Scenario: Separation of Québec

[FiveParadox]

:arrow: The Scenario

1. The Government of the Province of Québec has passed a referendum on the issue of sovereignty, with sixty-one percent of the vote in favour of separation.
2. The Leader of the Bloc Québecois, Gilles Duceppe, demands that the Government immediately table a constitutional amendment in the House for the separation of Québec so that it can be debated and voted upon; the Government agrees, out of respect for the Québecois referendum, for the purpose of debate — experts expect the bill to fail almost immediately.
3. Through an unexpected truce between the Bloc Québecois and rogue members of the Opposition, the piece of legislation unexpectedly passes third reading.
4. The Senate of Canada, without the authority to permanently block an amendment to the Constitution, has no choice after a certain period of time to respect the judgement of the House of Commons.
5. The Governor General of Canada, in a controversial decision, decides to grant her consent to the legislation.
6. The Government of Canada is soon thereafter defeated on a motion of non-confidence, and the Governor General dissolves the House of Commons as per constitutional convention.

:arrow: The Question

At the time of this question, the House is dissolved.

Section 56 of the Constitution Act, 1867, provides a mechanism by which the Queen of Canada (not the Governor General) may "veto" legislation that has already been enacted.

Should the Queen of Canada, entering into the realm of governance-related affairs, veto the Act passed in Parliament if requested to do so by the Government, keeping in mind that the same Government had lost the confidence of the House of Commons?

Yes; or
No.

:!: Added Note Obviously, adding a reason for your choice would be appreciated.

 

[s_lone]

The Queen can do whatever she wants but Quebecers will only laugh at her and almost feel sorry for her if she really tries to stop seperation.

She certainly would have the right to voice her opinion on how she finds Quebec's seperation regretful but never in the world would Quebecers ever respect her "authority".

 

[Jay]

With all do respect to her Majesty the Queen, I would advise her to say out of Quebec politics. She isn't welcome there, and Quebec is far more deserving of independence than many of the far lesser states that have received it in the last 40 years....

If she does stay out of it, Quebec would probably continue in the Commonwealth after seperation.

 

[FiveParadox]

Extent of Separation

To what extent, though, would Québec separate? Would they choose to remain members of the Commonwealth? Would the tradition of having a Governor General under the Queen of Canada (well, she would also become the Queen of Québec)? I would find the latter to be unlikely, considering their history.

I would agree that Her Majesty would be well-advised to avoid involving herself in matters relating to Québec; perhaps if it were a matter of national imperative, such as a Government that had gone out of control, or a Government attempting to suspend human rights or to destroy our democratic institutions, then such action may be more warranted.

 

[Finder]

I highly doubt they would remain apart of the common wealth, since it is one of the things they really don't or ever have liked. Remember at first the British were conqourers, and they were not nice all the time. Surpressing catholicism, forcing the french to take oaths to a foreign queen. Really English society and business also dominated quebec for a long time. Plus when Lower and Upper Canada where forced together, the parliment was 50/50 even though Lower Canada (Quebec) had more then 3 times the population of Upper Canada (Ontario). Quebec has a long history of not liking the British, and well english Canada. Canada's saving grace or at least english Canada's is that we've tried very hard in the last 80 years to make things right, plus even many of the British GG's had respect towards the French peoples as they were not as troublesome as the English speaking ones, especially the thirteen colonies down south.

 

[Jay]

Re: Extent of Separation

To what extent, though, would Québec separate?

I think English Canada has made it pretty clear (as ignorant as it is) that it is an all or nothing deal. Quebec seemingly would entertain an association with Canada, but Canada isn't smart enough to realize the benefit of this.

Would they choose to remain members of the Commonwealth?

I wonder if they would....I know if I was leading a "free" Quebec, I would remain part of the Commonwealth for international reasons. It is another avenue to have your voice heard.

Would the tradition of having a Governor General under the Queen of Canada (well, she would also become the Queen of Québec)? I would find the latter to be unlikely, considering their history.

I don't think they would find much use for having The Queen as their head of state.

 

[TheEggman]

RE: Scenario: Separation

In the case of a scenario where Ottawa would repatriate the constitution without Quebec's agreement, would the Queen veto the constitution ?

Wait.. it already happened, and the Queen didn't. Oh well..

 

[Doryman]

Re: RE: Scenario: Separation of Québec

With all do respect to her Majesty the Queen, I would advise her to say out of Quebec politics. She isn't welcome there, and Quebec is far more deserving of independence than many of the far lesser states that have received it in the last 40 years....

If she does stay out of it, Quebec would probably continue in the Commonwealth after seperation.

I sincerely doubt the Queen would really care that much, now that you mention it. Especially Quebec stays in the commonwealth. It woudn't be that much of a change for the Monarchy, except they may have to appoint a new GG for the Country of Quebec.

 

[Jay]

I'm not under the impression that commonwealth countries need a GG...am I wrong?

 

[Doryman]

Re: RE: Scenario: Separation of Québec

I'm not under the impression that commonwealth countries need a GG...am I wrong?

Oh. Sorry about that. I always assumed that Commonwealth countries had GG's appointed by the Crown, but I've never really heard if it's true or not. Simply an assumption.

 

[Jay]

I don't think it is a necessary component of being in the commonwealth.

 

[FiveParadox]

Unnecessary

No, it's not a prerequisite to become a country of the Commonwealth; however, since Québec currently has an Honourable Lieutenant-Governor, I wondered if they would choose to maintain such an office in the event that they attained sovereignty.

 

[Jay]

I can't imagine they would....I would imagine they would elect a president or a PM.