Is Québec separatism out of style?

Hello Canada,

The Québec separatist, or sovereigntist, movement was dealt a blow yesterday when the former Premier and leader of the Parti Québecois , Lucien Bouchard, addressed a crowd in Québec City yesterday.  The retired politician expressed concerns over the increased radicalism of the movement as it seeks to protect the province's interests against outside forces including religious and cultural groups.  He also expressed that he didn't think he would see an independent Québec in his lifetime and that politicians in La Belle Province should focus more on education and economic policy than separation.

One of the comments that peaked curisosity was that the Parti Québecois had broken away from the welcoming spirit of its founder, René Lévesque.  History is filled with movements that started with great intentions, but ended up drifting away from the original motivations of its founders.  I've been doing some of my own personal study on the history of Québec and I would say that these separatists have also strayed from the original beliefs of men like George-Etienne Cartier and Samuel de Champlain.  Is this the Québec and Canada they worked so hard to build?  These men were nation-builders, not destroyers.  Samuel de Champlain worked hard to build a land where the French and First Nations would be one; where his sons would marry their daughters.  Out of that vision we now have the Métis people.  George-Étienne Cartier worked hard to build a land where the English and French would co-exist.

In my humble opinion, the people of Québec need a new champion. They need a leader on the national stage who will rise up in the spirit of Samuel de Champlain and George-Etienne Cartier to help bring this country together, not separate it. The sad thing is I don't see a knight in shining armour on the horizon.

Many English Canadians have had enough of Québec and its complaints, but I would say that our problem needs to be with the leaders that give voice to separatism not the people of Québec.  These leaders aren't doing their people any favours in the House of Commons and in the media.

I can honestly say that I have misconceptions about Québecers.  I assume that all of them are separatists, to the point that it's odd to see an athlete from Québec representing Canada in the Olympics.  I wonder if in the back of their minds they would rather wear blue and white than red and white.  This is not the people's fault, but the fault of the leaders who represent that province in the media.

With the right leadership, Québec could become a major force and partner in our country, for the better.  I'm asking myself, "What would happen if the leaders of Québec were to dedicate as much energy to making Confederation work as they do to not making it work"?  They would probably get all of the rights and freedoms they are seeking from separatism.

Unfortunately, Lucien Bouchard's epiphany will not spell the end of attempts by a handful of people in Québec to destroy what took our forefathers years to create.  On the other hand, Canada and Québec will always be married to each, but the question is what will the quality of that marriage be?  Will it be a loving, successful and happy marriage where all parties' needs are met, or will we continue to live and sleep in separate parts of the house, only talking to each other when we have to?  That's for our leaders to decide. 

Like acid wash jeans and neon t-shirts, is Québec separatism out of style?  You tell me.

PS: Yes, that last line was inspired by an outfit I used to wear.  It was the early '90's!

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca