Social Policy After the Referendum

If Quebec votes ‘no,’ should the federal government continue to remove itself from the field of social policy as a way of reconciling Quebec with Canada?  The paper argues that this policy, first adopted by the Mulroney government, has weakened Canada and strengthened separatism.  It reviews the history of social policy to show that Canada’s gradual withdrawal from active involvement in social programs for citizens of all provinces has reduced satisfaction with Ottawa, not increased it.  Drawing on the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans as an example of what is possible, the paper recommends the renewal of a real, cooperative federal-provincial review of social programs with a view towards pragmatic solutions acceptable to all Canadians.

ISBN – 1-895796-42-3