Oil May Grease Quebec Separatism

http://thetyee.ca/Views/2006/06/26/Oil/


Nation could split over Alberta's resources.

Canadians couldn't predict Wednesday on Tuesday. I don't think that's because of national stupidity but rather because we're a country of Pollyannas. Certainly we don't want to face any problems until they are no longer solvable and here we are heedlessly headlong towards a constitutional crisis that will make a Quebec referendum look like a motion to adjourn the annual meeting of your local gardening club.

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There is an historic basis for this depth of Albertan hatred of the industrial heartland. In the beginning, control of resources was given to the provinces under the British North America Act. The idea was that Ontario would produce the goods from resource provinces and then, hiding behind the skirts of high tariffs and with very favourable freight rates, would sell the finished products back to captive consumers in Western Canada. This generated intense bad feelings towards the "East" which are felt today.

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Now comes time, as the cowboys say, for the nut cutting. As oil reaches new heights, what happens to Ontario industry already hard hit by globalization and the high-priced Canadian dollar? No points for that one. But the political issue then becomes: what options does Prime Minister Harper have?

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Let's get to the root of the matter. If -- no, make that when oil starts to flirt with $100 per barrel, industrial Canada, for which read Southern Ontario, will be in big trouble. Industries already hard hit will be demanding that Ottawa "do something," bearing in mind that at this point the province of Alberta far from being just rich, will be stinking rich. Rolling in lolly and loving every minute of it. If past experience is any guide, there will be no point to Prime Minister Harper asking Alberta to be good Canadians and share. Any Alberta premier who succumbed to that sort of sentimental twaddle would be boiled in some of that excess oil.
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and to sum it up the writer said:

I contend that the foregoing is a very possible scenario and that our politicians are whistling past the graveyard on this. For, as I said at the beginning, Canadians and especially their politicians don't like to face problems until they are upon them. By then, they're hugely difficult if not impossible to solve without leaving constitutional carnage.



the neo con bushmilhousegang ruining another country

our constitution is facing "carnage" too

I know, I know... it stinks. But that is the only thing that will help keep all industry competative. US will go for it.. cause it will help the bourse problem.

So relax.. as industry in Central Canada is hard hit.. Canadians will hold their noses and go for it. Because for the next 100 years we will be an oil exporting nation. And unless we want to turn into Saudi Arabia..with no industry whatsoever.. or high tech.. or anything.. we will have to do it.

So that is an out.

Forget that happening anytime while * is in power. There is simply no way.

Our dollar is pegged at a small discount vis a vis the USA. USA has huge debts and shit. So using their dollar.. as hard as it sounds.. will keep the rest of the country from going down the tubes industrially and competatively for the next 100 years.

That's all we need from the USA. The same dollar. No need for anything else. No need to have the same programs.. our system is more competative than theirs anyway.

and the neo cons have invaded Canada

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Disgusted with the Liberals... they are more disgusted with the USA. They also will be an energy exporting "nation". They have huge hydro. And may be more competative .. as they are now.. because of low electricity costs. They also have a huge manufacturing base. They will want social spending (don't tell me Quebec as a whole will be thrilled with any new USA wars) to grow the deficite and lower the dollar or they may hold their noses and agree.. sometime in the future that the American dollar is the easiest way to keep our manufacturing jobs.

I don't know exactly. But I don't expect Quebecors to do anything but what is in their best interest. They have done so for a long time. And really have fought to keep language and done a pretty good job at it. They don't put money first. And Quebecors hate shit as much as the next normal human. If it looks like Harper goes ahead with the rumours that feds should tax for provincial programs.. that will sink Harper pretty quick. All across the country.

I'm pretty sure Quebec would become an independent country at that point, if it weren't one already.

deflate. And I don't know what the policy options are really. Deficit spending would work. I like that one better. But really - if you see an article on how we can NOT TURN INTO AN OIL CRAZY NATION WITH AN EMBEDDED ELITE LIKE the current USA or SAUDI ARABIA.. let me know. Diverse industry is important. Enough jobs are lost as it is. But we sell alot of high tech and resources..and car parts. Just hoping we can keep that industrial/tertiary mix up. Cause a high dollar would kill agricultural produce, ... it would hit every single job in the country with the exception of the oil patch.

So better we talk about it now.

No way a UNION. I read the latest document of Union and had to puke. Smoke and mirrors. And lies.

that would be a big step towards the United States of North America. Furthermore, if Canada falls apart for one reason or another, I think Alberta at the very least might try to join the USA. That's just my humble opinion, as someone who has learned what little he does know about these issues in Toronto, the capital of Canada (just kidding).

to fit more than the dollar. Wouldn't even be an economic union. But as I say.. I'm just guessing at options we will have to face when Oil rises and the rest of the jobs in the country tank. Deficit spending may do the trick. Can you imagine the kick ass education we could have? Anyway.. I should read more on the topic cause I have not.

I don't agree. Americans starting a "Calgary School" is not going to wear well. Especially when every neocon move will be making the papers on both sides of the border and around the world from here on in. And unlike their non - academically tested theories.. this stuff blows up in their faces cause it is crap when they try it in the real world.

I'm reading Galbraith history right now. And man was the world a mess when there were not enough regulations. This is a little blip because voters are too young to "member" how harsh it was. Cronyism and oligoply really are crap. And you can try to build economic theories that makes it looks all pretty.. but it stinks.

Canadian Health Care is not perfect but makes our workers more productive and saves money in the end. Are you saying Alburtons will give that up? I don't think so.

run. If they left, it would be much easier to pick off their resources and they'd have to start building their own military for defence.

want nothing to do with *. It is only in the USA where it seems to be an issue as to whether he should be a President. Nobody else in the world would have ever elected the ugly American.

sounds actually very, very nice!

At least the discussion has started. Hopefully a full discussion is still allowed in Canada.