Search

Deals with political maneuverings at the August 1996 conference of Canadian premiers. Ontario Premier Mike Harris and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who united in an unsuccessful attempt to get a paper drafted by economic professor Thomas Courchene onto the agenda; The argument of Courchene's paper, labeled `A Convention on the Canadian Economic and Social Systems' (ACCESS); Advantages to both Harris and Klein of a mutual alliance; Decentralizing health and welfare; Other details.

Relates that the Canada West Foundation has released four papers with solutions to some of the conundrums posed by Quebec's potential secession. Ideas in the four `Reconfederation Papers' including provincial vetoes, sovereignty negotiation and partition; Foundation President David Elton's comments on why a reconfederation council is needed.

Reports that what worries critics of Defense Minister David Collenette's white paper on the future of Canada's armed forces, are the huge paper gaps. What the air force is to do; What the 50-page document does not mention.

Announces that if Prime Minister Jean Chretien continues dragging his feet on all the big issues, his legacies will be a series of public consultations and a mountain of discussion papers. How the government has done nothing unusual; How federal spending increased in virtually every program area.