If Quebec separates, we keep Montreal: So, how should our federal government respond if a referendum is called by a re-elected Parti Québécois? Here are four suggestions: First, don’t act as if Quebec separation would be some kind of apocalypse. Acting as if Quebec’s departure from Canada is unthinkable destroys our bargaining position on a hundred different issues once the referendum fails. Indeed, such hysteria is a major reason Quebec has built up that annual $16.3-billion bribe. Second, notwithstanding the paragraph above, let’s not waste our breath lecturing Quebec about the economic fallout of separation. Like all sentimental nationalists, Quebec separatists see independence as a sort of magical elixir. Warning them about dollars and cents is like warning teenage poker players that all those cigars might eventually give them gum cancer. Third, make NDP leader Thomas Mulcair — and every other soft federalist — tell us clearly whether he or she respects Canadian law. Specifically, the Clarity Act, which defines a valid referendum result as one based on “a clear expression of the will of the population,” expressed through “a clear majority” of voters — as opposed to the bare-bones majority standard of 50%-plus-one, which the NDP has supported since the Jack Layton era. Fourth, and this is the big one: Have the courage to tell Quebec, flat out, that if Canada is divisible, so is Quebec. And whatever clear voting standard is used to adjudicate the overall result of the province’s referendum will be the same result used to adjudicate the status of the province’s northern Cree regions, the Eastern Townships, and, most importantly, Montreal. Which is to say: If 60% of Quebcers somehow can be convinced to vote for separation, while 60% of Montrealers vote to retain the status quo, then Ottawa should partition Montreal as part of sovereign Canada, free of Quebec’s parochial language laws, ethnic demagoguery and dead-end economic policies. Partition wouldn’t be about Canada making any sort of land grab, even if that is how separatists would describe it. Partition would be about fulfilling our historical and constitutional obligations to Canadians — especially Anglophones and immigrants — who have grown up in this country expecting their government to respect basic rights (especially those pertaining to language and religion). Since Quebec’s separatists have shown that they have no intention of respecting these rights — indeed, that are willing to ostentatiously flout these rights as a means to appeal to the worst instincts of Québécois voters — the federal government must signal that it will act decisively when the votes are counted. It is fine for jaded Canadians in Toronto and Calgary to say they’re tired of Quebec’s complaints, and that the province can just “go its own way” if it likes. But there are several million people living in Quebec who oppose their provincial government’s separatist agenda, and they may soon be looking to Ottawa for vindication of their rights. In the unlikely event that the separatists win a referendum, the voices of these Canadians must not be ignored. --If Quebec separates, we keep Montreal, Jonathan Kay, National Post, March 5, 2014 fullcomment.nationalpost/2014/03/05/jonathan-kay-if-quebec-separates-we-keep-montreal/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partition_of_Quebec ******************* ******************* COMMENT: This whole discussion makes my blood run cold. You think partition of Montreal could be done peacefully? I see tens of thousands of separatists rioting in the street, attacking federal buildings. You think what has happened in Kiev and many other places couldnt happen here? I have no use for separatists, and I wish Quebec would shut the hell up, but lets not assume that it will be a case of wayward sisters, depart in peace.... ******************* If Canada was a family of ten kids..... Nine of the siblings spent their whole lives wondering why the tenth different one has to be so demanding..... So self absorbed....... Canadians are a humble but intelligent lot..... They dont any want or need to claim anything that doesnt belong to them nor would they force a people to do anything against their will. But Quebecers must also realize that the rest of Canada wont let Quebec leave without considering the will of those that will want to continue to be Canadian.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:05:33 +0000
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