Moldy Peaches

Kudos to Lucien Bouchard - did I say that out loud - and the rest of the gang on the "Clear Eyes" project. It is refreshing to see ex-politicians put aside their political differences to weigh in on the future of a province.

The group has produced a ten-page manifesto with a series of recommendations to take the province forward in the next half century. A close read of the document and one is impressed with the straightforward vision articulated. Quebec is a fantastic province but it is in real danger of losing not only its distinct culture, but also risks serious economic problems if it doesn’t change.

The group points out, and rightfully so, some interesting observations.

Social discourse in Québec today is dominated by pressure groups of all kinds,
including the big unions, which have monopolized the label “progressive” to better resist any changes imposed by the new order. The labour union movement can be a positive and responsible force, as it has proven many times by promoting the values of sharing, social justice and democracy. Judging by the way some labour leaders behave today, especially in the public sector, is union action not often limited to the shortsighted protection of members’ interests? If the joint action that characterizes our model is to be productive, it must be based on commonly accepted facts, genuine dialogue and a collective assuming of responsibility.

This isn’t an anti-union comment, but rather an admission of the truth. Progressives don't always resist change/ In fact, most are out ahead finding and creating the space to enact it.

The majority of Quebeckers have grown complacent with their situation and resisted substantial change because they find it comfortable. They work less than other North Americans; they retire earlier, they benefit from more generous social programs; both individually and collectively, their credit cards are maxed out. This is all well and good, but who is going to pay the bills? Quebec will soon be on the verge - similar to Saskatchewan post-Devine - to being at the mercy of New York creditors. Does a province really want its fiscal policy set by Wall Street?

There are however, ways to address these issues. The group highlights several key areas where Quebec could improve. Lower taxes, less government involvement, more public investment in education and training to name a few, however, the most interesting one is the call for the elimination of the tuition freeze.

Quebec residents have enjoyed a university tuition freeze (and free college tuition) for more than a decade and as a result public institutions are decaying and the quality is suffering. The system is no more accessible than any other province although that is definitely the perception. The province's education inequalities start long before university entrance. Too many youth dropout of high school and this is even starker for francophone males.

This isn’t a post for high fees and high debt, but rather a realization that there is better, more equitable way to assist all students. The Quebec student aid system, well providing the most grants in the country (although a good portion of the aid comes from the Government of Canada), is also the hardest to qualify for and has the shortest window of qualification. In short, those who get it - get plenty, but good luck getting it.

Eliminating the tuition freeze and allowing fees to liberalize is good public policy. Any fee increase should be done in tandem with a liberalized student aid system where those from low-income families get most of their aid in non-repayable form. Tuition fee freezes do nothing to improve access and actually punish future cohorts of students by shifting fee increases to them.