FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 04, 1998
AFL raises concerns about economic consequences of separation
EDMONTON -- The president of the Alberta Federation of Labour and several members of the AFL's Executive Council met this morning with Bloc Quecbois Leader Gilles Duceppe. AFL president Audrey Cormack said she agreed to meet with Duceppe partly out of curiosity and partly because he used to be a union leader in Quebec. "Mr. Duceppe is one of the main players at the centre of Canada's constitutional debate," said Cormack. "So, we were interested to hear what he had to say." At the meeting, Cormack told Duceppe that the AFL has a long-standing policy which recognizes Quebec's right to self determination. But Cormack said that doesn't mean she supports separation. "The people of Quebec clearly have the right to vote for separation," said Cormack. "But we still think it would be a mistake. We think Canada is stronger with Quebec and that Quebec is stronger within Canada." During the meeting, Cormack and several other union leaders asked Duceppe what would happen to aboriginal people in Quebec -- most of whom are staunchly federalist -- in the event of secession. Concerns were also raised about the economic consequences of separation. "Frankly, we're worried about the impact that Quebec separation would have on the Canadian economy," said Cormack. "This is not just a political issue. The jobs of working people -- both inside Quebec and in other provinces -- could be on the line. That's why we would prefer to see Quebec stay in the country."
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