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Uuuuh, sorry to disagree with this but, since the inception and through subsequent changes to the equalization formulae; Quebec has been a net recipient of tax money paid back to it.
What I have always heard as a major sticking point to even theoretical secession had to do with First Nations in Quebec. So far as I'm aware, they overwhelmingly wish to remain part of Canada, and the Canadian government would be abrogating its duty if it just said "too bad, guys, apprenez-vous le francais s'il vous plait." (Though a) most probably speak some French, and b) that could be sarcastic because the literal meaning is 'if it pleases you' and that might be in real question.)
To take the whole province, one would have to settle with First Nations residing in those regions. The situation has some analogy to the division of the NWT into two territories, perhaps, because a large amount of Quebec is nearly empty and unreachable by road or rail, and of the population in that nearly empty portion, First Nations are significantly represented. That area probably also has significant mineral deposits, which is probably the reason for some of the towns that do exist (I haven't looked it up, pardon my sloth).
In short, a seceding Quebec would have a couple of choices: begin independence by in some way writing a new chapter in the history of First Nations getting shafted (with significant potential for unrest), or create a Quebecker Nunavut that a) might just turn around and ask to join Confederation, b) might drive a hard bargain over resources, c) probably would not include First Nations living down in the populated part, which means the issue isn't resolved, and maybe all of the above.
My analysis here could absolutely be all wet, or based on some absurd premises, and if it is, please educate me.
You've pointed to many of the issues.
Here are some more considerations:
The Canadian Constitution says that a province's borders cannot be changed without that province's consent. It doesn't mention anything about aboriginal nations having any say in provincial border changes.
Also, you are correct in that the two main groups in sparsely populated northern Quebec (the Cree and the Inuit) overwhelmingly stated their wish to remain with Canada. Note that this should not be interpreting this as rah-rah-rah Canadian patriotism on their part. It's basically a question of self-interest (which is perfectly fine and normal BTW) more than anything else. They tend to not be very fond of either government - the federal nor the provincial.
But anyway, given that they are located in Quebec (and also generally speak English as a second language, though some do know French also), the best opening strategy for them is to side with Ottawa.
What would likely happen if Quebec separated is that there would be a lot of wheeling and dealing. As you said the area is resource-rich and both sides could be eager to offer the Cree and Inuit a sweetheart deal to buy peace with them. Especially Quebec given that it would be in a very vulnerable position as a fledgling country. Pardon the term but I can certainly see Quebec buying off the two groups (which aren't very numerous in the grand scheme of things: 10,000 Inuit and 20,000 Cree) with an unprecedented amount of self-government and autonomy and of course, money.
Quebec doesn't really have any designs on populating this part of the province with francophones and is perfectly ok with it remaining mainly aboriginal - but it does not want to lose access to its resource potential.
The quandary that Ottawa would face in responding to this is that anything it offers to the Cree and Inuit of Quebec as sweetheart deals to keep them in Canada will immediately trigger demands for the exact same deals from aboriginal nations in other parts of Canada. And it should be noted that there are more aboriginal communities and areas in Canada outside Quebec, especially in Western Canada.
Are you using the word "plurality" as a nice way of describing separatism?
Absolutely not. You used 'majority' but the PQ got 32% of the votes (and less than half the seats), which isn't a majority. It has nothing to do with the fact that they are separatists. They won a plurality of seats, which is why they are now a minority government.
It's interesting when posters drop out of no where to start a controversial thread, and then disappear. I wonder how many of them are just 5hit disturbers. If they cared so much about the issue, why not stick around to engage in the discussion?
It's interesting when posters drop out of no where to start a controversial thread, and then disappear. I wonder how many of them are just 5hit disturbers. If they cared so much about the issue, why not stick around to engage in the discussion?
I think theres some posters that have so many sock puppets that they forget about posts they've started or forget the user names on some of the topics is one of their own creations.
Actually it looks as if our op hangs out exclusively in the Politics and controversies section so i guess he forgot about this topic.
Take a joke but seriously how would you access the Atlantic Provinces without flying over either American or Quebecois Airspace (considering they did actually secede)?
Take a joke but seriously how would you access the Atlantic Provinces without flying over either American or Quebecois Airspace (considering they did actually secede)?
Take a joke but seriously how would you access the Atlantic Provinces without flying over either American or Quebecois Airspace (considering they did actually secede)?
There's no reason to think that l'Armee de l'Air de la Republique Quebecoise would start shooting down Air Canada jets flying between Halifax and Toronto. There's even less reason to think that the States would somehow decide that now was an excellent time to bar our airspace to our closest ally. Likewise, there is zero reason to think that Canada or the US would decide to prohibit Air Quebec from flying over their territory, especially because they'd all still go to Florida for the winter anyway and the snowbirds do a lot to keep that place's economy afloat (thanks, folks).
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