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Why Thomas Mulcair is wrong and 50 plus 1 is not enough.

Posted By: Ric Peterson · 2/2/2013 7:25:00 PM

I think Thomas Mulcair is playing with fire by introducing his “unity bill’.  The NDP bill would repeal the Clarity Act and proposes that a bare majority would be sufficient to trigger negotiations on Quebec’s secession from Canada.

As it stands now, there is no clear majority number.  Former intergovernmental affairs minister and author of the Clarity Act, Stephane Dion joined my program Friday.  He still argues that the imprecision is necessary.  I agree with him.  It gives the flexibility to take into account all the factors surrounding a referendum, including voter turnout and whether there had been any irregularities in a vote.  Has Mr. Mulcair forgotten that as the MNA for Chomedey he felt there was "an orchestrated attempt to steal the vote" in his riding during the 1995 referendum, or that the NDP voted in support of the Clairty Act?  

Listen to Stephane Dion’s interview with me on the player under the photos >>> 

Hear him discuss his position and what the Conservatives are likely to do.  Please let me know how you feel about it and leave a comment below.

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  1. Le Québécois posted on 02/04/2013 08:25 AM
    Its a little bit illogical to ask the federal government, which clearly has a desired outcome in the referendum, to decide of the "number".

    I think it was Trudeau the father who responded that in the case of a winning 50%+1 referendum he would simply ask for 2/3. :)

    Imagine how would the ROC react if one vote for the Bloc Québécois was equal to 2 votes for the conservative.

    Great canadian democracy...
    1. Simon Templar posted on 02/07/2013 02:36 PM
      @Le Québécois So by that same logic we can't ask a separatist government, as they clearly have a desired outcome. Look at what they tried to do with the questions.
      And how exactly does 1 vote somehow equal 2? Do answer what I think you were trying to get at, why would separating from a country require a lower barrier than a constitutional amendment? Or a company removing a board member? Or a political party changing it's platform? All require two-thirds majorities.
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  2. George Grummett posted on 02/05/2013 06:46 PM
    In practically any fair fight, when you are outnumbered 2:1 it is pretty unlikely that you can win.
    Therefore I would consider 66.7%, or 2/3 to be an absolute, indisputable win.
    If 66.7% of the Quebec electorate voted for independence I would accept it without a single doubt.
    1. Le Québécois posted on 02/07/2013 03:58 AM
      @George Grummett In arab countries they used to need four women to go against the testimony of one man. In other places you used to have a lesser credit score if you were black.

      Any other number than 50%+1 would mean that some voters are worth less than other voters based on their opinion. I hope Canada is not following that path...

      That would mean that sovereignists are just "half voters" and federalists are "full voters".

      The simple fact that this is considered is actually the reason why sovereignty exists in Québec. Because we are inferior citizens and some of us are more "favored" than others because they think like our "master" the federal government.
      The essential definition of imperialism...

      Btw there will never be any referendum. When the empire will decide its colony is too much trouble it will simply let it go.
      The PQ and the OQLF have understood that :)
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  3. Richard posted on 02/06/2013 07:58 PM
    @Le Quebecois
    Really what is this desired outcome that Canada wants in a Referendum? MMMM What? Are you going to tell me that they really want us to stay? Well you are dead wrong! The kasrt federal election show that you can win a majority with out winning Quebec. Have you not noticed that Harper has stopped kissing Quebec's butt since the last election?

    As for 50% plus one. Funny how a union needs 68% of the vote to go on strike! Funny how the NDP own constiturion states that they need 67% to change their own policies...Yet they feel that 50% plus one is enough to take away my birth right as a Canadian?

    One thing you need to realise is that Quebec is dying..Im not talking about the language. Im talking about the province! Tax tax tax and get nothing. HIgh unemployement Crumbling infrastruture. Over crowded hospitals Head offices and jobs leaving and all they care about is language! Nothing else! As long as they are worried about the button on the photocopier saying Copy and Copie....Quebec will continue to be nothing
    1. Le Québécois posted on 02/09/2013 03:57 AM
      @Richard "As for 50% plus one. Funny how a union needs 68% of the vote to go on strike! Funny how the NDP own constiturion states that they need 67% to change their own policies...Yet they feel that 50% plus one is enough to take away my birth right as a Canadian?"

      Québec entered confederation without any referendum, the constitution was rappatriated unilaterally without any referendum and Newfoundland entered with 52%, and after trying TWICE, so what's your point ?
      When Canada really wants something it doesn't really "bother" with referendums
      and also Montenegro got something like 55% I think...


      "As long as they are worried about the button on the photocopier saying Copy and Copie....Quebec will continue to be nothing"

      EXACTLY ! This is why we need to separate, remove the fear and once and for all MOVE ON. But this can only happen after sovereignty.
      Do you think I like to be a sovereignist ? I hate it, but its not done yet so we have to put all our energy towards that.

      And yes Canada is starting to want us to go and this is very good. Because as long as they want us to stay they will play with us with their undefined never enough to separate clear majority.

      When they really really want us to go then sovereignty will be a piece of cake. So we have to piss them off with OQLF and "state sponsored bigotry" until the ROC hates Québec so much it will finally let us go. :)
  4. Le Québécois posted on 02/09/2013 04:14 AM
    Why are we even bothering to discuss this.
    Sovereignists leaders know the ROC will play with us until the end of day.

    They did last referendum by blatantly violating our referendum laws, misusing their power of immigration, facilitating Ontario voters in Québec's referendum and boosting the no side with illegal occult funding. Canada does not like democracy, democracy is for elections only. It's just like in every other country in the world, they will "invent" any reason to preserve themselves.

    We have to find a way for Canada to WANT us to go. This is why sovereignists leaders are doing everything they can to pick a fight and be unbearable.

    This is why the OQLF will only be stronger and stronger and the bigotry will continue in full force.

    Now you know the "secret" sovereignist strategy. Acccept it or leave the province.

    Mommy has no choice but to trash the house until daddy signs the divorce papers.
    When mommy and daddy will finally divorce we will all live better. :)
    (french and anglos alike, I truly beleive it)
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