CHAPTER 17
Non-Francophones and the Two Question Referendum
How important is it for the success of
the Two Question Referendum to have public support for the “yes” option from
Quebec’s non-Francophone community?
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the Two Question Referendum is that the
non-Francophone community -- that traditional bastion of apathy, fragmentation,
and irrational devotion to Canada -- doesn't have to support the Two Question
Referendum for it to work. All that is required of the Quebec West resident is
that he show up to vote on Day 1 and decide whether, in what will appear to be
the likely event of Quebec independence, he would like to have full civil
rights. That's all. The "hedge against the inevitable" factor will take care of
the rest.
Nevertheless, the non-Francophone community will still have to be informed of
the merits of voting "yes" on Question 1. However, the emphasis will not be on
selling the idea of independence; that, of course, would be an exercise in
futility. The emphasis will be on why independence is inevitable, how to "hedge
against the inevitable", the benefits of creating Quebec West in an independent
Quebec, and, if the non-Francophones vote “no” on Question 1 on Day 1, the
disadvantages of living in an independent Quebec in which the nationalists
control non-Francophone civil rights.
We should never underestimate the high regard that the concept of freedom has in
the hearts and minds of the non-Francophone population. We are a community that,
thanks to TV and movies, has been inundated by an American culture which
emphasizes the concept of individual liberty over all others. This sentiment, I
contend, will go a long towards overcoming the strong attachment to Canada.
In the period leading up to formulating the Two Question Referendum and the
proposed constitutional regime under which Quebec West will be governed, what
happens if there are the inevitable compromises or a watering down of the
proposal for non-Francophone rights in the proposed Quebec West?
The process is self-regulating. Unless a full slate of rights and freedoms are
guaranteed for the citizens of Quebec West they simply won’t vote “yes” for the
package. Thus, it is in everyone’s interest, particularly the PQ’s, to maintain
the integrity of a “full rights” constitutional proposal for Quebec West.
How can you be so sure that once Quebec West comes into being that the rights
and freedoms you claim will be guaranteed non-Francophones will actually come to
be?
First of all, things couldn’t be worse than they already are under the current
situation in which Canada has abandoned the non-Francophones of a Quebec within
Canada.
Secondly, as outlined in the chapter The PQ and the Two Question Referendum
it will be in the interests of the new independent nation of Quebec to respect
the rights of the minority that shares the same language as the 300 million
people that will surround the new nation of Quebec and with whom it trades.
There is only a downside for Quebec to do otherwise.
In an earlier chapter, you spoke of the excitement of starting a new country.
Do you honestly think that Quebec’s non-Francophones will share in that
excitement?
Once the initial shock of the idea that non-Francophones could possibly promote
independence has worn off a bit the pioneer spirit associated with starting a
new nation will, I believe, emerge. After all, non-Francophones are invested in
Quebec and have lives here, be it at work or play.
It will be very exciting to participate in the forging of a new nation. Let's
not be left out of what can be a very enlivening undertaking. Let's be a part of
the process and provide our very valuable contributions and suggestions as to
how the new constitution, for example, will unfold.
If events unfold as you suggest that would necessitate that non-Francophones
part with their strong attachment to Canada.
This will, initially, be a hard nut to crack, certainly.
However, a debate will initiate and questions will arise -- perhaps for the
first time -- regarding what the federal government has done to protect the non-Francophones
up to that point. This, I contend, will foment an anger towards Ottawa because
the answer, clearly, will be “nothing.” Although this will not be enough to make
non-Francophone vote “yes” on Question 1 on Day 1 -- only the fear of a
potential “yes” vote on Question 2 on Day 2 will be responsible for that -- it
will help to break the shackles of unbridled and irrational attachment the non-Francophones
have for Canada.
Some of the questions that will arise: What has Canada done for you to win the
love and loyalty you have extended to them unconditionally for so many decades?
What place in your heart does Canada hold for you other than as an entity that
abandoned you and spat upon you when you were a minority in a Quebec within
Canada? You are and will always continue to be a nuisance to the federal
government and they have and will continue to treat you accordingly.
What will emerge is a sentiment that the non-Francophone community was cheated
and betrayed by both the Quebec Liberals and Ottawa. Once another option besides
“Canada at all costs” is available, a lot that has been swept under the carpet
will come out into the open. The decades-long betrayal by Ottawa will be
recognized for what it is.
As well, the community will come to realize how the judicial process has failed
them.
The question will be asked: why would I want to stay in Canada when Canada has
done everything they could to enable the destruction of my community?
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