@Lando

Yes, I'm a separatist. But I think I have to describe my opinion a bit so you understand where I come from. Of course, there is all our history that comes in, but mostly, for me, is that I identify myself as a Québécois, a "Montréalais", and not a Canadian for different reasons. My main, main, main reason is our backgrounds, culture, political views that affect me greatly. What the Harper government has done since it was elected demonstrate exactly why I don't identify myself as a Canadian, because I share close to no point of what he wants to create in Canada. I could enumerate the laws and decisions he has taken that are making me not wating this, but I just don't feel like it and it would be too long. So, if Canada has elected that kind of Government for a lot of years now, I don't see, really, where I stand, and I know a lot of fellow Québécois feel the same as I do. I think Quebec electing most of the NPD deputees in Canada clearly shows that.

Now, on the same subject, but to answer to one of Putin33's post, no, I don't think the referendum should be only decided by us, French Québécois, mostly because we're not the only ones living here and deciding our fate. If Québec ever wins this referendum in my life, I want it to be with my fellow English Québécois, my fellow First Nations citizens, with all the ethnical nations that are living in Québec, because they are part of our story. I wish all of my English Québécois friends and co-workers stay in Québec if it does happen, and why? Because I like our diversity and I want it to stay that way. It's part of our legacy and it's what makes us unique.

So, basically, I really have no rage against English Canadians or such, because in fact, I like them (well, those that understand our situation!). In fact, I've traveled a lot in my life, and I remember when I was living in Australia when I was 19, and I think the best friends I found out there were Mates from BC. We used to discuss a lot about politics around Canada and it used to always be interesting discussions, always respectful and really clever discussions. And you know what? I think that what made them my best Mates I met in Australia was because they understood where I came from, and they understood why, after explaining the reasons, why I wanted to separate. So, I'll only talk for myself here, but it's not because I don't like English Canadians that I want to separate, because I like them mostly, but because of the points I mentionned up there.

That brings the question of whether Quebecois are actually French.

Quebec is the national homeland of the Quebec nation. This territory has a unique culture with its own history, economy, culture, and consciousness. Chinese-speaking Canadians don't have a 'homeland' in British Columbia. Territory within Vancouver isn't something they'd fight and die for, create a flag for, sing a national anthem for, and write poetry about. It's simply a city they happened to settle in.

French is my language, Québécois is my identity, may I clarify, but that's the kind of interrogation that I like, zmaj.

slyster, thanks, I wasn't clear on that one. We in Europe still remember De Gaulle's: "Vive le Quebec libre!", but I always thought it was nothing more than a French political stunt.

And you're right on that one. DeGaulle's "Vive le Québec Libre" has actually became one of the most known sentences in all of Québec. Funnily, DeGaulle, from France, later said that when he said that sentence in a public speach, he didn't know what he was talking about. It was mostly a sentence he thought would be accepted from Québécois, but he didn't know what kind of reach a "Vive le Québec Libre" sentence had on the people. Hahaha!

Myself to not be clear on what I just wrote... Yes, he did hear about the referendums and such, but quite vaguely I remember.

And I meant that it was a sentence that he thought would make people like him easily, so he said it, but again, didn't know what kind of reach this would have on the people. Funny story really!

What a guy. Recently I read about his visit to Stalingrad in 1944. Looking at the ruins, he said: "Admirable! Fascinating!" A journalist started saying: "Yes, the tenacity of the Soviet people..." But he interrupted: "No, I meant the Germans. Just imagine, they had to cross 2,500 miles to fight here." Lol.

"Really, would people feel the same if Israeli settlers in the West Bank were the deciding vote on Palestinian self-determination? The Anglophone minority has been used to undermine Quebec self-determination, and their voting in the referendum overwhelmingly against separation reveals that quite plainly."
The situation is nothing alike. Beyond that, the Polish immigrants are not 'anglophones.' The Chinese immigrants are no 'anglophones.' The Jewish immigrants are not 'anglophones.' They are not a part of the same oppressive regime you are discussing. They are citizens and members of the Quebec society. Alienating them is morally repugnant and pragmatically destructive.

@Slyster,
I definitely understand people identifying themselves as Quebecois first and Canadian second but to tie it to recent federal politics like that seems disingenuous or, at least, misplaced. Downtown Toronto didn't vote for Harper either yet you wouldn't feel any more at home there

Allphones, anglophones. Same difference. Allphones are not 'oppressed'. That's like saying African immigrants to the US have the same experience as African-Americans.

And Friendly Sword here wanted to create a Quebec-bashing thread. He'll be mighty surprised.

Correct, the immigrants haven't had the same experience as the Quebecois but to deny them their right to self determination based on the crimes of another is not fair in this instance I believe. They have been accepted into the society and have contributed to it. For many of them, their children and grandchildren have grown up speaking French and contributing to Quebecois society and culture.
It's hard on the Quebecois to have to take into consideration the rights and merits of their immigrants but it's also hard on the immigrants to have be separated from their new country without a say of their own. A compromise is certainly needed.

So true Zmaj! = )

@Yonni
I mentionned Haper's decisions because it is what right now makes me feel this way, and to help people understand the "here and now" decisions behind it, but the reasons are mostly within us, but there definitely is some answers to it my paragraphs above. Haper's government is only part of the reasons.

I gotta run, later!

Typical French. Just running away.

Hahaha. I didn't think Yonni could hit below the belt.

Quebec has no control over the immigration policy which affects them. Quebec is a tiny Francophone island in a hemisphere that is overwhelmingly not Francophone. Allowing every immigrant the right to determine the fate of a national community which has existed for hundreds of years and whose existence as a cultural community is hanging by a thread is not justice.

Fortunately I had my iPhone on myself see if I had answers before going to work out!

Yonni, you can't get away from me! Leave it!!! ;0p

And luckily, as Zmaj stated, I'm not French, I'm québécois, so should I consider this as a "miss"? ;)

We can call it even.
For the record, I read all your posts like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XbL7lG0Su8

One thing no one can deny though is that, if Quebec separates, the hockey games would be fucking fierce.
It makes it worth it if for that alone.

Quebec would win way more Olympic medals than Canada.

But would they win the ones that count?
We'd win curling.
Hockey... Damn, that'd be exciting.