Is it time to split up Canada

[Dari]

It was, more or less, 10 years ago when the referendum calling for the separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada was narrowly defeated. Nevertheless, to make a long story short, wouldn't that have been in the best interest of each side? Let's face it, the french-canadians still resent the fact that their English masters rule over them; "they remember" when france use to have a stake North America, before it was either bought by the USA, their puppet was killed and overthrown (Mexico), or they were defeated up north. They resent their current situation so much that signs have to be bigger in the quebec province so as to satiate these people. Furthermore, though I have no hard facts on me right now, I'm sure that a disproportionate amount of federal funds are going to that french province.

So, for the sake of economics and resentment, why not let the french have their own country outside of France? The British have had many successful progenies, it'd be interesting to see how they fare.

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: Dari
They resent their current situation so much that signs have to be bigger in the quebec province so as to satiate these people.

Uhh, come again? How the hell is that at all relevent to 'resenting their current situation'?

 

[PingSpike]

And if California wanted to break with the Union with the United States? I suppose you'd just say let them go. Its not like they enjoyed the benefits and protections the country had to offer for the last 200 years, or used those benefits to become the economic super power that they are.

Or to go further back to the civil war, perhaps we should have just let the south diverge and seperated the the United States into two nations.

 

[Stunt]

The french people are only concerned for their culture, there was a time period where business was growing quickly in such areas as Montreal and people would move there and live there speaking pure english. Then you'd have shops/school/etc all pure english...it was like a china town but taking over your city. That has since been fixed, the french are far less resentful as there has been laws passed that make french the official language (all schools are french, some private are english though).

Their culture is being preserved in this very english part of the world, they are doing quite well at it i must say. Quebec is an important part of canada and is on the recieveing end of equalizatoin payments here (rish provinces pay to the poorer to afford equivalent social programs). They get more out of being with us than they'd ever get separated.

They are setup different than other provinces too. Income tax is collected by quebec not the federal gov't like other provinces. I'd bet there would be more of a movement to separate fron alberta at the moment. There are a lot of things the popular premier doesnt like about the laws out of ottawa and they pay hefty into the equalization payments with their huge oil and gas reserves. They are benifiting very little from confederation. I would like to see them stay, most canadians do...and im a straight up english speaker.

Economics of Quebec separation - article written in late 1994 and they say the numbers are 60-40% rigidly against separation (ie. would never vote for it) and the francophones are split in the middle.

The numbers are going down steadily. Most quebecs don't even want it discussed. Both the bloc quebecois (federal party) and parti quebecois (provincial party) who are traditionally separatist...aren't even mentioning it in their platforms or answering questions about it.

It is that unpopular.
I would bet my life that quebec won't separate for 20 years plus.

 

[LeadMagnet]

every year New Hampshire votes to decide wheather it will remain as part of the USA, what if one year it passed? I say the them go - thats democracy.

 

[Stunt]

Here's a more recent article. Note that the three parties running in this provincial election, the ADQ and Liberal Party are nationalists, and the Parti Quebecois is separatist.

election commentary
"The majority of Quebecers are tired of referendums and have been unhappy with the PQ. In August 2002, support for the party dipped to 18.1 per cent, a historic low not seen since its first campaign in 1970."

Election results for this most recent election are: liberal (76), PQ (45), ADQ (4). Popular vote wise: liberal 46%, PQ 33%, ADQ 18%

Again separatism isn't even being talked about...and the separatists know it would be political suicide...even though 49% votes for separatism in the referendum.

 

[alchemize]

What is funny is when French Canadians go to France, the French look at them like a Californian looks at someone from West Virginia

 

[Stunt]

Or british look at an american...haha...
i mean...the whole world looks at an american...

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: alchemize
What is funny is when French Canadians go to France, the French look at them like a Californian looks at someone from West Virginia

They look at them as inbreds?

 

[Bowmaster]

francophones

Is that even a word?

 

[Stunt]

yes...THE word to describe french ppl in our country...not just snglish speaking as well...widely accepted.

dictionary.com
"A French-speaking person, especially in a region where two or more languages are spoken."

 

[CanOWorms]

i support your position but wish to take it a step further and split Canada into 6 separate countries. this will be for the good of mankind.

 

[Stunt]

But if you think we are so insignificant why split us more?
If anything we should form an alliance with the EU and form one massive country and allow for a powerhouse who can actually have input...no unilateral wars...we'd be able to keep u guys in line...help keep your priorities straight

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Stunt
But if you think we are so insignificant why split us more?
If anything we should form an alliance with the EU and form one massive country and allow for a powerhouse who can actually have input...no unilateral wars...we'd be able to keep u guys in line...help keep your priorities straight

I just think it'll be for the good of mankind to split it up. Maybe we can pass off some of our absolutely overflowing morality to the newly formed countries, too.

I don't think you can call the Iraq War unilateral since there are a lot of countries involved in it. I don't support the Iraq war, but I wouldn't lie like that.

 

[sandorski]

We'll decide Our future thank you.

 

[Horus]

It's not that easy. Don't forget, Canada has provinces to the East of it...Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick...they'd all be cut off from mainland Canada if Quebec were to seperate, and be forced to join the United States.

Plus, where would Quebec attach itself? It cannot stand as a seperate entity in itself, it just doesn't have the resourses. France sure as hell doesn't want it, and Ottawa wouldn't take it back. They would also be forced to apply for Statehood.

And then Canada would be much, much smaller...and poorer...but we wouldn't have to learn French anymore!

 

[MAW1082]

What if New Mexico wanted to be its own country, completely autonomous from U.S. authority. Most people there are of Spanish descent and still speak Spanish. What would you think about that?

From reading past posts made by you, I would expect you would be horrified at such a thought.

 

[RabidMongoose]

I don't think Quebec should be separated from Canada.

Why is Quebec even allowed to have a referendum to separate?

 

[Martin]

even if they voted overwhelmingly to separate, it simply won't happen, end of story. China won't let go of Taiwan, the US did not let go of the South, the UK will not let go of scotland etc etc etc...

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak
even if they voted overwhelmingly to separate, it simply won't happen, end of story. China won't let go of Taiwan, the US did not let go of the South, the UK will not let go of scotland etc etc etc...

OK, so the referendums or votes that took place were not significant in that it would not automatically declare Quebec as independent?

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak
even if they voted overwhelmingly to separate, it simply won't happen, end of story. China won't let go of Taiwan, the US did not let go of the South, the UK will not let go of scotland etc etc etc...

OK, so the referendums or votes that took place were not significant in that it would not automatically declare Quebec as independent?

I wasn't in Canada 9 years ago, much less interested in Canadian politics, but I think the 95 referendum was non-binding. The PQ government wanted to know whether to proceed with their separatist plans and send a message to Ottawa.

Of course, they do have some genuine concerns that have been taken into account, but breaking up the country is not something that should happen...

 

[Stunt]

Rabid, Quebec was able to have the refferendum because of the mich lake accord (sp?), when the provinces signed it for confederation, the only province not to sign was quebec. This means it is a distinct society within canada. It's confusing as hell...but fact is they can. The likelyhood is so small it's not even funny.

The referendum was an interesting thing...the federalists (backed by the rest of canada) said they would have stopped it...as ther would have been 50% of ppl still upset...(not a large majority of the ppl wanted to separate.) - the scary thing was the prime minister at the time has been quoted as saying he would have sent in the military! The separatist side also said they would have started the transition to an independent state.

So it was a big mess...nice to see you are showing interest in the quebec situation...
You aren't actually from canada are you?...just had to ask...

 

[Mavrick]

In his biography, Jacques Parizeau (premier in 95) stated that if he had won the referendum, even by 1 vote (50%+1), he would have immediately informed Canada that Quebec was separating and begun negociations, and in the event that Canada refused to cooperate, he would have ordered police forces to block the St.Lawrence seaway to put pressure on Canada. THAT would have created a big mess!!!

But I really hope that Quebec will never split from Canada. I do believe that diversity is Canada's strength, and not a weekness. The excessive diversity in mentalities across Canada are the best protection we can have against extremist governements (left or right) because strong positions on a subject cannot be adopted.