From: schamber@watserv1.waterloo.edu (CHAMBERLAND S - BIOLOGY)
Subject: Re: Canada, 2 nations.
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 05:28:53 GMT

In article <1992Apr13.151614.24133@bmerh2.bnr.ca> tcifelli@bmerh326.bnr.ca (Tony Cifelli) writes:
>In article <1992Apr13.143823.22566@bmerh2.bnr.ca> robinc@bnr.ca (Robin Collins) writes:
>>In article <1992Apr10.151954.3717@cunews.carleton.ca> rwood@superior.carleton.ca (Richard Wood) writes:
>>>In article <1992Apr10 schamber@watserv1.waterloo.edu (CHAMBERLAND S - BIOLOGY) writes:
>>>>   For us, there is no such thing as "the nation of Canada". there is 2
>>>>   nations, and as long as TROCians won't recognize this, sorry, but
>>>>   there will be troubles...
>>>>Sylvain Chamberland
>>>>Dept. of Biology
>>>>University of Waterloo
>>>>Waterloo, Ontario.
>>>>
>>>
>>>  My opinion exactly.  There are two nations, but TROCers are determined to
>>>press ahead with the pretence that there is only one Canada, requiring that all 
>>>10 components must be equal.  The end of this road will probably be something
>>>like a Commonwealth of Independent Provinces.
>>>  Quebec is not the same and should, I think, stand apart from the other 9 with 
>>>some form of independence (with a TROC equally independent of Quebec).
>>>  There will never be a united Canada.  What I want is a united TROC.
>>
>>
>>I think the two-nation theory of Canada is a myth.
>>I accept that there is a Quebec nation within Canada. I reject the 
>>concept of english-canadian nation.  
>>
>No. There is no "Quebec nation within Canada".  There is however a
>province called Quebec in Canada which has some properties different
>from the others (which for some reason beyond any rational human being's 
>comprehension, must be recognized formally in the constitution).  The 
>same however can be said about all provinces.  Each province has unique 
>or distinct properties.  These too could be formally captured in the
>constitution, but they are not crying like babies.

I suggest that you open your dictionary and look the definition of
"nation" or "nationality". French Quebeckers DO qualify for the
definition.

That you still want to "banaliser" Quebec's difference looks a lot like
"se cacher la tete dans le sable". (you know, the big african bird who
cannot fly, but when there is danger, put its head under sand?
That's a French saying. I would appreciate an English equivalent)

I don't deny other provinces' properties. But the FACT is that there is
6 MILLION French-speaking people in a definite territory (and a little
more outside) in a sea of 268 Million of English-speaking people.
This is a lot bigger difference (or distinctiveness  :)  ) than the
one between Saskatchewan and Alberta.
(It does not mean that I dismiss those differences. )

"TROC" still appears not to be willing to acknowledge the fact, to
consider all the provinces similar, and as long as it does so,
we will be restless...

>Canada must be united across ALL provinces and be bound by the
>constitution to survive as one nation.  Strong central government
>is required to administer and manage the common national agenda.

Why???

Why is it so important, our "marriage"???

By the way, I will correct myself once more: there is definitely more
than 2 nations in Canada. My apologies to the First Nations.

>I also do not agree with an English-Canadian nation.  I like
>the cultural differences we have.
>
>Tony.
>--
>[Tony Cifelli              ][Phone:    613-765-2798   ][BNR is not accountable]
>[Bell-Northern Research    ][FAX:      613-765-4777   ][for the opinions      ]
>[P.O. Box 3511, Station C  ][Internet: tcifelli@bnr.ca][expressed herein.     ]
>[Ottawa, On. K1Y 4H7 CANADA]["Still looking for a dramatic quote to put here!"]

Well, so I suggest that you cross the bridges to Hull and try to look
at the other side, to see how the Quebeckers are like.
You may discover that we are much alike, BUT at the same time, we are
MUCH MORE different...

Learning French is a good start to understand our culture, too.


Sylvain Chamberland
Dept. of Biology
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario.
Newsgroups: can.politics