a pale too far?

Harper welcomes Quebec as an independent entity at UNESCO. Let the new federal experiment begin!

"I think what's beyond the pale in this campaign is Mr. Martins' repeated suggestion that the Conservative party is in bed with the separatists, and that the Conservative party is getting its policies from the separatists. That's the allegation that is beyond the pale in this campaign... The policies that we've put forward are the policies of federalists across the country."
- Head Waiter Stephen Harper, December 2005


Québec already has participating government status in La Francophonie and… will continue to work toward the creation of an international French-speaking commonwealth. To this end, it will willingly lend its assistance to other member nations of the French-speaking community while respecting the diversity of languages and cultures found among the peoples of the world.

As a sovereign state with new powers and a clear respect for international law, Québec will take an active part in the world's leading organizations.

To meet its international goals and foster good relations with the international community, Québec will increase its existing foreign representation.
-"Quebec: On The Road to Nationhood" - BQ policy document identifying steps to soverignty.


I wanted to accept that challenge [to debate Gilles Duceppe] but [Paul Martin] refused. I tell you that the prime minister of Canada must always be prepared to meet the separatist leader and debate this country when and wherever.
- Headwaiter Harper


"If [Harper] delivers and Quebec has a voice, let's say at UNESCO, that [would be] good for a sovereign Quebec in the future. All the sovereigntists are supporting the fact Quebec is having an international presence in the francophone summit. This is a plus not only for the sovereigntists, but for Quebec. It's preparing us for the day [when] we'll be a sovereign country and be present everywhere. So the more we're present, the better it is, so we'll support that."
- Gilles Duceppe

Maybe it's a good thing that that debate didn't happen. Might not have been much to see, eh?