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Originally Posted by The Gibbroni
There's always a lot of boastful talk about how Quebec couldn't make it if it were to leave the Federation but precious little about the real fear: the effect that the rupture would have on the remainder of Canada. How would the rest of the world view Canada if it were to suddenly lose over 20% of its population and over 15% of its land mass? Its reputation as a stable country would be shattered and it would certainly be even less of an international 'player' than it currently is. The loss of prestige alone would be enormous.
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The "fear" of which you speak is mostly confined to the east though. The Ottawa establishment would freak out, and the Atlantic provinces would feel isolated, but topping all fears would be the Francophone communities throughout the ROC, and the pro-Canada businesses and individuals within Quebec itself (many of which would leave)... you forgot to mention that side of the coin.
Canada would be diminished in some ways, but it's GDP per capita would soar to near the top of the list, so it would actually become wealthier in the eyes of the world... that wouldn't exactly hurt its reputation.
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Despite all the bluster, Canada has more to fear from Quebec separating than Quebec does. That might explain the frantic reaction to the two referendums and why nobody has ever said "All right Quebec, we've had enough. Just leave." because if Canada were ever to say that, Quebec would leave.
The fear of Quebec actually leaving will always be greater in Canada than in Quebec itself, despite all the bravado and chest thumping. The massive financial losses would cut both ways. And don't you forget that.
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Well, that's just what you would like to believe... comforting, isn't it? Quebec can afford to engage in saber rattling all it wants as long as it does so under the protection and benefits of the Federation. Become independent, and everything changes in an instant. It's like the 45-year old son living at home, periodically threatening to leave if he doesn't get his way. But who none the less, always manages to bite the bullet and stay... and for the benefit of the family, so he likes to claim after checking out the rent elsewhere.
Honestly, a lot of people I talk to (out west) would not be the slightest bit upset if Quebec were to leave.... and the odd person who would be only feel that way because the Atlantic provinces would be isolated.
And as far as "financial losses", you are completely wrong, they wouldn't cut both ways... You are evidence that some Quebeckers live in a fantasy world financed by the largess of the Federal Government.