Quebec is one of my favourite provinces. It’s our country’s leading example of passion and Frenchness, two things I love deeply. Whether it’s through cultural preservation, students protesting tuition costs, or general indignation about goodness knows what, Quebec represents much of our nation’s vivre and spirit. It’s a riot!
However, sometimes we err in thinking that all Quebec has to offer is passion and Frenchness; this is not so. Although, I can see how you might have made that conclusion; I mean, how can you think too deeply when there’s a croissant in your mouth?
Western Canada is pathetically lacking in understanding, participating, and celebrating our French heritage. The French are, after all, one of the founding nations from which our country came. Had we been a little more respectful of our shared history, we would have effective bilingualism and unified nationalism. Personally, I’m as anti-separatist as the day is long, but I can understand why so many Quebecers feel that way if they’ve been bullied by an illegitimate authority into doing things they don’t agree with or weren’t consulted on.
Quebec leads Canada in political influence and cultural richness, but why does it matter to British Columbians? If not because of the vast heartbreak that would be the disestablishment of a great nation and the notion of conflict conquering over peace, then let it matter because of the problems that would ensue if Quebec did separate.
I’m talking about the big bad hole in a crucial part of Canada, accessibility to the eastern provinces, the question of free trade with Quebec, new currency, citizenship; sometimes we fail to see the long-term results, or, rather, fail to distrust the US and their intentions. Here’s what I mean.
As the recent controversial bill in the proposed Quebec Charter of Values demonstrates, the separatist party attempts to gain a majority vote from rural Quebec, those living outside of multicultural areas, voting in favour of restricting religious expression. With a majority they can have the power to separate; this is bad news if you like a united Canada from sea to sea to sea. The French, for lack of a better term, are “all buddy-buddy” with America, and the way I see it, as soon as America enters a situation it’s usually a bad thingÉ but this is not a why-I-hate-America article, not today.
Should nuclear World War III, or an apocalypse of any sort, break out (or, even just better opportunity to steal our fish, oil, trees, and other natural resources), you can bet America will use the strategic placement of Quebec, if they haven’t already taken it over by then.
So the question becomes not if you consider Quebec an important and foundational part of the heart of Canada, but if you really want the USA taking over our land.
Vive le Canada unifie!