It's hard to imagine saying no to Gilles Duceppe. A determined and often controversial spokesman for an independent Quebec has an ability to engage and dominate an audience with his direct and forceful stare, as he showed in his interview with The Dartmouth yesterday afternoon.
The Canadian political figure is hoping Quebecers won't say no to a sovereign province in a future referendum, when its future will be determined.
Duceppe gained power in the spring of 1997 as the leader of the Quebec separatist party, Bloc Quebecois (BQ). Duceppe has a rich history as a political activist, including former Communist ties and separatist roots that extend 30 years into his past.
The tenuous coexistence of an English Quebecois minority with the French is a controversial point if a separation were to occur.
Duceppe spoke candidly on his opinion regarding the treatment and place of the English minority in a predominately French land.
"They are Quebecois as well as me. There is a place for them in sovereign Quebec. They have an important role in the economic network. Living conditions for them in Quebec are pretty good. I think they enjoy living in Quebec. They have three universities subsidized by the government [along with] theatres, hospitals, radio and television stations," he told The Dartmouth.
As for the those who are opposed to his separatist goals in the province, Duceppe said, "I personally have nothing against them - if they want to stay in Canada, I understand that."
Duceppe said sovereignty would force others provinces to redefine themselves in relation to a new Canada, and that Canadians will have to realize they are different from Americans with or without Quebec.
Nonetheless, Duceppe said he recognized "Canada without Quebec is a different Canada."
According to the separatist party leader, if Quebec were to become an independent nation, important negotiations would result on at least two fronts: resolving what share of the national debt Quebec owes, and the maintenance of economic links.
"We'll see what kind of relationship each side wants following that. It could go from economic ties leading to a political institution ... After World War II, we've seen sovereign countries getting together in the larger economy and the political organization called the European Community," he said.
Duceppe proposes a European-style union between an independent Quebec and the rest of Canada, a union seen in Europe and North America, and in Asia's near future.
