Tom Mulcair says Quebec independence risks hurting middle class

[mentalfloss]

Tom Mulcair says Quebec independence risks hurting middle class

Federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair criticized Quebec sovereignty on Tuesday but also brandished the nationalist card by promising Quebecers a special status in Canada if his party forms the government in this fall's election.

Quebec separating from Canada would hurt the middle class, Mulcair told reporters after a visit to a Quebec City microbrewery one day before Wednesday's Fete nationale, a celebration often used by sovereigntists to rally support for their cause.

Independence is "a vision that risks really hurting the middle class," Mulcair said, adding his goal in politics is to "help families" as opposed to "making them suffer through constitutional wrangling."

But Mulcair, who was environment minister under a previous Quebec Liberal government, reminded reporters of his party's so-called Sherbrooke Declaration of 2005, a document that stated Quebec should be granted "specific powers and room for manoeuvring."

With that declaration, the party endorsed the principle of recognizing a referendum victory by the sovereigntist Yes side, even if it were by a majority of 50 per cent plus one.

That clashes with the federal Clarity Act, which calls for the need for a "clear majority."

Moreover, the declaration offers "asymmetrical federalism," meaning Quebec would be given the right to opt out of federal programs that touch on provincial jurisdiction. Quebec would also receive "full compensation."

..more...

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/politics/t...pendence-risks-hurting-middle-class-1.3125589

 

[petros]

Special status? Short bus special?

Section 15 - Equality Rights
Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

 

[mentalfloss]

Was there a point you were trying to make?

 

[petros]

Nobody is special. Especially Québécois.

 

[mentalfloss]

Neither was Alberta when they were getting transfer payments from the rest is the country.

 

[Corduroy]

Everybody is special. Quebec is a precious little snowflake. Alberta is a precious little snowflake. But nowadays, thanks to the Harper Government, snowflake-ownership is out of reach for the MIDDLE CLASS.

FAMILIES
TAX DOLLARS

 

[petros]

Pay off your credit cards and the mortgage people will hold the door open for you.

More and more don't qualify thanks to their debt load.