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Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard
Did anyone actually read the article?
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Originally Posted by Article
“Nothing is inevitable in politics, and its my fervent hope that separatists are defeated and that Canada survives and prospers as a united country speaking both French and English,” he replied.
“Yes, of course, a ‘yes’ vote by the Scots would have (an) impact on Canada and Quebec, but again, we’re not there yet, and 2014 is a ways away.”
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Ignatieff, describing the United Kingdom as one of the oldest multinational states in the world, said a ‘yes’ vote for independence in Scotland will have reverberations around the world.
“I think if Scotland goes independent a lot of other smaller nations in Europe will start accelerating their quest for independence,” singling out national minorities in Spain and Belgium.
Nothing that he said seems offensive to the degree that people are getting worked up about on here. The guy is a very intelligent man who was interviewed regarding his opinion on the subject and he gave it in a straight forward manner. I don't think it would happen because of how well Quebec is generally treated but I don't begrudge him for having the opinion that he does. |
As long as we're cherry picking from the article..
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He also said Quebec and the rest of Canada have little to say to each other and that the two already are “almost” separate countries.
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The only area where “the union still holds together” is in fiscal and monetary policy, he said.
“But the problem here is we don’t have anything to say to each other any more,” he added. “There’s a kind of contract of mutual indifference which is very striking for someone of my generation.”
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“Now effectively . . . we’re almost two separate countries. Although Quebec does not have sovereignty it acts domestically almost as if it did, and that I think has produced this strange reality that I don’t think most Canadians I’m thinking of are happy about.”
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I basically disagree with every statement that Ignatief has made here... and for him to make public statements like these to a foreign audience, with his status of former leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, is unconscionable.