Divide deepens between Quebec and rest of Canada

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

This is why Alberta is politically weak relative to it's value in confederation.

Quebec knows how to play their cards. In Alberta, none of the major politcal parties need to try very hard to impress them.

If Alberta shocked the country and voted Liberal in one election, we would suddenly see a lot pandering for their votes.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by zamler

Are you saying Quebec is the glue that holds Canada together?

A little bit, yeah. If Quebec split I can see Newfoundland following suit. From there the Maritimes are pretty isolated so it doesn't seem unreasonable to think that they might split as well.

Once that happens it will likely depend on the terms of the splits, but if they are favourable I can see Alberta or B.C. looking at the terms and what the new smaller Canada can provide and questioning whether or not they would be better off on their own.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

This is why the terminology is confusing...

England is a country, but it is not a sovereign nation. The United Kingdom (consisting of the member countries England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) is a nation.

You are right. It is confusing, and I did make a mistake (mostly because every time I previously tried to type something, other people posted my point first, and I wanted to beat them).

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Knalus

Doesn't matter? Taiwan doesn't have international recognition, nor does Somaliland (to use an obscure reference), but they act like nation-states anyways.

I don't want to derail the thread, but I would argue that the Taiwan situation is a little more complicated because the current Chinese state (i.e., the Communist Party of China) has never controlled the island of Taiwan. Strictly speaking, the Chinese civil war hasn't ended.

[zamler]

If Quebec actually did split, it would be a financial disaster for them their economy would collapse in short order. Other provinces would certainly not follow suit unless they wanted to orchestrate their own demise.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by zamler

If Quebec actually did split, it would be a financial disaster for them their economy would collapse in short order. Other provinces would certainly not follow suit unless they wanted to orchestrate their own demise.

I agree. They have become so dependent on that annual handout, that they would become the Greece of NA.

[Yanda]

Id like to see Quebec seperate and degrade into a 3rd world country so Native communities would see what happens when the money flow stops.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

A little bit, yeah. If Quebec split I can see Newfoundland following suit. From there the Maritimes are pretty isolated so it doesn't seem unreasonable to think that they might split as well.

The Atlantic Provinces have absolutely nothing to gain and a huge amount to lose from separation from Canada. Newfoundland is rolling in off-shore revenue now, but they're only a decade removed from ~20% unemployment and complete dependence on transfer payments from Ottawa to fund their healthcare and education systems. I'm sure damn near every voter in the province remembers those days. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and (especially) PEI would not be able to sustain existing levels of government services if they were to leave Canada.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by zamler

If Quebec actually did split, it would be a financial disaster for them their economy would collapse in short order. Other provinces would certainly not follow suit unless they wanted to orchestrate their own demise.

Thats certainly a possibility but what if Quebec worked out some kind of deal with France? I suspect France would love to have Quebec and all its resources as part of their country.

[Fire]

I would vote Quebec out if I had the option. Both sides would be happier for it. It's not like we wouldn't be able to visit Quebec to enjoy what they have to offer (strippers). The only thing that gives me some pause is the lost of athletes for Team Canada, but I would get over it.

[Makarov]

I miss the days when Alberta's largest export wasn't smugness.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Knalus

Doesn't matter? Taiwan doesn't have international recognition, nor does Somaliland (to use an obscure reference), but they act like nation-states anyways.

On the flip-side, Palestine has significant international recognition, yet it has difficulty acting as an independent nation.

You have a point, and a decent one, but International recognition isn't really necessary.

You are right that it isn't always the make or break deal for independence, but you need at least enough other countries that recognize your passports and documentation that they will do business with you and not anger other nations. You also need enough recognizing you and doing business with you, that your security is of importance to them.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Makarov

I don't want to derail the thread, but I would argue that the Taiwan situation is a little more complicated because the current Chinese state (i.e., the Communist Party of China) has never controlled the island of Taiwan. Strictly speaking, the Chinese civil war hasn't ended.

The government in Taiwan actually considers itself the legitimate government of mainland China (in exile). Likewise, the Chinese government considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province, not an independent nation.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm sure damn near every voter in the province remembers those days. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and (especially) PEI would not be able to sustain existing levels of government services if they were to leave Canada.

I'm perfectly fine with the more rich provinces sustaining the so called weaker ones. That is what a united country is all about. But I cannot for one second stomach Quebec insisting that they are unique, and entitled to special treatment. Worse, holding a gun to the rest of Canada disgusts me to no end.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Thats certainly a possibility but what if Quebec worked out some kind of deal with France? I suspect France would love to have Quebec and all its resources as part of their country.

Then we go to war.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Then we go to war.

Really? What a crock.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Then we go to war.

War with France, a NATO ally? How old are you, 15?

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Thats certainly a possibility but what if Quebec worked out some kind of deal with France? I suspect France would love to have Quebec and all its resources as part of their country.

That's the one thing that bothers me about separation. I would hate to see France get a toe into NA.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Quebec has a pretty nice haul of natural resources in Northern Quebec. I sure wouldn't want to see those get away from Canada into the hands of France. Plus smoked meat and poutine.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I would hate to see France get a toe into NA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Pierre_and_Miquelon