Quebec Independence Movement

[Minuteman]

Most of you have probably heard about Quebec nationalism at some point in your life, even if you aren't Canadian. This is the first thread of a collection of threads I will post at some point in the future regarding separatist movements around the world. So, I have spent quite some time researching the Quebec independence movement, as well as other movements. Canada has had several referendums asking the people if they think Quebec should become independent, and every time the majority of the people have said no. Personally I am against the independence movement, since the facts simply don't support Quebec's movement, and they wouldn't be self-sufficient. I do however recognize that the culture of Quebec is different from that of the rest of Canada.


Arguments for Independence
* In Quebec the official language is French, whereas the rest of Canada speaks English
* The goals and policies of the rest of Canada do not necessarily always align with those of Quebec
* Quebec's French culture is dying and arguably without independence or autonomy, it will eventually become like the rest of Canada
* Many separatists in Quebec feel as though the Canadian government didn't live up to it's promise for a new constitution in 1970
* Some websites recognize Quebec's distinct cultural differences from Canada, such as how Yahoo! has both Canadian and Quebecker Yahoo! Answers websites

Arguments Against Independence
* Quebec already maintains a degree of autonomy as a province of Canada
* The French language is dying out in Quebec and being replaced with English
* The withdrawal of Quebec from Canada could significantly hinder Canada's political, economic, and military strength
* The majority of the population of Quebec don't support independence or autonomy
* Terrorism committed by pro-independence guerrilla factions drives people away from supporting Quebec sovereignty
* If Quebec became independent, it would create a barrier in the middle of Canada, separating Eastern Canada and Western Canada
* It is questionable whether or not Quebec could be economically self-sufficient without the aid of Canada
* Quebec has no pre-existing constitution or framework for government
* Quebec is made up of many different ethnic groups, and an independent French-speaking Quebec could easily abuse minorities
* Historically speaking, the former French government of Quebec often ignored, suppressed, and mistreated the aboriginal population
* Many of the leaders of the separatist movement are discriminatory against the aboriginal population, including the former leader of Quebec, Robert Bourassa
* Many aboriginal tribes in Canada have expressed concerns regarding Quebec sovereignty, and some have even threatened to leave the confederacy
* The ideas on how an independent Quebec should be governed are very different, with many different parties and organizations, each with different ideological idea on what the future of Quebec should be. Many of the groups are far-left communist groups, while others are center-right and far right..


General Information
Proposed State: Quebec
Proposed Capital: Quebec City
Today Part of: Canada (Quebec)
Government: various
Population: 7,970,672 (5.63 /km2 density)
Land: 1,365,128 km2 land + 176,928 km2 water
GDP: C$303,747 billion (C$37,278 per capita)
Language: French
Culture: Canadian, French
Religion: Catholic
Denonym: Québécois, Quebecers/Quebeckers

Political Parties
Parti Québécois
Bloc Québécois
Action démocratique du Québec
Québec solidaire
Parti république du Québec (defunct)
Parti républicain du Québec (defunct)
Parti nationaliste du Québec (defunct)
Ralliement national (defunct)
Mouvement Souveraineté-Association (defunct)
Parti indépendantiste (defunct)
Parti indépendantiste of 1985 (defunct)
Parti canadien (defunct)
Parti canadien of 1942 (defunct)

Paramilitary Organizations
Mouvement de libération nationale du Québec
Société des Fils de la Liberté (defunct)
Front de libération du Québec (defunct)
Frères chasseurs (defunct)

Other Organizations
Les Intellectuels pour la souveraineté
Réseau de Résistance du Québécois
Mouvement national des Québécoises et des Québécois
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society
Alliance laurentienne (defunct)


Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_sovereignty_movement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Quebec_sovereignty_movement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_nationalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_autonomism


Flag


Coat of Arms

Map

 

[Dana]

Viva Le Quebec

 

[cam elle toe]

have you been back to the first thread you posted yet?:ninja

 

[Tuffdisc]

Looks like someone here is not going answer his replies to his/her threads

 

[Peter Parka]

At least he knows how to do a poll properly, I voted for "don't give a shit" or the polite equivellent option he gave us.

 

[Sparkey Duck]

I voted against this as on the complex issue of there is already a country beginning with Q... if it changes its name to something beginning with X, then I'm on-board!

 

[Thornless]

My Canada does not involve Quebec.

My Dad used to sport that bumper sticker on his car.

I personally think we should let them seperate, then slowly join them. When we have all of Canada renamed Quebec, vote to change it bback to Canada and vote for everything to be changed back.

 

[porterjack]

i love Québec and would glady see them seperate, their culture is distinct, everything about Québec is so different than the rest of Canada - seriously i would move to Québec if they seperated

and Dana

it is Vive

Viva is Spanish I believe

 

[Panacea]

and Dana

it is Vive

Viva is Spanish I believe

Oui! Vive le Quebecois!

(I don't really have much of an opinion on this, though, seems a bit weird to me but I don't know the whole story).

 

[Mystic]

Thank god the Block got squashed into nothingness... if any part of Canada needs to be crowned and put on a pedestal it should be the Anishinabek(native Canadians) people in Quebec and all over Canada, as they were there long before the stupid arse french bastards or any of us foreign shitheads. If anyone has a right to bitch for Independence its our Native people and not some French bastard..

 

[jassilem]

It`s an issue that will be debated for a very long time and the answer will be no to separate.

Bloc mentioned we won`t rule out a referendum a couple weeks before the Fed election.. why do you think they did so poorly..

 

[dkwrtw]

I'm not Canadian, but I say if they want to secede from the country then that should be his choice.

 

[porterjack]

Bloc mentioned we won`t rule out a referendum a couple weeks before the Fed election.. why do you think they did so poorly..

they did so poorly because the vast majority of Québecoise bought into Jack Laytons smooth patter

bottom line is that seperation is a romantic notion and truth be told Québec could not really afford to split from Canada, despite the wishes of some

 

[jassilem]

they did so poorly because the vast majority of Québecoise bought into Jack Laytons smooth patter

bottom line is that seperation is a romantic notion and truth be told Québec could not really afford to split from Canada, despite the wishes of some

That's true too.. but I think it was also just time.

And yes romantic notion pretty much sums it up. Even if it were a good idea.

 

[Tuffdisc]

My Canada does not involve Quebec.

My Dad used to sport that bumper sticker on his car.

I personally think we should let them seperate, then slowly join them. When we have all of Canada renamed Quebec, vote to change it bback to Canada and vote for everything to be changed back.

Wow, you are getting me confused here :24:

 

[Thornless]

Wow, you are getting me confused here :24:

Should work with the French then. :cool