Quebec separation has raised its ugly head again. Quebec Premier Pauline Marios, fighting a provincial election, wants a referendum on Quebec separation. Quebec is expected to go to polls April 7.
While campaigning, Marios spelt out her version of Canada: create a new country adjoining called Quebec. That would mean redrawing existing maps to insert the world’s newest independent country, Quebec – preferably coloured in PQ colours, blue.
The fact that two previous referendums have categorically said no to separation doesn’t satisfy PQ leadership. They have to keep up drumming the separation tunes whenever they get a chance.
However, Marios’ recipe for separation is intriguing. Her independence charter is: First, an independent Quebec would have no borders and would open its arms to tourists from Canada.
“We’ll still be able to go see the Rockies out West and go to Prince Edward Island and they’ll be able to come here. There won’t be any borders or tolls,” she said.
Secondly, an independent Quebec would not be unlike the European Union, where there is free movement of citizens.
“That’s what it means, but that’s not to say there wouldn’t be a (Quebec) citizenship and, as such, a passport,” Marois said.
Thirdly, a separate Quebec plans to keep using the Canadian dollar and Quebec hopes to have a seat at the Bank of Canada.
All of the above seems to be wishful thinking on the part of Ms. Marios and her government. I don’t think she will find anyone calling himself/herself a proud Canadian who would want to visit those who break up their country. Canadians are proud of their citizenship and value it. Why would any Canadian want to have relations after the Quebec/Canada divorce? In fact, most people calling themselves proud Canadians would boycott even going to Quebec, the so-called new country.
Isn’t it selfish on the part of Marios to say that they would like to keep the good things of Canada, such as the Canadian currency and a seat at the Bank of Canada? Ms. Marios appears to be so naïve that she thinks whatever Quebec demands, Canada will submit and give. She doesn’t seem to realize that decisions about above demands are not to be made by her but by rest of Canada.
During the election, Parti Quebecois is said to have achieved “a masterful coup” by recruiting media baron Pierre Paul Peladeau as their star candidate. Mr, Peladeau, as we all know, was the head of the media giant Quebecor, which also owns Journal de Montreal and the French-language TVA television network, the Sun tabloids and the Sun News Network in English Canada. Peladeau said he resigned as vice-chairman of Quebecor, but he would retain his ownership stake.
I beg to differ from Peladeau’s assertion that the Quebecor newspapers and television will not give him favourable treatment in commentaries and stories. How can the media ignore their former boss with a large ownership stakes?
Now that we know Peladeau’s true colours, it has been suggested that Canadians across the country have an excellent opportunity to show their disgust about the separatists by boycotting Sun newspapers as readers and as advertisers. As one Globe reader put it:
” This will become known as not putting your money where his mouth is.”
Half way into the election, Mario, sensing defeat, had to change her tune. She said she would agree to a moratorium on referendums until after the next scheduled election date in 2019.
Historically, secessionist movements have not succeeded, some politically while other economically. Quebecois believe that Quebec is a nation and that they want to unite French-Canadians in Quebec. Canada should not allow this separation because if a precedent is set once, then what would prevent another linguistic group to advocate their own country in another province.? Even if this sounds laughable: How about Ukrainians in Alberta seeking their own country sometime in future?
The PQ government has already antagonized minorities in Quebec by introducing the so-called Charter of Values–dubbed Charter of Racism — which bans public sector employees from wearing religious garbs as hijabs, kippas, turbans or ostentatious crucifixes. Under a PQ government, doctors wearing a kippah, nurses wearing hijabs, hospital administrator in turbans would have to quit their jobs, or their faith. These people are sure to remember these PQ values during the elections.
Canadian nationalism, which asserts that Canada is a nation and promotes unity of Canadians, has been a significant political force since the 19th century. Nationalism and patriotism are emotional issues. Majority of people take their attachment to a particular nation seriously and are ready to die to safeguard it. A time has come for all Canadians to stand up for Canada and do whatever they can to ensure that the separatists do not break this country. Canadians have to rededicate themselves. It’s their duty to stand on guard for Canada because Canada has stood by thee.
