True colours

Even with the federal Libs in opposition and thus putting on their best left-wing act, Canadians can still observe a prime example of the party's right-wing governing style, as Canada's largest remaining Lib government is pushing to join in on the highly-flawed TILMA:

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says he wants in on the free-trade agreement signed earlier this year by British Columbia and Alberta.

McGuinty, who met with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell earlier this week to discuss the deal struck by the two western provinces, said Tuesday that he emerged more enthusiastic than ever about joining the club.

"(The Alberta-B.C. accord) has been very well received by Albertans and British Columbians alike, notwithstanding some of the concerns raised by various groups. For us here in Ontario, undoubtedly there will be some concerns raised by some labour groups for example," McGuinty told reporters.

"(But) the issue is whether or not we think that we're strong enough to compete - whether we can be seen as an attractive jurisdiction for investment and for workers. I think it's a step in the right direction for us to move toward ultimately a state where there is free trade actually within this country."

Now, it's enough of a problem that McGuinty appears willing to take Gordon Campbell's word on anything. But the problems with TILMA from Ontario's standpoint are even more obvious than for most provinces, as the article notes that much of Ontario's successful strategy for attracting auto-sector investment would be outlawed by the deal.

The question isn't whether Ontario or any other province is "strong" enough to compete, or even whether harmonizing standards is a good idea (which indeed it generally is). Instead, the larger issue underlying TILMA is the wilful erosion of government's ability to govern in the interests of a province. And with Canada's most powerful Lib showing the party's true colours by trying to get out of the business of governing, it'll be all the tougher for the federal party to keep pretending that it disagrees with the federal Cons' moves in the same direction.