#9, yes, it's on the decline now, but it goes in cycles. And there's nobody left strongly defending federalism either. In 1995, we won by a hair's breath after thousands of Canadians came to Montreal from all over the country to participate in the huge Canada rally the weekend before the referendum. These days, the attitude of people in the ROC seems to be more of a "good riddance, we're tired of Quebec's whining anyway". Who would come to another federalism rally? What Canadian PM or federal leader would dare spend money campaigning for Canada in this post-sponsorship scandal era? If the PQ goes on the upswing again, who will fight for the "no" campaign?
It's easy to get comfortable since the PQ had a disastrous referendim showing and sovereignty numbers are down. But it's cyclical, and if we get too comfortable, it could be a rude awakening.
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>These days, the attitude of people in the ROC seems to be more of a "good riddance, we're tired of Quebec's whining anyway". <hr></blockquote> I don't know if that is true or not, but the real question is: is a 'get tough' policy more or less effective in supressing separatism than the politics of appeasement we have seeng for decades? Decades during which the seperatistes became much more vocal, and more successful.
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>So long as federalists don't do anything particularly stupid like talking about the Constution<hr></blockquote>Todays news (can't find a link) is reporting that Harper is tabling legislation to expand the House of Commons, with BC getting ( Ithink ) seven more seats, Alberta six more and Ontario 24 more to reflect changes in demographics. The Maritmes,quebec, Sask and MB remain the same. I wonder how Quebec will react to that dilution of their influence?
Well, the only reason it's 'cyclical' is when federalists try to use the constitution to further their political aims. The only reason the 95 referendum was close because of the lingering resentment over the failure of Meech Lake and the presence of St. Lucien. Even with an inept yes campaign, they still pulled it out and no one and I mean, no one will be stupid enough again to reopen the constitution.
The overall pattern for separatists is one of decline. The message for federalists is to ignore them and their agenda and they will fade away.
There you are, #13 is a perfect example of what I mean. I can't even say I blame him. We're sick of it too. But it's also tough, as a Federalist living in Quebec, for me to say "aw, screw it!" Sure, I'm fed up with it, but Canada is my country and I'm not prepared to just give up, I believe it's worth fighting for. But it's a really tough sell within the province to tell people "stay in a country where you're unwanted". Quebec federalists are more than half of us, remember that - probably even more than 2/3 if a clear question was ever asked (polling data suggests that up to 40% of "yes" voters in 1995 really wanted Quebec to remain part of Canada). When people feel unwanted at a party, they're more likely to want to leave.
Oh cripes. Not getting into this.
But I will point out that it might not be a shoe-in for Duceppe, as there is actually a lot of support for Pauline Marois as PQ leader, which she should have been.
Actually Bloc MPs have worked on many dossiers; my local MP is Bloc and is a strong environmentalist; the Bloc has also worked on issues of unemployment insurance.
By the way, I vote NDP federally, knowing it is simply a protest vote (in case someone assumed I was a Bloc supporter from the above post).
Segacs - I can see your arguement but when you say 'stay in a country where you are unwanted' you could insert most any province and it would apply. Each province is getting a raw deal somewhere from being part of Canada, but for almost every province as a whole is better off for being here. I do not want to turn this into a western seperatism arguement, but one could say that they have as strong an arguement as Quebec to seperate. The one thing that is different is that most people out here think/realize that they are benefitting by being a part of Canada and thus the debate has never garnered the support that it did in Quebec. There are a couple provinces within Canada that should be able to make a go of it on their own, but for most the seperation issue would turn the newly formed country into a welfare state.
I really hope Pauline Marois wins over Duceppe. Not that I hate Duceppe (I know both of these people slightly, from work in the trade-union movement) but I was very, very furious as a woman that Marois got dismissed as "too old" - she is a year younger than Duceppe. She and other women in the PQ have done a lot to advance the cause of equality of women, whatever one thinks of the PQ constitutional outlook.
It would somehow be appropriate for Marois, as one of the old separatist hardliners, to captain the PQ's sinking ship. My prediction is that the PQ will either sink to minor 3rd party status after the next election or the rats will board the ADQ and let the PQ vessel sink to the bottom.
trusted partner
