Liberals Withdraw 'Quebec as a Nation' Motion

In my opinion leadership is about dealing with hard issues and making difficult decisions. One of the toughest questions facing Canada is the issue of Quebec's postion in Canada. As an aside, I believe that the Quebec issue is a symptom of a much larger issue which is the centralized way we are governed. This extends all the way down to how our cities don't have the tools needed to address their growing challenges.

Given the Liberal party's image problems, I get the sense that this decision will not augur well with Canadians. At least Stephen Harper tackles the tough questions head on - whether you like his policies or not. I don't see that in the Liberal party with any of the leadership canadidates - with the exception of Mr. Ignatieff.

I agree with your point that the Liberal leadership candidates have been sidestepping many of the critical issues. However, with the convention looming so close it would be foolish for any of the four contenders to wade into controversial waters and risk polarising their support bases - they would stand to gain nothing at this point.

In terms of Quebec, I believe Mr. Harper's move was tactically brilliant as he pulled the rug out from under Ignatieff's feet. Mr. Ignatieff was credited by some for his boldness (or stupidity, depending on whom you're talking to) in opening up the Quebec debate. By tabling a motion in the House and winning the support of the opposition parties, Harper upstaged Ignatieff in a big way. Quebec is no longer his issue because it is - at least for now - a non-issue. In light of this, striking the motion from the Liberal Party convention was pretty well a necessity.

It was a smart move on the part of the Liberals, I would never support any party that granted special status to any group within Canada.

I think it is gas on the fire as was the infamous " Vivre Le Quebec Libre " of past years but the fire was always there and will be untill some time in the distant future when such social attitudes may have become irrelevant.
As for the Liberals , they are just doing what they are about .Trying to gain POWER any which way they think they can !.

Various groups have and will continue to put their own spin on the PM's motion recognizing the quebec population as a nation within canada. But I truely believe that Mr.Harpers declaration was mean't as a kind and inclusive gesture, akin to putting your arm around the shoulder of a family member and giving it a little tug. It says it all...family through thick and thin!

Under these circumstances the liberals did the right thing in withdrawing their motion. It was also nice to see all of the political partys support this weeks motion in the house. wish we could see more of this.

Ray Whitehouse- Montreal

Even though the Liberals withdrew the motion it has not gone away as a serious topic at the Convention. It remains as the primary issue in the minds of the media today and will continue
to be a key issue throughout the convention and into the Friday speeches.

I think that the Liberals can get this issue behind them, but it will be very much in the interest of Gerad Kennedy to keep it front and centre.

He has received a lot of attention for his position and with Dryden and Volpe voting against the motion, he could gain some momentum heading into the 2nd ballot vote on Saturday.

If the result from the by-election on Monday in Quebec is any indication (the Liberals came 4th, behind the NDP and CP) then they have a lot of work to do. At this point, it may be easier to get votes in BC, SK, MB and yes, even Alberta, if the Liberals elect a leader who stands in clear contrast to Harper.

If Kennedy or Rae win, the Libs could contrast quite clearly on:

Afghanistan, Aboriginal affairs, Quebec as a nation, tax cuts etc.

Ignatieff is not as well position to oppose Harper on these grounds which will give Harper an advantage on those issues.

I doubt that it can be put completely out of the picture. It may not be on the formal agenda but it will be "on the floor". The liberals still have to pay lip service to it...they will have no choice
In government they cant just sweep under the table that which they dont want to deal with because of known fallout. It's not good that they just dropped it like a hot potato.

As proved once again, the country is not united by compromise but by ambiguity. The terms means what you want it to mean. It's important, if its important to you. Otherwise you have to think that issues like Canadians at War in Afghanistan, Catastrophic climatic change, Failing Canadian healthcare system, Terrorism, Aboriginal and Child Poverty and the failure of Canadian Industry to compete globally, all while staring down the looming prospect of a demographic timebomb in the form of an aging population might just deserve to be discussed as well.

Nik Im totally against this Nation business wether they withdraw or not, this is the samething the Liberals and Quebec have been shoving down the throats of Canadians for years, put it to a National Vote on the Ballot with the next Election regardless of when it is, Maybe we should have the Nation of British Columbia, most Canadians are not aware that BC had 2 successful Colonies before 1871. We got screwed ever since, and also we got the Finger from the PM and Quebec. Now we cannot even develope our own Resources the way we want, but of course Atlantic Canada gets their way every dam time. LiberalBC member, and remember Im on the Social Credit side of the party. The number one issue in Canada, is not a Nation of Quebec, but the SENATE, a body that is not doing its job and protecting their own Party interests, not want Canadians want. These Liberals should be lucky we do not have a Grand Jury in Canada and maybe we should, BECAUSE MANY OF THIS LIBERALS IN GOVERNMENT WOULD BE IN FRONT OF IT, NAMELY CHRETIEN, CODERRE, DION AND OTHERS.

If the federal government gives Québec "Nation" satus, what is a referendum, but a formailty?? Would it just not be adding fuel to the fire??

Why could Canada not do something similar to the United Kingdom??

Keith Mitchell - Ontario

Lets be realistic here, Quebec is definately distinct from the rest of Canada, but to symbolize it as a "Nation" is just giving the Bloc the fuel it needs to dominate the Commons during Question Period and also tie up the Government with usless and time consuming motions to distract the House from doing its job we elected them to do. I give credit to Mr. Harper for having the intestinal fortitude to get this motion through the house with unanimous support. Now that it is voted on and over with lets get back to doing what Canada really needs, strong crime bills, and the environment.

Good Afternoon,

The Conservative resolution in the House has as much weight as saying anyone with a right to vote in this country is basically recognized by the Government of the day. In other words, who cares about adjectives describing the fact we are Canadian? A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian for the purposes of this discussion.

As the Bard wrote:"A rose by any other name...".

I am against this decision because I feel it will be very divisive and I feel cheated because I wanted to see the Liberal position (or rather Mr. Ignatieff's position) on this. The Conservatives bailed him out and shot the Bloc in the foot with a single thrust - touché - but its far from over.

Quebue not a french word...

The name "Quebec", which comes from an Algonquin word meaning "strait" or "narrowing", originally meant the narrowing of the St. Lawrence River off what is currently Quebec City. There have been variations in spelling of the name:

So if Quebecois is a nation then it falls under First Nation of many nations.... jurisdiction is of First Nation and is bound to Canada under mutual agreements...

Quebecois are the same as Meti nation I know because my last Name Is Brunelle and one of the MP’s on the BOC is also Brunelle… The old Quebecois are from a Native-French background…...

They wont tell anyone this....