Thursday, November 23, 2006

A Nation is born.. Quebec

Admission and denial:
"Do Quebecers form a nation within a united Canada? The answer is yes,"
Harper on Wednesday told a cheering House of Commons to numerous standing
ovations. "Do Quebecers form an independent nation? The answer is no -- and
it will always be no."
Once the right of self determination is admitted, how could it not be implemented?
 
Coming up next - Popular Front for the Liberation of Quebec;Katyusha rockets on Toronto.
 
PM declares Quebec nation 'within Canada'

November 23, 2006

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/11/23/canada.quebec.ap/index.html

TORONTO, Ontario (AP) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's stunning
motion recognizing Quebec as a nation within Canada has reignited a debate
over the divisive issue, with some supporters cautiously viewing it as a
bold political step while critics described it as a recipe for tearing apart
the country.

Harper's comments in Parliament seemed to pre-empt a planned motion by the
Bloc Quebecois that states the French-speaking province is a nation. The
wording of that motion, however, does not include the words "within Canada,"
leaving federalists worried it could be misinterpreted.

Harper said the Bloc Quebecois motion was an "unusual request" that could
lead to another referendum for Quebec independence.

"Do Quebecers form a nation within a united Canada? The answer is yes,"
Harper on Wednesday told a cheering House of Commons to numerous standing
ovations. "Do Quebecers form an independent nation? The answer is no -- and
it will always be no."

Newspaper editorials weighed in on the issue Thursday, with the liberal
Toronto Star saying that Harper's "intervention" in the debate simply fuels
it.

"The surprise bombshell that Harper dropped yesterday ... will never placate
Quebec separatists, even as it potentially weakens Canada by handing them
another argument the next time -- and there almost certainly will be a 'next
time' -- they seek to break up this country," said the newspaper.

"Harper's unwise intervention in this debate promises to embolden
separatists and create division and bitterness."

While Quebecers have twice voted down referendums seeking independence from
Canada, the last one -- in 1995 -- was narrowly defeated, and separatists
rumblings continue in the province.

The issue resurfaced when Michael Ignatieff, a front-runner for the Liberal
Party leadership, said the French language, history and culture mark
Quebecers as a separate people who should be recognized as a nation under
the constitution.

The Quebec wing of the Liberals adopted a resolution last month recognizing
Quebec as a nation "within Canada" and called for the creation of a task
force to advise the next leader on how to make that status official.

Harper's motion, which will be debated later in the week, comes as his
Tories languish in third place in Quebec polls, behind the Bloc Quebecois
and the Liberals.

On the provincial government level, the response was guarded. Alberta
Premier Ralph Klein dismissed Harper's announcement, saying he had no idea
what the prime minister's motivation was and that it "might be politics."

"First of all it's not legislation," Klein said. "He can say what he wants
to say, as I say what I want to say from time to time, and until it's
legislation, there's no need to worry about it."

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer appeared to not be supportive of Harper's motion.

"To me Canada is one nation, one country," said Doer. "I understand Quebec
is unique in terms of language, culture and law, but Canada is one country."

Some people in francophone communities on the Prairies said that they have
always recognized Quebec as a distinct part of the country.

"Quebec is really the center of the francophonie in Canada, and I don't
think there's any problem with that," said Daniel Boucher, president of the
Societe Franco-Manitobaine.

"I think it's important for Canada to have a strong Quebec, and it's also
important for Canada to have strong [francophone] communities outside
Quebec."

The liberal Toronto Sun voiced a measure of caution, saying that Harper
"made a brilliant political move" by putting forward the motion. "But
whether it will be good for national unity is another matter."

"... Is this a backdoor way of recognizing Quebec as a 'distinct society?'
If not, if it's merely a token gesture to make Quebecers 'feel good' about
Canada, how will that help?" the editorial said.

"... Harper's move may make the Conservatives more popular in Quebec, for
now. But it's long term consequences are unknown and therefore cause for
major concern."

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press

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