Federal Government v. Ontario Government - Pick on someone smaller you big bully

Imagine a world where the Federal Government in Ottawa got along with its provincial brethren. So infrequent are the two governments of the same party that there is little, if any, opportunity for a fair comparison about this acrimony since the war.

But here is what I do know:

If the Federal Government told the Province of Quebec what to do on ANY issue, we would be embroiled in a referendum and we would be losing - badly. The Province of Quebec, however, can dictate terms on a myriad of issues which are explicitly federal jurisdiction - the most recent example being foreign affairs - and the PM just takes it. And then he would send them a billion dollars for Aerospace. Its Premier (L - jokers to the left of me, clowns on the right) - a former Deputy Prime Minister - knows EXACTLY how strong his hand is, and has no problem playing it knowing he will never have to.

If the Federal Government told Newfoundland and Labrador what to do with off shore (as in waters that are not part of the province) oil revenue the Premier (PC - Learning French) would go on TV and assail the Prime Minister, and then get invited to "Canada's Next Great Prime Minister." Even in an area of explicit federal jurisdiction - say Fisheries and Oceans - they would run them up the friggin' line before the fawg rowled out' da bay. Well, says the Premier, that's our home.

But, heaven to Betsy, what would happen if a Federal Government told the Government of Alberta (Petrol-istroika) that its natural resources had to be managed in a more sustainable way. The fires of this bru-hah-hah are still brewing. Or, as it were, stoking.

Ontario, with its jobs and money, however, is not only an easy target but it is a perfectly acceptable target. "I used to be in charge of the purse," laments the real "small man of confederation" (C - We have irritation to bring you) and I know how to do it better. Poppycock I say. What Flaherty wants is far more likely to make Ontario a "have" not province- not to mention affect all the other "half not" provinces because as Ontario's SIGNIFICANT corporate revenues dip down, there is less pot for everyone else to sip out of. And, I just don't believe that the federal government wouldn't just raise corporate taxes anyway.

Hey Jim - pick on someone your manufacturing sector. All of this while the oil sands continue to burn brightly and unfettered by federal interference.