Respecting Confederation's Institutions

"To welcome is to grow and to open oneself. In Quebec we are going to grow together."
"You will have the difficult but essential task of helping to heal the wounds of recent months by participating in the construction of an open, inclusive society proudly sharing an identity based on our language and our shared values."
"We have built Quebec together. Let us also build a common future around a shared sense of pride in our accomplishments. We are all proud Quebecers. There are so many things that unite us. It is time to work together again, as we have been doing in the last 350 years."
"Quebec is faced with profound, structural issues that go beyond a change in government. In short, we have been spending beyond our means for a long time. We thus have to act with strength, courage and determination to correct a situation that represents a threat for the quality of life of current and future generations."
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is no longer time for marginal, cosmetic measures. The time for difficult decisions has arrived."
"We are Quebecers proud of our history and unique identity. We believe that belonging to the Canadian federation and our shared citizenship with other Canadians are levers for the progress of Quebec."
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, Quebec City

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard waves as he is sworn in during a ceremony on April 23, 2014 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/CP)

On Wednesday in Quebec City, at the swearing-in ceremony of the new premier, the province's lieutenant-governor, the provincial representative in Quebec of Queen Elizabeth II was given proper prominence. The Canadian flag was no longer hidden. And the new Liberal premier of the Province of Quebec will begin undoing all the harm done to his province and to the larger Canadian identity fostered by the 19-month misrule of the Parti Quebecois whose raison d'etre was always the achievement of sovereignty.

In introducing his new 26-member cabinet in the National Assembly's Salon Rouge, the province discovered that there is now a new ministry; of "Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion" to replace the old Immigration Ministry of the province the PQ misused so divisively. Mr. Couillard spoke conciliatorily to the province's anglophone demographic so long marginalized, under-serviced and unappreciated for their contribution to the general welfare of Quebec.

Allaying the fears engendered by the statements and resolve expressed by former Premier Pauline Marois serving the interests not of the voters that put her in power, but those of the separatist party she served with passion, to the extent that many of those anglophones were readying themselves to move lock, stock and barrel out of a province they held dear, but which threatened their equality rights within Canada.

The new premier addressed the issue of economics challenging the stability of a province that overspends itself for social programs it can ill afford. With the highest debt of all provinces, the greatest government spending and the highest rate of taxation in Canada, a dire situation that requires stringent and dedicated attention to returning to the balance required to return the economy to health while still focusing on social issues of importance, like health care, eduction and employment.

The previous government led by Jean Charest pledged itself to overturning many of the political, social and economic ills that had long plagued the economy, and to begin he knew he would have to confront Quebec's powerful unions' attitude of entitlements beyond the reach of any government. And while he struggled to achieve an end he felt was required, he ran into the indomitable will of those very same unions.

But his government also fell victim to the corruption that was endemic to Quebec corporate interests and politics, and which when revealed to their full comprehensive embrace brought him the contempt of the voting public which saw no course of correction other than to punish the Liberals and return the Parti Quebecois to administering the affairs of the province. And that turned out to be a solution itself in need of a countervailing remedy.

Now that it has arrived, the province anticipates remedial action to benefit all its citizens. That being so, Premier Couillard has his work cut out for him.