Maritimes Future after Quebec Separation

If Quebec separates in name only (sovereignty association) I doubt it will affect too much. The deal they were looking for the last time this was discussed pretty much had them remaining a part of Canada, but calling themselves a sovereign state.

If Quebec is cut right off, I think the Maritimes will likely either become their own nation, driven by their new-found oil wealth; or become part of the USA.

If Quebec separated, the instability would be gone. The fight would be over; we should see a stable environment from there on.

If Quebec is cut right off, I think the Maritimes will likely either become their own nation, driven by their new-found oil wealth; or become part of the USA.

Also keep in mind that Quebec is a major (and growing) energy supplier to Ontario and to the eastern seaboard of the US.

You didn't mention CLEAN energy

Look at Alaska and Hawaii. They are hundreds of miles off the continent and they remain part of the U.S.
Saint Pierre & Miquelon is thousand of miles (km) off France and it remains part of France.

Trade: Quebec major partner is the New England (84% of exports from Quebec). The New England customers have chosen Quebec, not because we are smart or nice and clean, but because we have the products they need at a price they are willing to pay. Quebec has some very good cards in his hand to keep dealing with New England (they need our electricity.)

Currency: The ROC would most likely want (if not need to) Quebec to keep the $CAN as the local currency. Any country would hurt badly economically if they were to loose 25% of its GDP and population resulting from the split and international traders would most likely shy away from the $CAN, resulting in a very sharp decline in value for the $CAN on international markets.

IJC: As Quebec would own a fairly large span of water bordering the ROC, I think Quebec would become de-facto a IJC member.

Quebec borders: What we have is what we get. International laws are very clear on this issue.

Quebec (as a province) does not sell electricity to the U.S. and Ontario. The sales contract is with Hydro-Quebec, a crown corporation. These contracts do not need to be re-negotiated and I doubt very much the U.S. (new England states) would walk away from it in the event of a separation of Quebec. They need it and for the time being, have very few alternatives unless they built new power generating stations (coal, oil, or nuclear).

Why can't they remain in Canada? Is Canada will abandon them? Why doesn't unity have to depend on geographical position?

Yes there is a lot of French there, and I know some. Those that I know envy our independance project and would be willing to join us! But my guess is that it's not the majority.

The Maritimes/Atlantic provinces could very well stay part of Canada.
Look at Alaska and Hawaii. They are hundreds of miles off the continent and they remain part of the U.S.
Saint Pierre & Miquelon is thousand of miles (km) off France and it remains part of France.

According to the 1980 referendum and 1995 referendum, it isn't the majority in Quebec either.

Just one little argument here: Newfoundland and Labrador are one and the same entity and they own the Power Generating Systems that gave you the cheap power that you resell to New England. The latest premier of Newfoundland is a far harder bargainer than the sap who made the first electricity deal with Quebec. Good Luck on having any Nfld Power in the near future.

They are also quite clear on the self-determination of aboriginal peoples, who are likely to want to remain within Canada because that's who they've signed treaties with. those aboriginal peoples have valid claims to much of the territory where your energy comes from, btw.

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According to the 1980 referendum and 1995 referendum, it isn't the majority in Quebec either.

40-50-...

Am I the only one realizing that our world in general has changed A LOT since 1995?

They are also quite clear on the self-determination of aboriginal peoples, who are likely to want to remain within Canada because that's who they've signed treaties with. those aboriginal peoples have valid claims to much of the territory where your energy comes from, btw.

The Maritimes should consider joining the new country of Quebec. There is enough French people there. Those in the Maritimes, who don't like Quebec, can find all sorts of places in NA to move too.

Alaska is very valuable to America, both in defense and energy reserves

DasFX:

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Alaska is very valuable to America, both in defense and energy reserves

So are the Maritime/Atlantic provinces for Canada.
For your info, Halifax (Sherwater) is one of the largest military air base in Canada. Halifax harbour is also the home port of most of the "Canadian war ships" on the east coast.
As far as energy reserves are concerned, NS and NFLD have the largest energy reserves (oil) outside Alberta.
So don't discount the Atlantic/maritime region. They represent a lot for Canada.

How would these people move? Will anyone be paying their way? Remember wages/jobs suck here so move-money is not very realistic.

RevBlair:
I don't see how or why traffic in St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes would be influenced by Quebec separation. VLCS (very large cargo ships) can not go through the seaway because of their size. The port of Montreal (the No.1 Canadian container port) is used as a transhipment point where containers and merchandises are unloaded and re-loaded on smaller ships (Lakers)
Half of the traffic through the seaway is for the benefits and done by Americans as a link to the great lakes.
Most of central Canada and central U.S. depend on the seaway for their imports/exports as it is far cheaper than using trucks or rail.

I still don't get why Canada is just going to say, 'oh you want to leave, well...' and there goes a huge portion of the country. what the heck?