Time needed to consider constitution

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On Oct. 26 we'll all be asked to put a mark next to a word, either yes or no. There won't be a maybe. There won't be the option to say we'd like to think about things a little longer.

And Prime Minister Brian Mulroney assures us we face economic chaos and other disasters if we do not ratify the Charlottetown accord right away. It gets very confusing very quickly.

But that is what the political strategists in Ottawa want. It's easier to force the vote in their favor through public ignorance and intimidation.

But the public does not need threats. It needs time to understand the question that is being put before them. This is very evident in the section of the deal that address Native rights.

The emphasis is on negotiation and the settlement of diverse needs. There is recognition of the rights of non-status and off-reserve people. Canada's Metis communities have won unprecedented recognition.

But that's all they are at this stage of the game - promises that have yet to find their final legal form.

Despite repeated assurances this agreement will not harm the treaties, chiefs across Canada are expressing severe doubts.

In Alberta, leaders from Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 dropped out of the negotiations before the final accord. They said being forced to negotiate with the provinces threatened their special relationship with the federal government.

Quebec Mohawk chief Billy Two Rivers came out against the deal as it reached completion because he feared Quebec had gained too much power over the exercise of Native government.

In other parts of the country, chiefs and communities are wavering between a yes and a no vote. It is impossible to predict where their support will fall.

Unfortunately opposition to the deal by treaty chiefs could contribute greatly to the defeat of the accord, a defeat that will take away tremendous gains made for the Metis and off-reserve people.

This difficult and sorry situation can only be blamed on the political strategists who want to see the Charlottetown accord passed quickly.

Why can't they take a year to review the agreement? Maybe it doesn't pose a real threat to the treaties. But that can't be known unless the chiefs and communities have a chance to reflect on its contents. Maybe have it reviewed by lawyers or consultants who can explain the vagaries of constitutional law and find the little loopholes.

But that is not what the government wants us to do. They want the deal to pass quickly because they fear the longer it is subject to public debate the greater the chance

for opposition to grow.

Brian Mulroney is trying to capitalize on public ignorance coupled with a healthy dose of scare-mongering. That should get the accord rammed down the public throat. It is as if the government has put a pistol to the collective head of the voting public and said "don't blame us if this thing goes off."

This is no way to reach a considered democratic solution.

Canada's constitutional problems are not going to go away on Oct. 27 no matter what the outcome of the vote.

Whatever happens, we should not blame each other for the anger that is bound to arise after the vote. Rather than arguing, we collectively send a strong message to the federal government that we refuse to deal with cynical political leaders who feel obliged to bully and manipulate the public into following their agenda.

There should be no further constitutional talks in Canada until after the next federal election when we won't have Brian Mulroney to kick us around any more.