The answer to your last question is "probably not". The issue is emotional, not sensible.

Institutions such as AC and VIA could not continue to be based in QC.
Corporations based in QC would relocate (it's happened before).
A large chunk of Canada's military is based in QC.
A very large chunk of the Federal government is based in QC (Gatineau) and the Ottawa offices are stuffed with Quebeckers. This city (4th largest in QC) needs Federalism. The region is called "Fortess Western Quebec" by the Liberals and for good reason.

Thank you for that and probably what a lot of others think as well.
Sort of a bit like the Scots who also speak a different language

You are to receive the understatement of the week award for this comment

Its more hassle than its worth and US border is bad enough. It would be easier to kick the Quebecers off the south shore.

But that wouldnt be cricket old chap. Lets be sensible and not emotional as Souvy states Im pretty certain that Quebec will NOT seperate but continue to talk about it and further alienate themselves because the rest of us are sick of listening to this crap and really dont give a toss if they do as the sensible ones amongst us know they cannot afford to do it.

Images of chasing Quebecers off the south shore in whites with bat in hand

Agreed though - thats why they voted non twice. Enough people in Qc to realise that it would be economic suicide.

Im of the opinion that if they really wanted it let them have it as long as its not to the detriment of the eastern provinces due to the geography.

The 8m or so individuals in Quebec are as relevant as anyone else in NA. No more and no less. They are just as special as anyone else in NA. No more and no less. They are just as entitled to vote for who they want to represent them. No more and no less.

When the government representing those 8m chooses to require that commercial activity within that juristiction is undertaken in a language other than the language commonly used by the remaining 392m then businesses based outside that juristiction will have to make a decision whether it is worthwhile operating in that juristiction. Those within the juristiction imposing language requirements shouldn't be suprised if businesses outside that juristiction decide that operating within that juristiction is not worthwhile. To that extent the juristiction, as a consequence of its own decisions which it is fully entitled to make, becomes less connected to the rest of the same continent.

Legislatively enforced official languages are always crap idea. Let people speak what they want to.

Decided years ago. Even the companies that left after Bill 401 still do business in Quebec.

Are you suggesting that QC-based businesses only communicate with non-QC clients in French? If you are, you've got things seriously freakin wrong.

I think it's the other way around, I think he's saying that businesses outside Quebec won't deal in French. We know that they do, we've only to look at the nearest consumer product to see that, so I think the idea here is to diminish the value of speaking French to people who don't live in Quebec.

Try telling that to the new Premier of Quebec. You could try to tell her something similar in relation to religious symbols too, not that it would get you anywhere

I am puzzled by the fact that, it would appear, it is OK to act in a overtly bigoted fashion if you are a politician in Quebec, but political suicide to do so elsewhere in Canada, and not a mention of such made by the "enlightened" posters on this board.

Any business I have worked with in Quebec communicates with non Quebec clients in English not in French. Jimf you have got it wrong.

Of course many will still do business of some sort in Quebec. It's just that it likely to be less extensive than it would be if there wasn't a language requirement.

Clearly I'm not suggesting that at all.

Putting French and English on consumer products throughout Canada is a different issue. The size of the market and additional cost is obviously a combination that businesses will tolerate. The cost is passed onto the customer anyway.