Dream or Nightmare?
Duceppe envisions sovereign Quebec by 2015
Updated Mon. Oct. 23 2006 8:18 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe painted a picture Sunday of the future of Quebec City in 2015, transforming it into the capital of a sovereign country that plays an important role in the global community.
Duceppe urged voters to imagine what it may be like to live in his “clear, concrete and ambitious” vision of Quebec City as the only centre of political power in the province.
“Quebec City will then be a cultural crossroads and the centre of diplomatic power of a sovereign country,” Duceppe said during closing remarks at a weekend Bloc convention.
“Quebec City will be the marriage of the old and new. Quebec City will be on the map, claiming its full rights as the capital of a sovereign country. Not on the Canadian map, but on the world map. That’s what I want for Quebec City in 2015.”
Bloc supporters in attendance at the meeting added their voice to the mix, arguing the benefits of seeing Quebec City become the capital of a country could include wireless Internet throughout the city, and a high-speed rail link to New York.
The secretariat for Paris-based UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization Convention) on cultural diversity would be located in the city, Bloc supporters boasted, while others contended that sovereignty would provide the authority needed to enhance the city as a major maritime port.
Duceppe’s vision of Quebec City as the capital of a sovereign country hinges on the party winning the next provincial election and then winning another referendum on sovereignty, which the PQ promises to hold as soon as possible should it form a government.
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michaelsuddard
daniellarocque
abdulalqrim
holigolitely
In my view, pathetically delusional. Except for the long-term harm it could do to your nation, I say let ‘em go ahead. Within 40 years or less their “dream” – supporting as it must their twisted version of political correctness, would turn into a bankrupt backwater.
Whether Quebec can make it on its own, economically, is one of the most hotly disputed points in the whole debate — precisely because everyone recognizes it as a strong argument for the federalist position.
Lots of figures are batted back and forth. It would be nice if Quebecers were afforded the luxury of making an informed decision, but one side or the other (or both) are engaged in a major spin operation. Like the old saying: there are lies, damned lies, and economic statements. Or something like that.
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