Independent Quebec, An

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For the first time, Jacques Parizeau shares his views on Quebec's recent history and its future. As chief economics advisor to Quebec premiers in the 1960s, Jacques Parizeau was instrumental in bringing about Quebe's Quiet Revolution. As René Lévesque's Finance Minister from 1976 through 1984, he showed that sovereigntists could govern Quebec and ensure economic viability. As Premier, he brought Quebec close to sovereignty in the 1995 referendum. In 2010, he still represents an idea shared by millions in Quebec. Drawing on his rich experience in public service and teaching, Jacques Parizeau explains how the idea of an independent Quebec took root and evolved. He examines Quebec's current economic, political, social and cultural situation, and reviews options for future development. No stones are left unturned. Why become independent? What is the role of the State and how should it be administered in a globalized economy. What are the challenges in the 21st century? What about the financial crisis? And the environment? And above all what challenges face Quebec sovereigntists and their English Canadian counterparts?

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Table des matières
Independent Quebec, An	1
TABLE OF CONTENTS	9
FOREWORD	13
INTRODUCTION	15
Renewing ideas	16
The state and globalization	18
Sovereignty is necessary	20
Political and administrative dysfunction	21
Words matter / The referendums of 1980, 1995 and 201	24
What next? The idea, the Constitution, international relations / Is an independent Quebec viable?	25
How will it all work?	26
Chapter 1 / PHASE ONE: NEGOTIATING SOVEREIGNTY-ASSOCIATION / Trying independence	27
The threat of isolation	30
Holding power	34
Preparing for sovereignty-association	35
The 1980 referendum	38
Lessons learned	40
Chapter 2 / PHASE 2: ACHIEVING SOVEREIGNTY	43
More and more countries	44
Small countries with large markets	45
Free trade between Canada and the United States	47
The American protector	49
Partnership	51
The Canadian dollar	52
The French-speaking population has to decide	53
Negotiations with Aboriginal peoples	55
International recognition	57
Territorial integrity: behind the scenes	58
Conclusion	61
Chapter 3 / GLOBALIZATION AND PROTECTING CITIZENS	63
The new world of communications / The free-trade revolution	65
Revisiting the ruins	66
Organizing the world	68
Defending small countries	69
Out of WTO reach	71
Business versus government	74
Quebec and the next bid for sovereignty	76
Chapter 4 / SOVEREIGNTY AND PUBLIC OPINION / Fear and good government	81
The Bloc Québécois poll	82
Special status	83
It's realistic, it can be done but will it happen?	85
Looking back	87
Voter wisdom	89
Age distinctions in voting patterns change	90
Chapter 5 / CONSTITUTIONAL ILLUSIONS	93
Which government is the real one?	94
The beautiful risk	95
Meech	97
The Bélanger-Campeau Commission	99
Charlottetown	101
Zero deficit	103
Sponsorship scandals	105
The Supreme Court and clarity	107
Chapter 6 / THE INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK	111
Messrs Sarkozy and Desmarais	113
If quotes could kill	115
Powerful offstage interests	118
France is still there	119
Relations with American states	120
Humanitarian aid	123
Chapter 7 / IS AN INDEPENDENT QUEBEC VIABLE?	125
Accounting studies: Bélanger-Campeau	126
The Restructuration ministry's accounting studies	128
François Legault's accounting studies	129
Expansion or decline? The Lucids	132
Predicting the future is never easy	134
Stabilizing public finances	136
The accounting rules mess	137
Debate on the debt	139
Comparisons with the OECD: Quebec is normal	141
Chapter 8 / THE QUEBEC STATE	143
What type of political system?	144
Proportional representation	145
An upper house? Representing regions?	147
The temptation to centralize	150
What to decentralize?	151
Cities or regions?	153
What powers for the regions?	155
A clear-cut Constitution	156
Chapter 9 / THE SECRET OF GROWTH	159
Productivity	160
Innovation	162
Anesthesia	164
Progress in research and development	165
Intervention is necessary	166
You can't tell the carpenter by the toolbox	168
Trading off between provinces	169
Desperately seeking real government	172
Education and economic growth	174
Regional universities	176
Chapter 10 / THE STATE AND CORPORATIONS: THE GREAT DEBATE / Leave it to the government	179
Quebec society and business	180
Maîtres chez nous (Masters in our own house) / An inalienable financial system	183
Supporting the garde montante (the rising generation)	186
Obstacles: income taxes and the public	191
The importance of decision-making centres	192
The responsibility of the Caisse de dépôt et placement	193
The Caisse de dépôt et placement in an independent Quebec	196
Chapter 11 / THE STATE AND THE CITIZEN (PART 1)	199
Training, taxation, language and environment	200
Workforce flexibility and worker protection	201
Dysfunction and waste	203
Vocational training	204
Minimal requirements	205
Taxes and redistribution	206
Quebec is not fiscal hell	207
Sources of injustice: taxes on profits	209
Sources of injustice: tax havens	212
Bank secrecy	213
Chapter 12 / THE STATE AND THE CITIZEN (PART 2)	215
Live and work in French, but also use English	216
The language imbroglio	217
The achievements of Bill 101	218
Being part of North America	219
Until the national question is settled	221
Climate change: the top priority	222
Kyoto	223
Politicians tail public opinion	225
Quebec gets involved	226
Environment prevails over the WTO	229
CONCLUSION / A technician's viewpoint	231
The identity problem	232
A few clear ideas	233
Translating values into projects	234
People need to know	236
Appendix I / STATEMENTS BY JACQUES CHIRAC,PRESIDENT OF FRANCE,AND BILL CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BEFORE THE 1995 REFERENDUM	237
Appendix II / DISINFORMATION	239
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES	241

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