What is your vision of Canada.

[Cranky]

On these cyber pages, I have often ranted and raved about how politicians no longer have a vision of Canada, but rather they have a vision of themselves running Canada. If there was any doubt about this, the Liberal party brazen deeds of corruption has rammed into our brains exactly how far they are willing to go, for their lust for power for the sake of power.

So now instead of complaining, how about we, the insignificant ones, state OUR vision of Canada.

Normally, I would go first but I am still trying to make it a positive vision rather then a diatribe of my hate for our current politicians.

So how about it, state your vision of Canada. Or if you must, your vision of Quebec (yes, I will cry when I read it .

[arctic]

I used to think that Canada would be swallowed up by the United States, with Quebec as a morsel that is regurgitated because it doesn't agree with Uncle Sam's digestive system. I don't think so anymore. There will be a sizable immigration from eastern Asia. The new arrivals, mostly mainland Chinese and Taiwanese, will outnumber the francophones and reduce their political clout. Whether Quebec will remain in the union becomes even cloudier. One thing I do not foresee is a movement toward homogenization. The Asians will find it unnecesssary and burdensome to learn French unless Mandarin is taught in Quebec. The Canadiens will not be the team the immigrants root for and the Belle Centre will not feature moo goo gai pain at its concesssion stands.

Whether you believe this or not, and you probably don't, you should bear in mind that this lighthearted spur of the moment analysis is no worse than the nonsense coming out of the think tanks and political columns.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Hockey and beer, eh, hosers!

Honestly, we have a lot to be thankful for. After twenty-three years with the military I've come to appreciate sheets, workable plumbing and two-ply toilet tissue (not to mention Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and Moosehead Lager).

My vision is:

• A national attitude in the same tolerances of the Swiss. In Switzerland, people routinely speak three or four languages and it's not a big issue anywhere. Granted they are geographically the size of some of our provinces, but the attitude is different nonetheless. As Jacques Villeneuve once said, "... you have to look past the end of your noses." Or, in our case "past the borders of our own provinces.
  
  
• International recognition that this is our attitude.
  
  
• Yes, the Queen is part of our heritage, but I feel part of our future too. Should she be Head of State? Debatable.
  
  
• Perminent home to the Stanley Cup
  
  
• I would like to also see Canada stonger politically. Specifically, I'd like to see Canada make more politically independent decisions and not base them on what other countries do. We've been making gains towards removing the "Northern US" image in recent years and I'd like to see more of it.
  
  
• My vision of the Canadian military would be that it is strong and independent enough to enforce our country's policies.
  
  
• Domestically speaking, I believe there is enough money for daycare, universal health care, the military and education. But, until we see a government that is accountable for the nation's finances, or taxes will continue to rise in order to fund their ineptness. Also, there is something wrong when immigrants are afforded more benefits than our pensioners. My vision of Canada will have all of these issues properly implemented.
  
  
• My vision also includes every province and territory as a strong unified nation. But a lot of people in this country will have to give as well as take. And, I think this will be even more important in the years to come.

Given all of this I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world folks. We can joke all we want about Chez Parée, great poutine (or is that pootine; yes, I've made that mistake in Quebec) and the like, but remember that there are countries out there where you can't even take your shirt off and sit outside your house to drink a beer.

My vision? A country that is internationally reknown for its tolerance and is respectful, GRATEFUL and UNIFIED. It should be called Canada.

Now take off eh!

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Canada has two options and it's up to all Canadians to choose which one to follow. The decision should not be made independantly by a single province that wants to leave.

1. A strong centralized union of Provinces with the power and direction forged by a strong central federal government working for the greater good of ALL the people with ties to advertising agencies.

2. A separate Quebec built on the island of Anticosti. If the moose object, they can be located in a Refuge Camp on a strip of land on the north shore of the St. Lawrence to be called Gaza. (Moose don't get a vote anyways and the Moose Crossing signs are in neither English or French) The separatists who leave Canada can do whatever they want on New Quebec (Anticosti) and fashion a country along the lines of St. Pierre and Miquelon. The island should be divided into two sections in anticipation of the split that will likely occur in 50 years when the pure laine Anticostis want to separate from the newcomers. Those who choose to stay in Canada should speak English only (controversial and not necessary, but a step in the right direction for economic and reasons of unity).












* don't take it too seriously!