To the Minister Designate:
Dear Sir or Madame:
I write today in defense of the proprietary right and responsibility of the individual and of Alberta’s Provincial government. I hardly have to cite to you the parameters in which the provincial government is to exclusively conduct itself, and suspect you tyre of the intrusion of the central government into the exclusive proprietary responsibility of the Province.
I might suggest a different approach might be in order. It is becoming more evident this province is in need of self definition, and to this end I will avail myself. We are in desperate need of a Provincial Constitution: one that would expel the mischief of our central governments of late. If you have occasion to look at www.constitutioncanada.com you will find the product of five years work on my committee’s behalf. A provincial constitution has to be compliant with what we have at the national level and I do not see that there is any obstacle to the development of a strong and workable statute in that regard.
In a Provincial Constitution or in a ‘Provincial Jurisdictional Sovereignty Act’ the words could be as follows:
The Province and its Legislature shall uphold the Jurisdictions specified as exclusive to the Province by the Constitution Acts 1867/1982, and for greater certainty shall, not-with-stand, to any Law contrived by any other order of Government that subrogates the exclusive jurisdictions of the Province or the proprietary interests of the Individual within the Province. Any relinquishment of Provincial Jurisdictional Authority by the Province shall be obtainable only through the comprehensive consultation of the Province’s Citizenry and the support of seventy percent of the same.”
This would at first be seen as a means to destroy social programs and the opposition expected from those who have a large appetite for central government dependency and control, will try to delineate it as such. But the truth of the matter is this; ‘It will strengthen the document that defines Canada as a Nation’. It would also send a strong message to Ottawa that caution is prudent when attempts are made at emasculating provincial entitlement or exceeding Constitutional authority. As far as social programs are concerned; we are quite capable of caring for our neighbours and likewise capable of provision.
Making law regarding “Property and Civil Rights” is exclusive to the province. Proprietary interest and responsibility then is the same, and that includes those of the Provincial Legislature. That includes our provincial resources.
Sir, this might seem a severe action, but the activity of the central government into the jurisdictions of the Province will not likely lessen. This would definitely damper the current tendency. (Especially with a future Liberal government). Alberta, Strong and Free, is something we mutually desire.
Regards, and hope to be of some assist,
Neil E. Wilson
