Quebec
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
The Quebec-Canada conflict has been in dispute for over 250 years, traced back to when the British nation attacked Quebec and took over, and so far there has been no solid resolution. The conflict has settled down since 1629 when the first major battle, the Battle of Quebec, swept across the countryside. But evidently, the conflict still exists. For example, the separatist Parti Quebecois is "waging a war on English" according to the Times magazine (more info can be found under the 'Today' tab) and currently only recognizes French as an official language in the region. The dispute has reached a point where the Parti Quebecios is trying to gather a group of pro-independence followers and leave present day Canada. There are a variety of potential solutions to this ongoing conflict, many of which have been debated by politicians. Among these methods of resolving the issue are claims for an independent Quebec which would have significant effects upon both sides. However, we propose a new solution which will include only the advantages from an independent Quebec and a remaining Canadian province, both of which are detailed below.
Introduction
Independent Quebec
If, in the future, Quebec sucessfully leaves Canada and becomes its own Nation, there are advantages and disadvantages that would affect this independent territory. Quebec is home to the port of Montreal, the largest container port in Canada. This trade hub would cause the GDP of an independent Quebec to skyrocket as the containers in this port contain valuble goods such as clothing and other textiles. In fact, through a series of extrapolated calculations, it can be predicted that if Quebec were to become independent, it would rank around 44th in the world in terms of its GDP. Aside from the economic prosperity that would be evident in an independent nation of Quebec, there would, unfortunately, be consequences and losses as well. One of the major problems is the large population of Parti Quebecios followers situated in Quebec who are oriented towards Quebec's independence. This could easily drive away many Anglophones (people who speak English) who hold opposing political views and cause a large drop in Quebec's immigration rate. This drop in immigration would make Quebec's low birth rate more noticeable. Also, Quebec would need a surplus of pro-independent sentiment and nationalism in order to achieve autonomy becasuse, currently, the number of pro and anti independence supporters are equal in political power. All in all, an Independent Quebec is possible but there are obstacles that would not only cause a soveriegn Quebec to fail, but would make it difficult even to propose the idea of independence.
Canada Without Quebec
Quebec's withdrawal from Canada could be trivial to the country's political power, yet catastrophic towards the world's 11th largest economy. Without Quebec, Canada certainly would not collapse because it fosters various services and vast majority of manufacturing sites. The country independently produces consumer electronics, clothing, natural gas, oil and other valuble goods. Canada also profits from a large tourism industry, as well as from construction and agricultural industries. However, without Quebec, Canada would lose a large amount of its current profits. Many large oil and natural gas fields have been found in Quebec and without them, Canada would suffer economic losses. A large majority of tourists vist Quebec, without which Canada's tourism industry would be vastly reduced as well. Currrently, for example, Quebec has a gross domestic product (GDP) of about 357 billion dollars, or about 19.65% percent of Canada's GDP. Taking Quebec out would therefore cause almost a 1/5th loss in national product. Overall, a Canada without Quebec could survive politically, as it among the strongest nations in the Western hemisphere. However, economically, it may not maintain its current global position. This prediction largly depends on the state of the economy, a factor that is largly considered unstable and could change at any given moment, especially with the loss of a vital, profitable region.
Proposed Solution
As seen above, Quebec and Canada have many conflicts and problems in their relationship with each other and neither an independent Quebec nor a remaining Canadian country would be free of issures. However, a proposed solution has been developed to virtually provide the most stable and conflictless resolution. Currently, Canada has a government in the form of a constitutional monarchy and it uses the British Parliment. However, if Canada switched to a strong federal system,through which it would, in turn, preside over Quebec, matters would come to a resolution. Essentially, a strong federal system evenly distributes power among the different provinces/regions of a state and give rights to each individual state instead of creating a highly centralized government. Additionally, in a strong federal system regions, such as Quebec would have much control over policies, funds, and decision makig which would lessen conflict. By using this method Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and all the other provinces will recieve equal rights, political power, and the ability to make decisions in the interest of the province's own citizens. Although Quebec would not be able to legally restrain the English population within its borders, it would be able to develop its own policies about certain aspects such as offical language. The separatist extremists would find no reason to argue with their newfound political power and importance. Furthermore, Quebec will not have to become independent and this would balance between both economies. In this way, Canada would no longer have to fight with Quebec and peace would be restored.