Political Ideology Spurred by the Western Provinces in Canada - Report Example

The western provinces encompass approximately 30.7% population in Canada; this region is both economically andpolitically productive in the country. The democrats in western Canada depict the strong views of the people in the region. This paper tries to illustrate that there has been an historical connection between western alienation and social democracy. Thus; according to this paper western alienation is not justifiable as it is only rooted to the historical aspects not logical scenarios in the country in the recent political and economical outcomes in the country. This paper delves into the study of Saskatchewan to portray a detailed analysis of the alienation aspect in Canada. Factors purported to alienation Numerous factors have fuelled the disgruntled western views to the federal government. The western provinces have addressed this aspect from both the political and economical aspects. The political outrages outlined are; low political representation and profound control of political agendas by leaders from the east. A regional distinct political culture through and within which has expressed discontent, rejection within the Canadian states and empathy towards Quebec and French Canadian influence in the national government. The western region has become irritated by the North and demand for provincial equality (Dyck, 34). According to census conducted in 2011, Quebec and Ontario encompass 23.6% and 38.4% of Canadians which is 60.7% of the national population. On the other hand 13.1%, 10.9%, 3.6%, and 3.1% live in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba this is merely 30.7% of the national population. Because of the uneven population distribution the western is poorly represented in both the House of Commons and the senate. Western alienation Versus the Federal government The western provinces in Canada include; British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba while the central provinces are; Ontario and Quebec. In Canada western alienation revolves around the claims that the central states are politically and economically favored by the national government as compared to the western states. Dr. Roger Gibbins defines western alienation as an ideological discontent portrayed by the westerners in Canada directed towards the federal government over economical and political representation. This ideology has several inter-linked aspects; it revolves around numerous interrelated factors. The grain based policy founded by the national policy is one big factor which has culminated to the westerners feeling that they are segregated from the national cake. Secondly, the western region feels that the political system in the country favors the eastern and central provinces. Thirdly, populist impulse of giving power to average citizens to fill the gaps of political representation. Fourth, natural resources jurisdiction; arguments stem from the freedom granted to the Prairie Provinces in 1930. Fifth, the belief that resource distribution is skewed towards the central provinces has catalyzed the ideology. For example Quebec province is pinpointed as the major beneficiary from the government. Finally, the west’s frustrations to show case the demographic or economical aspects of the western circle. In 1993 elections there was a decimation of Brian Mulroncy’s Progressive Conservatism Party. Many people saw this as merely a onetime manifestation of western disaffection hence central Canada was complacent in addressing the matter. Alberta and British Columbia after Quebec became the most alienated states (Segell, 42). Gath Stevenson states in his work; Conflict between federal and provincial government has been an enduring feature of Canadian political life for more than a century. Indeed it has been so ubiquitous that it tends to be taken for granted and to be treated as almost synonymous with federalism rather than a distinct phenomenon…… (Stevenson 275). Case study of Saskatchewan on western alienation In 1901 Saskatchewan reaped a bumper harvest of wheat however; the rail company at that time could not be able to transport the huge harvest. The capacity of the company as per then was limited and such a hamper harvest could not be accommodated. Disgruntled, the farmers in the province decided to form a movement to spearhead the regions agendas. It was a movement which was meant to compel the government to listen to their grievances. To achieve this Territorial Grain Growers’ Association (TGGA) embanked on farmer training mechanisms. The expansion of wheat growing in the region in the first two decades in the 20th century spurred an increment in the population growth in the state. The popularity of the prairies also played a major role in population expansion. The rising wheat prices in the region and the decrease in the transportation costs spurred the economy of the region thus attracting a lot of people to the region and mushrooming of small cities within the region. Settlers from North America and Europe were among some of the immigrants who came (Porter and Cheryl 5). TGGA recommended that the North West provinces be given full provincial powers. This meant that the region would have full access to natural resources. The western was determined to stop the eastern monopolies by getting rid of the Eastern railway and elevator companies which had immense influence in the region. It was basically a move which led to the merging of western alienation aspects and the democratic moves of the region (Dale-Burnett and Brian 124). Partridge an important activist within the movement which had transformed to Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ Association (SGGA) was concerned with the unequal distribution of wealth in the country. However, he founded that the best way to succeed was to form a mutual relationship between the government and the farmers. According to him a mixed economy was the best environment for a farmer to succeed. In 1907 and 1909 resolutions were passed by SGGA to transform important sectors of the region it public properties. For example, telephones and some industries involved with natural resources were to be owned by the state. In 1910, resolutions were passed which pressed for the formation of a political party to run against the parties in the Eastern provinces. However, this move was quenched by few of the intellectuals who believed that working in unity all over the country was the only bridge from poverty to richness or from uneven distribution of resources to a balancing position. In 1913, after failing to join politics SGGA under the leadership of Partridge, a new party was born which was printed No-Party League with a manifesto which geared towards western alienation. It basically accused the eastern of thriving at the expense of the west (Marchildon 324). It is clear that the Saskatchewan case is a clear indication of the revolution of western alienation in the country. The process commences slowly over time and develops further to a more solidified foundation which is held by any westerner. However, as depicted by the Farmers’ Union of Canada (FUC) solution to one’s problem is by assuming control of your own affairs and running them better. FUC was founded in 1921 to replace the SGGA which was termed as conservative and retrogressive. The solution to the problems in the province was to create a society which allowed both private and public owned companies. Social policy encompassed the government’s responsibilities of ensuring the introduction of social amenities; health services, insurance coverage, old age pensions and other related aspects in the province. It can be seen that the trends in Saskatchewan depict the western alienation view profoundly. This province has moved through numerous stages to stabilize, however, some aspects are self-infringing. According to some researchers, the agrarian movement in Saskatchewan was moored by a class of petite bourgeoisie who were out to fight the incumbent threat of industrialization. This class felt that modernization was a form to deprive them of their profits. Saskatchewan agrarian movement was made up of small groups of capitalists who were out to defend their family properties against the central region’s capitalists. It was an individual to individual scenario which never at one time encompassed the government. Thus western alienation will never be justifiable under this context (Porter and Cheryl, 152). The Douglas Government’s Support of Centralization (1944–1964) From the Saskatchewan, the political parties in this part supported the government on social amenities introduction in the province. The will by the government to stabilize the region is a fundamental framework to depict that alienation never existed from the federal government’s side. For example the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) signed to the social security framework outlined in the Green Book on Reconstruction. This manuscript outlined the ideas the federal government was putting through to aid cutting on unemployment and health insurance. However, it is this western region where majority of the beneficiaries of the policy hailed from since the eastern provinces had denied the policy (Leeson 146). The close relationship which is depicted between the federal government and CCF government demonstrate that the federal government was in control of the whole country. No region according to the federal government received more favors than any other. According to some leaders in the Saskatchewan government the entire Canadian population was to remain isolated if the federal government was not ranted the powers of national jurisdiction. Each province was required to allow the federal government undertakes its responsibilities. Saskatchewan CCF government proposal to reconstruct its conferences is a clear indication. In 1930, CCF was properly represented in the cabinet. This was a step to drop the populist’s proposals which had spurred aspects like recall and referendum which hang on the democracy of Saskatchewan. Under Douglas the province was able to make lateral changes which saw Saskatchewan grow into a rich economy. With discovery of discovery of oil, uranium, and potash the region was able to see development of private firms which created a big number of employment to the people, this in return improved the living standards in the province (Leeson 145). The Blakeley Government and the Fight for the Crow Rate and Control of Natural Resources (1971–1982) Under the leadership of Allan Blakeley, in the year 1971, the concept of western alienation was reintroduced. This focused on major sectors of the economy; agriculture, taxation, economy policies and resource allocation. Saskatchewan NDP was at the front to clear the crow rate which was a subsidy granted to the railway company in the province. The federal government was entangled in disputes with the Saskatchewan authorities who claimed that the federal government was over stepping on its mandate (Barnhart 206). Followed by a series of disputes and disagreements in his tenure Blakeley fought for the alienation of the province from the federal government. It is this government among others that encompassed provinces in the region which pushed for full control of the resources in their respective provinces. Alienation aspect crops in when Blakeley government argues or differs with the government on social, economic and constitutional matters (Barnhart 206). From the above case study, it is imperative to state that Saskatchewan is a representation of the whole western provinces. These states had failed to amicably cooperate with the federal government, which actually held the powers to development. However, as depicted in the study cooperation reaped huge for Saskatchewan as it took measures to involve the federal government in its quest to achieve a concrete economy. Modern federalism led to the establishment of Saskatchewan, modern railways were constructed, schools and other services ingrained in the province. Critics to western alienation The population distribution depicts the political impacts in the country. It does not stream down to governmental alienation. Basically politician will often run to highly populated regions to gunner votes since democracy is all about numbers. The western region being sparsely populated will definitely experience limited visits from the politicians. However, this does not suggest that the region is segregated from the rest of the country (Curtis 49). Population distribution will also mean that financial distribution will also be skewed. Any government will often try to take care of its citizens in a more valuable manner. In trying to accommodate as many as possible it will definitely concentrate on more populated places than less populated places. It is irrational for a government to invest on few people while it has a lot many others enclosed in a particular location. This will explain the trend in the country as it tends to observe its more populated places. Western alienation was generally a power tussle between two groups who failed to agree. It evolved majorly from the west. Alienating the whole region was a move which could lead to human suffering. According to the human rights framework one is entitled to basic needs from the government. The region on its own without the assistance from the federal government cannot achieve much. Pooling resources together is the core functionality of the central government. It is from these very resources that each state or province is equally compensated from. Thus, separating themselves from the national framework means that the region will not be open to resource exploitation (Curtis 50). From the basis of the leaders argument of those who were collaborative members of the notion. Oil prices and wheat prices fluctuation is common occurrence in a market which depends on the demand and supply forces. Although it is the responsibility of the federal government to safeguard its constituents it is clear that there is no operational formula of approach the government could adopt to stabilize these prices; Taking into considerations that the oil prices were majorly controlled by OPEC which was beyond the Canadian jurisdiction. Workable local and regional ties can provide services to the population. However, the authorities holding these positions develop personal attributes deviated from the core objective of the national policies. As depicted by the case of western alienation which is typically misinterpreted which in real sense sets to benefit few kingpins living in this section of Canada. A commoner will strive to survive in such situations because it is the few capable and influential persons in the society who will tend to shape destiny. A federal government often provides an impartial tribunal which seeks to identify problems experienced by regional governments. Thus, to operate within a constitutional framework the regional governments should exploit the open opportunities. It is through these available channels that the regional governments should air their grievances. Research has shown that regions depicting a profound cooperative measures thrive on various grounds. Western alienation developed into a campaigning ground for most leaders. It was the basis which the political parties founded to win votes from innocent citizens. The genuineness of the matter was never known to the people who remained blind folded by empty promises. These politicians throughout the period endeavored to seal their deed from the public. Thus, western alienation was never justified as it never relied on genuine aspects of oppression from the government. According to Tomlin regional discontent exists in Canada. The western feel discontent for what is happening in the country. Generally this is an aspect which stems from the historical Canada. Unlike the American case which adopted integration during revolution Canada lied towards segregation which saw each state try to independently develop. This aspect has eaten through the unit of the provinces in Canada each pointing an accusing finger to the other (Leslie 130). A myth lives in peoples mind for a very long time, political myth seems to travel faster and raise much scrutiny unlike reality. Western alienation is that example of a myth in Canada. The western states feel handicapped by the national government which in real sense is not true. The national government in Canada has over time again and again tried to improve the poor provinces which majorly hail from the west. Thus, propagating for alienation will basically force people to suffer from these poor regions. Conclusion As we have seen western alienation is a political ideology spurred by the western provinces in Canada. A case study of Saskatchewan portrays the steady transition of the political ideologies which is the backbone of the countries triangulated stipulations. Varying between each location and touching each sector of the economy ranging from; agricultural to mining which are the major sectors which spurred animosity between the federal government and the provincial government political related affiliations tightened the string between the western region and the federal government. Western alienation can also be explained as an inconsistent approach from two opposing parties. These parties include the left and right wing parties; it is these two variances which the western states of Canada alienated from the eastern region due to their different agendas. These two regions basically do not read from the same page. The western region complains of oppression from the central and eastern regions that according to them are favored by the central government. Works cited Barnhart, Gordon L. Saskatchewan Premiers of the Twentieth Century. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, 2004. Print. Curtis, Bruce. The Politics of Population: State Formation, Statistics, and the Census of Canada : 1840-1875. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2001. Print. Dale-Burnett, Lisa L, and Brian Mlazgar. Saskatchewan Agriculture: Lives Past and Present. Regina: University of Regina, Canadian Plains Research Center, 2006. Print. Dyck, Perry R. Canadian Politics. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2012. Print. Leeson, Howard A. Saskatchewan Politics: Into the Twenty-First Century. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, 2001. Print. Leslie, Peter M. Canada, the State of the Federation, 1985. Kingston, Ont: Queens University, Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, 1985. Print. Marchildon, Gregory P. Agricultural History. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center, 2011. Print. Porter, J M, and Cheryl Avery. Perspectives of Saskatchewan. Winnipeg [Man.: University of Manitoba Press, 2009. Internet resource. Segell, Glen. Is There a Third Way?London: Glen Segell, 2000. Print. Stevenson, Garth. Unfulfilled Union: Canadian Federalism and National Unity. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 2009. Print. Read More