Sovereignty

[Robert Ross]

Sovereignty is explained in this vlog. What do you know about Canada's sovereignty? And what about sovereignty for Quebec? Is it time for another referendum?

<a href="http://blip.tv/play/2kK21ywA" target="_blank">http://blip.tv/play/2kK21ywA</a>

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Transcript Sovereignty is a term that we hear a lot but often aren’t sure of its meaning. In one such case, according to George W. Bush, “Sovereignty means just that. You’ve been given sovereignty and you’re viewed as a sovereign entity.” Not quite. Sovereignty basically means having complete authority within a territory. “Authority” means the establishment of laws, a border, taxes, printing currency. “Authority” also means the establishment of a nation, a national culture and the forms of government and economy. The Taliban in Afghanistan formed a national culture by instituting religious law. North Korea is a socialist communism. South Korea is a capitalist democracy. Both these nations, being sovereign entities, decide these things for themselves. Now the best example for Canada is the Quebec sovereignty movement in which Quebec held a referendum (a public vote), most recently in 1995, on whether Quebec would separate from Canada and become an independent (or sovereign) nation. Now the only reason Quebec is still part of Canada today is because just 49% of Quebecers voted Yes to sovereignty and 51% voted No. In other cases, sovereignty was taken by force – like in the American Revolution. Citizens took sovereignty by force because they didn’t want to live under the rule of a government that no longed served their interests. And all around the world, battles are being waged right now - militarily and diplomatically - by people who want sovereignty for themselves.  By the way, what do you know about *Canada’s sovereignty?* Tell us what you found out at momentofyouth.o rg.

[harron1]

I think that Quebec sovereignty is a dangerous thing.  The province still wants to be associated with the (mostly) positive image that Canada has throughout the world by using our currency, military, and resources.  I think the Prime Minister made a mistake by declaring them a 'distinct society', as there are many distinct societies within Canada that aren't nationally recognised.  In doing so, I feel the Stephen Harper has paved the way for a more fragmented population, rather than a more unified one.  I think that it was a political show that benefitted him in the short-term, in the Province of Quebec, but alienated the rest of Canada.  The Maritimes, with their own culture, their own languge, and their own way of life is also a distinct society, but it seems as if the PM's current war of words with Danny Williams isn't about to end soon - and none of those words include the notion of a distinct maritime society.  I think it boils down to the same idea that everyone's parent taught them when they were a child - if you don't have enough to give to everyone in the class, don't give any anyone. And Canada is much like that.  By fawning all over Quebec by giving them more of a say in foreign affairs, domestic matters, etc. Harper should be prepared to do that for every distinct society in Canada - but he's not - and thus jeopardizing the unification and sovereignty of Canada as a whole.