Nothing terrifies a Canadian provincial politician more than a fight over Roman Catholic education, and with good reason. It's a political time bomb with a sizzling fuse. It's an issue on which it is simply impossible to reach a compromise that will make all voters happy, and one that is sure to enrage large groups of electors.

Supporters of publicly financed Catholic education are well organized and determined to defend their rights, which have roots deep in Canada's constitutional history. Supporters of secular public education can be aggressive too, although they're usually happy enough if there are adequately funded schools for their children as well.