QUEBEC - Putting a limit on federal spending powers is the No. 1 priority in terms of relations between Ottawa and the Quebec government, Premier Jean Charest said Tuesday.
The framework for the spending limits should form the basis for a new charter of open federalism, the premier told a news conference.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper alluded to such a plan in a December 2005 speech but hasn't done anything about it since.
"Federal spending limits are our next priority, the framing of the federal capacity to spend,'' Charest said Tuesday.
Charest said he intends to take every opportunity to pressure his federal counterpart in the next few months to reach a deal on federal spending limits, which have been a contentious issue with the provinces for years.
On Monday, Quebec Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Benoit Pelletier told The Canadian Press he would like to see the charter of open federalism enshrined in the Constitution but Charest said Tuesday that is not on the table.
"There's no question of reopening the Constitution,'' Charest said. "We're not there.''
Charest said he would like to begin bilateral talks with the federal government on spending and would be open to an administrative agreement.
"Federal spending powers are very important,'' he said, pointing out the effect it has on provincial jurisdictions.
"In our eyes, it is fundamental, it is at the base of the federalist system.''
Harper has promised several times since 2005 to work out some sort of deal with the provinces.
Charest needs the support of the opposition in the legislature to push the charter of open federalism, including federal spending limits, although Opposition Leader Mario Dumont has described the idea as a "trial balloon.''
