned more about reforming Canadian attitudes than institutions.
The response of Canadians to the Declaration's contents, both inside and outside of Quebec, indicates that the federal principle remains firmly embedded in the Canadian identity despite the traumatic results of the Quebec referendum of 1995. Canada's federalist leaders should continue the discussions started by the Calgary process to ensure that when institutional reform is again discussed Canadians will be prepared.
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Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Political Studies
Program
Political Studies