Separation Referendum in Quebec?

[devious9191]

Just curious what everyone's opinion is on the topic. With the new leader for PQ in Quebec, it seems that it was part of his platform to try and get a referendum again, should the PQ form the government in Quebec. (Which current polls are showing they will, in 2007)

In 1995, the "No" vote won by just over 1%. In that time we've seen the rise of the Bloc as a federal party, while the liberals have been losing ground in what was traditionally liberal territory. Coupled with the sponsorship scandal, I would assume that would put more votes on the "Yes" side then ever before... and personally I would think that in a new referendum, Quebec would almost certainly have at least a slim majority voting for separation.

Any opinions?

Edit: Personally, I think it would be a good thing. I don't see any reason that we couldn't maintain trade relations (primarily for energy), which I think would cost this country far less than it does now to support that province. It would also probably put the nail in the coffin of official bilingualism, which is costly and unnecessary.

[JAC]

Let 'em go. We'll keep all federal property, take away all their cush government jobs and military, keep all native lands, assign them their share of the national debt, revoke their right to use our currency, set up border crossings and make 'em get passports to enter Canada.

Then, in two years, the rest of us will have a referendum and vote NOT to let them back in.

[yayawhoo2003]

Tough call. Good thigns for them leaving, and bad things as well. Its really up to the vote!!!

[vonteego]

Let 'em go. We'll keep all federal property, take away all their cush government jobs and military, keep all native lands, assign them their share of the national debt, revoke their right to use our currency, set up border crossings and make 'em get passports to enter Canada.

Then, in two years, the rest of us will have a referendum and vote NOT to let them back in.

The Clarity Act is our friend. Leaves the door open for Quebec itself to be annexed (i.e. Canada keeps Montreal and all other federalist ridings).

Problem is though is that if Quebec goes kaput economically, it will become a haven for organized crime (it already is!).

[danfromwaterloo]

This is what I think:

Every decade or so, Quebec decides to hold a referendum on whether they can leave the country. Every referendum, they get beaten. Therefore, make the electorate decide once and for all.

REFERENDUM QUESTION: Do you want Quebec to seperate from the rest of Canada and become a soverign nation, or do you want to solidify Quebec's place within the Canadian Confederation.

Yes, I think Quebec should seperate from Canada
No, I think Quebec should become a permanent member of the Canadian Confederation.

Quite simple. Stay for all time, or leave for all time. Period. How much money has been wasted because of the whole seperation question. The Sponsorship Scandal would not have happened without the Seperatists.

[philelmo]

J.A. MacDonald's dream was to unite canada coast to coast.. hope they don't go

[Montague]

This is what I think:

Every decade or so, Quebec decides to hold a referendum on whether they can leave the country. Every referendum, they get beaten. Therefore, make the electorate decide once and for all.

REFERENDUM QUESTION: Do you want Quebec to seperate from the rest of Canada and become a soverign nation, or do you want to solidify Quebec's place within the Canadian Confederation.

Yes, I think Quebec should seperate from Canada
No, I think Quebec should become a permanent member of the Canadian Confederation.

Quite simple. Stay for all time, or leave for all time. Period. How much money has been wasted because of the whole seperation question. The Sponsorship Scandal would not have happened without the Seperatists.

That is the PQ strategy (keep having referendums till they win one).

Sooner or later they will win a vote (they can lose ten million times - but only have to win once).

[fakishan]

The big question is, if Quebec seperates, will I be allowed to remain on RFD ?

[Montague]

The big question is, if Quebec seperates, will I be allowed to remain on RFD ?

You can set up your own website:

affairesrougesdedrapeau.pq!

[divx]

The big question is, if Quebec seperates, will I be allowed to remain on RFD ?

Foreigners

[HeatSeeker]

They will never vote to separate. They are a have not province and can never afford to go it alone unless they wish to assume a very heavy debt load in order to maintain their existing standard of living. That being said, I hope they don't go but I wish this whole question would go away once and for all. This separation nonsense occupies way too much of our attention and is an economic distraction.

I do feel that separatists have been handled with kid gloves and it's about time that they be treated like the scum that they are. Talk of separation to divide a country is nothing less than treasoness and should be dealt with appropriately. They should be jailed. Realisticaly, that's impossible, I know, but that's how I feel. However, we can make it more difficult for them to exist. Why do we allow the BQ party to exist? Why are they receiving federal money to operate? I don't wish my tax dollars to go to a separatist party. I'm not sure what kind of an oath they have to take when they become an MP but they should be made to swear an oath of allegence to Canada and if they break it by spouting separatist nonsense they get booted out of the house of parliament.

[manixc]

Can someone list some advantages for Quebec if they do separate from Canada?

[Shaner]

If they don't want to be part of Canada, let them go.
I have no patience for stupid, whining people who complain about being a part of the greatest country in the world.

Quebec gets preferential treatment because they whine so much, yet they still think the way they get treated is unfair.

Who gives a crap whether french is on every cereal coast to coast, does that really make a difference? I'm sick of hearing about them whine. If they want to leave, good riddance. Their economy will collapse so hard and fast they won't even have the money to drive back into Canada.

[HoTiCE_]

In my opinion, the federal government will never let Quebec go. At the last minute, or after a yes win in Quebec, Ottawa will have no other choice but to negotiate a deal to keep the province inside the confederation.

The reason? By letting Quebec go, they are opening the door for others to do so, and i'm talking about BC or Alberta, the new rich kid on the block. It is obvious that Alberta is giving out much more then its pulling in right now and they would see absolutely no reason to stay within Canada. Ontario would be isolated and won't survive alone, especially with Ford & GM going bankrupt soon (hypothetically)

[HoTiCE_]

If they don't want to be part of Canada, let them go.
I have no patience for stupid, whining people who complain about being a part of the greatest country in the world.

Quebec gets preferential treatment because they whine so much, yet they still think the way they get treated is unfair.

Who gives a crap whether french is on every cereal coast to coast, does that really make a difference? I'm sick of hearing about them whine. If they want to leave, good riddance. Their economy will collapse so hard and fast they won't even have the money to drive back into Canada.

This is the kind of argument that is of NO help to the discussion and I'm a federalist who has voted no in the last referendum. Remember that this is what everyone in Canada said last time in 1995...if they want to go, let them go, who cares about them...etc...but yet, 3 days before the referendum, you guys showed up in town for one big party saying how much you loved us.

People who say we get preferential treatment because we whine so much should take a minute to think before blurting out such non-sense narrow-minded affirmation. YES we are asking preferential treatment in some areas (granted, sometimes they ARE asking TOO much) because of our distinct origins. Keep in mind that we're a +/- 8 Milliion population in a sea of 330 M english-speaking people and are only taking steps to make sure we do not lose that distinct trait.

Canada is known around the world to be one huge melting pot. That is something we should fight to keep together instead of having a "if they wanna go, then leave" attitude. I am a proud canadian as i am a proud quebecer