tion would divide or fragment a federal union into separate international entities. In Canada’s case, it would destroy our influence and our presence abroad, and undermine our unity at home.
This would not only be tragic; it would be unnecessary. The Government of Canada has been seeking progressively to ensure—in its foreign policy and in all its actions abroad—that it reflects the bilingual character of the country and that it takes into account the proper and developing interests of the Canadian provinces in various international activities. For example, delegations to international conferences where provincial interests are affected increasingly contain a provincial component; provincial desires to benefit from co-operation and interchanges with foreign states are fully recognized and assisted; the provincial governments can, where it is necessary, make agreements with other jurisdictions, with Federal Government agreement; and provincial interests in other forms of international co-operation are also facilitated. Indeed any provincial requirement that calls for some international action can be met by the federal government, save of course for actions which would undermine the ability of the Government of Canada to represent the country abroad. The Government intends, in full co-operation with the provinces, to continue to pursue and develop this policy.
Canadians will understand that talk of separate international personalities or a divided presence abroad is not just academic talk of interest to constitutional lawyers. It strikes at the roots of our existence as a country. Indeed the achievement of independent status for Canada rested a great deal on gaining for our country a separate international voice. To extend this right and power to the provincial governments could mean the same result for them: separate foreign policies, separate relations with other states, separate representation in the U.N. and other agencies, and separate ambassadors and embassies. But it would mean more than that. Separatism abroad would lead to separatism at home. We should make no mistake about it.
The Division of Powers
The third important aspect of Canada’s Constitution which should be reviewed is tho division of the powers of government between the federal and provincial governments! It is the part of the Constitution over which most differences between governments arise;inevitably it will occupy a major part of our attention in the course of the constitutional conferences we have suggested.
This is understandable and desirable. It is understandable because of the enormous growth in the role of government, federal, provincial and
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