F*cken Quebec

[Said1]

If the feds can't even deal with Quebec and their delusional expectations, we might as well give up now. Now I know how Selvester's son felt "my father can't even catch a mouse"

Last Friday, senior ministers in the federal and Quebec governments met to talk about an increased role for Quebec in Canada's international relations. Discussions were cordial, nothing was decided and both sides agreed to meet again in the not-too-distant future.

The topic has garnered hot denunciations from pundits and editorialists in this and other English-language papers. It also has generated a furious exchange of views between pooh-bahs Allan Gotlieb and Tom Kent over what former Quebec premier Jean Lesage and former prime minister Lester Pearson might have said to each other and to their cabinet colleagues during a similar debate in 1965, as if anyone still cared.

Quebec's demand for a stronger voice in international relations jerks the knees of English-speaking Canadians everywhere. Why bother having a national government if it cannot speak for the nation? What could be more humiliating than for Ottawa to be accompanied at international forums by a Quebec representative who might contradict the Prime Minister or his representative? What would Quebec demand next: the right to secede from a declaration of war?

Unfortunately, the facts of the situation are far removed from the arguments over it. The fact is, Quebec has a point.

The Charest government is putting forward two principal positions: First, when Ottawa negotiates agreements that involve provincial spheres of jurisdiction, Quebec and all other provinces should be consulted.

In practice, this has long been the case. Let us say that there is a global push to eliminate hydrocarbon-based power plants within five years. How could Canada sign on to any such initiative without first consulting those provinces that have coal, oil or natural-gas-fired generating stations? If Ottawa did sign the treaty, while offering no financial help to the provinces, what is the likelihood that the treaty would be implemented? Kyoto ring a bell??

Quebec is not asking for a provincial veto on foreign agreements, only a formal acknowledgement of what already happens in practice. For its part, the federal government accepts that it would be irresponsible for Ottawa to sign agreements in areas of provincial concern without first securing the co-operation of the provinces, but is reluctant to formalize the existing process.Agan,,,,,,Kyoto anyone??

If this strikes you as a question of emphasis or language more than substance, you're right.

Quebec's second demand is more problematic. It wants the ability to represent its own interests at UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Since UNESCO deals with questions of cultural preservation and since Quebec's experience is unique, goes the argument, Quebec should be able to speak on cultural matters independently of Canada. Bill 101 - what else to they freekin want??

This demand will have resonance for some within Quebec, but not for anyone else because it smacks of Canada offering two voices to the world. Whatever our family disagreements might be, the Fleur-de-lis must never be displayed at a table of national representatives. That must remain the sole prerogative of the Maple Leaf.

Ottawa will firmly adhere to that view, at least until after the next federal election. Once the ballots are counted and the rhetoric is cooled, there is every likelihood that Ottawa and the provinces will find common ground on the first demand, and that Ottawa and Quebec will reach an implicit accommodation on the second.

Absolutely, and to repeat, Canada must speak with one voice before the world. But Canada is, itself, a gaggle of voices, even at the federal level. Send the minister of natural resources to a climate-change conference, and Canada will have one position on lowering carbon-dioxide levels. Send the environment minister to the next conference, and Canada's position will dramatically change.[ Only becuase the feds have allowed this to be the case!!

The Quebec government is right -- if self-interested -- in promoting a formal mechanism for federal-provincial consultation on international questions, provided the provinces renounce any claim over a veto. That's just the kind of federation we are. No we're not. We're a squeeky wheel kinda federation. And Quebec has always been the squeekiest, in need of appeasement!

Link

 

[Mr. P]

I hated flying into anywhere in Quebec. It was like a mini-France, maybe that's the problem.

 

[Said1]

I hated flying into anywhere in Quebec. It was like a mini-France, maybe that's the problem.

That they are, but don't tell them that.

 

[Mr. P]

That they are, but don't tell them that.

I have a few funny stories I'll tell some time.

 

[Said1]

I have a few funny stories I'll tell some time.

Aw come on, est te!

 

[no1tovote4]

Said, your avatar scares me!

 

[Said1]

Said, your avatar scares me!

Bon.

 

[Mr. P]

Bon.

Stop! Rules say, english..Hehehehehehe

 

[Said1]

Stop! Rules say, english..Hehehehehehe

manger le marde or is it madre, I always spell it wrong.

 

[Mr. P]

manger le marde or is it madre, I always spell it wrong.

I dunno..But the pic sceeeerrrrrse me to. :rotflmao:

 

[Said1]

I dunno..But the pic sceeeerrrrrse me to. :rotflmao:

Talk to the hand.

Don't hate.


You're just jealous cause I'm taken, bubba. :whip3:

 

[Mr. P]

Talk to the hand.

Don't hate.


You're just jealous cause I'm taken, bubba. :whip3:

Nahhhh..Bubba be with Billy Bob...They got em a 12 pack an went to see
Mary Jane at the old barn.

 

[Said1]

Nahhhh..Bubba be with Billy Bob...They got em a 12 pack an went to see
Mary Jane at the old barn.

EEwwwww! I'm gonna kill that ho! She was supposed to give my teeth back last week!

 

[Mr. P]

EEwwwww! I'm gonna kill that ho! She was supposed to give my teeth back last week!

She didn't tell ya? She lost em, when she took em out to do somethin nasty..Then couldn't fine em...must a been the moonshine..

 

[Said1]

She didn't tell ya? She lost em, when she took em out to do somethin nasty..Then couldn't fine em...must a been the moonshine..

Huzbucket! My gran wants her's back!

 

[Mr. P]

Huzbucket! My gran wants her's back!

So ya lost grans teeff, huh? Boy are you in trouble!

 

[Nuc]

manger le marde or is it madre, I always spell it wrong.

Merde.

 

[Said1]

Merde.

Excellent.

 

[padisha emperor]

thanks Nuc

(madre : mother in spanish, not really the same thing

But it's "mange de la merde", i think (Eat some shit)

It's one of my travel dream to go in Quebec at least once.

 

[Said1]

thanks Nuc

(madre : mother in spanish, not really the same thing

But it's "mange de la merde", i think (Eat some shit)

It's one of my travel dream to go in Quebec at least once.

Oh no, french semantics.