To the Editor: As the Liberal Party searches for its future, it should take a hard look at factors now tending to undermine Canada's national unity. Combating those centrifugal forces could become a worthy cause for Liberals.
A century ago, Sir Wilfrid Laurier asserted: "Canada first, Canada last, Canada always!" Such a mantra still has relevance today, especially after the May 2nd election.
Stephen Harper has his majority government, without checks or balances, and he will pursue more decentralization of the Canadian federation.
The Conservatives do not support, for example, a better Canada Pension Plan. Instead, they argue for a variable array of private plans and/or provincially-run programs with no semblance of national consistency.
Consequently, your basic quality of life in retirement may well depend on your place of residence. It will not be underpinned across the country by a pro-active federal government supporting the CPP.
The same is true of Medicare. Canada's current federal-provincial-territorial "Health Care Accord" runs out in 2014. It must be renegotiated. What will Mr. Harper propose?
There are disturbing rumblings about his government NOT advancing a full national accord to replace what's there now.
Instead, the Conservatives may offer bilateral deals that vary from province to province. The Canada Health Act would wither, and there would be no national standards.
Not to worry, some say. Across the aisle in the House of Commons sits an NDP official opposition. Surely they'll stand-up for strong national programs like the CPP and health care?
There was a time when they would have.
But remember, this NDP got most of their seats in this election in Quebec by pledging to diminish federal authority, promote unspecified Constitutional amendments and get rid of rules that require a basic measure of clarity in any future separatist referendum.
Amidst this confusion, who will speak for Canada as a whole?
Ralph Goodale, MP, Wascana, SK
