Harper wants to recognize Quebec as nation within a united Canada
Carly Weeks
CanWest News Service
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
CREDIT: CP PHOTO/Jonathan Hayward
Prime Minister Stephen Harper (centre) receives a standing ovation as he introduces a motion to recognize that Quebecers form a nation within Canada during a speech in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Wednesday Nov. 22, 2006.
CREDIT: CP PHOTO/Jonathan Hayward
Prime Minister Stephen Harper (centre) receives a standing ovation as he introduces a motion to recognize that Quebecers form a nation within Canada during a speech in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Wednesday Nov. 22, 2006.OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper surprised the House of Commons today by announcing his party wants to recognize Quebec as nation within a united Canada.Harper said the party is putting forward a motion to recognize Quebec’s nationhood within Canada in order to supersede a Bloc Quebecois motion that he says would virtually be a vote for separation from the rest of Canada. The prime minister said under the BQ motion that: “If we recognize Quebecers as a nation, we have to vote ‘yes’ in a referendum on separation.”An emotional Liberal Leader Bill Graham responded to Harper’s announcement by saying MPs have to “transcend” partisan differences to ensure Canada remains a united, strong country. The multicultural composition of Canada, which is the envy of the world, came to be because of Canada’s history as a bilingual nation, Graham said.He said it’s up to MPs to fight for the rights of a united Canada. Harper said Quebec forms a nation within Canada, but does not and should never form an independent society, he said. “Do Quebecers form an independent nation from Canada? The answer is no and it will always be no,” Harper said. Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe shot back, saying Quebec is a nation and should given rights, and that sovereignty is the best way for Quebec to develop fully.He said the only respectful option is to recognize Quebec as a nation without any conditions and said it’s not up to the prime minister to decide the future for Quebecers. The prime minister said Canada is an excellent example of unity and harmony in a divided world and said the party will “do what it must” to make sure the country remains united and free. Harper’s announcement follows news on Tuesday that the Bloc Quebecois would table on Thursday a motion calling on the House of Commons to recognize Quebec as a nation.The Conservative announcement comes as the Liberal party is putting together the final preparations for its leadership convention, scheduled to take place in Montreal starting, next week. The controversy began last month when the Liberal party’s Quebec wing endorsed a resolution to recognize Quebec as a nation.The resolution is to be debated at the convention. Michael Ignatieff, considered by many to be the front-runner in the leadership race, has made the issue a major focal point of his platform and has called for the eventual constitutional recognition of Quebec nationhood.CanWest News Service
© CanWest News Service 2006
