The 2000 federal election confirmed continuing regional and linguistic fault lines in the federation. The pressure points remain. What are the trends in public opinion in the West and in Quebec regarding relationships within Canada? What political strategies are emerging from those large parts of the country? And in what ways will the aboriginal communities press their claims in the coming years?

Will the politics of the federation in the coming years be “old wine in new bottles”? Or even “old wine in old bottles”? Alternatively, are there new developments underneath the surface similarities that portend something different for the federation? This symposium will engage a range of outstanding researchers and politicians on the crucial strategic issues that face the federation in the coming years. And it will cast light on options and constraints for leading the federation onto calmer waters.

On Friday, May 4, the symposium will be held at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, 53 Yonge Street at King. On Saturday, May 5, the symposium will be held at the Faculty Club, 168 Stuart Street, on the Queen’s University Campus.

Registration: Students $50, Faculty $85, Others $375. Registration fee includes two lunches and dinner.

For more information please see the Institute’s web site, http://www.iigr.ca, or email iigr@qsilver.queensu.ca or telephone 613-533-2080.

Agenda

Panel 1: Translating “The West Wants In” (10:30 am-1:00 pm)

1. Public Opinion in Western Canada, Trends (Linda Trimble, University of Alberta)

2. The Two British Columbias (Philip Resnick, University of British Columbia)

3. Do the Prairie Provinces Really Want In? What Does “In” Mean? How Much Variation is There Among the Provinces? (Peter McCormick, University of Lethbridge)

1. Political Dynamics within the Aboriginal Communities: What’s Happening and What Does it Portend for the Federation? (Phil Fontaine, University of Manitoba and former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations)

2. The Court System and the Political Process as Alternative Redress Mechanisms for Aboriginal Demands: Is There a Shift Occurring? (Peter Russell, University of Toronto).

3. New Constitutional Models From the Federal Government (Nunavut, Nisga’a etc.) (Brad Morse, University of Ottawa)

Dinner Speaker: The Honourable Bob Rae, Chair, Forum of Federations and Former Premier of Ontario

Panel 3: Public Opinion and Political Dynamics in Quebec (9:00 am-11:45 am)

1. Trends in Public Opinion Relating to Federalism and Sovereignty: What Accounts for the Trends? What Causes Them to Change? (Claire Durand, L’Universit de Montral)

2. The Leadership Change in the PQ: What Does it Signify for Canadian Intergovernmental Relations? (Christian Dufour, ENAP)

3. The Constitutional Politics of the QLP: What Do They Signify for Canadian Intergovernmental Relations? (Benoit Pelletier- Opposition Critic for Intergovernmental Affairs, Quebec Liberal Party)

4. The Future of the Ontario-Quebec Axis and Prospects for a Quebec-West Alliance (Francois Rocher- Carleton University)

Panel 4: Responding to the Pressures (1 pm- 3pm)

1. A PANEL TO INITIATE DISCUSS OF OPTIONS FOR RESPONDING WITH EXTENSIVE PLENARY PARTICIPATION (Hugh Segal, IRPP, Keith Banting, Queen’s University, others to be decided)