It would be amusingly bad if they attempted a referendum, and even more hilariously complicated (and bad for the province) if they won.

Maybe they'll outlaw teaching English at any elementary schools?

Well it's looking to be definitely a minority, so that will make any bold or radical agendas very difficult to pass through the legislature.

It remains to be seen which side of the table Legault is going to emerge.

I'll speak from honest ignorance here--

Why do (some) French Canadians of Quebec hate the rest of Canada and want to separate?

I mean, I get the difference in the roots, English vs. French, but still...why?

(What is it about the English-speaking world that has this, by the way--some Scots and Irish wanted independence from the UK, and now the Republic of Ireland has it...the Southern USA tried to secede from the US...Quebec wants to leave Canada...why can't we keep it together, folks? ...I mean, with all those examples besides Quebec, I DO get why the groups wanted/still want independence, I do, but...well...can't we all just get along? ...I say that mostly tongue in cheek, put way your swords, folks.)

:)

Because the English are occupiers and tried to stamp out French culture. Oh and that little matter of the Acadian deportation.

They don't hate the rest of Canada. Some Quebecois just feel they have a unique culture, language, and history and they also feel marginalized by English Canada.

"Because the English are occupiers and tried to stamp out French culture. Oh and that little matter of the Acadian deportation."

The issues the referendum will hinge on.

^lol. What are you people's favourite Quebecois band and movie?

Rational Youth, dont know any movies.

Just as a matter of accuracy, the Acadian deportation is exceedingly irrelevant to most Quebecers, happening as it did to people outside the St Lawrence valley. Anecdotally, two of my Quebecois friends had never even heard of it. Cray. :/

I don't believe that there is enough of a separatist voice at the moment to overcome the potential financial fallout of separation. I'm no economist and can't say if there actually would be any but that has to at least be a concern of the citizens.

But, more to the point, Karkwa (unless Plants and Animals identify themselves as Quebecois), and haven't enjoyed any Quebecois movies, tbh. But haven't watched many.

les peres en flic (or something like that) is quite funny as far as movies go.

I hate to counter the English occupying Quebec thing... but if they really wanted to, why did they let you keep your unique culture, language, and religion? I know they were short on red coats right after the conquest, but they could have come down HARD any time afterwards... seems like pretty lenient 'occupiers' to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cRPH4lb8UI

I'm from Montreal, Qc myself, and there has been, at 12:00 AM, EST, a shooting at Le Parti Québécois' reunion to celebrate the win where one man suede and an other one has been severely injured. I'm tired as crap right now, but will try to post more tommorow.

Bonne nuit tout le monde...

Darn iPhone... One man died, not suede...

http://news.yahoo.com/gunman-kills-1-rally-quebec-premier-060908664.html

Wow...

Political violence in Canada.

:(

Recently I read a well-done and serious comic book - almost like a documentary - about a 19th century Canadian politician called Louis Riel, made by Chester Brown. Riel tried to achieve some sort of autonomy for the Canadian Metis. Very interesting.

@zmaj: yes, Riel's story is really interesting. I highly recommend to read it for those that like this kind of literature.

@Friendly Sword: it is indeed unacceptable. While we thought we had one of the safest province in all North America because of our tolerance, open minded culture, this event just hits us badly in our face. The details of the attack aren't published, but we've seen some pretty troubling live action behind the scene where it happened.

The Man is actually hospitalized and everybody's still shocked...

@yonni: yes, karkwa is the correct answer. they would be the most popular band in the world if they sang in english. just really great stuff.

I find it strange that French speaking occupies are opposed to the English speaking occupies, why can't we just team up against the original riff-raff and when we have exterminated them all, we can decide which side wins over a nice game of chess.

As a descendant of the original riff-raff currently occupying England I can't get too enthusiastic about the whole extermination lark, but the game of chess sounds interesting. I'm rather fond of the status quo, though. My uncle moved to Canada and benefits rather well from special riff-raff tax breaks paid for by the poor 'occupiers' who were actually born there. You have to laugh!

My inability to understand Brits apparently extends to the internet as well.

I agree..... what on earth?

I think he's part native but living in England. However, his old man came back to the great white north and benefited from some of tax legislation?

Close?

That's what I said (in a slightly mangled sent by a mobile sort of way), except my uncle, not my old man.

The Quebecois standard of living has consistently been significantly lower than Canada as a whole, about 15% less. It is the 6th poorest province in Canada despite its size. Canada ranks 53rd of the 60 US & Canadian states & provinces in terms of relative income. The only US states which are poorer are WV, Arkansas, and MS).

After the rebellion by the French & English working class in Lower Canada, Canada's elite conspired to unite Lower & Upper Canada. The use of the French language was banned in government. Although Quebecois outnumbered Ontarians by a margin of 2:1, they had equal numbers of representatives. An education system which divided the people along ethno-linguistic lines was developed, with the French getting an inferior education, spending far less per pupil in Quebec than any other province. Women in Quebec didn't get the right to vote until 1940. In Manitoba, despite having a majority French population, the language was banned in the late 1800s. Basically all French speakers living outside of Quebec were forcibly assimilated.

That's called occupation. And it isn't benign.

Well done and well written Putin. That's indeed part of our legacy.

Let's cry for the Quebecois. Fuck that. If they have it so bad, they should fight for their rights by any means. If they won't fight, it means they're OK or just too lazy. Either way, their destiny is in their hands. We're not talking about oppressed illiterate peasants here.

They have fought for their rights. Each time the Canadian government has used ruthless measures to suppress it. As recent as 1970 the FLQ was engaging in militant measures. I would make a snarky comment about the Croats here but I'll refrain.