transcurrents

The Power Sharing Experience in Canada

March 10th, 2007

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

“In Canada, weather is a shared subject with the Provincial govt taking responsibility for the months of April to September and the Federal Govt being responsible from October to March” deadpanned Mathew Mendelhson as the small group of Sri Lankan journalists seated around the table laughed heartily. The quip was greatly appreciated as it came at a time when Six scribes and their Canadian co-ordinator were reaching the end of a ten day study tour in Canada.

[Photo: by Lone Primate]

The study tour had focused mainly on the power sharing experience between the Central or Federal Government and the Provincial or regional Govts. Since Canadian weather is generally bright and sunny during spring/summer and bleakly cold in Fall/ Winter Mendelhson’s quip provided insight in lighter vein about the constant tussle between Ottawa and the Provinces in the sphere of power sharing. Mendelhson , the Deputy – Minister of Inter – Governmental affairs in the provincial Govt of Ontario was making an informed presentation outlining various aspects of Federal – Provinial relations.

The Study tour was also a “shared ” brainchild of the Canadian High Commission in Colombo and the Forum of Federations in Ottawa. The High Commission selected the participants and devised a broad agenda. The Forum planned the itinerary in detail and made all relevant arrangements. Five journalists ,Victor Ivan (Ravaya)Sharmini Boyle (Young Asia TV),Jatila Wellabada (Lakbima) Anura Solomons (Divaina) and Ayesha Zuhair (Daily Mirror), flew into Canada from Sri Lanka. I joined them in Ottawa as the sixth participant. Irina Shmakova who is the program officer for Asia/Pacific at the Forum coordinated the project and accompanied us on the study tour.

I was in a sense an enigma among the six. Technically I was living in Canada but writing for a Sri Lankan newspaper. So in this trip I was a Sri Lankan journalist and not a Canadian resident. Since I do baffle many by writing on Sri Lankan affairs for Sri Lankan newspapers from Canada this “duality” was nothing new. Yet, I had to preface most of my self – introductions with the line “Actually I am living in Toronto and writing on Sri Lankan affairs for the Sunday Leader published in Colombo……..”. This provided perennial amusement to my colleagues who struggled to keep a straight face as I kept parroting the “actually” line. The only reward was the look on many faces at this puzzling phenomenon.

Initially, I had been doubtful wondering whether I would feel out of place in the team as I had been away from the media scene in Colombo for nearly two decades. Going around with fellow Sri Lankan journalists on an extended tour like this was a fond yet distant memory. But the tour was pleasantly productive and all of us from the veteran victor to the team’s “baby” Ayesha interacted happily and well. In typical Lankan style jokes and wisecracks were galore with Irina saying ” You guys are so funny and always laughing”.

But it was not fun alone and we did take the tour seriously managing to banish the unpunctuality Sri Lankans are notorious for and being on time for our appointments(Most of the time at least).Irina who has two masters degrees had mastered the art of making us fall in line. She did so with a gentle charm which brought to mind the phrase “Iron hand in a velvet glove”.

A notable feature of the tour was the extent to which the presenters at various discussions had prepared themselves. Most of them had prepared elaborate reading materials and went out of their way to be hospitable. At the tail- end of our tour our suitcases in addition to our brains were crammed with enhanced “knowledge”.

Living in Canada for many years I had acquired a working knowledge of how things worked in Canada. I even prepared myself mentally to “unlearn” what I had and view everything afresh from a non – Canadian Sri Lankan perspective. But as the study tour progressed I realised how superficial my knowledge was. I learned much about my adopted homeland that I had never known before.

Canadian and Provincial flags at Toronto Union Station interior [Photo: by Lone Primate]

This has altered my perceptions and perspectives drastically.For this I am truly appreciative of the opportunity provided by the High Commission and Forum. To partially echo “Gone with the wind’s ” Vivian Leigh “as God is my witness I shall never read the “Star” or watch CBC in the same way after this study tour”.

It was Christina Prefontaine, Counsellor (politics/Economics) at the Canadian High Commission in Colombo who sent formal letters confirming selection to the six participants.”The study tour will bring you in contact with Canadian stakeholders who work or deal with decentralization of power and federalism, such as academics, government officials, and journalists.” Prefontaine explained. “As a confederation ourselves, Canada is happy to share our experiences with this form of devolution of power. There has been much debate over the subject in Sri Lanka, and it’s applicability to this country. We believe such debates are healthy but could be better informed. You have been invited as we believe journalists are best placed to educate and inform the public, and to interpret the theories and concepts into viable options for Sri Lanka.” she wrote in that letter.

The Forum of Federations was eminently equipped to handle and implement the study tour on envisaged lines. It is a non-profit, international organization based in Ottawa, Canada. It engages in a wide range of programs of mutual cooperation designed to help develop best practices in countries with federal systems of government around the world. The Forum has created an international network on federalism that brings together practitioners, scholars, and youth to learn and share ideas and experiences. The Forum works with countries and organizations of the North and of the South, with established federal countries and newly-emerging federations. In addition, the Forum works with countries that are exploring the possibilities of a federal political system.”

The Forum of Federations is no stranger to Sri Lanka. Though Sri Lanka is not a federal Country there has been a special relationship between the Forum and Lanka. Chandrika Kumaratunga was scheduled to address its first ever International Conference on Federalism but could not make it . So it was Prof. G.L. Peiris who did so. After the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL)and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) pledged in Oslo to explore a federal solution the Forum played a more active role. Former Ontario premier Bob Rae and Toronto University Professor David Cameron were on hand at many GOSL -LTTE talks to “advise” on Federal issues.

They also conducted many workshops, seminars etc in Sri Lanka . They also held classes for the LTTE political affairs committee in the Wanni. The forum has also conducted a number of workshops to educate the Lankan public on power sharing and devolution. Its President George Anderson was in Lanka to deliver a special lecture last month. The Forum’s partner in Colombo is the Centre for Policy alternatives.

If any of us had any fears of a hidden agenda behind the study tour all such misgivings were dispelled as the project unfolded. True to their word the Forum people did not seek to impose anything on us. The focus was on education, networking and information-sharing. There was no advocacy for any political ideology or devolution model. The unique program devised for us was both multilateral and comparative. It was like one gigantic buffet. Everything was available. It was for us to select and partake of. Nobody tried to force feed us or short – list the menu.

Speaking of menus the tour also gave us a chance to experience the culinary diversity of Canada. From French fine dining to Italian cuisine and ethnic foodfare ranging from Nepalese, Vietnamese, Greek and North Indian, Canada did provide variety to feast on. Since most of us had no dietary restrictions we did make the most of it. Only Ayesha was affected to some extent as “halal” meat was not always available.

We also got two excellent Sri Lankan meals thanks to our High Commissioner and Consul – General. High Commissioner Karunaratne hosted us at his Ottawa residence. It was a traditional Sinhala meal much relished by us all. Mrs. Karunaratna with charming simplicity was a gracious hostess. In Toronto Consul – General Poolokasingham entertained us for dinner at a Lankan owned restaurant in Scarborough. The amiable Poolokasingham had plans of making us scribes the centre – piece of attention. We respectfully declined but were touched and honoured by his gesture.

As I mentioned earlier our itinerary was quite tight but very comprehensive. There were occasions when we would have liked very much to prolong discussions but found the chariot of time drawing near. This was to be expected. We did however have some time for sightseeing despite the crisp schedule. But the unpredictable Canadian weather was a spoiler. The trip to Niagara falls was severely curtailed . We were in the midst of a massive snow storm in Quebec . My colleagues also faced the coldest night in Toronto this season.

But what of the “study” in the tour? Almost every session was exhaustive and informative. It was indeed a tremendous task to cite preferences when it was time for evaluation. Hopefully I would be writing a series of articles about various aspects of the tour in the days to come. There are a variety of subjects from Power sharing at Federal. Provincial and Municipal levels; Multi – Culturalism, Quebec’s distinctiveness, bi-lingualism, aboriginal rights, minority rights, charter of rights and freedoms, promoting French in Quebec, Canada’s Constitutional evolution, the containment of Quebec separatism etc are fascinating topics with particular relevance to Sri Lanka. The challenge would be in interpreting these lessons to Sri Lankan readers.

An overview of the study tour would be pertinent at this stage. The program got off to a start with an introduction about the Forum and its objectives. Celine Auclair the Forum’s vice – president for research and Governance programs along with Rod Macdonnell , senior director for Public information conducted the session; This set the stage for the events to come.I will outline some highlights briefly.

Former Constitutional adviser to the Canadian Government James Hurley Ross who spoke about the Evolution of Canadian Federalism and the charter of rights laid special emphasis on the defining characteristics of Canada. Dr.Leslie Seidle, senior Research associate at the Institute for research and public policy conducted a discussion on Canadian and Quebec identity and values.

Inter – Governmental relations from a Federal perspective was provided in Ottawa by Alfred Macleod the assistant deputy minister, Inter – Governmental relations, Privy Council; Inter – Governmental relations from the Quebec perspective was the topic handled vividly in Quebec city by Michel Frederick, Directeur des politiques institutionelles et constitutinelles at the Quebec secretariat of Inter – Governmental Affairs;Inter – Governmental relations from an Ontario perspective was provided in Toronto by Mathew Mendelhson , deputy minister of Inter – Governmental affairs and his Constitutional adviser Paul Barber.The Municipal level dimension input came from Jean Seguin, Assistant deputy minister of Municipal affairs and regions in Montreal.

Graham Fraser a reputed journalist and columnist is now Commissioner of Official languages. He gave us a penetrative insight into how his dept “supervises” bi- lingualism officially; Gerald Paquette of the Office quebecois de langue francaise in Montreal explained with thorough detail the methods and devices adopted to empower the use of French Language in Quebec province in terms of the Charter of the French Language. Both these sessions enabled us to gain much insight that would be of use within the Sri Lankan context.

Though Canada is perceived as being founded by the English and French “solitudes” the land’s original people are its indigenous peoples.There was no possibility in the itinerary of meeting any of their representatives but that was compensated for adequately by an illuminating talk delivered by Prof. Sebastien Grammond of the Faculty of law in the university of Ottawa. The discussion that followed was two – way and we provided Grammond with details about how cruelly our own indigenous people the Veddahs had been treated. In similar plight are the kuravas or gypsies.

There were three round – table discussions. The first was in Ottawa with officials of the department of foreign affairs and international trade. Glen Hodgins, deputy – director of South Asia division initiated the discussion. The ebullient Hodgins has served in the Canadian High Commission in Colombo some years ago and was well – informed of Sri Lankan developments. He also told us of a “new” area in which Canada was exploring ways and means of providing assistance to Sri Lanka.

The second round table was in Quebec at the Laval University. Dr. Gerard Hervouet and his colleagues at the Department of Political Science ,Laval university participated. It was a stimulating discussion with the focus being on how and why the Quebec separatist movement did not descend into violence apart from the brief FLQ phase in 1970.It was the consensus of opinion among us Lankan scribes that the French Canadians were more passionate and intense about issues as compared to their more detached and clinical English Canadian counterparts.

The third round table discussion was at the venerable Massey House in the University of Toronto (U of T). Prof, David Cameron led the discussion that focused mainly on journalism in a conflict situation. The discussion was enriched by the participation of five journalists all of them Southam Fellows. The Southam Fellowship is modelled on the Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.Since Prof. Cameron had first – hand knowledge of the Sri Lankan peace process we asked him his opinion and were surprised to find that he apportioned “blame” equally on Colombo and Kilinochchi for its perceived failure. Later Bob Rae joined us for lunch at the U of T.

We also had the opportunity of visiting an English and French newspaper office respectively. “The Montreal Gazette” is an icon for the English in Quebec province. Andrew Philips its quiet editor admitted that the paper was a rallying point for Anglophones in Montreal. Our visit to the French newspaper “Le Devoir” was equally interesting.Apparently the paper is regarded by many as being partial towards the separatist cause in Quebec. Both newspapers however claimed that they are “objective” when it comes to news presentation.

Speaking of journalism and the media , we also met Daniel Giasson, Analyst at the Quebec Press Council. He gave us a comprehensive lecture on how the press council works and “Lakbima” editor Jatila who is an office – bearer at the Editors Guid found it very worthwhile. Daniel endeared himself to us all by his demeanour and quaint English accent that reminded us of Peter Sellers’s Inspector Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” series. So lovable was the man that he was showered with gifts at the end by some of us.

In Toronto we met Paul Knox, the chair, School of Journalism at Ryerson University, for a discussion on media ethics, training and professionalism etc. Paul was a well – known journalist at the “Globe and Mail” who has now re-located to academia. Associated in the discussion was Meena Nallainathan a graduate student at Ryerson which is highly regarded as a training centre for media. Meena is of Sri Lankan origin and had come to Canada at the age of three.

One aspect of our tour was the conspicuous absence of gender balance in the presentations. Almost all the presenters were masculine though a few females also participated in some discussions. But at our last stop on the tour the situation was reversed. We went to the media rights watchdog – Canadian Journalists for Free expression- and met Anne Game its executive director. The boardroom was packed with CJFE staffers all of them females but for one. In the lively discussion that followed, Victor Ivan shocked them with his unorthodox comments.

It must be emphasised that all sessions had time for questions and answers. Though we gleaned much information from these it was not always a one – way street. We provided some insight into happenings in Sri Lanka. What was most gratifying was the fact that some of our questions made the Canadians think about Canada in a way they had not thought of before. When some of them acknowledged this fact it made us feel really, really good.

[Photo: Courtesy of Parlement du Canada, House of Commons Chamber: 39th Parliament]

From a journalist point of view our visit to the House of Commons was unforgettable. Nostalgic feelings were revived as we sat in the gallery and listened to the proceedings via earphones. Though I have watched Canadian Parliament proceedings on TV it was a refreshing change to see it from inside. I derived immense pleasure in pointing out the leaders like Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ministers Peter Mackay, Stockwell Day,NDP leader Jack Layton, Liberal deputy leader Michael Ignatieff etc to my colleagues.

Our respect for Canadian ministers went up greatly on seeing that prior notice of questions are generally not given. The ministers rise to answer each and every question and also supplementary ones. They think on their feet and come out with answers while the treasury benches thump the table and cheer. We could not but help compare the situation with Sri Lanka where ministers are seldom present to answer questions.

We also saw the media scrum where political bigwigs are accosted in the outer lobby by media personnel. Instead of shying away from the members of the fourth estate the Federal MP’s stood their ground responding to media queries. Nelson Laframbroise met us outside and gave us our media accreditation passes. He also took us to the press gallery. A freelance journalist Richard Cleroux gave us a guided tour of the Parliament building. The magnificient library with its white pine paneling and the “jinxed” portrait of Queen Victoria grabbed our attention.

There was a high degree of bonhomie and cameraderie among all seven of us during the tour. Though we teased Irina as a slave driver all of us were impressed by her energy and enchanted by her efficiency. All good things come to an end. Our study tour ended on March sixth and I bade farewell to return home to Scarborough. The other five were to go home to Colombo while Irina would go home to Ottawa. The study tour was very useful and my thanks to the High Commission and Forum for organizing it and inviting me as participant.

TAILPIECE: I learnt subsequently that my colleagues had shocking treatment meted out by boorish Air Canada officials at the Toronto Airport. They were not allowed to fly by Air Canada to London and would have been stranded if not for the presence of Irina. Adding insult to injury was the dirty remarks made and callous disregard shown.The Forum then bought new tickets from Cathay Pacific thus enabling my colleagues to fly home via Hong Kong and Singapore. All the goodwill created for Canada during the study tour was shattered by Air Canada.

Related: Separatist violence in Canada and Sri Lanka

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