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notyoueither
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of naught
Aug 2001
time: 22:18
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Many years ago, more than you have fingers and toes, the British conquered Quebec. The Territory, the city, and the cr*pper. It is rumoured that they deployed secret Wolf units to overcome the French.
Poor George (the funny guy with the pointy thing on his head in London) didn't have enough soldiers to go around so the British had to rule their new lands without p*ssing off Le Habitants (sp). So they allowed them to continue to enjoy most of their laws, customs and religion.
At the time of the American War of Independence (Revolution to the rest of us in the Empire) there was a Lower Canada and an Upper Canada as British colonies stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of St. Lawrence (down the river in simple terms). The settlers of Lower Canada were British in laws, customs and religion(s). The people of Upper Canada preferred to debate the finer points of philosophy with the beaver in French. The two Canada's (along with the British Maritime colonies) quite sensibly declined to participate with the American colonies in their revolt. The British colonies thought tea is for drinking. While Le Habitants just think that all Anglos are crazy and would have nothing to do with a band of rebels who didn't speak French.
So by 1865 you have Quebec (Upper Canada) and Ontario (Lower Canada) along with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island getting around to discussing a Confederation. Good idea. One problem. Remember those terms that the British afforded the inhaibants of the conquered Quebec? Yeah, them. Well, they had been made official through various acts of Parliament over the years and Jean and Joan were not going to give them up. At any rate, the discussions proved fruitful and differences were glossed over.
Thus in 1867 the Dominion of Canada came into being. Only thing was that the French fact was recognized in the constitution. To this day, in any part of Canada, anybody is entitled by law to an education in French. Yes, even if you're the only French family for 1000 miles. This gives some local authorities some difficulties from time to time.
Things went really well for a long time. Mostly. There were bumbs in the road, but the Dominion grew and prospered. Before long there were 9 provinces stretched from sea to sea. Settlement of the West was accomplished by both British and French citizens along with many people directly from various European and Asian countries. So you see, the French are everywhere, however they are only a majority in Quebec.
The multi-cultural politics of Canada are very complex. They defy a simple explanation. What I have mentioned is the background for how they came to be. Will Quebec leave? That is the question that a lot of us want answered with some finality. The question has been on the burner since the 1960's. The only probable certainty is that the Quebec nationalists will try again. But maybe not. The generations age. Perhaps the younger people of Quebec will lose interest.
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Asher
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Calgary, Alberta
Nov 1999
time: 22:18
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quote:
Originally posted by KrazyHorse
You're eternally making the assumption that politicians treat entire provinces as blocs. Most provinces will swing from party to party. Alberta simply ticks off for whoever's platform is farthest-right. There's no point to campaigning there. |
It doesn't take much to see that Chretien hates Alberta.
He doesn't campaign here, I don't care for his reasons.
He spread monumental amounts of FUD about Bill 11 to the point of brainwashing literally every Canadian outside of Alberta into thinking it was to privatize Alberta's healthcare. He claimed it was against the law federally, when it turns out he was blatantly wrong (as usual), regarding the entire matter. Did he apologize and let the rest of Canada know how wrong he was? Nope, let's sweep it under the rug...
He constantly heckles Alberta's premier over provincial politics, threatening to pull federal funding if things don't go his way (such as bill 11)...
Then there's Trudeau's NEP which single handedly tossed Alberta into a recession immediately, before he eventually lifted it...
The list is huge, much larger than Quebec's superficial rants because they're a "distinct culture". Boo hoo.
Because the current federal government knows that Alberta won't vote for them, they seem to think they can do whatever they want with Alberta since they're not getting votes there anyway. I can see people trying to rationalize this, and it does make sense politically for them, but it alienates the entire province. Much more than Quebec is alienated because many people there speak French. Hell, most prime ministers come from Quebec. They've got a huge voice in how this country works, Alberta has next to no say. Considering how different Alberta is politically from the rest of the country, it makes much more sense for Alberta to want to secede from the country rather than Quebec.
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06-04-2002 23:59
There's much more reason for Alberta to complain than Quebec, anyone can see that. Alberta has reasons, Quebec has an inferiority complex.
Right, you say that right after you get done complaing about how you think you aren't as important as Ontario or Quebec, and how the goverment is shafting you. 
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