Paul Martin's Choice — Nation-Builder Or

PAUL MARTIN’S CHOICE — NATION-BUILDER OR CEO Buzz Hargrove Paul Martin famously balanced Canada’s books in the 1990s. Slaying the deficit dragon became the foundation of his credibility and bolstered his claims to be prime minister. But balancing the books doesn’t constitute nation-building, says Buzz Hargrove of the Canadian Auto Workers. He asks whether Martin can turn his demonstrated leadership skills to proposing “a national project,” addressing social and economic issues that “could be resolved by a focused national effort of the sort that vanquished the deficit. But in conducting Canada-US relations, Hargrove advises Martin to eschew any “big idea” or “grand bargain” between the two countries. Americans, he writes, “would appreciate a pragmatic, incremental approach to resolving outstanding issues.” Martin must also take a hard look at Canada’s economic infrastructure, and the deteriorating position of key industries such as the automotive sector, and a renewed reliance on energy exports that risk making Canada, once again, a hewer of wood and drawer of water. Paul Martin a notoirement rétabli l’équilibre budgétaire du pays dans les années 1990, légitimant son ambition de diriger le Canada une fois terrassé le dragon du déficit public. Équilibrer un budget et bâtir une nation sont toutefois deux choses bien différentes, affirme Buzz Hargrove, du Syndicat des travailleurs de l’automobile. Malgré d’incontestables qualités de leader, M. Martin saura-t-il définir un « projet de société » qui s’attaque aux problèmes économiques et sociaux avec la même détermination affichée pour enrayer le déficit ? Pour ce qui est des relations canado-américaines toutefois, mieux vaudrait éviter les trop grands projets, note Hargrove. Les Américains préfèrent une « approche concrète et progressive des questions à résoudre entre nos deux pays ». Paul Martin doit enfin s’attaquer franchement à l’infrastructure économique du pays, au déclin d’importants secteurs comme celui de l’automobile ainsi qu’à notre dépendance accrue envers les exportations d’énergie, qui risque de nous ramener à un simple rôle de porteur d’eau. he 21st prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, thing less than a sweeping Martin majority would be a stun- ascends to the highest office in the land amidst a ning surprise. T remarkable and enviable conjuncture of circum- A leader with a dream, armed with such formidable stances, some, but not all, of his own making. Martin’s political assets, could remake this country. The question is, political position will seem unassailable, at least until well what is Martin’s dream? He enjoys an unparalleled capacity after the next election, giving him an unprecedented degree to lead. But where is he going to take us? of freedom to put his personal stamp on Canadian politics Will he seek to “manage” the country, solving problems and policy. What Martin makes of this potential, however, and resolving irritants, building on his reputation as a pru- depends on the choices he makes. dent fiscal manager, acting like Canada’s CEO? This As Martin takes office, Canada’s economic and fiscal sit- approach would certainly win plaudits from the business uation is relatively healthy, certainly in comparison to our community, which so strongly endorsed the deficit-cutting southern neighbour. He will benefit from the presence of tone of his tenure as finance minister, and which worries new Liberal premiers in Ontario and Quebec, creating the about any effort by Ottawa to play a more active social and potential for a renewed practice of federalism. He will quick- economic role. But this tack would ultimately represent a ly send the nation to the polls in an election in which any- huge lost opportunity. 74 OPTIONS POLITIQUES DÉCEMBRE 2003 – JANVIER 2004 Paul Martin’s choice — nation-builder or CEO Martin can and should think much tive well-being. The Bush administra- nationhood — should be sacrificed in the bigger. I believe he is personally commit- tion has demonstrated a tendency to interests of easier trade. If anything, ted to leaving behind something more reckless unilateralism in many areas: Canadians have gone in the opposite substantial from his tenure as prime military issues, foreign affairs, and direction in recent years, coming to bet- minister than just balanced books. After environmental policy, to name just the ter appreciate the value of our sovereign- all, any government can balance its obvious ones. For the mouse sleeping ty as we chose different paths from the books, if it backs away from enough of next to this particular elephant, it US on issues ranging from Iraq to gun its programs and activities. The bigger would be very easy to get squashed. control to Kyoto to health care. challenge is for government to balance Martin has already made a priority of It would be a major mistake for its books while meeting its responsibility addressing and improving Canada-US Martin to underestimate the power of to ensure the social and economic secu- relations. Let’s hope he does it in a way Canadians’ underlying pride in their rity of its citizenry. I hope that he uses that enhances our sovereignty and our independence and sovereignty. Instead the opportunity presented by his leader- capacity to do things the Canadian of throwing our national eggs into a US ship to help construct a more balanced, way, rather than compromising them. basket that presently looks somewhat tat- fairer, and more sustainable Canada. Martin must start by rejecting the tered, a more complex but promising There is much that he could do, if he vision that has been recently enunciated direction would be to address our bilater- seizes this opportunity to use his office, by Canada’s business elites to form a al issues (like chronic traffic congestion at and his current popularity, to lead “grand bargain” or partnership with the the border) incrementally and pragmati- change, as opposed to simply managing Americans, one that would trade harmo- cally, on the basis of equality and mutual the status quo. He could be a respect. This will involve both nation-builder, not just a CEO. This is a tricky, dangerous time for trust-building and hard bargain- Martin presents a very com- Canada’s relationship with our ing. Martin can remember that plex political figure. His back- southern neighbour, a relationship the Americans have as much at ground in business, and his stake in our bilateral economic record as finance minister, indi- which, like it or not, is vitally relationship as we do: $300 bil- cate a predisposition toward the important to our collective well- lion worth of US goods and serv- private sector, market forces, and being. The Bush administration has ices are sold in Canada each year, free trade. On the other hand, he demonstrated a tendency to reckless and American companies own speaks passionately, and I over $200 billion in direct invest- believe sincerely, about the need unilateralism in many areas. For the ment here. I actually believe the for a stronger and more inclu- mouse sleeping next to this Americans would appreciate a sive social vision, both within particular elephant, it would be very pragmatic, incremental approach Canada and internationally. easy to get squashed. to resolving our outstanding Which direction he takes as PM issues, over any politically elusive will depend in part on the relative abil- nization in certain important policy areas and explosive “grand bargain.” ity of competing constituencies within (like security, immigration and refugee Canada to enunciate and advocate their policy, and perhaps military and com- anadians will certainly reward respective visions and demands. Martin mercial policy) in return for easier access C Martin if he shows that he can is too seasoned a politician to ignore to the US market for Canadian exports. manage our relationship with our these political winds. But ultimately, the This “big idea,” as it is sometimes termed, neighbour in a way that protects our direction of government in the Martin is a non-starter on both sides of the bor- economic interests while respecting our era will also depend on Martin’s person- der. The Americans aren’t particularly sovereignty. Canadians will also reward al convictions and decisions. The choic- interested: they will never fully open him if he places our international rela- es will be his own. their border, even for Canadians, without tions in a broader, humanitarian, and being able to directly regulate entry con- global context. For this, he will have to artin has a long list of policy files trols around the broader continental put his government’s money where its M to address as he takes his new perimeter. The risks, including the politi- mouth is. Canada still vastly underper- office. Here are some of the key ones cal risks, of a security breach for US lead- forms our stated goal of dedicating 0.7 which, in my view, would allow Martin ers are far too great for them to take this percent of GDP to international aid and to leave behind a stronger, fairer Canada. chance. The vast majority of Canadians, development, and the responsibility for First, Canada-US relations. This is too, are offended by the notion that our this failure is partly Martin’s (since inter- a tricky, dangerous time for Canada’s ability to determine our own approaches national aid was one of the hardest-hit relationship with our southern neigh- to these issues — many of which, like our portfolios during the era of Martin’s bour, a relationship which, like it or welcoming attitude to immigrants and budget-cutting). Canadians strongly not, is vitally important to our collec- refugees, are crucial to our sense of support initiatives where we can put our POLICY OPTIONS 75 DECEMBER 2003 – JANUARY 2004 Buzz Hargrove own stamp on efforts to alleviate suffer- demonstrated global success have also regression and avoid ending up once ing in the world, like the proposal to entered painful decline.

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