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Best option for Quebec other than staying in the comfy financial confines of Canada IMO would be outright independence, become your own country,be in charge of your own destiny,
If Quebec was to join the US, the French-language requirements on signs and shops and suchlike would be history.
Why? Because of the First Amendment to the US Constitution: freedom of speech. The US doesn't care if you express yourself in English, or French, or Spanish, or Urdu; it allows you to advertise your business in whatever language you choose. The Official Language Act, S.Q. 1974, s. 6. would be shut down, as it interferes with US Constitution, amend. 1 (freedom of speech). The same for Bill 101. There is no "notwithstanding clause" in the US Constitution.
If Quebec was to join the US, it would have to draft itself a constitution according to the provisions in AnOrdinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States North-West of the River Ohio (1787), Vol. 1, United States Statutes at Large, p. 51 (the Northwest Ordinance). This ordinance, and its requirements, has been the precedent for all states joining the Union. Then Quebec would have to present its constitution to Congress. Which would reject it, if it had anything to do with restricting any language in favour of another (see US Constitution, amend. 1).
Rejection of a proposed state's constitution is not new: see Kansas's three rejections before Congress accepted the Wyandotte Constitution.
It seems to me that the Quebecers pushing for statehood really have no idea what they are asking for.
And this is why the number of people "pushing for this" (maybe "dreaming" is a better term) is miniscule.
Just playing the devil's advocate but one thing Quebec would not have to do as part of the U.S. is comply with the Canadian Constitution's requirement to provide a separate education system in the language of the minority (English). This would make the education provisions of Bill 101 immediately moot if it switched over to French all of the Quebec educational institutions that are currently operating in English.
In the medium to long term it might also make most of the other stuff under Bill 101 more or less moot because all of the kids and future adults growing up in Quebec would be francophones, so what would be the point of running businesses entirely in English if that were the case?
Just playing the devil's advocate but one thing Quebec would not have to do as part of the U.S. is comply with the Canadian Constitution's requirement to provide a separate education system in the language of the minority (English). This would make the education provisions of Bill 101 immediately moot if it switched over to French all of the Quebec educational institutions that are currently operating in English.
In the medium to long term it might also make most of the other stuff under Bill 101 more or less moot because all of the kids and future adults growing up in Quebec would be francophones, so what would be the point of running businesses entirely in English if that were the case?
If Quebec joined the USA as the 51st state you really think they would respect the francophone culture the way Canada is trying to do?
You think Americans are going to accept bilingual labels on everything and have bilingualism in all government services?You can talk French all you like in Quebec but when it comes to interacting with the cultural infrastructure of the USA its going to be in English,While some neighbor states may accommodate a certain amount of French as a courtesy you will not enjoy the linguistic rights and privileges you now enjoy.Ultimately your francophone culture would become watered down and in a few generations resemble the francophone demographic of the southern states. Best option? separate to become your own country.
If Quebec joined the USA as the 51st state you really think they would respect the francophone culture the way Canada is trying to do?
You think Americans are going to accept bilingual labels on everything and have bilingualism in all government services?You can talk French all you like in Quebec but when it comes to interacting with the cultural infrastructure of the USA its going to be in English,While some neighbor states may accommodate a certain amount of French as a courtesy you will not enjoy the linguistic rights and privileges you now enjoy.Ultimately your francophone culture would become watered down and in a few generations resemble the francophone demographic of the southern states. Best option? separate to become your own country.
Uhhh... there is basically nothing in that post that is related to anything that I've said.
In the end, it is really more sensible for them to ask to be absorbed by France than the US, and I wonder why they don't. St Pierre et Miquelon is not far anyway.
Beside language, Quebec is probably more similar to France than to the US anyway in terms of political and economic leaning.
France abandoned Quebec in 1763, remember. And friendly, deeply allied countries don't dismember each other.
In any event what doe "Le me Souviens" stand for? What are they remembering?
In the end, it is really more sensible for them to ask to be absorbed by France than the US, and I wonder why they don't. St Pierre et Miquelon is not far anyway.
Beside language, Quebec is probably more similar to France than to the US anyway in terms of political and economic leaning.
Unlikely. Yes similar language but vastly different culture and history. Very different politics (just look at Le Pens circus in France, you have no equivalent in Quebec). Even the language is far from the same - Quebecois French is NOT Francais de France. Not even close.
Most of my francophone friends who have been to France always tell me how they love France (the country/cities/food choices/cheap wine) but thoroughly dislike the French people - different ways of doing things, different outlook on life.
Again, it's worth mentioning that a scenario where Quebec would seperate from Canada and join up politically with France is not being discussed by anyone at all, except maybe here on the City-Data forum.
Unlikely. Yes similar language but vastly different culture and history. Very different politics (just look at Le Pens circus in France, you have no equivalent in Quebec). Even the language is far from the same - Quebecois French is NOT Francais de France. Not even close.
Most of my francophone friends who have been to France always tell me how they love France (the country/cities/food choices/cheap wine) but thoroughly dislike the French people - different ways of doing things, different outlook on life.
There is some truth in this but I wouldn't exaggerate the negatives too much.
An independent Quebec would obviously have very close ties to France (think US-UK) but there wouldn't ever be a political union to make them one country.
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