Quebec is headed for independence, Michael Ignatieff tells the BBC

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

There are a lot of obvious problems with Quebec's (lack of a) plan to separate. Currency, Passports, Mail Delivery, Defence, etc. are all the obvious things but I have been trying to think of all the not-so obvious things.

I have no proof, but I would think that a huge number of people would leave Quebec should a vote pass for them to separate, a lot more than would move into Quebec in preparation for independence. Imagine what that would do to the housing market!

A large number already moved out after the last referendum including myself and that was after a 'win'. There were A Vendre signs in garages to put up on lawns the day after, people were moving money from Quebec branches to branches in Ontario.

[CaptainCrunch]

The number of Canadian Head Offices in Quebec has steadily dropped since 1990 from 96 to 81. I would expect that these companies would probably let their feelings known prior to any referendum as in, if you vote yes to leave Canada, we're going to move.

If my math is right, 84,000 of Canada's 263,000 civil servants are Francophone and would probably lose their jobs.

With Quebec's population of 8 million, with an unemployment rate of 7.8% that means that right now 624000 out of work right now, lets say that you add another minimum to be generous 200,000 people out of work due to the seismic shock of losing most of their Federal Civil Servant jobs and head office jobs and other jobs that get killed due to politic uncertainty. You would probably have between a 10 and 12% unemployment rate. A government with an underfunded unemployment program and you have a third world nation right in the middle of Canada.

[Jacks]

You'd have to think that a yes vote would also have a big impact on property values. Gotta wonder if their economy wouldn't go into a serious recession.

[OffsideSpecialist]

If the Government of Canada moved out of Gatineau it would become our own mini-Detroit. I can't think of anyone else that takes up nearly the same amount of real estate in that city, particularly downtown.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Jacks

You'd have to think that a yes vote would also have a big impact on property values. Gotta wonder if their economy wouldn't go into a serious recession.

Well yeah, because outside investment would slam to a stop.

On top of that, if the Natives decided that they wanted to stay with Canada, Quebec's hydro business would cease to be profitable.

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Interesting development in the election, some are saying this will really help the PQ's brand, and other are saying it may damage it, and muddy the message and take power away from Marois.

'Media mogul Pierre Karl Péladeau will run as the Parti Québécois candidate in the riding of Saint-Jérôme.

PQ leader Pauline Marois confirmed Péladeau’s candidacy at a news conference Sunday morning.

The move reverses Péladeau’s earlier assertions that he would not run for public office.

Péladeau is one of Quebec’s most prominent business leaders, having occupied positions including President and CEO of Vidéotron and CEO of Quebecor, the company founded by his father, Pierre Péladeau.'

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montre...B4me-1.2565855

Interesting...the owner of the Calgary Sun is now running for the PQ, and wants Quebec to be its own country. Wonder how that is going to sit with local sun readership.

[CaptainCrunch]

Yeah, I thought that was a really odd thing, it will be interesting to see if the Sun tries to spin it.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Interesting...the owner of the Calgary Sun is now running for the PQ, and wants Quebec to be its own country. Wonder how that is going to sit with local sun readership.

This is how I picture Rick Bell right now:

[Hessen]

http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/p...adian-tourists

Rediculous article. As if they we're leaning towards building a wall with large "No Canadians allowed!!!"

I'm personally all for their separation, but with the provision that places with a large English populous, such as Montreal, be given the same right to choose to remain part of Canada. Also minimize the geographical size by keeping a Northern corridor to keep a land tie to Eastern Canada as well.

[Burke Salad]

The Hull Wall, that's right I said the Hull Wall not the Gatineau Wall!

[nik-]

Honestly I wish the government would just call them on this garbage. "You want to separate? ... do it". Then they won't because they know it would ####ing destroy them, and it would take this card out of their deck every time they don't get their way.

I hate separatists and I'm sick of our governments being cowards when it comes to them. Enough already, stand up to these bull####ters.

[Ducay]

Quebec is the teenager that always threatens to move out, but laments when he realizes he can't survive without his weekly allowance his parents pay him.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Quebec is the teenager that always threatens to move out, but laments when he realizes he can't survive without his weekly allowance his parents pay him.

Yeah a few years ago I called them the free loading roommate that sleeps on your couch eats your food never has rent money and always hits you up for a loan on every payday and then screams far and wide that he'd be in better shape if you didn't keep screwing him at every turn.

But you tolerate him because he has the hottest lady friends on the planet. I mean seriously have you seen some of these girls from Quebec?

[Jacks]

Nice of Marois to let us know that travel wouldn't be restricted after Quebec separates.

She said travel between Quebec and the rest of Canada would operate like the European Union, where members of individual countries can cross borders without showing a passport.

I think that would be up to the Canadian government to decide.

[nik-]

It would hilariously awesome to find out who voted yes and who voted no. Anyone that voted for remaining in Canada gets simple passage to and from Canada. Those who voted to separate get the rubber glove.

[Jacks]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but isn't a large part of Northern Quebec native land? What if they don't want to separate?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but isn't a large part of Northern Quebec native land? What if they don't want to separate?

The Native question is interesting because they have the right to a referendum of their own should Quebec vote yes. At that point the ROC has to negotiate on their behalf.

The Quebec natives could suddenly become the prettiest girl in the ball. Quebec can't afford to lose that land because of the resources there and also because Quebec Hydro has a couple of their major power generation damns in the Northern part of Quebec it would impact one of their more lucrative export businesses.

[Daradon]

Yeah, the Native question is an interesting one, as it's really the only separation within separation that could happen. And as you said, there could be a lot of other scenarios too.

But the idea that there will be some sort of caveat that Montreal might stay or other parts of English speaking Quebec is pretty silly. The people against it there will be forced to make a decision if they want to live in the new country or leave.

All that said, I'm pretty sure Quebec never separates. As many have said, it's the threat that has power, not the actual act. And the people who truly dream of their own Quebec nation become fewer and fewer each year.

I do wish the government would 'stand up' to the separatists as well, for lack of a better phrase. Even if they don't want to take a hard line approach, I don't know why they don't advertise their side more within Quebec. IE the realities that this constant talk of separation has on the economy etc.

[nik-]

a chain event of successions would be ideal, first the north, then the island of Montreal. Until all that's left is the redneck Quebecer's and Quebec City.

Then we could all sit back and laugh.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I think that would be up to the Canadian government to decide.

Just out petty spite, I'd like to see Canada require them to have a travel-visa.