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I visited Quebec last year and thought it was a beautiful and amazing place. I know there has been a movement for independence there, although I haven't heard too much of it in recent years. What I was surprised with though is that when I eventually traveled past Montreal deeper into the province, many people did not speak English and that there were very very few Canadian flags. Almost all flags on display were the blue and white Quebec flag. I am not too familiar with the situation, but how strong is the separatist movement now and will Quebec ever gain it's independence?
It is insane how close that election was (closer than 51/49), but the divisions were clear, with areas surrounding Montreal and bordering Ontario and the US rejecting secession.
What's interesting to me is the idea that's been floated around about Montreal becoming a sort of special zone within Quebec, without the strict language laws and whatnot. It would definitely help out the city (and likely the province) economically, but I don't doubt that after a generation or two, it's going to be an anglophone-dominated city.
What would an English-speaking Montreal be like? Would it still be as "cool" as a place as it is now? Probably not, especially for tourists. It would still be one of the best cities in North America though, IMO.
It is insane how close that election was (closer than 51/49), but the divisions were clear, with areas surrounding Montreal and bordering Ontario and the US rejecting secession.
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It's more Montreal itself that voted mainly for the Non, and even within the city there were divisions with the central-eastern eastern part of the city tending to vote for the Oui.
Areas immediately surrounding Montreal (including many of its suburbs) actually tended to vote for the Oui, with some exceptions.
What's interesting to me is the idea that's been floated around about Montreal becoming a sort of special zone within Quebec, without the strict language laws and whatnot.
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This has not been considered seriously by anyone and has a snowball's chance in hell of happening.
What's interesting to me is the idea that's been floated around about Montreal becoming a sort of special zone within Quebec, without the strict language laws and whatnot. It would definitely help out the city (and likely the province) economically, but I don't doubt that after a generation or two, it's going to be an anglophone-dominated city.
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So yeah...that's why I'm trying to imagine what an English Montreal would be like. Not as cool (personally speaking), but probably more prosperous.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acajack
It's more Montreal itself that voted mainly for the Non, and even within the city there were divisions with the central-eastern eastern part of the city tending to vote for the Oui.
Areas immediately surrounding Montreal (including many of its suburbs) actually tended to vote for the Oui, with some exceptions.
Yeah, good call, that's what I meant to say. Looks like areas like Hochelaga definitely voted 'Oui,' which makes sense.
I think it's because Montreal is competing WITHIN Canada against Anglo cities, and the fact is that there are a lot more Anglophones over in this part of the world than there are Francophones. "Opening" up Montreal would attract businesses, and importantly, people. Highly-skilled people from the ROC, the US, etc.
And it's not just about language - there's an entire legal framework, much of it from Quebec City I'd imagine.
But again, I'm not necessarily in support of huge, sweeping changes. But I do think that if Montreal had a little more autonomy, it would be better off.
But I'm not a resident now (maybe I'll one-day return...?), so my opinion doesn't count for anything!
I think it's because Montreal is competing WITHIN Canada against Anglo cities, and the fact is that there are a lot more Anglophones over in this part of the world than there are Francophones. "Opening" up Montreal would attract businesses, and importantly, people. Highly-skilled people from the ROC, the US, etc.
Well, to follow up on what lexdiamonds said, consider that Quebec City is about 98% francophone and has an extremely low unemployment rate* and is close to being a booming city. *Similar to that of Calgary and Edmonton.
Montreal has had a harder time adjusting given that its economy was more firmly ensconced in Anglo North America and was for a long time a big North American city like the others. And so much of its economy was oriented in this way. When the ducks in Montreal stopped lining up in the classic North American way it hurt the city's economy as some people wrote it off as a NA big city, though I would argue that it has now largely recovered from this and although it could be better, it is doing reasonably well given the circumstances. Its unemployment is about the same as Toronto's or sometimes slightly lower or sometimes slightly higher.
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