tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446351548038522890.post2922321296503666132..comments2024-03-08T13:21:43.158-05:00Comments on Saideman's Semi-Spew: Quebec Irony Du JourSteve Saidemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881915512311951902noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446351548038522890.post-68668843658629812011-05-26T19:48:16.078-04:002011-05-26T19:48:16.078-04:00The NDP's support of 50% plus one is one thing...The NDP's support of 50% plus one is one thing.<br /><br />Another question is whether the NDP also supports the right to a Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Quebec. In addition to its 50% plus one vote policy, the NDP's "Sherbrooke Declaration" policy paper declares that it "recognizes Quebec's right to self-determination, which implies the right of the people of Quebec to decide freely its own political and constitutional future. This right can be expressed in various ways and can go as far as achieving sovereignty."<br /><br />Even more significantly, the paper goes on to declare that "... the NDP rejects also any use of -- or threat of -- force against Quebec at any stage."<br /><br />I can only conclude that such policies constitute clear and unambiguous support by the NDP for a Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Quebec in the event of a 50% plus one vote.<br /><br />The last time a federal policy couldn't deliver the constitutional goods -- Brian Mulroney's Conservative Party with Meech Lake -- it was interpreted by the Quebec people as a great humiliation perpetrated against them by English Canada. And we all know how that ended: the 1995 referendum, coming within a percentage point of a winning "Yes" vote. <br /><br />Will Mr. Layton's opening of the Pandora's Box of constitutional promises reap the same results this time around?Tony Kondakshttp://www.whycanadamustend.comnoreply@blogger.com