'Core functions' of government

There are rumblings of asset sales at all levels of government -- federal, provincial and municipal. A common theme throughout is 'XYZ is not part of the core function of' whatever level of government.

There's some sense in that -- why should Toronto own a power company or Ontario sell liquor?

On the other hand, why not?

What is the 'core function' of government?

The answer is less obvious than most assume. For example, very few Canadians believe government has a role is combating heresy and yet historically (and today in other countries) that was a major role of government. Many Canadians believe government has a significant role in ensuring recent immigrants can participate fully in Canadian life while maintaining their heritage and culture -- historically this would have been seen as bizarre.

The point is that the role of government is not self evident.

It may be to maximise liberty, minimise inequality, preserve the ethnic purity of the nation , honour God or gods or simply to vest all power in the hands of one person. But whatever that role of government is, it determines what government should do.

In Canada we, as a people, have the remarkable power to decide what the role of government should be -- it is not imposed from above. As a democracy Canadians can decide whether, for instance, government should be involved in culture at all.

That is something we as Canadians have to consider and decide. The role of government determines many of the policy issues that are divide Parliament. Drug and vice laws generally impose a cultural morality; is that something government is there to do? If protecting liberty is the main role of government then restrictions on speech are a problem; but if equality and respect for minorities is a proper goal for government then restrictions on bigoted speech are essential. Once we decide the role of government the questions to burning issues follow -- they are mere implementation.

Although generally un stated there is a presumed role for government in Canada. We assume government has a direct role to play in culture, education and health. We assume government has a role in morality. We assume government properly protects minority cultures. We assume government has to ensure economic stability. And this is in addition to assumptions that government must provide peace and order.

These assumptions need not stand. My sense is that the current Federal government supports these assumptions only to a mixed degree. My own views are, in fairness, also mixed although likely in a different way than the Conservatives -- I see a significant role for supporting culture and less for enforcing morality -- but either way is a choice.

And we need to make that choice express.

We need to know what government is there to do before we can decide if government is doing it!