As the political class spins

From today's Globe and Mail:

It's a mistake to abandon the idea of One Canada THOMAS AXWORTHY and SERGE JOYAL AND JERRY GRAFSTEIN Now that the Bloc Québécois has announced it will support Stephen Harper's motion that "This House recognize that the Québécois form a nation," all four parliamentary parties are now in favour of this rather stunning departure from constitutional norms. Given that no party is opposed to this position, one would think it represents an overwhelming consensus among Canadian voters. There is an overwhelming consensus, but it is diametrically opposed to this motion. It is the view of the majority of Canadians who believe in "One Canada" -- who represents us? Have we ever before had a situation where no one in Parliament dares voice an opinion held by millions of fellow citizens? There are certainly substantive grounds to oppose the motion: No one has yet defined what "Québécois" means. Are we speaking about French-speaking Canadians? Or French-speaking Quebeckers? Or all Quebeckers? If all Quebeckers who live within the territorial boundaries of Quebec are a nation, then are all Manitobans a nation? If not, then, are Acadians a nation? Are Franco-Ontarians a nation? Nobody knows. They haven't defined the concept because all parties are interested in ambiguity, rather than clarity. Define the term as you wish, and let's hope for the best... The Bloc will do anything to discredit federalism, so they were happy to create mischief, with a motion that Quebec was a nation. The Conservatives hope to improve their electoral position in Quebec, and Mr. Harper thinks his championing of the motion will appease Quebec nationalists. The Liberals are involved in a leadership race, where delegate votes from Quebec are crucial. The NDP has been for special status since 1960, so they are happy to go along for the ride. Everyone is chasing the elusive votes of Quebec nationalists. On that axis, apparently, all of our political class spins. But what about the Canadian majority? A CBC-Environics poll earlier this month revealed that 57 per cent of Canadians did not think Quebec was a nation, and 70 per cent opposed constitutional recognition of that notion... One Canada is still the choice of most Canadians, including a large minority in Quebec. The Liberal Party should think very carefully before it throws away a principled position that is logically coherent, and politically intelligent. The vast majority of Canadians do not support a Canada subdivided into undefined nations.

SEE ALSO: Norman Spector, The Québécois are part of the Canadian nation, too