The sphincter-tightening moment of 9/11 made everyone crowd back together., holding hands inside the safe structure of Canada. Independence went to the back burner.
There will always be a persistent 25% in Quebec who will push for it. You really don't notice the histrionics until it crosses the 40% threshold and its been a long time since that happened.
The difference from the 80's or even 90's through to today is Quebec is looking more like an economic backwater within Confederation, largely supplanted by a dynamic west.
There is still political power there but it looks more like Russia - economicaly irrelevant but they have nuclear bombs so you have to pay attention when they wave their arms.
Frankly, Quebec has never needed Canada more than it does now. The moment for separation has probably passed.
Forever is a long-time though. Ignatieff could be right that some day it might happen.
Cowperson
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