That is obviously because Canadians have lower democratic standards than Quebecers and the PQ. I mean, they actually vote for federal Liberals in English Canada.
Posted at 2005-06-07 11:53:47 [PermaLink]You are assuming (a very big assumption) that the PQ will play fair and respect the rules - unwritten or otherwise. Not so however - one set of rules for us and another for you Anglos. Remember Parizeau's remark about the lobster in the pot and the vote rigging in the last referendum.
There is an interesting article in today's National Post regarding the PQ being taken over by the radical fringe. One of their policies will be to cut funding to the three English speaking universities in Quebec (McGill, Concordia and Bishops). Such nice people.
So who in ROC will buy goods or services from Quebec
AFTER they pull out? "Not I" said the ROC..
So what WILL they do for commerce? I'd like to see them try and convince the US to do things more to ttheir liking than ROC does now.
With an end to Quebec's stranglehold on Federal policy anything is possible.
DaninVan:
The separatists live in a dream world where everything is possible. I expect the leadership - certainly the likes of Bouchard and Parizeau - know differently, but the rank and file think things will go on as normal. Before the last referendum, the Quebecois were being sold a bill of goods where they would keep their Canadian passports (apparently there is some emotional attachment there - go figure), Canadian dollar and old age pension. Some even argued that Quebec would keep its advantageous milk quotas relative to Ontario.
They also somehow think they will gain automatic admittance to NAFTA and be able to work elsewhere in Canada. Canada is divisble in their eyes but Quebec is not - notwithstanding the northern James Bay Cree vote to stay in Canada. The Cree voted to stay Canadian by 96% in favour.
They also dream they have the U.S over a barrel since they supply so much hydro-electricity to New England.
That's all it is - dream. Personally I wish they would pack up and leave and I was born there.
Let me get this straight. Ontario votes Liberal and Albertans talk about separating. Everything of course will be hunky dory.
Quebec, which has been the target of Liberal slime, wants to be free of Liberal corruption and yet somehow Quebecers are dreaming if they decide to cut loose from this dysfunctional federation. What's more, you are going to punish them for it.
The issue is not Quebec separatism, it is Liberal corruption. It is quite simple, the latter is fueling the former.
Hardliners and bigots exist in every party. The National Post likes to exaggerate the influence of the hardcore separatist element in the PQ, while the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail play up the Christian right in the CPC.
In actual fact, the PQ voted down the resolution to cut funding to anglo universities on the convention floor. Some of you guys need to keep your prejudices in check. Prejudice does not look any better on you than it does on the hardline separatists.
We're not so much prejudiced, Steve, as totally and absolutely fed up and disgusted with the status quo.
Speaking only for myself, I don't 'hate' French Canadians but I do loathe what Quebec represents.
Alberta (the West actually) wants out (or a MAJOR RENEGOTIATION OF OUR RELATIONSHIP) because they/we don't see any positive outcome to this interminable whining on the part of French-Quebecers.
DaninVan: That sounds exactly like what Quebec wants. And these days I hear a lot more whining from Alberta than Quebec.
Chequebook federalism is the problem. Danny Williams, big city mayors and daycare workers are all playing the same game as Quebec. Historically, Quebec has played the game well. Is that why you resent them?
The Aislin cartoon in this morning's Gazette is brilliant. It depicts two objects; The first a tome labelled "The Official PQ History, and the second a big dagger labelled "bookmark"!
Posted at 2005-06-08 07:11:38 [PermaLink]Steve:
Here is the reason you hear more whining (complaining actually) from Alberta than Quebec.
[External Link]
The reason Quebec has been able to play the chequebook game is the threat of separation. This worked well in 1980 and 1995 but the rest of Canada has tired of this posturing. Shock and concern were the attitudes of Canadians in the last referendums, indifference at best or hostility at worst, will characterize English speaking Canada's attitude in any future referendum. Canada's economic well being is too precarious to be preoccupied by Quebec's tantrums.
JohnB, thanks!
Steve; I feel how I feel, I don't have to justify it. I'm guessing a LOT of Canadians are backing me up (this time around).
Steve, I'm on your side......I am totally for Quebec leaving and wish them the best success......I am a Albertan separatist and I can only hope for my Quebec separatist brethren happy results.......I never looked at Quebec Nationalists as bigots or anything of the like........I think putting French and English Cultures together was an idiotic idea to begin with and I find myself in sympathy with many Quebecors who want to leave!!
Posted at 2005-06-08 13:37:56 [PermaLink]![[External Link]](http://www.fin.gc.ca/FEDPROV/images/eqpe.gif){kind=link}