we have a crisis on our hands.”
“A crisis of the first order, sir. If I may, let me fill you in on everything that has happened and tell you about the plan of action for the rest of today and tomorrow.”
The Governor-General nodded his approval and puffed at his cigar.
The Prime Minister began with the telephone call from the President and traced the events and plans through to the point of his proposed discussion with the President the next evening, at which time he would inform him of the decision made by the Canadian Parliament.
The sherry was silently served. The Prime Minister took a sip from time to time as he proceeded. His host sat back and puffed occasionally on the cigar as he listened intently to everything that was being said.
When it was over, the Governor-General slowly shook his head. “Incredible, simply incredible.”
Nothing was said for a few moments. Finally His Excellency broke the silence. “You know, Bob, in one way you are in a fortunate position whether you realize it or not. You said you’re going to meet with the provincial premiers at six o’clock. Has it struck you that the two main points of the ultimatum come strictly within federal jurisdiction rather than provincial? The first has to do with native rights, an area of responsibility which no province has ever claimed. The second—the demand for Arctic Islands gas—has to do with the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, which are still under direct federal jurisdiction since they have not yet received full provincial status.
“So I think that in regard to the first two points, the Parliament of Canada and you as Prime Minister can speak exclusively and without interference from the provinces.
“On the third matter—the one having to do with granting the Americans free access to any part of Canada to enable them to transport gas from the Arctic Islands—things might be more difficult. If they’re talking about a pipeline—and I presume they are—then that pipeline will have to come from the Islands either down the west coast of Hudson Bay and through Manitoba and Ontario into New York State or Michigan. Or it will have to come down across Baffin Island, then across Hudson Strait into the Ungava area of Northern Quebec and on from there. If it is to be a pipeline, can you and Parliament commit the provinces, or do you think you have to get their consent?”
The Prime Minister took his last drop of sherry, put down the glass, and replied, “I hadn’t thought of the problem in exactly those terms, but it was in my mind that I would have to have the advice and, if necessary, the consent of the premiers. That’s why I asked them to come to Ottawa. The question of jurisdiction will very likely be raised by Quebec and possibly Ontario, but perhaps I should raise the matter with them first.”
The Governor-General nodded. “Yes, I think you should.”
The Prime Minister went on. “One thing is certain. If I do have to obtain consent of any one of the provinces, it will have to be from the premier alone. He can check with his cabinet, but there’s no way the legislatures could be convened in time to endorse or reject that consent. The whole responsibility for the decision will have to be taken by the individual premier.
“And if any one of them balks, I suppose we—that is, Parliament—will have to override the objection. On the other hand, if Parliament rejects the ultimatum, then the question of provincial consent becomes academic.
“In any event, I don’t think the Americans will bring the gas out of the islands by pipe, because I don’t think it’s technically possible. A consortium called the Polar Gas Study Group has been trying for years to lay pipe between Melville and Byam Martin Islands. They have had one failure after another. I understand they are running a final test now on a new plastic pipe, but I doubt whether it will be successful. It’s my guess that they’ll choose to take the gas out by air, using the fleet of huge aircraft which Boeing and the American gas companies have been developing.”
The Governor-General said, “Oh, yes, the Resources Carrier. That’s the plane we initiated some years back and then lost out on.”
“That’s right, sir. The Americans carried through with the project and the prototype had its maiden flight in Seattle about six weeks ago.
“Panarctic and Tenneco plan to use the aircraft to fly the gas off the Islands if the pipe doesn’t work. They would carry it out on relatively short hauls to Ungava in Quebec or Cochrane in Ontario, say, and then feed it into pipelines there for transmission to New York State. Or, on the other hand, they could decide to extend its range and airlift directly to the United States.
“In any event, they’re going to use the RCA to haul the oil from the new Melville wells to market.”
The Governor-General thought for a moment. “Bob, there’s another question that’s been going through my mind. What about the formality of my presence at the opening of the emergency session of Parliament tomorrow?”
“I haven’t checked with the Speaker yet, but I think your presence will be required. If a Speech from the Throne is necessary, I’ll prepare a one-liner for you. I’ll confirm it, but I think you should plan to be present.”
The Prime Minister went on. “I think I should tell you, in your capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, that I have asked the Chief of the Defence Staff to alert the entire military establishment with a view to containing any possible outbreaks or demonstrations of anti-Americanism that might occur as a result of the President’s ultimatum.
“The CDS tells me there has been a marked escalation in U.S. military flights over Canada since this morning. I’m not really worried about that; it’s obviously part of their game plan. What really worries me is what the President can do to us by economic sanctions. The one he has already imposed is serious enough by itself, but when you get down to it, he could practically destroy our economy overnight if he chose to do so. Whether this will be sufficient to persuade Parliament that it should give in is the real question.
“The other side of that question is whether or not Canadians, and in particular the members of the Commons and the Senate, are sufficiently nationalistic to refuse the ultimatum and face the consequences.”
“Well, you’ll know soon enough,” said the Governor-General. “I can certainly understand the Americans’ predicament, but I wish they hadn’t chosen this big-stick blackmail-type approach. It just isn’t in keeping with their traditional way of doing things.”
“Perhaps it is consistent if you look at their track record since World War II,” said the Prime Minister as he stood up. “Now, sir, if you’ll excuse me, I must go to my meeting with the premiers.”
The Governor-General also rose, walked around the coffee table, and taking the Prime Minister by the arm, led him toward the door. He said, “Well, Bob, I don’t know that I’ve given you much help during this visit or any advice, for that matter, but maybe I’ve given you a chance to review the whole situation and perhaps see the implications of the President’s actions and your own in a better perspective.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. It’s a great help to me to know that you’re here and ready to back me up.”
By this time they had reached the entrance foyer of Rideau Hall. The young aide was holding open the door.
The Governor-General turned and faced the Prime Minister, looking him squarely in the eye. “Now remember, Bob, I’m available to you at any time of the day or night. I will do anything I can to help, anything at all.”
The
