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The article focuses on politics and government in Canada. Ever-louder rumblings north of the border should not be dismissed as another Canadian nonevent. Potentially, they portend much greater consequences for American interests than many nationalist breakups around the world. Canada's dilemma, typically put, is the separation of Quebec. At least since the abortive rebellions of 1837-1838, Quebecers seemingly have been revolting against Canada. Quebecers, for their part, call partition dangerous, nonviable, undemocratic, and contrary to law. They regard it as a precedent that would threaten the geopolitical balance in North America. So the tensions increase. What starts as simple secession, or breakup, could end in a complex process of redefining the entire Canadian polity, rooted in nationalist stresses that turn out not to be restricted to former communist states and poor Third World countries but to affect all multi-ethnic states in the post-Cold War order. This more complicated picture of Quebec's separation and its consequences may be described as a worst-case scenario.

This article comments on the issue of national unity in Canada. It is our destiny that national unity will forever be an issue. But we are in a rare spell of relative peace. The provinces are doing their bit for unity, too. Early last month, premiers and territorial leaders put the finishing touches on their Council of the Federation, which will bring them together twice a year and create an Ottawa-based secretariat. "The provinces know they are being dragged apart by the pressures of north-south trade between different regions of Canada and the U.S. This is a way to strengthen some of the social and political east-west ties." But there will always be strains in any federation: if not Quebec, Alberta may be tugging at its ties. Perhaps all we can do is relish the fact that we have a break. And not expect it to last.

Reports on provincial elections in Quebec. In 2002, political pundits were preparing obituaries for the Parti Québécois (PQ) and even for its goal, the peaceful democratic secession of Quebec from Canada. But as campaigning for the provincial election on April 14, 2003 was drawing to a close, all of that looked a little premature. The Quebec Liberals had secured a small, but constant, lead in the opinion polls. But many of the pundits were betting that the PQ would sneak back for a third successive term, becoming the first party for half a century to do so. It would be a consequence of Canada's first-past-the-post electoral system--and of a plateful of bread-and-butter issues. However, the main reason the PQ looks likely to be re-elected is Quebec's thriving economy. The polls show that a solid 40% continue to support independence in principle. But far fewer want another divisive referendum on the issue in the near future.

Reports on politics and government in Quebec. Decreasing support for secession from Canada; Political goals of Quebec Premier Bernard Landry; The effect of economic conditions in Quebec on support for secession.

Comments on two provincial referendums in Quebec. How the initiatives show a division in political direction; Reasons why the author views Quebec province as an adolescent in Canada.