Which Canada is Canada?

[AnthonyByakko]

So, recently there's been some more hoopla regarding le Quebecois. As far as I've heard it, Canada will be recognizing Quebec as some kind of protectorate state within it's borders. Hopefully some of you Canucks will shed some proverbial light on the situation. I mean, I can understand not wanting Quebec to be too closely associated with Canada - somehow, they manage to give Canaducks an even worse name, right? But seriously folks, Quebec is teh gay. What say you?

[Soara]

Canadians don't have a bad name. Other than "friendly." It's the Americans who have a bad name.

[Jayelle]

I resent the use of that word as a generalization.


Canaduck is my avatar. Not the people of Canada.

[Rei]

I mean, I can understand not wanting Quebec to be too closely associated with Canada - somehow, they manage to give Canaducks an even worse name, right?

*snrk*

That aside, from what I understand, Harper is recognising the Quebec people as a nation, much like how any people group forms a nation, within the state that is Canada. So he is not accepting them as a political nation, but as a cultural nation with its own personality and such. Beyond that, I am really not certain.

[AnthonyByakko]

That's what I was looking for, Rei. So it's somewhat akin (on a larger scale) to Native American tribes in the states - still subject to the laws and whatnot, but recognized "culturally" as their own nation?

[AnthonyByakko]

I resent the use of that word as a generalization.


Canaduck is my avatar. Not the people of Canada.

I was reading The Onion and they had this wierd article about Condoleeza Rice practicing diplomacy in the bathtub, and one of the other "diplomats" was her rubber duck - a cool looking guy with shades. That's what made me think of Canaduck.

[eriador]

So it's somewhat akin (on a larger scale) to Native American tribes in the states - still subject to the laws and whatnot, but recognized "culturally" as their own nation?

...except that indians in the states are actually their own nations, who exclusively control their territory, but are seen as a part of the union. I think that Rei was saying that the Quebecois are solely a cultural nation, but legally are no different.

[AnthonyByakko]

So it's somewhat akin (on a larger scale) to Native American tribes in the states - still subject to the laws and whatnot, but recognized "culturally" as their own nation?

...except that indians in the states are actually their own nations, who exclusively control their territory, but are seen as a part of the union. I think that Rei was saying that the Quebecois are solely a cultural nation, but legally are no different.

I don't know what you know about Native tribes, but they don't "exclusively control" anything. They have a beaurocracy for their land, food and other programs/committees, but not exclusive control of their territory.

[eriador]

i meant that the land on indian reservations is seen as "indian land" and not state controlled land. hence indian casinos

[AnthonyByakko]

i meant that the land on indian reservations is seen as "indian land" and not state controlled land. hence indian casinos

True enough, perceptions are quite different. I'm just saying that, in reality, it's still the state's land.

[eriador]

but legally...

i know, it is really still the states land, but american indians have more legal rights than canada is giving Quebec.

[AnthonyByakko]

i know, it is really still the states land, but american indians have more legal rights than canada is giving Quebec.

Well of course. Quebecois are inbred French hicks: you can't give them too much freedom.

[eriador]

reminds me of my french class last year:

friend: *says something grammatically incorrect*
teacher: that's like saying "I are ...."
friend: Are there french people who talk like that?
teacher: oui
friend: what are they called
me: Quebecois!

[hive_king]

Stop making fun of Quebec so much. Hasn't anyone told you about Newfoundland?

[eriador]

no. but don't they speak english there?

[VelvetElvis]

I haven't found it yet.

[AnthonyByakko]

I haven't found it yet.

ZING

[jotabe]

Honestly, i think that the solutions Canada finds for the Quebecois nationality within its borders is very imaginative and looks ideal.

[Rei]

no. but don't they speak english there?

That probably depends on your definition of English. I'm willing to bet I'd have an easier time understanding Quebecois English.

[eriador]

So english in name only?

[hive_king]

Do you have that one relative that's part of your family, and you have to be nice to because he's family, but as far as you're concerned could sink into the Atlantic? That's Newfoundland.

[eriador]

so you like newfoundland less than quebec?

[hive_king]

There's people who like Newfoundland?

[Ithilien]

Much as I love and adore Harper, I frankly think this idea of a nation within a "united Canada" is ridiculous. Just look at how China/Taiwan are doing!

Next thing you know, Alberta will want out, all the other prairie provinces will follow, and then maybe even the rest of the provinces/territories. Soon, only Ontario will be Canada.






Okay, I'm being melodramatic.

[Jayelle]

Don't lump the other prarie provinces with Alberta, please. Alberta is it's own entity.

[Rei]

Cascadia all the way!

[Ithilien]

Don't lump the other prarie provinces with Alberta, please. Alberta is it's own entity.

Exactly my point. They might feel endowed to follow Québec's example.

[eriador]

Cascadia all the way!

I am a proud Cascadian secessionist. It makes sense!

[jotabe]

Much as I love and adore Harper, I frankly think this idea of a nation within a "united Canada" is ridiculous. Just look at how China/Taiwan are doing!

Next thing you know, Alberta will want out, all the other prairie provinces will follow, and then maybe even the rest of the provinces/territories. Soon, only Ontario will be Canada.

And why would that be bad, exactly? Do you dream with the intangible unity of the Canadian Empire?

The reasons why China and Taiwan are doing badly are completely different from the situation in Canada:
-China is a communist totalitarism. Expansionistic and militaristic.
-Taiwan is divided between the traditional Taiwanese independentism and the Chinese Nationalists that took over Taiwan after the Communism managed to expel them from the mainland.

[Ithilien]

No, not exactly. I really don't mind if Quebec separated: hey Ontario might get more money for a change. However, this sort of "appeasement" is too much of a compromise and too little of a resolution. It just opened a door to a whole new slew of political headaches.

[Jayelle]

Ontario needs more money? What?

How about some money for us "have-not" provinces out here? You have four lane highways. We have single lane deathtraps.

[Rei]

hey Ontario might get more money for a change.

*snrk*

[Eaquae Legit]

We're the richest province already. We make our own money.

Unless you mean transfer payments. Which I'm ambivalent about. I'm generally happy to give up a bit of excess so that less lucky provinces have a chance.

Also, I happen to like Newfoundland. Though the dialect/slang does make it difficult.

[hive_king]

I say the entire west coast should secede from Canada and America and form "Pacifica".

[VelvetElvis]

Have at it. The South doesn't really like you, anyway.