Ah, Durry.........a tempest in a teapot. I would expect something like this simply because many of Jack's 'kids' are so new to the game. I don't put this on him at all and hope it can be cleared up quickly. If indeed, the 'rumors' are true.
Quebec's flirt with the NDP
- Thread starter s_lone
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Ah, Durry.........a tempest in a teapot. I would expect something like this simply because many of Jack's 'kids' are so new to the game. I don't put this on him at all and hope it can be cleared up quickly. If indeed, the 'rumors' are true.
Flirt? I'd say they consumated. 
And I don't think anyone should read too much into this as far as separtism goes either. A federal separtist party sitting in Ottawa neither helps nor hinders separation. While Quebec is a part of Canada, and they are a part of Canada, it seems logical to pursue federal representation that can actually affect the direction of the nation. At least that's how I read the switch from Bloc to NDP.
And I don't think anyone should read too much into this as far as separtism goes either. A federal separtist party sitting in Ottawa neither helps nor hinders separation. While Quebec is a part of Canada, and they are a part of Canada, it seems logical to pursue federal representation that can actually affect the direction of the nation. At least that's how I read the switch from Bloc to NDP.
The land is ours! The people can do as they wish but we don't have to give them anymore than is due all the other provinces and I see from your previous posts that you agree. It isn't as if they are going to dig up the ground or anything - they can't physically take the province out of Canada, lone wolf. And, as I have said before, if there are people who are not happy with the way things are here, they have every opportunity to pack their bags and leave.
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I agree. Quebec is no more special than any other province. But it's your job to demand the privileges for your own province. We won't give a hoot if other provinces have the same privileges. We'll actually be thinking "good for you for standing up to the federal government.''
I don't disagree with a thing you've said. I see a separate Quebec as a fractured Quebec just as much as I see Canada as a fractured and dysfunctional nation if there is no room for some compromise. Re-opening any talk means the door is open. If there can be no reasonably acceptable compromise, then it is time to dissolve the marriage once and for all.
Here's an article that clearly explains why the Bloc's demise shouldn't be interpreted as the end of separatism.
Demise of the Bloc may mean a rise of separatism
Demise of the Bloc may mean a rise of separatism
As does your response ... but I've come to expect that. Can you establish Wednesday's lottery numbers?
THIS was the question:
MONTREAL — A little-noticed private member's bill that died a quiet death when the federal election was called has found new life as the NDP's blueprint for the delicate task of legislating language rights in Quebec.
Party leader Jack Layton told a popular Quebec talk show last weekend that his priorities for the next parliamentary session include tabling legislation that protects French-speaking employees in federally regulated industries.
French-speaking employees of banks, interprovincial transportation and telecommunication companies would have the right to work and communicate in their native tongue.
"The idea would be simply to provide in the federally regulated workforce in Quebec the same language rights that exist in the provincially regulated workforce," said the NDP's Quebec lieutenant, Thomas Mulcair, who tabled C-455 in 2009.
With the NDP caucus now composed of a majority of Quebecers, there will be real pressure from within the party to uphold the promise.
The potential political benefits were made evident by the ovation Layton received during his French-language TV appearance. The NDP also proudly points out that its approach has been endorsed by at least one of the authors of the original Bill 101.
The Canadian Bankers Association, for instance, said its members already make a point of providing services in French. "Banks are in the customer service business and provide service to their customers in the languages that are spoken in different communities across the country," the association said in a statement to The Canadian Press.
"Most of the banks' customers and employees in Quebec speak French and it makes sense, both from a business and employee relations standpoint, for the banks to communicate with their French-speaking employees in their first or chosen language."
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When I went to Quebec City a few years ago, I noticed that the stereotype that the French were rude to anglophones only really applied to those that did not make an attempt to speak French. Even when I fuddled, as long as I made a legitimate attempt the first time around, they were very nice and appreciative.
They take the language extremely seriously, and if Jacques panders to that alone, he should be able to have their support. Turning the language issue into a business prospect gives this push a lot of credibility for both Quebec and Canada.
This is a very ambitious move if he can make on this promise as it supports Quebec and Canada, without favouring the separatists.
Party leader Jack Layton told a popular Quebec talk show last weekend that his priorities for the next parliamentary session include tabling legislation that protects French-speaking employees in federally regulated industries.
French-speaking employees of banks, interprovincial transportation and telecommunication companies would have the right to work and communicate in their native tongue.
"The idea would be simply to provide in the federally regulated workforce in Quebec the same language rights that exist in the provincially regulated workforce," said the NDP's Quebec lieutenant, Thomas Mulcair, who tabled C-455 in 2009.
With the NDP caucus now composed of a majority of Quebecers, there will be real pressure from within the party to uphold the promise.
The potential political benefits were made evident by the ovation Layton received during his French-language TV appearance. The NDP also proudly points out that its approach has been endorsed by at least one of the authors of the original Bill 101.
The Canadian Bankers Association, for instance, said its members already make a point of providing services in French. "Banks are in the customer service business and provide service to their customers in the languages that are spoken in different communities across the country," the association said in a statement to The Canadian Press.
"Most of the banks' customers and employees in Quebec speak French and it makes sense, both from a business and employee relations standpoint, for the banks to communicate with their French-speaking employees in their first or chosen language."
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When I went to Quebec City a few years ago, I noticed that the stereotype that the French were rude to anglophones only really applied to those that did not make an attempt to speak French. Even when I fuddled, as long as I made a legitimate attempt the first time around, they were very nice and appreciative.
They take the language extremely seriously, and if Jacques panders to that alone, he should be able to have their support. Turning the language issue into a business prospect gives this push a lot of credibility for both Quebec and Canada.
This is a very ambitious move if he can make on this promise as it supports Quebec and Canada, without favouring the separatists.
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I have a feeling that they younger people coming up in Quebec will have a much different agenda than the separitists.
All the hoo-haw about preseving the French language and culture will not be so important to the youngsters. They are more in touch with what goes on in the rest of the world than the old-timers, and will probably see that the old ways are untimately holding them back. The rest of the world is speaking English and inter-imingling culturally. Quebekers who want to hold onto the old ways will be at a disadvantage.
That is my prediction. If it's wrong, and the separatists start up again, I would favour letting them go WITHOUT taking our money and support with them. Let's see how well they do on their own! The rest of Canada would sure be better off without the costs of bilingualism.
All the hoo-haw about preseving the French language and culture will not be so important to the youngsters. They are more in touch with what goes on in the rest of the world than the old-timers, and will probably see that the old ways are untimately holding them back. The rest of the world is speaking English and inter-imingling culturally. Quebekers who want to hold onto the old ways will be at a disadvantage.
That is my prediction. If it's wrong, and the separatists start up again, I would favour letting them go WITHOUT taking our money and support with them. Let's see how well they do on their own! The rest of Canada would sure be better off without the costs of bilingualism.
I think you're making the mistake of assuming that in order to want to protect the French the language in Quebec, one must necessarily be a separatist.
It's a fact that the younger generation does not view Quebec's absolute sovereignty as a priority. But that doesn't mean they don't want to preserve their French language and culture.
Asked and answered. Dont come crying to me if you dont like answer. The fact is the tories won more seats than the ndp so what you are trying to imply is meaningless and worthless unless you can establish repeatablilty.
s_lone;4: The Quebec vote is very volatile and I see it as a symptom of Quebecers being in search of where they stand as a nation. The dream of having a Quebec country has never been fulfilled neither has the dream of Quebec being successfully included in Canada. So long as neither of these options is fulfilled I think Quebec vote will be volatile and rather unpredictable. .[/QUOTE said:
Answered ... like a Tory. Naturally a question you can't answer without questioning yourself will draw a tippy-toe around it - with some appearance of a response. That's glib politics in the truest sense. Actually, it does mean something because there is an NDP in that seat. So what if your lords and masters got more of them. It only has to happen once.
Barring the sudden appearance of another viable alternative, the PQ will surely be the beneficiaries of the almost inevitable trashing that Quebec's provincial Liberals will take in the next election. In addition, Pauline Marois' 93% approval rating was based on a much more aggressive platform indicating that the party core supporters at least are ready to start pushing when the chance arrives. Neither of these two events necessarily indicate increased support for sovereigntiy in la belle province but they are two crucial parts in what could easily develop into a serious constitutional discussion.
If A PQ majority gets elected on a platform that resembles what was presented at the party's conference then they will look to enact additional French language legislation. If Layton should choose to keep the constitution question alive (nagging) then I suspect every "no" the Prime Minister gives will create sovereignty support in Quebec. While current polls don't place a yes vote within reach (or even as a priority within Quebec) the whole situation really looks like it has the potential to head that way fast.
Sure, if you want to sit in a vacumm, it is totally aceptable to draw conclusions from one event.
However, out here in the real world a conclusion established by one event is simply not stronger than a conclusion established from multiple events, or - as mentioned before - a single event with established repeatability.