Wow, it was ten years ago tonight Canada almost stopped being Canada

[HEyHEY]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Quebec_referendum

I remember being in high school and talking in prety well every class that day with teachers about what could happen. Good little westerner that I was I had a badge on me that said, "Up yours Quebec!"
We watched a Tape of Jean Chretien's address to the nation and it was nerve shaking fun. All over the city the topic consumed every corner.
Then, that night when the CBC coverage began Peter Mansbridge's first words were, "Nervous? Feeling a little scared?"
Then I sat there and watched the whole thing unfold not knowing if I wanted Quebec to stay or go.
Then the numbers came in and the separatists were defeated. And Parizeau blamed his defeat on "Money and the ethnic vote."
And if I recall the big surprise and tie-breaker was the Island of Montreal went federal.

Memories.

Do you guys even know what I'm talking about?

[Bozita]

1. CBC's Sunday Newsnight did a segment on this topic

I don't know of replay availability.

[Davis_X_Machina]

2. We certainly do here...

...Quebec politics are a medium-sized deal here because of commerical and cultural ties. I'm closer to Quebec than I am to New York.

[HEyHEY]

4. Yeah, Maine for sure

I used to live in New Brunswick, Woodstock to be exact.

[MojoXN]

3. I do.

51% no 49% yes. THAT was a close one, wasn't it?

MojoXN

[applegrove]

5. Yup. And it could be that close again. Except I think the world has

changed so much.. they would not go all the way. In order to preserve culture they did lots of things. And gave up much. And it seems to be working within Canada. There are some issues. But they are not language or cultural ones for the most part. Business, what programs Quebecers can afford. How - when you are a linguistic minority do you attract doctors..

I don't know. Am no expert. But Montreal seems like an amazing city. And people try their best to fit in linguistically.

I'm glad for the country that we have serious issues like this to deal with - seems Canadians on the whole are not so "me, me, me" because we always need to compromise with each other.

But scary to think it was that close.

I pray the neoconservatives in Canada stop playing "politics" with issues and start acting like adults. Would be bad if the country fell apart because some yahoos got in power and were getting their political orders from the freaks in Washington.

[HEyHEY]

9. The Libs don't do a much better job of not playing politics

I couldn't believe on CBC news tonight they had some Bloc MP OUTRAGED! That Quebec is now sending more money to Ottawa than it is getting back. I wanted to yell, "HEY YOu DUMB FUCK WELCOME TO THE SHIT B.C., ALBERTA, AND ONTARIO HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH THE LAST THREE DECADES to support your fucking province!!"

[kevinbgoode]

13. Neocons never stop playing politics

They are wrapped up in their world conquering cultural war.

But I remember when that vote was coming up. . .and I'm glad your nation is still all together and is free - we here in the states need the example you all can set.

I've read that Montreal is one of the most liveable big cities in the world - but then most Canadian cities are relatively safe, clean and liveable. . .but even housing is relatively inexpensive in Montreal, I gather. It's too bad I don't know how to speak French!

[applegrove]

14. Montreal is a gorgeous city. Yes - big city issues but really liveable.

In fighting for minority rights and tough language laws, they gave up alot in terms of growth. Many anglos (people who could not function in french) moved out of province. Montreal was the biggest and most cosmopolitan city in Canada 40 years ago - even 30 years ago. Vancouver and Toronto picked up the title because of the fight for making minority language rights in Quebec, the majority laws..to preserver language. The result? Montreal suffered from slow growth for a few decades. But that means it is a city now flush with opportunity and cheap rents. And it is beautiful. And it is so European (in that multicultural, arts, ancient, metropolian, metrosexual way - with vibrant communities of all sorts). And a real commitment to social programs.

You really should visit. You could probably get a cheap sublet for the summer where there is a commedity festival, a jazz festival, fireworks festival, etc. And it was as hot as Greece last summer. If you ever go for a two month sabatical - you should try Montreal. And old Montreal is amazing - 400 years old!!

[SouthernDem2004]

6. Hmm, Canada....Canada...Oh yea, one of those yankee states? :)

[MojoXN]

8. Hey, SouthernDem...

I hope that things are going well for you... From what I understand, you've been through quite a lot of late. Yol Bolsun, my friend! May there be a road!

MojoXN

[murielm99]

7. I remember.

It helps to have friends in Toronto, and to travel to Montreal occasionally.

[kestrel91316]

10. What's Canada??

LOL :evilgrin:

[HEyHEY]

11. A consortium of oppresive anglo bastards according to some

:shrug:

[applegrove]

15. Oh that happened! A long time ago now.. but it happened.

[sandnsea]

12. Certainly do

I lived in Montana at the time, was rather big news there because, well, nothing ever happens in Montana. Most people seemed to support "Up yours Quebec!". I thought it was all rather silly. Quebecois culture was the only think you had going for you as far as I could see. :)

[Arugula Latte]

16. I do remember that.

I recall being surprised that there was so much strong separatist feeling in Quebec. I figured there was probably a lot of resentment, but I'd never realized that Quebec splitting was even a remote possibility ... until that time.