Would Quebec survive as a nation?

**Canmoore** · 15 Jul 06,, 20:26

Well now that Harper is the first prime minester in a long time to cuddle up with the French, and support the fact that Quebec IS a distinct society/culture (lets not kid ourselves, because they are) within a country. I think that the Seperatist movement will drastically slow down to a wimper.

But if, and it is a big if, because i personally think that it will never happen. But if Quebec does successfuly seperate from Canada, and tries to strike it on its own as the Republic of Quebec, would it survive?

Quebecers already enjoy being the highest taxed people in all of North America. If Quebec did seperate, those taxes would only go up. As the Population of Quebec could not support its current standard of living, without the rest of Canada to fall back on.

And what of all the Anglophones who would move out of Quebec? further reducing the population of working quebecers. My father bolted Quebec in the 70's when the seperatist got a hold of power, and basically made being english a crime.

And not to mention that as the boomer age, there workforce, (source of tax dollars) would shrink...so there would need to be more people moving into the country to replace those who are retiring...but again, who wants to move to a country with such high taxes? And who can afford to have three children with such high taxes?

I personally think that if Quebec does get its wish and becomes independant, it would slip into a third world state, and the economy would crash and they would beg on there hands and knees to become Canadian again..

And lets not forget, the majority of Quebecers do not want to leave, Canada, they want to be acknowledged as a distinct Society/culture/people whatever have you, within a country. We are talking about the remnants of New France here...

For years politicians have refused to acknowledge that, so Quebecers felt that separation was the only means they could be recognized.

However if we do the right thing, and recognize Quebec, then Sepeartism will fade away...

what is your take?

**Officer of Engineers** · 15 Jul 06,, 20:34

You're asking the wrong people here. Most here are Americans and they fought the Civil War. That should answer your question on their take.

**tphuang** · 15 Jul 06,, 21:55

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by recognizing Quebec. Unless we allow them to have their own parliament separate from our national parliament (like the case in Scotland), I really don't know what more we can give to Quebec.

**Canmoore** · 15 Jul 06,, 22:17

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

You're asking the wrong people here. Most here are Americans and they fought the Civil War. That should answer your question on their take.

Well whoever wants to weigh there opinion can, there are enough canucks on these boards to have a discussion...its just a matter of time before they find this thread and post

whats your take Officer?

**Canmoore** · 15 Jul 06,, 22:17

Originally Posted by tphuang

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by recognizing Quebec. Unless we allow them to have their own parliament separate from our national parliament (like the case in Scotland), I really don't know what more we can give to Quebec.

what i mean is not to give Quebec powers to govern itself, but to recognize Quebec as a distinct culture, within Canada.

**T-bone** · 15 Jul 06,, 23:30

Yes Quebec would survive, but I am not sure if the standard of living would go down. Luxembourg has a higher of standard of living than Canada *, so why can`t Quebec?

* Based on the UN Human Development Index (HDI) what is a comparative measure of poverty, literacy, education, life expectancy, childbirth, and other factors for countries worldwide.

**tphuang** · 15 Jul 06,, 23:44

Originally Posted by Canmoore

what i mean is not to give Quebec powers to govern itself, but to recognize Quebec as a distinct culture, within Canada.

I think we basically do that already. In order to protect their culture, they have discriminatory laws in their province like the one that prevent non-anglophone children from going to an English speaking schools. You would never see things like that in any of the other provinces.

**Canmoore** · 16 Jul 06,, 00:23

Originally Posted by T-bone

Yes Quebec would survive, but I am not sure if the standard of living would go down. Luxembourg has a higher of standard of living than Canada *, so why can`t Quebec?

* Based on the UN Human Development Index (HDI) what is a comparative measure of poverty, literacy, education, life expectancy, childbirth, and other factors for countries worldwide.

That doesnt mean much

Luxembourg has highest per capita GDP of any other country in the world at $72,945. Howecer there gross GDP is only $29.37 billion, and a population of 465,000.

Compare to the NorthWest Territories, where the largest employer are the Diamond mines. With a population of only 42,944. NWT has GDP per capita of $94,953. Thats even higher than Luxembourgs...however NWT's Gross GDP is only $4,083 billion

Quebec has a GDP of 274.863 billion, and a population of 7,598,100. Its GDP per capita is $36,175, which is 9th compared to the other 13 provinces and territories.

Quebecers are taxed heavily, due there there extensive social programs. When cut off from Canada, these taxes will rise even further, making Quebec an undesirable place to live, driving living standards down, I do not believe that Quebec would survive very long on its own.

**Canmoore** · 16 Jul 06,, 00:27

Originally Posted by tphuang

I think we basically do that already. In order to protect their culture, they have discriminatory laws in their province like the one that prevent non-anglophone children from going to an English speaking schools. You would never see things like that in any of the other provinces.

yeah but itsa joke, most people talk english anyways. Ive always wondered if Quebec world turn into a dictatorship if gained independance... lol English concentration camps....

**T-bone** · 16 Jul 06,, 00:56

Originally Posted by Canmoore

That doesnt mean much

True, but my point was Quebec would survive if Luxembourg does. Give me one reason why Luxembourg would survive and Quebec would not? Quebec would have to adapt but I think it would survive.

**tphuang** · 16 Jul 06,, 02:34

Originally Posted by T-bone

True, but my point was Quebec would survive if Luxembourg does. Give me one reason why Luxembourg would survive and Quebec would not? Quebec would have to adapt but I think it would survive.

Quebec would survive, but it's economy is going to take a tumble without Ontario and Alberta piggy-banking it. You can imagine if Quebec leaves, then the rich anglophone class probably will start deserting for other provinces. Not the greatest thing for the Quebec economy.

**Prairie Canuck** · 16 Jul 06,, 18:22

Just some observations/questions on my part.
-The St. Lawrence seaway is a major economic route, great lakes states and Ontario are dependent on it. It would fall within the republic of Quebec.
-A large part of the population in and around Montreal do not support separation.
-There are many examples of corruption within present and past Quebec governments and in concert with Quebec business, would this increase without the rest of Canada keeping watch?
-Economically, Quebec has the potential to be more than capable of being it's own country but only if it retains all on the land within it's present borders.
-First Nations, most importantly in the north, have made it clear they want no part of a seperate Quebec.
-Is there enough opposition with the combined first nations and "anglos" for violence and could it escalate to civil war?
-The big question, How would the U.S. react to a "new" country on its northern border. Seperatists are already isolationist in nature and unfortunately used to being pandered to.

**Canmoore** · 17 Jul 06,, 01:55