Winnipeg. After a breakup, the English-speaking remains of Canada would contain
a lopsided distribution of power. Ontario would be like a king, the remaining
provinces like slaves, not so much in terms of territory as in industrial
capacity and population. Surely western Canada would demand a change of
government along the lines of the United States, with an equal Senate and
perhaps a more powerful House to lower the strength of the prime minister. But
such a change of power within a smaller Canada, and away from Ottawa toward the
western provinces, might likewise fail. It might amount to too much sacrifice
for central Canada, but not enough gain for Alberta and British Columbia.
Politically, an independent Quebec could survive adjustment, capital flight, and
exchange-rate fluctuation in the short term and a lessened growth rate over the
long term, if at a price. But could it remain whole? On the heels of Quebec’s
independence, English is the language in the Ottawa River valley, west Montreal,
and the Eastern Townships region might attempt to create separate city-states of
their own. Also, the Cree and other Indian tribes and Inuit communities reject
Quebec independence, either because their lands would be divided by separation,
or because they believe that Ottawa looks better than Quebec City on their
eventual self-government. Only in the twentieth century was the northernmost
section of Quebec, Rupert’s Land, formally granted to the province by British
imperial authority. Potentially resource-rich, this territory contains such
assets as the James Bay hydroelectric project( If Quebec Goes, Pg. 112). If
Canada is divisible, then why is Quebec indivisible? If Quebec is indivisible
then on what grounds should Canada be obliged to allow Quebec’s secession? In an
age of mini-states like Singapore and Luxembourg, the minimum requirement for
self-government, however compromised, is not very substantial. Seperation of an
independent Quebec cannot be ruled out by the possibility of a minimum state
size. Washington must be prepared for all possibilities. Seperationn of Canada,
depending on its nature and extent, would transfer some of the cost of
administration from Ottawa to Washington. Washington increasingly would take on
the jobs of peacemaker, rule-maker and police officer. These are not roles that
the United States should seek. Nor are they responsibilities Washington would
necessarily be able to carry out better than any of the Canadian provinces or
the Canadian federal government. To conclude, this issue is still a huge burden
on the always awkward Canadian economy. Both the federal and Quebec governments
should get down to business with this and figure it all out as best they can, so
it won?t hurt our country anymore then it already has. All the other
Provincial governments should have representatives there, and all get their
opinions heard and then come to some sort of a conclusion, so we can get on with
it all. If they can?t come to some sort an agreement, or there?s a
stalemate, then fine let them have another referendum, and if that works, great,
let them leave, it can?t hurt anymore then having them complaining and talking
about what they want to do. Really it?s been a series of threats and no real
serious go at seperation, it?s all a big thing, seeing how far the feds will
go before they lose it and say fine, get out of here. All in all, this is
Canada?s biggest problem to this point and should be solved as soon as
possible, because one of the scenarios above is going to happen, and the longer
they wait the harder it gets, so someone better go out and take a stranglehold
on this whole issue and get it settled, one way or the other, or you could see a
great country spiral from the greatest country in the world today, to a sad
story in a hurry… Only the future can tell, and the politicians have got to
come up with the answers, and let the people tell them what is needed, and then
maybe we can get on to living, with or without Quebec, well that?s what the
future is going to tell…
Cote, Marcel, and David Johnson. If Quebec Goes… Toronto: Stoddart, 1995.
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