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Jews to put their views on Quebec

At least one group's interest has been piqued by Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Charbonneau's sweeping plans to reform democratic institutions, perhaps even transform Quebec into a presidential republic.

The Quebec branch of the Canadian Jewish Congress has agreed to consult the community and present a brief at public hearings to be held in the fall.

"These are questions that have never been asked and publicly debated before. Perhaps it's time," said Joseph Gabay, chairman of the Quebec region of the group.

The decision to prepare a brief came after Charbonneau requested a meeting with the Canadian Jewish Congress leadership in Quebec.

At the two-hour meeting held last week, Charbonneau outlined the reasons he thinks Quebec should consider reforming its British-modeled parliamentary democracy. He did not push replacing it with any particular model, Gabay said.

In the reflection paper the minister unveiled with much fanfare in June, the hypothesis of moving to a presidential system is highlighted as an example in bold type on the first page. The Scottish parliamentary system, the German model and the Israeli Knesset, among many others, are all listed in the document as alternatives.

Quebec's current parliamentary system, first past the post, is deeply flawed according to Charbonneau, because parties can win enough seats to govern without capturing the popular vote. Also groups like cultural communities, women and regions often don't have their needs voiced.

Proportional representation or direct election of the premier (or president) are potential remedies, the minister suggests.

Charbonneau is on vacation this week but a spokesman said the official consultation process has not yet begun. "It will likely kick off in August," Dominic Garneau said.

So far this summer, the minister has been doing leg work to generate interest in what he called "the next great challenge" for Quebec society.

Gabay said the Canadian Jewish Congress doesn't have a particular gripe with the current system or see any specific weakness in it but the organization is willing to enter the debate.

- Charbonneau's reflection paper Le Pouvoir aux Citoyens et aux Citoyennes - Power to the Citizens - can be consulted online at: www.pouvoircitoyen.com

- Allison Hanes's E-mail address is ahanes@thegazette.southam.ca.