While there are many in Quebec that will disagree with him, Gerard Kennedy has decided that he cannot in good conscience support Stephen Harper’s motion to recognize the Quebecois as a nation within Canada. Kennedy will hold a press conference tomorrow to explain his decision. This is a principled stand and, in my opinion, the right decision. The resolution as it stands does not define the key terms that are at stake — that is, what constitutes the Quebec nation. The resolution avoids the difficult questions by refering not to Quebec but to “the Quebecois”. But what constitutes “the Quebecois” (is it anyone resident within Quebec’s borders? only francophone Quebecers? if the intent is to recognize the francophone people, then say francophone people, thereby acknowledging the distinct contribution of francophones who live outside of Quebec). But most importantly, the resolution fails by not defining what it means by “nation” — does it mean civic nation? ethnic nation? sociological nation? It is essential that any resolution claiming “national” status of any sub-region or sub-group within Canada explain what that actually means. Moreover, the resolution promises nothing and delivers nothing. It simply raises Quebecers’ expectations and shows contempt for Quebecers desire for more autonomy.

There is little doubt that this is a difficult issue for everyone. Having spent my formative years in Quebec and been educated and worked there myself, I feel that I am, in part, a Quebecer. I have a strong sense of attachment to Quebec, and to Montreal in particular. Learning the Civil Code of Quebec as part of my education, attending sketching school in Quebec City, working in the Eastern Townships, living in Notre-Dame-de-Grace and the Plateau (which straddles the western anglo and eastern francophone halves of Montreal), proudly marching in Dominion Square in favour of the 1995 NO campaign (and casting my NO ballot at the local high school) — through all of this, I learned that Quebec is an amazing place, with so much to offer. But there as also a dark underbelly of unwritten codes — the old Quebec that rears its ugly head every so often. Not being “from Quebec” originally (and not having a Quebec name, unless I changed my name to Gregoire Moreau), I was also patently aware of the glass ceiling that comes by not being a “pure laine” Quebecer. All too common, even people born and raised in Quebec — as allophones — experience that same political barrier — not within politics itself but in their professional offices. A good friend of mine, a dyed-in-the-wool Montrealer if there ever was one, recently moved to Toronto because he, despite working for some of the best architects in Montreal, had reached that glass ceiling, unable to get the respect and responsibility that he had earned. This glass ceiling may well ensure that “pure laine” Quebecers retain important positions (understandable given the situation prior to the Quiet Revolution), but it holds Quebec back from achieving its true potential.

Through it all, I have always felt that Quebec a part of Canada, and that Canada was a part of Quebec. One people, with many different attributes, and many different regional identities, of which Quebec is surely the most distinct. Those leading the effort to recognize Quebec as a nation are right to build “national” status upon shared civil values. But those shared values mustn’t be built region-by-region, people-by-peope, but rather must be built together, in forging Canadian civil values — not as English and French people — but as something else, more than the sum of our parts. I have also come to understand that there is often a disconnect between the political rhetoric of Quebec’s politicians and the everyday feelings of its people. Quebecers, and francophone Quebecers in particular, are not so insecure that they need an empty declaration of who they are or are not — they know who they are, they know that their language, culture, and values are strong, distinct, and in no danger of perishing within a Canada that cherishes them so much. We dishonour and patronize Quebecers with an empty declaration that promises much, but delivers nothing. While others want a quick fix, to quickly sweep Quebec’s aspirations under the rug with a vapid declaration, Kennedy understands that Harper’s resolution (while better than the Liberal resolution), raises and dashes hopes in one fell swoop. It’s not the answer for Quebec or Canada.

Other reaction…

Warren Kinsella:

Gerard Kennedy for leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Has a ring to it, right about now. I haven’t been enthusiastic about Gerard for the past few months, mainly because of some of the MPs who supported him. As Calgary Grit told me, you can’t always choose your supporters. True enough. As of right now, Gerard Kennedy is the guy who most deserves to be the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He deserves to win. If I was a delegate, I’d sure as Hell be voting for him. What he has done, here took guts, and character, and leadership – something the Liberal Party of Canada desperately needs. Canada, too. Gerard will be under tremendous pressure from the elites to reverse his position, or qualify it. I don’t think he will. On Sunday, I communicated with many of the senior people around him. They say he will not reverse his position, as others have done this week. Folks, this is a big, big development. One week from now, I think this guy just might be the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada!

Paul Wells:

This is pretty big stuff. Kennedy’s chances of becoming the next Liberal leader — or at least of bumping off Stéphane Dion, with whom he was headed for a knife fight for third place — just improved considerably. He will be rolling out the names of prominent new supporters as early as Monday, as a direct result of this decision.