Agreements and Definitions
There it is, said. Quebecois represent the ideal of a nation. Have we got a deal? Not bloody likely, more's the pity. Bend over backwards and get your ass kicked. Sensible people will be satisfied. The defensively-entitled (offensive by definition) whom nothing will ever satisfy will scream bloody murder and try to edge ever closer to fragmenting this country that is Canada.
The descendants of the original French settlers of Quebec form a nation by the defining commonality of descent, language, history of political institutions, culture, traditions and values. This distinct nation would also include those descendants who have migrated elsewhere within Canada.
This would not, by definition, include those many immigrants who have settled within Quebec to become citizens of Canada and residents of Quebec who originally hail from other countries, and who have brought with them their own unique culture, original history, traditions and who now adjust to a recognition of the political culture within Canada, their adopted country.
However, whether we speak of Quebecois recognized as comprising a nation, or the many other citizens of Quebec who do not fit into that category, these are all resident-citizens of the Province of Quebec, and by further definition - since Quebec is a province within Canada - Canadians.
Canada officially recognizes over one hundred and sixty separate First Nations. We are a country of disparate nations come together to form a unitary country. A multinational country if you will. Canada has been blessed in its growth and prosperity with the vigour brought to it by people dispersed from around the world and welcomed to Canada.
Canada is as much a country of immigrants as it is a country of three original founding nations: English, French and a vast multitude of aboriginal first-Canadians.
Welcome to the 21st century.
- Nation: A distinct race or people with a common descent, language, history of political institutions. (We can add to that the unifying principles of) culture, traditions and values.
- Country: Region or territory of a nation. Land of birth. Land in which one holds citizenship. The father- or motherland.
- State: Organized civil government. Politicial community with government recognized by the people. Federal republic. Commonwealth.
The descendants of the original French settlers of Quebec form a nation by the defining commonality of descent, language, history of political institutions, culture, traditions and values. This distinct nation would also include those descendants who have migrated elsewhere within Canada.
This would not, by definition, include those many immigrants who have settled within Quebec to become citizens of Canada and residents of Quebec who originally hail from other countries, and who have brought with them their own unique culture, original history, traditions and who now adjust to a recognition of the political culture within Canada, their adopted country.
However, whether we speak of Quebecois recognized as comprising a nation, or the many other citizens of Quebec who do not fit into that category, these are all resident-citizens of the Province of Quebec, and by further definition - since Quebec is a province within Canada - Canadians.
Canada officially recognizes over one hundred and sixty separate First Nations. We are a country of disparate nations come together to form a unitary country. A multinational country if you will. Canada has been blessed in its growth and prosperity with the vigour brought to it by people dispersed from around the world and welcomed to Canada.
Canada is as much a country of immigrants as it is a country of three original founding nations: English, French and a vast multitude of aboriginal first-Canadians.
Welcome to the 21st century.
posted by Pieface | 1:33 PM
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