Quebec, the French Language, and Quebecois Identity

[MolsonExport]

Meanwhile in France:

[New Brisavoine]

IMF GDP figures published today. Canada now on the verge of being passed by South Korea in terms of GDP per capita. In 2024, the GDP per capita of Canada was 63,760 PPP USD, whereas the GDP per capita of South Korea was 62,697 PPP USD. This year, both countries should be within a hair's breadth according to the IMF.

That means South Korea already has a GDP per capita higher than all Canadian provinces except Ontario. Crazy considering how poor South Korea was 60 years ago!

The gap between Canada and the US is also now 34.6% (with the US being 34.6% richer than Canada per capita). And it should reach 35.6% this year according to the IMF.

[MolsonExport]

notworthit

[lio45]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

notworthit

I would agree that "Canada has been getting poorer during the last few years and seems to be on track for continued impoverishment compared to most peer countries for the foreseeable future" is not controversial; there's nothing to debate there.

[New Brisavoine]

Perhaps they should entrust the federal government to a Francophone sovereignist politician for a change, since they've tried all other parties without success.

Another country that seems to be on the same trajectory as Canada is the UK (for the same reasons as it were: low productivity, too many immigrants taken in the country by greedy corporate chiefs). According to the IMF, they've been passed by South Korea! And they could be passed by Italy in 2025 or 2026, which hasn't happened since the 1980s.

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Meanwhile in France

Some abandoned churches in France or elsewhere in Europe might as well be converted into night clubs, hotels, skateparks or even homes, for those who can afford it.

• Video Link

The thing is acoustics in those religious buildings is often very good. I personally find it cool, funny that some would be turned into clubs, even though some may think it's shocking.
There are several ways to preserve the historic religious heritage and it's kind of trendy these days, cause a church always has a peculiar character.
The report shows that some real-estate experts and small-business owners grew excited by and specialized in that business.

Also, there would be some kind of Catholic revival here in so secular France.
There may be several reasons for this.
1 - Pressure by Muslim bigotry. People may be like - we've got our own traditions and religion and don't need theirs. Even a number of French Muslims would convert to Catholism, more or less secretly, cause leaving Islam is seen as deadly betrayal in the Muslim world.
2 - Spoiled people sick of materialism, seeking spiritual or psychological solutions to their personal issues.
3 - This pope we just lost was slightly different from the regular European Catholic establishment, that might have encouraged some people to get involved in the Church.

I guess everyone has their own reasons.

[New Brisavoine]

Originally Posted by New Brisavoine

It's just noticeable for a country like Québec, that's all. The death of Pie XII in the 1950s probably generated entire cover pages devoted to the news in the Québécois newspapers. But now Québec has moved to the other extreme. It's a bit sad. France was never super-Catholic like Québec, but it's not super-anti-religious like Québec today either. I prefer that. People here are very moved, it's our Latin side, even non-believers.

Spot the missing country...

[lio45]

"Prince William, as representative of KCIII" is the Head of State of Canada and he's right there on that list.

The Federal PM position is kinda sede vacante at the moment. PM Legault might go or not, haven't read anything about this yet.

[New Brisavoine]

Originally Posted by lio45

"Prince William, as representative of KCIII" is the Head of State of Canada and he's right there on that list.

The Federal PM position is kinda sede vacante at the moment. PM Legault might go or not, haven't read anything about this yet.

1- Trudeau already didn't go to Notre Dame's reopening, and it wasn't "sede vacante" back then, only pink socks.

2- Prince William is not your head of state, you colonial you.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by lio45

I would agree that "Canada has been getting poorer during the last few years and seems to be on track for continued impoverishment compared to most peer countries for the foreseeable future" is not controversial; there's nothing to debate there.

It’s the petty trolling pleasure he takes in such posts. Alternately, he’s quick to post anything to construe the superiority of his own culture. It’s tiresome. But very French though, although perhaps more blatant than most.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

It’s the petty trolling pleasure he takes in such posts. Alternately, he’s quick to post anything to construe the superiority of his own culture. It’s tiresome. But very French though, although perhaps more blatant than most.

But also his trolling playbook has worked quite well. He seems to get the attention he craves.

[New Brisavoine]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Alternately, he’s quick to post anything to construe the superiority of his own culture. It’s tiresome. But very French though, although perhaps more blatant than most.

So one day accusing me of having a "negativity bias" towards France, the other day of feeling culturally superior. You're all over the place and can't seem to make up your mind.

Perhaps you should concentrate on the message rather than on shooting the messager, and stop imagining ulterior motives.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

"Prince William is not your head of state, you colonial you."

Indeed he is not. Those Canadians who want to dump the British monarchy as our Head of State, almost always want us to become a republic. That would require a massive overhaul of of our constitution with a lot of agreement of the provinces.

There is another possible option that would not require such a massive change. Separate the King Of England and the King of Canada. A Canadian monarch would live at Rideau Hall as we would no longer need a Governor General.

Who would we choose to start the dynasty? King Harry and Queen Megan? Probably not ?

Who would you choose?

[New Brisavoine]

You could choose the comte de Paris. His ancestors ruled Canada until 1760, and his pedigree is much more ancient than the upstart Windsors.

• Video Link

[kool maudit]

Not every forumer with whom you disagree, or who posts provocative material, is a "troll". That is someone who posts things solely to manipulate people's responses, with no cohesive idea beyond getting a rise out of people.

NB is clearly interested in the topics he discusses and his views are fairly consistent.

It is passive-aggressive to imply that people are beyond the pale somehow, or are simply incoherent, just because you don't enjoy their presence.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by kool maudit

Not every forumer with whom you disagree, or who posts provocative material, is a "troll". That is someone who posts things solely to manipulate people's responses, with no cohesive idea beyond getting a rise out of people.

NB is clearly interested in the topics he discusses and his views are fairly consistent.

It is passive-aggressive to imply that people are beyond the pale somehow, or are simply incoherent, just because you don't enjoy their presence.

Yes. I think the idea there are trolls here seems unlikely. There is some anonymity that lets people say what they believe without repercussions so that can seem like trolling but I think we can assume people here aren't being inflammatory just for the sake of it. There are no likes or reposts or other trolling practices.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by New Brisavoine

You could choose the comte de Paris. His ancestors ruled Canada until 1760, and his pedigree is much more ancient than the upstart Windsors.

• Video Link

A interesting choice (King Louis XVII?). I was thinking that choosing someone with a Bourbon or Hapsburg ancestry, two of the prominent royal houses of Europe, might be a viable option that would make it clear that the British Monarchs no longer could claim to be King of Canada.

To be fanciful, we might choose a commoner to be our first monarch and elevate him/her to royalty. Perhaps NB would like Lucien Bouchard to be our first monarch. How about Elon Musk? He might be a bit unhinged but he could boost our economy by bringing all his businesses such as Tesla and SpaceX to Canada. Anybody have some other outrageous suggestions?

[New Brisavoine]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

A interesting choice (King Louis XVII?).

His name is Jean. It's one of the two favorite names in his junior branch of the French royal family (the other one being Philippe). The senior branch of the French royal family became extinct in 1883 alas.

The last heir of the senior branch was almost restored on the French throne in 1873, but it all failed at the last minute due to his final refusal to accept the Tricolor flag. They had already commissioned a throne and a royal carriage for his coronation.

That's the carriage that should have transported him through the streets of Paris for his coronation. Could still be used in Canada I suppose. Perfect condition, never used.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by New Brisavoine

So one day accusing me of having a "negativity bias" towards France, the other day of feeling culturally superior. You're all over the place and can't seem to make up your mind.

Perhaps you should concentrate on the message rather than on shooting the messager, and stop imagining ulterior motives.

Your negative fixation in France seems to be Paris and its liberal leadership. That doesn’t preclude trying to piss on Canada or even the “Anglo-Saxon” world in general. It’s a common tendency I’ve observed from some French people after watching their media for decades. It usually shows up more when anything American is the topic at hand, in a way that indicates both preoccupation and jealousy. Canadians, of course, do something similar with America but in a different tone.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

But also his trolling playbook has worked quite well. He seems to get the attention he craves.

True, I try to ignore it but then the impulse to respond takes over.