The People’s Party of Canada has unveiled a new policy that will abolish all federal programs and regulations intruding on areas of provincial responsibility.It would, among other things, repeal the Canada Health Act, replace Health Transfers with tax points of equivalent value, substantially reduce total equalization payments, and reform the equalization formula.PPC leader Maxime Bernier, in a message to supporters, reflected on the 1995 Quebec referendum.“I voted YES not because I wanted to break up Canada, but because I believed it was the only way to stop the relentless movement of centralization of power in Ottawa," he said. “The only way to bring about meaningful change under the current government may be to take advantage of the constitutional crisis that would follow a majority vote in favour of secession in a provincial referendum.".Bernier criticized successive federal governments for failing to curb this centralization, noting that after the 1995 referendum, the promised reforms never materialized. Instead, under Liberal leadership, new federal programs have further encroached on provincial powers. In the same press release, he expressed disappointment with the Conservative leadership, stating that former Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not reverse the trend, and current leader Pierre Poilievre intends to maintain Trudeau’s programs.“We can’t expect any real change from either the Liberals or the Conservatives,” he argued.Although the PPC website states that the party “does not share” the goal of those pushing for an independent Quebec and Alberta, they find their grievances legitimate and support the movements as a means to bring about a constitutional crisis, causing “meaningful change”.There will be a hearing to determine the legality of possible Alberta independence on Thursday.
