Quote:
Originally Posted by WarChild
Our position is clear. Do the Québécois form a nation within Canada? The answer is yes. Do the Québécois form an independent nation? The answer is no and the answer will always be no," Harper told the House on Wednesday.
So nothing's really changed?
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Well, you start getting into the issue of language and what the word "nation" means in french, versus what it means in english. French people put more emphasis on nation a something closer to country or statehood, where as in english nation is more like "group", such as acadian, inuit, the various indian nations, etc. Think of it as something closer to tribe or cultural grouping.
It changes things in some senses, where rather than splitting up the country it could lead to Quebec pushing for similar arrangements to those that are given to native peoples, taxation, self government, etc. One wag on the radio suggested that it could even lead further down the road to the definition of the true "quebecois" territory, which likely wouldn't include anything west of about Trois Rivieres, nor include the areas to the north that are part of settlements with the native people's of the north.
If the Quebec people are not careful, they could end up getting exactly what they want and finding out it isn't anything like what they want at all.