A-list Quebecers boost federalism in new book

A new book has been launched by several prominent Quebecers with the aim of better promoting federalism in the province.

The 14 contributors to the book include Quebec Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Benot Pelletier, former federal justice minister Martin Cauchon and astronaut-turned-federal-Liberal Marc Garneau.

The authors told a news conference Thursday they want Quebec to play a bigger role within the Canadian federation.

Pelletier said Canada needs to be sold not only on an intellectual basis but also on an emotional basis.

The book is called Reconquerir le Canada un nouveau projet pour la nation qubcoise, roughly translated as Reconquering Canada A New Project for the Quebec Nation.

Pelletier said Canada needs to tug at Quebecers' heartstrings, not just their pocketbooks.

"Canada has to be sold not only on an intellectual basis but also on an emotional basis," Pelletier said. "Most of the interventions in the past were very much focused on economics, very much focused on the intellectual benefits that come from the adhesion to Canada.

"And people were afraid of selling Canada at the sensitive level, to talk about Canada, the passion for Canada and the pride for Canada."

Andr Pratte, chief editorial writer for Montreal La Presse and the person who spearheaded the project, said Quebec must take a more prominent place within Canada.

He said the province must establish stronger links with other provinces and that Quebecers must serve on bodies or committees set up by the federal government.

"To move forward, Quebecers must change the way they see federalism and Canada, abandon forever their perception of being an eternal victim or a loser an image that doesn't correspond with our experience at the heart of Canada."

Among the arguments that could be used to reinterpret the Quebec-Canada dynamic, Pratte cited the duplication that exists in services between the federal and provincial governments.

He said these overlaps can be an advantage because interest groups can pressure both levels of government on a given issue.