The Dishonesty of Quebec Separatists

[Wezil]

Let's start with three key issues:

1) Canada is divisible but Quebec is not. Why not?

2) We will use the Cdn currency but have more control over our economy. When Canada sets rates and currency supply? Sounds like a Puerto Rico situation to me....

3) Quebecers employed in the Fed civil service will remain so employed. Oh really?

[Fake Boris]

Re: The Dishonesty of Quebec Separatists

Originally posted by Wezil
Let's start with three key issues:

1) Canada is divisible but Quebec is not. Why not?

National sentiment. It is reasonable to assume that the Quebecois sovereing body is different than the Canadian one. However, in terms of inter-national comparisons, it is very unclear that the minorities in Montreal form a nation. They are, as their name imply, a minority of a much larger people, and are municipal-size at best.

2) We will use the Cdn currency but have more control over our economy. When Canada sets rates and currency supply? Sounds like a Puerto Rico situation to me....

No country can prevent another one from using its currency. The billions in CDN $ will remain at the hands of Quebecers, they won't disappear. It is, however, in the best interest of anyone that monetary policies are made in cooperation so that no disaster is created.
That's why we say "we'd use CDN currency".

3) Quebecers employed in the Fed civil service will remain so employed. Oh really?

Fed service on our territory would have to be transferred to the Quebec government, who will in turn take the necessary dispositions. As of Quebecers working in Ottawa in non security critical jobs, why should they be fired?

[Dinner]

If Quebec can split of part of Canada then parts of Quebec can split off from Quebec. Turn around is fair play.

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Oerdin
If Quebec can split of part of Canada then parts of Quebec can split off from Quebec. Turn around is fair play.

Well, if that was the case big chunks of Quebec would already form an independant country, because Montreal is pretty much the only place where federalism is the majority's opinion.

[notyoueither]

I think there's some places near the border with Ontario as well. And what about the Cree? Are they sovereigntists now?

[Wezil]

Re: Re: The Dishonesty of Quebec Separatists

Originally posted by Oncle Boris


National sentiment. It is reasonable to assume that the Quebecois sovereing body is different than the Canadian one. However, in terms of inter-national comparisons, it is very unclear that the minorities in Montreal form a nation. They are, as their name imply, a minority of a much larger people, and are municipal-size at best.

What about the northern Cree? They have stated their desire to remain in Canada. Their 99% vote on a clear question is worth less than the separatists iffy vote on an iffy question? Losing James Bay hydro will do wonders for the Quebec economy.

No country can prevent another one from using its currency. The billions in CDN $ will remain at the hands of Quebecers, they won't disappear. It is, however, in the best interest of anyone that monetary policies are made in cooperation so that no disaster is created.
That's why we say "we'd use CDN currency".

Sure you could use it, no one could stop you. Although the Bank of Canada would be headed and run by Canadians (strange that). Hence we would control the key factors of monetary supply. Quebecers would no longer exert the influence over such policy as they can now. Again, how is this good for Quebec?

Fed service on our territory would have to be transferred to the Quebec government, who will in turn take the necessary dispositions. As of Quebecers working in Ottawa in non security critical jobs, why should they be fired?

I suspect most Canadians would want Canadians to run their government - not foreigners. This would be a political reality for any post-separation Cdn government. Yes, many Quebecers would fill positions in a new Quebec gov, but I suspect the job losses would far exceed the new open positions.

[Fake Boris]

Re: Re: Re: The Dishonesty of Quebec Separatists

Originally posted by Wezil
What about the northern Cree? They have stated their desire to remain in Canada. Their 99% vote on a clear question is worth less than the separatists iffy vote on an iffy question? Losing James Bay hydro will do wonders for the Quebec economy.

I think they have been bribed by the provincial government by super extra generous deals. In any case, I'm sure we can come with an agreement with them. I concede that this would be important.

Sure you could use it, no one could stop you. Although the Bank of Canada would be headed and run by Canadians (strange that). Hence we would control the key factors of monetary supply. Quebecers would no longer exert the influence over such policy as they can now. Again, how is this good for Quebec?

Hence the necessity to come to an agreement. That Quebec uses CDN$ could also have an adverse effect on Canada, if monetary policies are not decided cooperatively.

I suspect most Canadians would want Canadians to run their government - not foreigners. This would be a political reality for any post-separation Cdn government. Yes, many Quebecers would fill positions in a new Quebec gov, but I suspect the job losses would far exceed the new open positions.

It sounds quite unimportant to me. High ranking bureaucrats probably already live in Ottawa. The others could be asked to move to Canada, or abandon their position. Low rank bureaucrats would just keep their job.

[JimmyCracksCorn]

I think Quebec pulls this stuff out as leverage in discussions with Ottawa.

And you know what? It works! Everytime... More power to them I say, its about time the other provinces got off their backsides and started giving Ottawa a hard time too. Like Alberta.

[notyoueither]

Re: Re: Re: Re: The Dishonesty of Quebec Separatists

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
Hence the necessity to come to an agreement. That Quebec uses CDN$ could also have an adverse effect on Canada, if monetary policies are not decided cooperatively.

It sounds quite unimportant to me. High ranking bureaucrats probably already live in Ottawa. The others could be asked to move to Canada, or abandon their position. Low rank bureaucrats would just keep their job.

How could an independant Quebec have a negative effect on the Canadian dollar?

The last bit sounds like wishful thinking, to me. I might agree there would be no harm done in continuing to employ people, but I would not assume that there would not be demands that the federal civil service employ only Canadians. It's a nationalism sort of thing.

[Wezil]

Re: Re: Re: Re: The Dishonesty of Quebec Separatists

Originally posted by Oncle Boris


I think they have been bribed by the provincial government by super extra generous deals. In any case, I'm sure we can come with an agreement with them. I concede that this would be important.

So apparently Quebec is divisible? I can accept you may concede the point, but the separatist movement does not.

Hence the necessity to come to an agreement. That Quebec uses CDN$ could also have an adverse effect on Canada, if monetary policies are not decided cooperatively.

Sure, cooperation would be best for both but again this decision would rest with Canada - not Quebec. Keep in mind there would not be a avalanche of positive feelings after such an event.

It sounds quite unimportant to me. High ranking bureaucrats probably already live in Ottawa. The others could be asked to move to Canada, or abandon their position. Low rank bureaucrats would just keep their job.

Dreaming. See my point above about bad blood. The civil service would undergo a radical transformation if the Quebec tail were to stop wagging the Canadian dog. What say the western posters on this issue?

[notyoueither]

You dina wana know what the West would say on this issue.

But I will say that if Quebec left, there would be people putting a whole lot of things on the table. Like minority language rights. Rights to education. etc... The composition of the federal civil service would be one of the less explosive issues.

[The Mad Monk]

Hence the necessity to come to an agreement. That Quebec uses CDN$ could also have an adverse effect on Canada, if monetary policies are not decided cooperatively.

The whole friggen world uses United States currency (exageration, I know, bear with me here), you don't see us asking the world's permission to set our own monetary policy, do you?

[Hot Mustard]

My favourite post-separation plan was the idea to have Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, and the Yukon form a new country. Basically rip the natural resources away from Canada.

[The Mad Monk]

Oh sure, you could do that, but you'd be leaving the industrial might in the hands of...

Oh, right.

Nevermind.

[Wezil]

Yeah but Ontario needs western resources to run the industrial machine Monk.

Western separation is not the threat that Quebec separatism is, hence the inability to extort power/influence. This doesn't mean it is impossible. The Feds ignore the west at their peril.