If there's one thing I'd like to say to separatists, it's simply this: you underestimate how emotional this issue is for the rest of Canada. For English Canadians. Time and again I've read in this thread how it is emotional for Quebecers- well, it is for the rest of us, too. We're just as passionate for Canada as a whole as you are for only Quebec. We love this nation, and that includes loving the Quebecois.
The reality of the fact is that colonialism is dead. British colonialism, British imperialism, British patriotism- all dead. English Canadians do not see themselves as British anymore, they see themselves as Canadians. English Canadians do not question the right of Quebec to be French and retain French culture- they've got no problem with it. The idea that they should have the right to question it, or that they should attempt to influence Quebec to make it more English wouldn't even enter their minds. Only those on the outermost fringe would argue such things, and the rest of us would be disgusted at the lack of respect of democratic rights of our fellow Canadians to have their culture and live it as they see fit.
Much of the separatist movement as I understand it is based on historical grievances against British colonialism, and they are legitimate grievances. However, the reality on the ground has changed since those times, and I think the language divide has played a strong role in preventing the Quebecois from seeing how most English Canadians really think and feel. To leave Canada now because of the grievances of the past, at a time when Quebec is arguably in its best position ever in terms of its ability to retain its culture, is simply unnecessary. When so much success has been attained in confederation, why break it up?
There's a simple old story about a father teaching his sons the power of unity. He had his sons take up one stick and asked them to break it. They did so with ease. The father then asked them to take up several sticks and try to break those, and despite their efforts, it wasn't possible. The moral is obvious- there is strength in numbers. When Canadians are now with you, why desert them? I will not say that Quebec as an independent nation is incapable of success, but I think it is entirely fair to assert that what we can achieve together is greather than what any one of us can achieve separately.
I believe part of the real reason why Quebec separatism has reached such a point is because of the overall lack of vision in Ottawa. We have had such horrible leaders for such a long time, and can any of them be said to have had a real vision for our nation? What is it that Canada is achieving, what are we doing next, where do we want to go? We need concrete answers to those questions, and I'm certain I'm not the only Canadian to feel disillusioned on those points. The Quebecois are rightly feeling this lack of leadership in Ottawa, and if they're not getting it there, I suppose they're providing it for themselves! Building a new country, being able to participate in history, being personally responsible for shaping the lives of the future- it must be incredibly intoxicating. No wonder this vacuum of vision in Ottawa coincides with a rise in Quebec separatism!
And this is the crux of why English Canadians so resent separatists-in some respects you are doing exactly what we wish to do. Not separating, but the building of a nation. This has been horribly lacking in Canadian politics for too long in my opinion, and the thought that rather than invigorating the process here in this nation you are leaving us behind to do it all on your own, without a care of what will happen to us, is a smack in the face. English Canadians do care about Quebec and want to work with you to build a great nation, separatists don't care to participate in the process and would rather build the wall of a nation between us and them, and we're powerless to do anything about it despite the fact this concerns us directly. I think the Quebecois would feel the same way in our position.
You can't blame the son for the sins of the father. There were discriminatory and mean policies against the Quebecois for generations, and I support them in their fight for equality and redress. I support ensuring the federal government treats them with equality and respect. To blame the current generation, though, for what's happened in the past and leave on that justification is unfair. I am unconvinced that what Quebec can achieve as an independent nation is impossible within Canada, or that what we can achieve together is less beneficial to all of us than what we can achieve independently.
