Annotated Notes: NDP Leaders Meeting - February 18, 1981
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57 Annotated Notes: NDP Leaders Meeting - February 18, 1981 The following is an edited version of the notes • Wilson Parasiuk, Member of the Official taken by the author at the New Democratic Party Opposition and former cabinet minister in (NDP) Leaders’ meeting on Wednesday, Febru- Manitoba; ary 18, 1981 in Calgary, Alberta. The original hand written notes are available in the archives • Allan Blakeney, Premier of Saskatchewan, at the University of Alberta. Leader of NDP; • Grant Notley, Leader of the Alberta NDP; In these notes, the author has taken the liberty of inserting context and comments in • Raymond Martin, NDP MLA in Alberta; brackets after the notes for explanation and clarity. These are based on his memory from • Roy Romanow, Deputy Premier and the time. Non-trivial insertions and notes to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in original minutes are also added. Saskatchewan; This Leaders’ meeting came about as a result • Howard Leeson, Deputy Minister of of differences between the federal NDP and some Intergovernmental Affairs in Saskatchewan; of its provincial sections in Western Canada. In • Edward Broadbent, Member of Parliament particular, the NDP in Saskatchewan, which and Leader of the federal NDP; and, was in government at the time, had a number of differences on the direction of constitutional • Norman Simon, executive assistant to changes which had been undertaken by the Lib- Edward Broadbent. eral government of Pierre Trudeau, and sup- ported in the House of Commons by the federal The Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta NDP. This meeting was a last ditch attempt by sections of the NDP arranged the meeting at a the NDP leadership of the various sections of the Calgary airport hotel. They also met and dis- party at finding some common ground on the cussed a common position prior to meeting with whole matter constitutional change. the federal representatives. It was decided that Grant Notley would take the lead in presenting The leaders and representatives of the federal a number of proposals to the federal leader and NDP, Manitoba NDP, Saskatchewan NDP, and his representative at the meeting. These propos- the Alberta NDP, attended the meeting. The Brit- als were considered by the provincial representa- ish Columbia NDP declined to attend. tives to be a compromise between supporting the Liberal government of Pierre Trudeau, and the In attendance: governments of six provinces, British Colum- bia, Alberta, Manitoba, Québec, Prince Edward • Howard Pawley, Leader of the Official Island, Newfoundland, who were opposing the Opposition in Manitoba; federal initiative both legally and politically. Constitutional Forum constitutionnel 57 58 The meeting opened shortly after 10 a.m. The Howard Pawley then elaborated on matters, room was a small conference room, which kept and indicated that he was worried about a reso- things rather intimate. Ed Broadbent and Nor- lution on constitutional change that would be man Simon were late for the meeting. It is fair to forthcoming in the Manitoba house. In particu- say that most of the participants were not look- lar, he and his party might be forced into a choice ing forward to the meeting. The atmosphere was between supporting the provincial Conservative tense, and most of the participants were less than government, and the federal New Democratic optimistic. Allan Blakeney had scheduled a news Party. conference for the following day and although he had not publicly or privately disclosed the He indicated that a brisk, short resolution contents of that conference, it was obvious to would cause difficulty. most people that he was going to announce his opposition to the constitutional resolution being debated in the House of Commons. It looked Howard Pawley as if he would be joined by a number of NDP members of Parliament from Saskatchewan. – At this point, before the resolution (in the This was deeply troubling to Ed Broadbent who federal House of Commons) is passed the had worked hard to try and prevent a split in his approach should include some further input federal caucus. On the other side, Allan Blak- from the provinces. (I) do not agree with court eney was perplexed by the seeming intransi- action, or lobbying in London but a federal- gence of the federal leader. He had expected that provincial conference is an item of concern. Ed Broadbent would play a much larger role in Negotiation versus (confrontation).” mediation. Ed Broadbent It was agreed by the participants that Grant – What are you asking me? Would it be use- Notley, the leader of the NDP in Alberta, would ful? present the views of the provincial participants at the meeting. Grant Notley – Yes, would it be useful? Grant Notley opened the meeting. He out- lined the items that the provincial leaders had Broadbent discussed at their earlier meeting. The original – No. And there is not a hope in the world of notes for this meeting are available in the Uni- getting one. versity of Alberta archives. Allan Blakeney Ed Broadbent said he wanted to discuss a statement on the matter of constitutional change – There are lots of problems with process, both that the Premier of Saskatchewan, Allan Blak- for the party and the country. Some may dis- eney, was to make the next day in Regina. The agree. We in the NDP are in a unique position provincial representatives indicated that they in the middle, in a situation in the middle. would be willing to discuss that later in the meet- There is confusion in the country. ing, but wanted to discuss an actual compromise – Pressures are building on all sides – there is first. This, they said, could influence what Allan no presumption of success in the minds of the Blakeney would say the next day. four Premiers, Lougheed, Bennett Peckford, and Lyon. Grant Notley then proceeded to outline the various items. Primary among them was the – Our thoughts, my thought, is that if we could need to seek approval for another First Minis- get a broad base of support in the provinces it ter’s conference to try and find common ground would be good for the country as well as good among the provinces, most particularly with Sas- for the party (NDP). katchewan, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. 58 Volume 26, Number 2, 2017 59 sensus of provinces in support of the resolution Broadbent before it goes forward. Do you think that Trudeau would call a meet- ing? Broadbent – It would be total lack of credibility for us to Blakeney propose. It would be considered laughable by Yes – he could get Bennett, Buchanan, and Liberals, the media, and the country. Only a myself. The present process will leave a lot of handful of premiers at best would support it. scars, for every political party and nation- Trudeau would dismiss it out of hand. ally. We ought to attempt to get a middle road if possible. While a good number of people Blakeney are attracted to the contents, not many are – What would Trudeau say about why he attracted to the process. When we turn our would oppose it? mind to how we might get a larger number on board it is well worth it. Broadbent – He would say we have a number of provinces Norman Simon supporting the resolution. He would also say – At what time you see this meeting being held? that if provincial parties want a meeting they could propose it. Blakeney – Sometime before now and the end of the Blakeney debate in Parliament – I do not know if the – If the position of the federal NDP is that parliamentary debate will have a pause. I the Constitution should be amended with the think that there would have to be a confer- objection of eight provinces there will not be ence if Bennett or Buchanan could be brought any cooperative federalism. onside. Broadbent Simon – I agree in principle but – I think action is – What do you see being on the agenda? needed now – on the matter of the entry of Newfoundland into Confederation there was Blakeney a split. – Well, it would be essentially the resolution before the house. Any additions or subtrac- Blakeney tions would have to be agreed and there would – But there was a majority. have to be an agreement that there would be no new subjects that weren’t raised by the res- Broadbent olution. – Well, I personally would like to take it to a national vote – Trudeau would also. He would Simon sweep the country if he did. – Wouldn’t pressure caused by honest broker be as good? Blakeney – Do you really think that he would sweep the Blakeney country? – Maybe – but who is the honest broker? But a lot of groundwork will need to be done in Broadbent advance. I believe that there should be a con- – If Trudeau went to the country I would not want to oppose him. Anyway, it would be laughable for me to propose a First Minis- Constitutional Forum constitutionnel 59 60 ters’ Conference. It might be taken seriously if somebody else proposed it. Notley Blakeney – But there is more pressure on from the Pre- – But would you not take it seriously? miers now. Broadbent Broadbent – We would be laughed at. – Yes, but Trudeau has the most credibility. – And there are really no British problems. Simon – What is the advantage to the federal leader Leeson doing it? – Do you think he would go before the Supreme Court also? Blakeney – Frankly, the federal NDP has the clout to do Broadbent it now. – Yes. Broadbent Blakeney – But we have already approved it (the resolu- – Would you support that? tion). Broadbent Ray Martin – Yes. – But it could be changed. Blakeney Broadbent – You would support that.