"I think the country has changed significantly since there was last a PQ government in place in Quebec," Wall told reporters Wednesday. "The country has changed to the point that our expectations of the federal government is that they will continue to treat the provinces in an even-handed way and that there isn't special treatment for any province - Quebec or any other jurisdiction in Canada."
Wall said he spoke to Harper earlier in the day and was told that Quebec would not get any special rights at the upcoming talks on equalization or otherwise, even with a separatist government in place.
Equalization transfers - the federal funding formula designed to ensure relative equal level of services for all provinces - is something Wall says he supports in principle, but the premier has repeatedly called for changes to program.
"Equalization is going to be matter for discussion as it needs to be renewed. It's a chance - regardless of who is the government in Quebec - for us to fix some of the potential problems with that system," Wall said.
The separatist victory in Quebec also marks the end of a nine-year Liberal reign headed by Premier Jean Charest. Wall said Charest will be missed.
"He's a passionate and articulate spokesperson not just for his province but for his country," Wall said.
The Saskatchewan premier has not yet met Marois, but did watch the campaign with interest.
"I think the ball is in Premier Marois' court in terms of the relationship with the rest of Canada," Wall said, after congratulating the PQ on their victory.
Wall also sent his condolences to the victims of the Tuesday's election night shootings. He said he was watching the election night coverage live. A 48-year-old man died and a 27-year-old man was wounded after a masked gunman opened fire outside a PQ victory rally late Tuesday night.
"I think that's on everybody's mind this morning. It was very surreal. I watched it and it was hard to believe," Wall said.
Earlier in the day at forum on the University of Saskatchewan campus, a former Saskatchewan premier also weighed in on the results of Tuesday's election. Roy Romanow says the election of the PQ may not have any immediate impact in this province, but it doesn't mean people here should be ignoring the fact a separatist government now governs Quebec.
"Quebec brings considerable clout for a whole number of reasons. It may be thought in Western Canada that that time has passed by - not so. We are still talking about national unity," Romanow said.
He said any provincial premier will have to walk a delicate line when dealing with Quebec.
"Simple answers won't work. A very sophisticated game is at play for the next several months," Romanow said.
Original Article
Source: leader post
Author: Charles Hamilton
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