If the referendum fails on Monday, nothing may change or
perhaps everything will (an election might be called
perhaps..?)
If the referendum does not fail on Monday, nothing may change...
or perhaps much will change.
The referendum has no legal binding force upon the federal
government. It's advisory only. The October 26 date was
set in order to comply with the date for an election mandated
in Quebec, and THAT was binding upon the Quebec government.
Elijah Harper has been quoted as saying he would vote "no"
were he voting, but he's not because his whole band is not
voting in the election. There is a general call out to
native peoples to sit out the election; however, the Native
Council of Canada (representing non-status and Metis mostly)
has urged a "yes" vote. Heard this morning on the news that
a group of 100 Alberta treaty chiefs has called for the
ouster of Mercredi; they do not, however, belong to the
Assembly of First Nations, which Mercredi heads.
Last night a banner was displayed at the SkyDome with the
sentiment that (and I am not quoting exactly) when Canada
needed unity most, God gave us the Blue Jays.
Thank you all the sky gods for that...!
Maureen Korp, PhD
University of Ottawa