Modeling Journey

The Bloc sets a trap, and Harper tries to avoid confronting it but steps into trouble. Harper's motion is "That the government recognize that Quebeckers constitute a nation within a united Canada."

Is this a wise move by Harper? No. Instead of confronting the Bloc and voting their motion down, he tries to deflect it by adding the words "within a united Canada."

But what does this mean? Here are several problems, which still need discussion even if Harper's quick fix passes tomorrow:

What does "nation" mean?

Is Canada a "nation"?

Does this mean that the "Quebeckers" are a "nation" within a "nation"?

Are there other "nations" within the province of Quebec?

Are there other "nations" which Parliament should recognize?

If not, why not?

What does Parliament mean by passing this motion? Does it affect the way Parliament will behave in the future? The 1995 Chretien motion committed Parliament to taking steps to recognize the special status afforded Quebec in that motion.

The Cat believes that Harper is too clever by half with his response, and expects a strong adverse reaction from the rest of the country once the vagueness of the resolution sinks into public consciousness.