Majority of Quebecers want constitutional reform, poll finds

[styky]

Majority of Quebecers want constitutional reform, poll finds


By Philip Authier, Postmedia News March 26, 2012
Majority of Quebecers want constitutional reform, poll finds

By Philip Authier, Postmedia News March 26, 2012
http://www.canada.com/news/Majority+Que ... story.html
MONTREAL — Seven out of 10 Quebecers believe the Quebec government should try to initiate constitutional change in Canada, a new poll suggests.

But they are split on whether Quebec should stay in Canada in the event it is impossible to change the federation.

While 44.5 per cent of those polled say Quebec should become a separate country if change is impossible, 38.7 per cent say Quebec should be satisfied with the status quo.

A substantial number — 16.8 per cent — say they just don't know what Quebec should do.

Released on Monday ahead of an April conference marking the 30th anniversary of the repatriation of the constitution, the Leger Marking poll challenges the belief by politicians that voters don't want to hear anything about the constitution.

"There is still an interest in Quebec in constitutional reform," Benoit Pelletier, a University of Ottawa political science professor and former Liberal intergovernmental affairs minister, said in releasing the poll.

"What is clear is that the repatriation left scars on a good number of Quebecers and for many the memory of that is still real."

Pelletier, a panellist at the conference, conceded that even though Quebecers feel their status in Canada needs fixing, politicians would find getting involved in such a debate a risky exercise.

The consequences of failure would be disastrous for the country and their personal political futures, he said.

"Politicians are much more cautious on this (theme) than the population."

Still, he said it's "not normal" that a society would not at least discuss constitutional issues — because that just feeds the idea that it's a taboo.

The poll, conducted March 5-12, suggests 49 per cent of Quebecers and 29.4 per cent of Canadians living outside Quebec remember exactly what was happening in Ottawa in November 1981 when the federal and provincial governments met to discuss the repatriation of the constitution from England.

The conference ended in a deal in 1982 to repatriate the document, but the Quebec government of the day did not sign on. Quebec still refuses to sign.

The poll suggests 54 per cent of Quebecers think Ottawa was wrong to proceed without Quebec's accord.

In all, 71 per cent of Quebecers polled think the province should proceed now with a fresh attempt to reform — and 50 per cent of Canadians outside Quebec agree the province should take the initiative.

But while 69 per cent of Quebecers polled say Canada should give Quebec more powers, only nine per cent of Canadians outside the province agree.

The poll is based on a survey of 2,039 people, including 1,002 from Quebec. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.2 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

[WestViking]

The Kingdom of France lost the Seven Years War and ceded New France to the British under the Treaty of Paris, 1763 - 249 years ago. Under the Quebec Act of 1774 the residents of what had been New France or Lower Canada were granted the right to maintain their churches, culture, language and civil law structure by the British government.

At the end of the Seven Years War, the French monarchy went broke, France became a republic and never tried to retake its lost colonies. We have suffered over two and a half centuries of Quebecois pouting over the demise of the French Empire.

The solution is simple. Quebec can work with the nine other provinces to bring about constitutional changes that will benefit everyone or sit and sulk while the English-speaking majority makes changes without her.

[RedDog]

They want to reform a constitution they haven't signed? They've freely chosen to sit on the outside rather than at the main dining table.

[WestViking]

They want to reform a constitution they haven't signed? They've freely chosen to sit on the outside rather than at the main dining table.

BINGO! The Quebecois are seeking constitutional concessions that will 'allow' them to sign on.

May the fleas from a hundred thousand camels infect their privates and keep them busy.