1. Regionalism November 1, 2001

2. Regions – What are They? different conceptions of regions – six regions (geographical proximity) Atlantic Canada/the Maritmes Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia the North

3. Regions – What are They? different conceptions of regions – five regions (geographical proximity) Atlantic Canada/the Maritmes Quebec Ontario the West the North

4. Different Conceptions of Region five/six regions (geographical) core-periphery/metropolis-hinterland/heartland hinterland (economic/political relations) – central Canada Ontario Quebec – Outer Canada Atlantic Canada the West

5. Different Conceptions of Region five/six regions (geographical) core-periphery/metropolis-hinterland/heartland hinterland (economic/political relations) have vs. have nots (fiscal relations) – haves Ontario Alberta British Columbia – have nots Newfoundland/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick – average Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec

6. Different Conceptions of Region five/six regions (geographical) core-periphery/metropolis- hinterland/heartland hinterland (economic/political) have vs. have nots (fiscal) French vs. English (linguistic) – Quebec and the Rest of Canada (ROC)

7. Regions – What are They? what makes regions regions? – must have some substantive underpinnings geographic proximity, economic/political, fiscal, cultural, linguistic similarities region most clearly defined where these cleavages overlap rather than cross-cut – “regions of the mind” “imagined communities” regional identities must be created –internally created or externally imposed – regional discontent regional discontent must be mobilized

8. Economic Basis of Regional Discontent economic basis of regionalism – different factor endowments central to regionalism natural resources labour land access to markets – economic basis of regional discontent goes beyond different factor endowments economic basis of regional discontent – disparities in factor endowment have been reinforced and widened by operation of politico-economic system

9. Economic Basis of Regional Discontent north-south geographical orientation – how to sustain an east-west economy?? pulling against gravity – east-west economy as a political decision did not develop naturally

10. Political Basis of Regionalism domination of political institutions by central provinces – representation by population allows central provinces to dominate federal political institutions – lack of mechanisms for regional representation with central government exacerbates sense of regional grievance – electoral system allows for entire regions not to be represented within governing party (not a regional grievance per se)

11. Economic Basis of Regionalism north-south geographical orientation – how to sustain an east-west economy?? pulling against gravity – east-west economy as a political decision did not develop naturally economic policy geared towards interests of central provinces – National Policy (1879)

12. Economic Basis of Regionalism National Policy – settlement of west – railroad ship grain out ship manufactured products in – tariff policy higher price for manufactured products economic development policies reinforced economic patterns – central Canada as diversified manufacturing base – outer Canada as natural resource hinterland instability, dependence on world price for commodities

13. Fiscal Relations -- Equalization What is it? explicit vs. implicit equalization – federal tax collection – Unemployment Insurance – Equalization program second-round effects – equalization buoyed up demand in poorer regions for manufactured goods produced in central Canadian provinces – served to stem in-migration of Atlantic Canadians into more prosperous regions

14. Atlantic Regionalism Atlantic region has managed to wield political power disproportionate to its population base strong contingent of Atlantic MPs in governing party strong regional ministers from Atlantic Canada have not managed to address issue of economic dependence on central Canada transfer programs have forestalled economic adjustment (Courchene) issue perception – right to earn a decent living in home region/province (considering people from other regions subsidize this) – vs. argument that economic development policy aggravated situation of regional dependence and there is some responsibility to contribute to rectifying the situation

15. Western Alienation has achieved moderate to high levels of economic prosperity perception in western Canada that it has not achieved proportional political power within federal government

16. Western Alienation central claim: “The West wants in.” history (myth?) of western rejection – Trudeau Liberal government National Energy Program (NEP) – Mulroney government – Reform belief that party had to appeal to Ontario voters to have impact Canadian Alliance rejected by Ontario voters