🚀 go-pugleaf

With the count down to E-Day having begun, it is appropriate to reflect for a 
moment on the nature of federalism and British Columbia's place in Canadian 
federalism.

The essence of federalism is the division of power. The people retain some of
their freedom by dividing the political power between two different governments.
It goes without saying that the people must be strong enough to keep the two 
groups separated.

Mrs. Joan Doherty, a spokesperson for the political elite in the Montreal-Ottawa
corridor says that the dominant political philosophy in the corridor is, pyramidal
federalism. In this system, Ottawa is at the pinnacle. Quebec and Ontario are
on the first row. British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba are on the second level
The bottom row is occupied by: Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, 
Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

Given the reality of the Canadian setting, it is imperative that British Columbians 
keep the two groups separate. The people only get a chance once every five years 
to reaffirm their belief in the division of political power.

 
I'll be OS/2ing you!                    jlewin@direct.ca