Why Now Is The Perfect Time to Wave a Friendly Goodbye to Quebec. Lowell Green
count up the money they owe us. Imagine; we could have a foreign country on the other side of the river. We could use our passports to go to the casino. Good luck. I’ll get some maudit beer and poutine in celebration and update my passport.
Jeremy Swanson, Ottawa, ON
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I don’t know what’s wrong with you people up there in Ottawa. Of course we would all care very much if Quebec were to ever leave Canada. My Canada always includes Quebec and you people who think otherwise should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Annie Green, Mississauga ON
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I would support Quebec leaving, but not from the position of the advantage to Quebec and their aspirations. I say this only from the perspective of the weariness of their griping and the great cost to Canada. Not just financial cost, but the psychology of having always to deal with a spoiled child. Time to cut the child loose.
Doug K, Ottawa, ON
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Mr. Green, I find your comments intriguing to say the least. I think you have not fully researched the implications of Quebec separation. As a resident of Atlantic Canada we have thought about it long and hard, probably more so than most Canadians. I believe it could mean the end of Canada. Probably not tomorrow but certainly within ten years (two election cycles) Note: This has nothing to do with party affiliation, but with geography and history.
Atlantic Canada would not survive. We would seek closer ties with the northeastern United States. If you know our history, the Atlantic Provinces have always had a special relationship with the northeastern U.S. This relationship would be strengthened and would lead to some sort of economic and perhaps political union with the U.S. In fact, I believe the U.S. would seek it.
I ask you what would happen to the French populations in New Brunswick, northern Ontario and Manitoba? While they are quiet today, I ask you would the West still support a bilingual country? I think we both know the answer to that question. Then these populations will become more vocal and more isolated.
I think the center of power will shift to the West. Ontario will feel more isolated. I think Ontario will probably move to go its own way very quickly.
No, Mr. Green, we need one another. What we need is a political leader be he or she Liberal, Conservative, NDP or some other, maybe Canada Party who will take on this problem. The last political leader who did was PM Trudeau and he was vilified. We need someone with a vision who thinks of all of Canada and not its individual parts. We need to look at this in our universities and resolve it or Canada, as we know it will disappear and the world will be a poorer place.
Michael C, Atlantic Canada
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For those Canadians who still worry about Quebec separating from Canada and becoming an independent country, it has essentially already happened. The only real obstacle to full Quebec independence is that we insist that they pay their own bills. As you know the rest of Canada will pour almost $8 billion into that province as part of the Federal Government’s support via our famous transfer payments. What does the rest of Canada get in turn for this? You tell me!
Mark Kerr, Ottawa, ON
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We are overdue in cancelling dual citizenships in Canada so I believe a week after Quebec separates would be the perfect time to do that. It would give more meaning to Quebecer votes then. I don’t want Quebec influencing us after they are gone.
Pete M, Brockville, ON
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When Quebec separates in order to protect their culture, it will then become a precedent for the rest of Canada to take similar steps to protect our language and culture. It is insanity for people to dilute their own culture to the point of extinction. Quebec knows this and let us in the rest of Canada cheer their hopeful future which ultimately will be ours.
Mike Rowe, Nepean, ON
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For some time I, and many others, have concluded that we should encourage Quebec to separate. However, it is the terms and conditions that are important to the rest of Canada as well as groups within Quebec such at the Cree Indians.
The Crees have already declared that they would stay within Canada and that they would take over the LeGrande hydro project and if necessary temporarily disable it in a non-destructive manner. I am privy to their plan.
The borders would have to be returned to where they were prior to Quebec joining Canada and the St. Lawrence Seaway would remain within Canada. All transfer payments would cease.
All military bases in Quebec would be closed and transfers made available to all, including Quebecers who swear loyalty to Canada.
There are many other issues to be negotiated but these are some of the more obvious and crucial items.
Michael in Barrhaven, ON
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I lived in Gatineau for many years and saw the writing on the wall in 2003. It was time to leave. I have family still there, my son married a Quebecer and their home language is French. I speak to my granddaughter in English and maybe she will eventually be able to speak English. I say it is time to cut the apron strings and let the province go and grow up. Let the province take care it itself, financially and emotionally.
Kay Matthews, Ottawa, ON
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I think Quebec should separate, always have. But for reasons I have never heard anyone mention. We have grown as a country, similar to a family. Today, just as with children, Quebec has grown strong and mature enough to stand on her own. One advantage would be that English-speaking people would finally be able to get a job with their own government.
Yarrum, Kanata, ON
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Tyler here. Yes Lowell, it is time for them to go! They hate us and it is a slap in the face every minute they remain part of Canada.
Tyler Buglar, Ottawa, ON
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I agree with Quebec separation, but for different reasons than you and your listeners have stated. I want Quebec to become a proud and independent nation since that is the only way we can preserve our language and culture.
You in English Canada obviously don’t care as much about your culture as we do in Quebec since you have allowed yourself to become diluted to the point where in some cities—Vancouver for example—English is now the second language. We will not allow that to happen in Quebec. Here we are adamant that we will preserve and enhance our language and culture. If the rest of Canada doesn’t care about its heritage that’s too bad for you, but we are not going to be caught in the same self-defeating trap.
James Morris, Ste. Jerome, QC
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As someone who was born in Montreal and left the province in 2005, I can safely say that not only will Canada not mind Quebec separation, but many Canadians would vote to expel the province from Confederation. Quebec is normally labeled as a progressive state, but in reality, it is the most regressive state in the free world. The province enacts laws that restrict education, restrict innovation and promote discrimination. We as a nation celebrate equality, justice, fairness to all—concepts shockingly absent from Quebec. My opinion: Hand them their hat and show them the door.
Arron K, Pembroke, ON
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Yes French speaking Quebecers are entitled to be concerned about the survival of their language and culture. But not at the expense of trampling others’ rights.
Bryan K, Ottawa, ON
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I heard you suggest that with separation, Quebec minorities might not face as much discrimination. You make an interesting point, although, fact is we cannot be sure. There is no question that