Quebecistan

I don't think this is going to make a great difference in Canadian affairs, but did Quebec just secede from Canada?

OTTAWA: Canada's parliament has recognised Quebec as a nation within a united Canada, backing a controversial proposal that has prompted one minister in the minority Conservative Government to quit.

The House of Commons in Ottawa voted 266 to 16 in favour of the motion, which the Government saw as a way to head off pressure from Quebec separatists who want to break away from Canada.

I view this as an arrangement very similar to the one that has existed in the US for centuries: sovereign Native American nations/reservations. Only in the Canadian exercise, instead of tax free cigarettes, you cross the border to get over-priced baguettes and surly waiters.

But critics said the proposal could bolster the separatists, and the pro-independence Bloc Quebecois said it would use the change to demand extra powers, including Quebec's right to speak at international meetings. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Michael Chong resigned over the vote, and claimed the separatists would use it to sow confusion.

It is rather confusing what was actually approved by the Canadian Parliment. While the people of Quebec are now considered a nation, the Province of Quebec is not.

On November 27, 2006, an initiative by Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper to declare Québécois (Quebeckers) a nation within a united Canada was endorsed by the Canadian House of Commons. Though appealing to some separatist sentiments, this motion only refers to the people of Quebec and not to the province itself.

So the Nation of Quebec is renting the Province of Quebec?

French-speaking Quebec already calls its legislature the Quebec National Assembly and describes Quebec City as its national capital.

Go figure. I have no idea what these loons are doing.

There are 7,125,580 people residing in the Province of Quebec, which is is very rich in natural resources. The two largest population centers in the province are the City of Quebec (pop. 528,595) and the City of Montreal (pop. 3,308,645.) Perhaps Kofi Annan can start an Oil-for-Attitude program.

Many Canadian politicians have welcomed the motion as a way of appeasing the Quebecers. But others said it risked opening the door to the break-up of Canada in years to come.

I say bring it on! We'll annex Newfoundland and Ontario and let everything west of Edmonton become part of Alaska. Montana gets the rest! Yea!