...although I'm not so sure what to think of it, yet.
The Conservative leader is proposing that the Canadian federation mimic Belgium, by giving linguistic communities some control over communications and broadcasting.
And that's about the extent of what we know. Language groups would have some authority over communications and broadcasting, apparently. Harper and his people reportedly refused questions after announcing this in a Quebec City speech, which likely means they want to see what kind of press reaction they'll get before developing it further.
Scant attention has been paid to this in the Anglo press today, but the the French media is already calling it the new "beau risque," in reference to the strategy of reconciling with Canada adopted by René Levesque in the post-1980 referendum period.
I think it's risky, but at least it's something new. This is likely Harper's way of proposing giving new powers to the minority French community -- most of which is concentrated in Quebec -- without devolving more authority exclusively the Quebec provincial government. We'll see where it goes...
10/19/04 UPDATE: The National Post put this story on its front page today (Tuesday), a full three days after it was first reported by the French press.
