Login / RegisterMusings on B.C. NDP Leader Adrian Dix and Quebec separatism
During the recent B.C. NDP leadership campaign, Adrian Dix didn't make a big deal out of the fact that he speaks and writes French fluently. From time to time, Dix also reads French-language newspapers.
If he becomes premier, this could conceivably have positive implications for national unity.
With Quebec Premier Jean Charest's personal-approval rating in the sewer, it's a safe bet that the Parti Quebecois will win the next election in that province.
It's not out of the question that we could witness a third referendum on Quebec separatism in the coming years, particularly if the Canadian economy continues to stumble.
The Quebec separatist movement, by and large, is more socially progressive and thinks more collectively than most of English-speaking Canada.
If Dix becomes premier of B.C., he could be seen in Quebec as one of the progressive faces of federalism. If called upon, he could even venture into Quebec, give interviews to French-language media, and send a positive message that English-speaking Canada isn't entirely populated by right-wing dingbats who know nothing of Quebec and Quebecois culture.
In a close vote—and let's not forget that the federalists won by a razor-thin majority in 1995—the presence of a progressive, French-speaking premier from the west could make a difference.
Of course, Dix wasn't the only candidate in the B.C. NDP leadership race who could have been a beneficial factor in a national debate over separatism. Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons is from Montreal and also speaks French fluently. He's also very progressive.
As an aside, I remember when Dix's former boss, Glen Clark, became premier in 1996 shortly after the last Quebec sovereignty vote.
I cringed at the thought of Clark—a scrappy politician who had rarely travelled outside of B.C. before being elected to the legislature—ever getting involved in this file.
It was a relief when Clark later hired former Radio-Canada reporter Jean Wolff as his press secretary because Wolff had a deep understanding of Quebec.
Instead of trying to create an issue or make headlines elsewhile why not devote your talent to something real---like the voodoo economics at City Hall, or the manipulation by the MSM of this entire federal election?
I majored in French and taught it for many years. Does that mean I may be a closet Separatist? What a joke! Perhaps you need to go on vacation.
Shame on you.
Anyone right of Adrian Dix is a "right-wing dingbat"? So like 60-70% of English speaking Canada are "right-wing dingbats"? Would Farnworth be considered a "right-wing dingbat"? Christy Clark?
Charlie, I expect better from you. Even John Cummins wouldn't deserve that kind of disparagement.
Charlie Smith
I am happy to forecast not a single PCC riding in Quebec this time around. Worried otherwise for the ROC.
québécois in a former life
Many older Quebec separatists believe English Canada doesn't give a whit about them, the French language, or francophone culture. It challenges their long-held assumptions when they are confronted by someone like Dix, who headed a group called Canadian Parents for French. I don't expect to persuade the commenters below this article. But I have a hunch that the silent majority are agreeing with me, judging from the vote counter.
Charlie Smith
Your comment invalidates our rich and vibrant west coast culture while placing Quebec culture on a pedestal.
Are the opinions of significant amount of Canadians invalid or otherwise less significant because we primarily speak English and a multitude of other languages in the rest of Canada and the Metro Vancouver area in particular?
If roles were reversed, you would be branded a bigot and racist.
Sorry, reverse discrimination is still discrimination.
Perhaps a majority of Canadians are sick of Quebec receiving much more fiscally than they contribute while the entire time Quebec politicians simultaneous declare how poorly they are being treated.
If the Quebec people truly wish to leave Canada, I sincerely wish them the best in pursuing their own destiny. But this constant talk of more money and powers is getting a little tiresome.
Celebrate your unique identity and culture, but do it on your own dime.
Don't worry about Canada and the west coast in particular, we'll be alright, probably even better after all the resources dedicated to appeasing Quebec have been reallocated to the rest of Canada.
Why, when they get everything they want by screaming "separatism"?
What do they have to gain? And what on Earth does BC have to gain?
No matter how much brainwashing has beeing going on for years in our anti-Quebec media rags, French happens to have a fairly reasonable basis in this country as well as being a gateway language to a whole new world. Even our neighbours are discovering this reality. French shares the same character set and much else. Quebec (and other minority groups such as FNs) has obviously figured out how to live in a world of turncoats, sellouts and crooked tongues that the ROC is barely starting to discover. I would prefer bashing that world of turncoats rather than the messenger that has actually figured it out.