Two issues in Canada that I don't understand

[The_Dude 1,142]

I have been reading this thread and have to say it's quite informative. I am a complete neophyte when it comes to this topic. I do have a couple of questions though, seeing as you all have piqued my interest. First, when there are separation referendums, is this only voted on by residents of Quebec? I suspect they are, which leads to my secondary questions: How could they legitimately secede if they can barely get a plurality of people in the very province that wishes to separate to approve of it?

From my point of view, even if they could manage to muster a winning vote, the ramifications would be an absolute nightmare. Is the threat of a separation a real threat, or is it just blustering for more autonomy in the province?

Edited January 13, 2009 by Rob and Mel

[Sprailenes 47]

Well even if the separatists win the referendum there would still be an entire process to go through for separation to succeed. I don't think it would work, its too much of a 50/50 issue imo. And sorry to say but a lot of that province is made up of reservations and that means treaties, land claims etc. You can't mess with that stuff.

Edited January 13, 2009 by Sprailenes

[The_Dude 1,142]

Then you've got the issue of currency, I'm sure if they separated, they would have to come up with their own. Not to mention the military, and what to do with it, the soldiers, and the assets that are owned by the current government. And then there is the issue of the provinces that would be separated by Quebec from Canada if they were to secede. It all seems so impossible, which is why it seems to me like a bunch of blustering for more autonomy in the province, or something to that effect.

[Sprailenes 47]

A lot of people say they would just get eaten up by the states if they attempted to separate. There's separatists in Alberta too.

Canada... we're just a bunch of whiners.

[The_Dude 1,142]

A lot of people say they would just get eaten up by the states if they attempted to separate. There's separatists in Alberta too.

Canada... we're just a bunch of whiners.

Well, they are just punch drunk with oil money now aren't they? I remember about 10 years ago, there was a small movement for California to separate. Granted, it wasn't realistic, but it was quite informative. California is very different from the rest of the United States. We invented "Dude", "Road Rage", and we have the Lakers. Do I need to say anymore?

[Sprailenes 47]

And you have the governator. Thats righteous.

[DeadPoolX 9]

A lot of people say they would just get eaten up by the states if they attempted to separate. There's separatists in Alberta too.

Canada... we're just a bunch of whiners.

Well, they are just punch drunk with oil money now aren't they? I remember about 10 years ago, there was a small movement for California to separate. Granted, it wasn't realistic, but it was quite informative. California is very different from the rest of the United States. We invented "Dude", "Road Rage", and we have the Lakers. Do I need to say anymore?

I remember when it was all about the Los Angeles Lakers vs the Boston Celtics. Those were the pre-Jordan years.

[unstrung 0]

Snow tires = useless. Woopedoo you'll need them 4 days out of the season when it actually snows a lot. Rest of the time the road is on asphalt anyways.

- 400$ taxpayers.

Best practice, L2 Drive safe. Snow tires isn't going to suddenly make people drive safe, and it doesn't mean snow suddenly becomes irrelevant.

Errrr...... you haven't spent a fall/winter/spring in Quebec, have you?

I'm looking out the window at asphalt right now. Longueuil. You just drive careful when there's a snowstorm

So is that a yes?

Snow storm today. Accidents on the news, traffic jams, pont Champlain still a nightmare to traverse (true 98% of the year anyways), etc..

How DARE you insinuate i've never driven in my home province!!

Seriously though, this is the first year i'm forced to have snow tires. Never had an accident any of the other years. Maybe i'm just not a moronic driver? Only time i got stuck was because of this one road close to where i live, they shovel snow out of the road's way and the ditch on both sides of the road is flush with the road itself. I listed slightly to the side of the road as another car was coming and wanted to give him a wide berth and went a bit too far. Right side wheels were spinning harmlessly in the ditch. 70$ towing fee just to pull the car out a few feet

Snow tires would have been just as useless in this situation.

[Carlawarla 1]

I just want to comment on this snow tire thingy...I drove for 35 years on packed snow Saskatchewan roads and never had snow tires. I had all season. I've never been in an accident.

[Emancipation 2]

One note.. if you own a Honda Civic.. those things are USELESS in snow without snow tires..

The one thing I would never own is STUDDED snow tires.. those are death waiting to happen.. they give you a false sense of security those.. but regular snow tires.. IMO a good investment if you have a place to store them in the summer time..

Whether the gov. should be regulating them? I dunno.. seems a strange territory to be lurking, but I guess of they can legislate seatbelts for safety, snow tires are not a long stretch.. what's the penalty for not having them on if you get caught?

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

A lot of people say they would just get eaten up by the states if they attempted to separate. There's separatists in Alberta too.

Canada... we're just a bunch of whiners.

well if they don't wanna be part of canada.....

[thetreble 19]

A lot of people say they would just get eaten up by the states if they attempted to separate. There's separatists in Alberta too.

Canada... we're just a bunch of whiners.

well if they don't wanna be part of canada.....

It is sad that some do not wish to be a part of such a great country....it's sad to me any ways.

LE SIGH.

[Sprailenes 47]

I say let them go but they can't take the land with them.

[trailmix 77]

Well personally I think if they want to separate and it passes a vote, they should be able to leave and they can have the land too!

I'm not saying that in a flippant way, if they people of Quebec really did want that, the majority, then I say why not.

[Emancipation 2]

I'm not saying that in a flippant way, if they people of Quebec really did want that, the majority, then I say why not.

I agree.. but they can't take the CDN passport or the CDN currency with them when they go.. That's my only stipulation