Xref: utzoo can.politics:1985 can.francais:80
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!alberta!ncc!myrias!dre
From: dre@myrias.UUCP (Duane Eitzen)
Newsgroups: can.politics,can.francais
Subject: Nationhood
Message-ID: <727@myrias.UUCP>
Date: 21 Dec 88 00:59:35 GMT
References: <560@cavell.UUCP> <726@myrias.UUCP>
Distribution: can
Organization: Myrias Research Corporation
Lines: 39

The language laws of Quebec brought an interesting question to mind:

  Why are Quebec and the other provinces in the same country?

Possible answers:
	Common belief in multiculturalism
		The new language laws seem to contradict this. Many Quebecois have
		clearly stated this wish to assimilate immigrants into the french
		speaking culture. 
	Defence
		Defence is now international (i.e. NATO) unlike when
		Canada was formed. I see no need (now) for nationhood
		based on defence concerns.
	Economics
		Unlike when the country was formed, international trade
		seems to work rather well, and will be getting much much
		better. Certainly no nationhood is required to share access
		to our markets. 1992 sounds alot like what Quebec wants:
		remove economic boundries but maintain seperate cultures,
		seperate laws etc. In	fact, Quebec seems to want things it
		couldn't get as an independant nation in 1992: such as
		complete control over immigration.
  Hockey
		Well ... ok.
	History and Nostalgia
		I believe that we MUST be able to justify the way we do
		things based on the current situation. I accept that there
		are people who disagree.
		
If trying to stuff Quebec and the rest of Canada in to a harmonous
nation is so difficult and painfull (and unsuccessful after over
one hundred years) why do we try?

I am not trying to be rhetorical, I would be very happy if a Quebecois
presented good reason for wanting Quebec to be in a union with the
rest of Canada. 

dre.