Once Quebec goes out on its own, I propose that Canada's capital is moved from Ottawa to Victoria BC. Other good options would be Vancouver or Calgary. This would reflect the country's new balance. The capital has moved before, before Ottawa there were other cities. True the costs would be significant but it would be worth it. A commission could be set up to oversee the move. Significant buildings that have special heritage value, like the Parliament building and the Supreme court building would benefit from a special relocation fund. They would basically be carefully de-constructed, transported and rebuilt faithfully as they were (like the Abu Simbel temple in Egypt was moved). Of course it would be cheaper to build new buildings for these institutions but keeping these could be worth it, it would work to unite the country in a collective project and give it a sense of continuity. Other less significant buildings, like the PM's house or the Canada Post building would simply be put to sale. New buildings would be built or bought in Victoria. Costs for relocating foreign embassies would be at each country's expenses. As for civil workers and private businesses catering to them (hotels, real estate groups, etc.) any opportunity lost here would pop up in Victoria. Basically there would be a drop in the market for the Ottawa region and local city pressure groups would scream injustice but for the long-term sake of the country these should ignored, or compensated symbolically. Of course there are capital cities in other countries that are at a rock's throw from their neighbors, but it wouldn't be healthy here. Ottawa is too QC-oriented. The new Canada's balance of power wouldn't be there anymore. The two founding nations myth would have to be recast, the new emphasis would be rebalanced on Canada's British heritage, just like Australia, it would be turned towards the future, the West, the Pacific and its rising Asian partners. Reed Scowen's book "Time to Say Goodbye..." illustrates why we need to start thinking of this stuff.
