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Even as Drew Lake spoke alongside Wexit founder Peter Downing, scanning the crowd before him, he was unsure what he really wanted. Days after the Trudeau Liberals won re-election--and the [...]

FACED WITH ESCALATING Russian aggression in Ukraine, American Secretary of State John Kerry warned Moscow of a 'very serious' response from the United States and Europe. German Chancellor Angela Merkel [...]

Discusses the Canadian Supreme Court ruling on whether Quebec has the right to unilaterally become sovereign. Reaction of Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien; Key points of the unanimous judgment; Why both sides are declaring victory; How the judges have left a new and definitive imprint on an age-old argument. INSET: Where the court ruling ends, the debate begins, by B.W..

The article presents the author's opinions on the continued existence of Canada's political party Bloc Québécois. He believes that it is a common fallacy for people to consider the party’s existence to be fate ever since it originated during the last week of the Meech Lake accord. He considers that the Bloc has made no more contribution to Québec's separatism since it was created in 1980. He suggests that people can stop trying to solve the Quebec question of autonomy.

The article discusses the debate about whether Quebec should be part of Canada or a separate nation. The author acknowledges that Quebec has its own unique culture which should be celebrated and maintained. Yet he also believes that Quebec and Canada share a common history, as well as a common present and future and therefore should remain a single country.

Discusses the views of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on the patriation of the Constitution from Britain. Comparison of Trudeau to Quebec Premier Rene Levesque; Resistance to Constitutional efforts from all but two provinces; Compromises which were reached; Reasons that Quebec felt betrayed by Canada over the passing of the Constitution.

When an official Ukrainian contingent visited Washington late last year to lobby for American support, it came bearing gifts: photographic proof of Russian troops in Ukraine. The group, including two [...]

Describes reaction to Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's recent speech in Quebec City, Quebec in which he urged Quebecers to carefully weigh the consequences of leaving Confederation. Quebec government's constitutional commission; Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa's position; Quebec business leaders; Quebec separatists; Progressive Conservative party's reassertion of control over the constitutional agenda.

Discusses the debate in Canada concerning political unity and the separatist movement in Quebec. The view that federalist parts of Quebec should remain in Canada if Quebec votes to secede; Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Affairs Minister Stephane Dion's endorsement of partition; Chretien's cabinet; Tactics on the part of the federal government to unnerve Lucien Bouchard, Quebec's premier; Politicians in Quebec working on a new Canadian Union.

THE NEWLY CREATED little city square is called the Scottish Causeway. If you look a little north from there to McMahon Street, you see the Celtic cross donated by the [...]

Ukraine is not the only place that Mother Russia has its eye on. In Europe's 'de facto states,' separatists are rising. Last month, Leonid Tibilov--the unrecognized president of the nonexistent [...]

The article focuses on the friendship between French President François Hollande and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Topics include Harper's attempts to build a personal relationship with Hollande after his election, Hollande's relationship with Marc Lortie, the Canadian ambassador to France, and the separatist movement in Quebec.

The author offers opinions on politics and government in Canada. A speech made by Governor General David Johnson citing French explorer Samuel de Champlain as the country's first governor is seen as echoing rhetoric used by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which stresses Canada's French heritage as a means of neutralizing the movement for Quebec becoming an independent country.

The article discusses the government of Quebec's response to comments made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy regarding the proposed separation of Quebec from Canada. Sarkozy made comments about the separatist movement on February 2, 2009, the author indicates. Also discussed is a letter written to Sarkozy by Quebec politician Pierre Paquette.

The article discusses Canadian diplomat Reed Scowen's position on Quebec's separation from Canada. An edition of Scowen's book "Time to Say Goodbye" has been released to coincide with Quebec's election campaign. The author believes Scowen presents the most calmly logical explanation for Quebec's own sovereignty.

The article discusses playwright Michel Tremblay and the backlash against his statements that suggest it may not be in Quebec's best interests to separate from Canada. A separatist icon, Tremblay was immediately blasted by critics after saying that the time for separatism has passed, and has now fallen out of favor in Quebec.

Reports that Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the separatist Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, made a public appearance to say that he was committed to peace. Hints of Prabhakaran that he may settle for internal autonomy; Reaction of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to the comments.

Offers reflections on Quebec's sovereignty referendum on October 30, 1995 by Jonathan Goldbloom, a partner in a Montreal public relations firm that helped organize federalist rallies in Montreal. Goldbloom's feeling that he was out of touch with what French-speaking Quebecan's wanted; How the pro-separatists won the vote.

Considers how the Canadian Supreme Court decision on Quebec's right to unilaterally declare sovereignty has broken new ground in the constitutional debate. Exploration of the background, issues and potential implications of the court's findings.

Reports that Stephane Dion, the minister of intergovernmental affairs, sent an open letter to Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard. How Dion called into question key planks in the separatist platform; Dion's move which suggests that Ottawa is warming up for another showdown with Quebec; Possible hardening Liberal approach to the sovereigntists.

Reports that Canadian federalists have attacked the idea that Quebec could secede from Canada with its borders intact. View of constitutional lawyers that Canada is obliged to protect the rights of federalist anglophones, aboriginals and allophones in Quebec; Quebecois secessionists' argument for territorial integrity; Inability to cull clear legal precedent from history or international law; Predictions of regional tensions escalating should Quebec secede.

Reports on the uphill battle faced by the separatist movement in Quebec Province. Fighting form of separatist leaders in Alma, Quebec; Rousing speech of Lucien Bouchard; Exploitation of the split in federalist ranks; Two choices faced by Quebec people; Result of a survey of Quebec people.

The article explores why Quebecois medieval enthusiasts are unwilling to form a national team to compete in the Battle of the Nations medieval combat reenactment. Topics include efforts by medieval recreation group the Scallagrims to form a national team with Quebec's Ost de Quebec team, the cultural differences between French-Canadian Quebec and the eastern European Scallagrims, and why Ost de Quebec team coordinator Annie Desjardins believes her team is a separate nation.

The author reflects on the Canadian government's decision to cancel the 2009 reenactment of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham at Quebec City, Quebec. Groups that support Quebec's separation from Canada expressed anger of the 250th anniversary plans, the article states. Also discussed is the historical significance of the battle including laying the foundations for the U.S. and Canada.

The article discusses the author's view that nothing changed on Canada's political landscape in the three years he was out of the country. He sees Quebec separatists continuing to blackmail the nation, a political regime that is a throwback Chrétien's federal consensus, and a crippled health system not up to the task of meeting Canada's clinical needs, as well as rampant anti-Americanism.

Presents a quote from Michaëlle Jean, governor general designate in Canada, in response to allegations that she and her fillmmaker husband Jean-Daniel Lafond are closet separatists.

This is an article that comments on Canadian politics and government as of September 6, 2004. Paul Martin lost a bunch of seats in Quebec. Over dinner, people whisper that another Quebec referendum is coming. Instead, the next Parti Québécois government would interpret a simple election victory as a mandate to prepare Quebec's secession. I wish I could tell you the PQ has embraced Parizeau's plan for a government of revolutionary insurrection, because it would ensure the PQ never wins another election. Parizeau's latest rant is taken as evidence that the separatists will find some particularly clever way to swindle Quebecers out of Canada.

Reports on a possible referendum on separation from Canada which may be held by the Parti Québécois if it is re-elected. Outlook for the referendum to be held in 2004; Percentage of voters in Quebec who oppose sovereignty.

Informs that five assailants stormed the national parliament complex in New Delhi, India killing seven people before they were killed themselves. Statement by India Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh that there is evidence the attack was carried out by the Pakistan-based Kashmiri separatist group Lashkar-e-Taiba; Possible reason for the attack.

Reports that the Parti Quebecois has acclaimed Bernard Landry as party leader. Likelihood that he will become premier of Quebec; His views on the sovereignty movement in Quebec.

Discusses societal conditions in Quebec, in light of the confirmation of Quebec deputy-premier Bernard Landry in March, 2001. Views regarding the sovereignty movement in Quebec; Issue of the French language and its relation to separatist efforts in Quebec; Feelings of nationalism in the province.

Offers comments from Gilles Gaumond, a longtime sovereigntist and the Parti Quebecois regional president for Quebec City, Quebec. His hopes to deliver a strong pro-sovereignty vote during the 1995 referendum campaign; Voter turnout; Election results.

Offers reflections by Eric Kierans, former member of the Quebec Liberal cabinet, on separatist premier Rene Levesque. How cabinet member Jean Lesage pushed through an anti-separatist motion which drove Levesque to resign from the party; How Levesque was in favor of Quebec separating from Canada.

Discusses social conditions in Quebec as of fall 1999. Call by the premier for calm in the province; Ruling by a Quebec judge that shops are not required to have French signs one inch larger than English ones; The town of Shawville and its response to separatists in Quebec; Speech given by United States President Bill Clinton in Quebec; Outlook for Bouchard, the province's premier, and a discussion of his probable retirement.

Reports on news within Canada. Announcement of a tentative agreement for compensation of Canadians infected with hepatitis C through the blood system; Results of a poll conducted for Montreal's `Le Devoir' newspaper that found Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard did not win a mandate to hold another referendum on separation with his November 30, 1998 election; Announcement of grants and loans to refurbish housing for the poor and homeless in Canada; More.

Profiles Lucien Bouchard, 53, an ex-Tory who now heads the separatist Bloc Quebecois in the Commons. His contention that after the federal election he could be leading the party that holds the balance of power; Opinion polls show his separatist party is poised to win a majority of Quebec's 75 federal ridings; Numbers of paid up members; Organizing constituency associations in every Quebec riding; Bouchard's personal history; Major drawbacks; Criticism.

Offers observations on the Quebec election campaign as of November 1998. Claims of Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard; Challenges facing his chief opponent, Liberal leader Jean Charest; The issue of a referendum on separation.

Presents world news briefs for September 28, 1998. Albanian lawmakers vote to strip opposition leader Sali Berisha of his parliamentary immunity; The Basque separatists group ETA declaration of a ceasefire; The Canadian field hockey players who harassed a Scottish umpire in Malaysia; The declaration of the end of Geraldine Ferraro's political career; More.

Focuses on the Canadian Supreme Court's ruling on Quebec's right to secede. The misrepresentation of the ruling by Quebec's premier Lucien Bouchard; The response of Quebec Liberal Leader Jean Charest to Bouchard; The Chretien government's response.

Discusses the Canadian Supreme Court ruling on the Quebec succession issue. Details on guideposts produced by the court; Praise for the accessible language and sensibility of the judgments.

Discusses the Canadian Supreme Court decision on Quebec's right to declare sovereignty. How rural Quebec is the heartland of Parti Quebecois support; Reaction of Quebecers to the court ruling; Weariness of some voters with the referendum issue.

Discusses the parallels between the 1971 provincial premiers meeting in St. Andrews, New Brunswick and the 1998 meeting in Saskatoon. Actions of separatist Quebec Premier Rene Levesque at the 1971 meeting; Actions of Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard at the Saskatoon meeting; How Saskatoon was a success versus St. Andrews.

Discusses the controversy in Canada over the hiring of onetime Parti Quebecois candidate David Levine by the Ottawa Civic Hospital board. Marion Dewar's support for the decision; The hospital's decision to choose a former separatist candidate; View that Ottawa's anger is a thin veneer for anti-French racism; Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard's visit to the United States; The assertion that separatism does not discourage outside investors.

Discusses a February 1998 massacre in Kosovo, Serbia. Long-simmering conflict between local secessionists and Belgrade; Ethnic Albanians who have long pressed for independence; How the area is a fertile recruiting ground for insurgents; Details of the Serbian assault against the Albanians.

Focuses on the issue of Quebecers' support for sovereignty. Brief information on a poll of provincial voters and their views on the issue that was published in the September 1997 issue of the magazine `L'actualite.'

Reports on marches held in Spain to protest the killing of a local politician by the Basque separatist group ETA.

Opinion. Argues that Quebec's sovereigntists are every bit as divided by personal dislikes and ideological differences as Canadian federalists. Details of divisions among Quebec leaders, including Jacques Parizeau, Lucien Bouchard, Michel Gauthier, Gilles Duceppe, Yves Duhaime and others; Belief that the concept of sovereignty in Quebec has come to mean all things to all people; Bickering within the Bloc Quebecois.

Mentions the end of a weeklong standoff by the Texas separatist group the Republic of Texas. The surrender of Richard McLaren, the head of the secessionist movement, and others.

Opinion. Focuses on the concensus by Liberal Party Leader Daniel Johnson on a constitutional proposal which put to rest the issue of making Quebec a separate society from Canada. Choice between constitutional peace or dismemberment of the country in a future referendum; The proposal as guranteeing Quebec distinct society status to please separatists; Opposition of the proposal from premiers of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.