langeweile said:
1/ Just a gut feel, but I sense the Quebec issue has had its critical peak. After living through 1980s and 90s economic depression, I dont think Quebecers really want to go that route again - they made their point, and its time for the pendumlum to swing the other way. The English and the rest of Canada did play to heavy on them for decades - in ways you can only appreciate if you understand it on a personal level. Mill workers were french, management were always English - thats the way it is, and there was very little advancement. You could not speak French in the head office of the Royal Bank in Canada in Montreal without threat of being fired. Little thinkgs like that. Separation risks hurt all of Canada, with the $CAD being pounded, foreign investment cautious (they feared a US type Civil war) - and we all paid the price - so Quebec had extorted significant sums of money from the other provinces to make them happy, leading to resentment. My sense is that the PQ will never be close to 50% again in a referendum - the young of today are much more international and connected.
2/ The Not withstanding Clause is intersting that you would refernce that. The reason it was inserted was becasue of Alberta, not Quebec, although Quebec has used it. Canada is a Federal state, meaning we like thing central. That we call our founding father the "Fathers of Confederation" is hilarious. The US is a true Confederation - meaning increased state control. Quebec opted out of the CPP and has done a fairly good job using the Casse/QPP to promote investment in Quebec. They wanted to kill two birds with one stone, domestic investment and improvments to the pension plan - time will tell if it is a good process. They regarded it as critical to their development, the clause allows a province to opt out if they feel strongly about some issue - seems fair.
3/ Danny Williams, Premier of NFLD pulled what appears to be a typcially Canadian stunt last week. NFLD gets equalization payments from Ontartio and Alberta in order that we may have comperable social programs across Canada, unlike the US for instance where Alabama would have different programs than NY. So now that he has offshore oil revenues - he wants those revenues kept separate and outside the calclulation - so that he has the checks coming from Ottawa, plus his own income on the side. This is truly Canadian and a real weakenss in our pysche. Canada is a greatr place to have no job, and live in relative comfort in the place of your choosing. Unlike the US - where you actually get off your ass and move to opportunity.
I have lived in both the US and Canada. If you want to understand the difference between Canada and the US - consider two things. Our slogan is "peace order and good govt" - it says alot. The other is go the Niagara Falls. As you drive from Niagara on the Lake to the Falls, notice on the Canadian side we have developed a park system with a running/biking trail between the road and the river - designed for all to enjoy. Cast your eyes across to the US - where private property and fence lines allow no one - except for the very few, access to one of natures great scenes.
