Deconfederation: Canada without Quebec

by David J. Bercuson

In this timely, clear-thinking and candid disussion of the history and present prospects of Canada as a nation, the authors maintain that the Canadian experiment has failed, that it is time to say good-bye and bonne chance! to the province of Quebec. Bercuson and Cooper argue that the valiant attempt to accomodate the special aspirations of one large French-speaking province has put an intolerable strain on Canada. Now, as regions fight one another and the federal government for increased powers, as the economey grinds to its lowest point in decades, and as our poiticians suffer from the lowest confidence ratings ever recorded, the country can no longer afford the luxury of futile constitutional wrangles. It is time to bring the debate to an end. Quebec separation, the authors say, would have a number of positive effects: - a substantial reduction in unemployment insurance payments, because Quebec receives far more than it contributes to UI; -the end of the need for bilingual prime ministers; -the end of official bilingualism with enormous savings to tax payers and manufacturers; -the recovery by Canada of the northern half of Quebec which the province acquired purely because of its role within Confederation. Deconfederation makes a compelling case for a sovereign Quebec. It offers a clear alternative to Canadians who fear for the future and dispels once and for all the idea that Canada without Quebec will be substantially weakened.

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Andrew Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It offers an excellent argument for the secession of Quebec from Canada.

Chapter four is a welcomed surprised which actually outlines a plan for the peaceful secession of Quebec from Canada. I will admit that I am skeptical if Quebec will cede coastal land in the event of secession but regardless the authors offer an alternative plan if that does not work, of an international agreement of free passage between Canada, Quebec, and the U.S. I am also curious about their discussion of monetary union with Quebec. Bercuson and Cooper discuss whether or not Canada should let Quebec use the CAD. But isn't this something that only Quebec can decide? We can't exactly outlaw Japan from using the CAD as their national currency. I suppose that their ultimate concern would be with Quebec having influence in the BoC. To that I say that neither country should agree to use a mutual currency. Let Canadian monetary policy be Canadian monetary policy and Quebec monetary policy be Quebec monetary policy.

Also, Bercuson and Cooper argue that a new constitution borne out of "divorce" with Quebec should include in the preamble the goal of an indissoluble Canada which would not extend the same right of secession to other provinces. I scarcely see this as reasonable, necessary, or practical. If there exists a distinct national identity with national goals and interests in Nova Scotia, who are we to deny Nova Scotians their right to self-determination? I don't know if the authors still hold this view since, as far as I am aware, Cooper supports the secession of Alberta from Canada.

These are my very few criticisms but overall I absolutely loved this book and plan to continue to Cooper's "It's the Regime, Stupid" next.