Student protests may accelerate Quebec independence

Not too long ago, pundits were pontificating about the death of Quebec's sovereignty movement.

The Bloc Québécois were decimated in the last federal election, and the seperartist Parti Québécois were floundering.

But then came the student protests.

What started out as an action against tuition hikes has turned into mobs of participants representing a variety of disparate causes — ranging from environmentalism, to Quebec independence, anti-capitalism and anarchy.

In a provocative column, Michael Den Tandt of PostMedia News suggests the protests, as well as Charest's introduction of the Bill 78, could create the "famous winning conditions" for an independent Quebec.

"One consequence is the rest of Canada, which might have been spared a third round of national-unity wrangling — capping previous outings in 1980 and 1995 — is now back on track for more of the same, in 2014 or so," he wrote.

Den Tandt predicts that the unpopular Bill C-78 has solidified the PQ's chances of forming government in the next election and pushing forward their idea of "sovereignist governance," — a Quebec "citizenship" within Canada.

"For the Harper Conservatives it means nothing but trouble. For one thing, these Conservatives have little clout on the ground in Quebec: They hold just five seats there," he wrote.

"More importantly, sentiment in the rest of Canada has continued to evolve, as they say, since the last referendum. Quebec is slated to receive $7.4 billion in fiscal 2012-13, about half the available national pot. With the formula due for renewal in 2014, there is sure to be a significant constituency arguing that, should there be a resurgence of separatism in Quebec, the province should with all courtesy be shown the exits."

"It is not only plausible, but inevitable, that any future Quebec referendum will generate a national debate on whether the province should be allowed to stay. A nationwide referendum on the question would be the obvious way to settle it."

So far the Quebec student protests have left Stephen Harper relatively unscathed.

But that could change — very soon.