I think there are two challenges, the first one being to make sure that there is more cooperation between all our governments. In my view, there should be more cooperation between provinces themselves. Provinces have to learn how to work together. There are many issues that do not, per se, involve the federal government which must be dealt with at the provincial level. In this regard, it is important that we develop a consensus amongst provincial leaders.

And, while there should be more cooperation between provinces, there should also be more cooperation with the federal government, since there are several issues which touch both orders of government. This is the first challenge.

The second challenge is that we must restate the Federal Principle. The Federal Principle means that we live in a federal system. We chose the federal formula in 1867 and we continue to adhere to the federal formula. But adhering to the federal formula means that the provinces must be respected, that their priorities and autonomy must be respected. It means that provinces should have a say regarding the orientation of the country as a whole. The definition of the country and its future orientation not only belongs to the federal government, it also belongs to the provinces. This fact should not be forgotten. Provinces are not big municipalities. They are autonomous entities within our system, an integral part of our system and of the federal formula. I think the challenge is to go back to a more rigorous application of the federal formula and all its components. These are the two challenges our country is facing today.