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Negotiations, Ottawa-style

This Magazine Staff

I’m sure you are all wondering how negotiations between Ottawa and Quebec City are going over the parental leave file. Last time we looked at the file, Ottawa was offering $375 million, and Quebec was demanding $750 million.
Has either side moderated its position? You have to dig into Le Devoir to find that — Quelle Surprise — Ottawa has upped its offer to Quebec over funding its Bigger and Better parental leave plan. They are now offering $475 million.
See how easy it is to negotiate with Ottawa? Just wait a few days, keep repeating your initial negotiating point, and $100 million just magically appears on the table.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
No.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
No.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
No.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
No.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
No.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
No.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
No.
Can we go to Itchy & Scratchy Land?
OK!
UPDATE: Paul Wells suggests today that Quebec has actually moderated its position somewhat. That’s true, in the sense that Charest has stopped demanding what the PQ did, which is that the rest of Canada pay for its superior parental leave programme. But that hardly changes the fact that, on the negotiating points that Charest himself adopted, Quebec hasn’t budged while Ottawa continues to cave.
The rest of Well’s post is very good though.

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