Canada's House Of Commons Recognizes Quebec As A Nation

This too should prove very interesting theater:

Canada's House of Commons overwhelmingly adopted a resolution stating that the Quebec province represents a "nation" within Canada in an unprecedented vote initiated by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"This house recognizes that the Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada," stated the resolution, which passed by a vote of 266-16.

Autonomy and independence for Francophone Quebec is a recurring issue in Canadian politics -- the province held and lost two separatist referendums in 1980 and 1995.

Harper proposed the resolution last week in a surprise move meant to pre-empt plans by the separatist Bloc Quebecois to define all Quebecers as a nation -- without mentioning Canada.

It was the first time a prime minister and parliament had recognized the concept of "nation" for the province, even if only as a symbolic gesture.

Political analysts said Harper hoped to rally support among voters in Quebec and quell debate over the province's possible separation from Canada.

Harper's Conservative Party-led government must make inroads in Quebec's electorate if it wants to win in the next parliamentary elections widely expected in 2007.

I assume you caught that last paragraph. That's why this happened and happened in an expedited manner.

(read more)