Thursday, March 13, 2014
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, March 13, 2014
Is the Rest of Canada still willing to fight to keep Quebec?
“Until next time!” pledges René Lévesque, after his bid for separation was soundly beaten on Referendum Night in 1980. With Quebec now beginning another election campaign — and the Parti Quebecois looking good in early polls — is Canada heading for the next time? Some are asking if it has the will to fight for Quebec one more time.
The Parti Quebecois has come a long way in the 18 months since Madame Marois came to power with a minority government. And the first poll of the campaign – conducted yesterday morning by Leger Marketing — shows the PQ with a strong lead among francophone voters. Most indications at the outset of the campaign are that she will emerge this time with a majority.
And while the PQ hasn’t committed to holding another referendum on Quebec sovereignty, Madame Marois said in February that she is a separatist and if elected she has the right to hold one if the support is there.
Popular support for that within Quebec is one thing. But nearly 20 years since since the last referendum, how energetic is the rest of Canada for another fight for Quebec?
Michael Den Tandt says the appetite to fight to keep Quebec in Canada is waning. He is a columnist with Post Media and joins us from our Ottawa studio. (Continued: CBC News)
SOCIAL MEDIA
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