The former Alberta premier says separatists want to copy Quebec. They do not. And the Quebec exodus of 1976 to 1981 had less to do with a referendum than with the most socialist government Laurentian Canada ever elected.
Great article Marco! I grew up in Toronto, but lived in every province (except PEI) throughout my 20 years in the CAF. That included 6 yrs in Québec, and 5 in Alberta. I was in Saguenay Québec (home of Lucien Bouchard) for the 95 referendum. It was tense times and the federal govt treated Québec with kid gloves after that.
The banning of the Energy East pipeline and the Saguenay LNG terminal were incredibly short-sighted decisions. Not only the loss of potential jobs and toll-fees, but Québec imports virtually all of its oil and gas from the USA.
I loved my time in both provinces. The people and culture in Québec were wonderful (I married a Tremblay from Chicoutimi…). I went through the economic slump in Alberta in the late 80’s. I bought a home for $78k in 87!
Your observations are bang-on. Alberta can learn much from the Québec experience. It’s all about influence, not money. Even separating from the CPP could potentially bankrupt the CPP, due to the actuarial valuation of a young and well-paid workforce. The rest of Canada would be wise to take this issue seriously. If the Americans change their tune on the Keystone XL pipeline extension to Alberta, the “eastern bastards will be left in the cold…” 😲
One of the conclusions I draw from your excellent essay, is that Canada cannot move forward as a Country, until serious and forthright constitutional change is implemented.
Quebec's economy suffered when governments were focused on language laws & referendums. The period of 1976-1985 led to an exodus of several hundred thousand Quebec residents and businesses. The instability caused by the failure of the Meech Lake Accord in 1990 & the referendum in 1995 also caused an exodus of people and businesses. Unemployment in Quebec was over 12 %. I left Quebec after graduating from McGill in 1993 because I found a better job opportunity with the federal government in Toronto. My friends in Montreal were getting laid off from CA firms during that year.
Quebec has the language card and Alberta cannot. That and Quebec's history at Canada's founding are historical realities that cannot be replicated. Trying to make Quebec comparisons is a mug's game.
Duplessis was the premier of Quebec in 1957.
Great article Marco! I grew up in Toronto, but lived in every province (except PEI) throughout my 20 years in the CAF. That included 6 yrs in Québec, and 5 in Alberta. I was in Saguenay Québec (home of Lucien Bouchard) for the 95 referendum. It was tense times and the federal govt treated Québec with kid gloves after that.
The banning of the Energy East pipeline and the Saguenay LNG terminal were incredibly short-sighted decisions. Not only the loss of potential jobs and toll-fees, but Québec imports virtually all of its oil and gas from the USA.
I loved my time in both provinces. The people and culture in Québec were wonderful (I married a Tremblay from Chicoutimi…). I went through the economic slump in Alberta in the late 80’s. I bought a home for $78k in 87!
Your observations are bang-on. Alberta can learn much from the Québec experience. It’s all about influence, not money. Even separating from the CPP could potentially bankrupt the CPP, due to the actuarial valuation of a young and well-paid workforce. The rest of Canada would be wise to take this issue seriously. If the Americans change their tune on the Keystone XL pipeline extension to Alberta, the “eastern bastards will be left in the cold…” 😲
The narrative and the evidence sometimes align.
Mais Oui. Thanks for catching that! I've corrected it.
One of the conclusions I draw from your excellent essay, is that Canada cannot move forward as a Country, until serious and forthright constitutional change is implemented.
Quebec's economy suffered when governments were focused on language laws & referendums. The period of 1976-1985 led to an exodus of several hundred thousand Quebec residents and businesses. The instability caused by the failure of the Meech Lake Accord in 1990 & the referendum in 1995 also caused an exodus of people and businesses. Unemployment in Quebec was over 12 %. I left Quebec after graduating from McGill in 1993 because I found a better job opportunity with the federal government in Toronto. My friends in Montreal were getting laid off from CA firms during that year.
Quebec has the language card and Alberta cannot. That and Quebec's history at Canada's founding are historical realities that cannot be replicated. Trying to make Quebec comparisons is a mug's game.