It's not about equalization, money or favouratism, it's about integrity

I have to say that yesterday was a very interesting day in politics for yours truly. Not only did I find this debate over the Atlantic accord quite unique and sometimes comical, I also found myself in the middle of a central Canada-Maritime feud due to one measly post I wrote on Tuesday below.

Moreover, what was even more interesting was the nasty emails I received from both Ontarioans and Albertans alike. The crux of their beefs towards the east seem to be as simple as: Maritimers are a bunch of whiny welfare bums looking for a handout! Nice. (and a very generalized historical effort, I might add)

I won't rehash the discussion I had regarding who received more help from the feds (over the years) when it comes to policies and subsidies. I won't get into the massive amount of money earmarked for mass immigration at the turn of the century (1905 to be exact) by the government to fill the vast Prairie West...like I said, I won't get into that. I won't get into the billions and billions of dollars funnelled into the Auto industry in Ontario...like I said, I won't get into that. I won't get into the millions and millions of dollars spent on the Aerospace industry in Quebec on a yearly basis...like I said, I won't get into that. I won't get into how the 1965 Canada-U.S. Auto Pact ensured that Ontario would be the benficiary of numerous auto production plants from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors...once again, I won't get into that.

But what I will get into is what I spoke about yesterday, no matter how you look at the 2005 off-shore deal (whether it's outrageous in your mind or it is legit?), the main concern here is a promise which was made by the current Prime Minister to keep the accord, in its original form, intact. A promise which he broke by agreeing to sign off on the O'Brien formula.

So essentially it's like the federal government saying to Ontario that we have decided to renege on the auto pact agreement signed by the government of Canada back in 1965 (but don't worry when your economy completely tanks as a result we will send you a check). I know, I know why would someone possible want to do that? as it would be economic suicide for that province, but are you starting to get the picture now? (circa Atlantic Canada & the National policy of 1879, i.e. Tariffs)

So to me, this is more than money, policy or regional favouratism, it's about keeping your word to an area that badly wants to get off equalization payments once and for all. Let National Post columnist Andrew Coyne explain:

As Opposition Leader, Mr. Harper was not only unequivocal in committing to full exclusion of resource revenues from any new equalization formula -- meaning no clawbacks -- but that this should apply, well, forever: i.e., sans cap. Here he is in the House of Commons on November 4, 2004:

"Why should Newfoundland's possibility of achieving levels of prosperity comparable to the rest of Canada be limited to an artificial eight year period? ? Why is the government so eager to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador always remain below the economic level of Ontario? The Ontario clause is unfair and insulting to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and its message to that province, to Nova Scotia and to all of Atlantic Canada is absolutely clear. They can only get what they were promised if they agree to remain have-not provinces forever."

It is not true, then, to say that the Accord has been violated. It is true that Mr. Harper played Atlantic Canadians for suckers. At least he is paying the price.

Notice Harper used the word "have-not" and I didn't. It's something that I refuse to do to this day because I see Atlantic Canada as a region that has "a lot", we are just underdeveloped due to years of political neglect and poor federal policies.

So it's like this Mr. Prime Minister, if you don't want to honour your word on the accord, then I suggest you start treating us with the respect that other "have" provinces (which you call them) have been afforded over the years. That's if you believe in equity for all provinces and not central Canada favouratism like your Liberal predecessors. Because as things stand right now, as John Crosbie explains, your government is nullifying "the principles of the Atlantic Accord". Nullifying, indeed.