ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a classical-liberal perspective on behalf of the secession of Quebec from Canada. The argument is that, by its very nature, Canada cannot avoid a number of economic and political pitfalls, but that Quebec secession offers a way out. In economic terms, the first years of the new Dominion were hard, partly because of alleged American protectionist practices. Quebecers started to migrate south to the textile and industrial towns of New England in search of work in the mills. Canadian economic policy left Quebec with an economy dominated by foreign branch-plants, large and bureaucratized public utilities corporations, an expanding federal bureaucracy, and taxpayers subsidizing all kinds of uncompetitive producers. Throughout Canada's history, two conflicting loyalties have developed: one toward Canada, the other toward Quebec. These loyalties are now at odds on major points. Quebecois and Canadians live in a country admired by the entire world for its pacifism, tolerance, and open-mindedness.
