Maple Leaf In Quebec

From the Globe and Mail:
"Canadian Flag back in Quebec Assembly  - for now"

The Canadian flag didn’t spend long in the closet. The Maple Leaf made its return to the ornate Red Room of the Quebec legislature today, less than 24 hours after it was pulled out as members of the pro-independence Parti Québécois took the oath of office. The red and white flag is back for the swearing-in of Quebec’s other main parties: François Legault’s Coalition and, later in the day, the Opposition Liberals Whether it remains there, in the long run, is another issue. Since1985, the Maple Leaf, depending on the government of the day, it has stood next to the Quebec flag in the room used for ceremonial events and committee meetings. The Maple Leaf was restored Tuesday morning and was placed next to the Fleur-de-lis as members of the Coalition party were sworn in. Mr. Legault cast his decision to leave the flag there as a practical matter Tuesday. “I think it’s not a priority for Quebeckers,” Mr. Legault said. “I think that right now, the last thing people would like to see at the national assembly is a battle over flags.” Mr. Legault said he wants to bring Quebeckers together and having a battle over flags isn’t the way to go. He said it’s his understanding that to permanently remove the flag there would have to be a motion tabled in the national assembly or the government would have to propose a change – but it would have to be accepted by the majority. The red-and-white flag was restored nine years ago when Jean Charest’s Liberals took office and it was placed next to the Quebec flag at the Speaker’s chair in the Red Room, which used to house the now-disbanded upper legislative chamber. While the Canadian flag was gone, for the PQ yesterday, there was still no escaping the Queen. Every member of the PQ caucus swore an oath to the monarch, which is a prerequisite for taking office in Canada. This after the party had complained during the campaign about the increased presence of the Crown under the Harper Conservatives. The PQ was elected two weeks ago with a minority mandate. It now holds a four-seat advantage in the legislature after winning the popular vote by less than one percentage point.

^ This is very stupid for the PQ to do. There are more pressing matters that the Province has to deal with (student protests, etc) and it seems the PQ is focusing on the flag because they can't do anything about the more important issues. Every Province in Canada should be required to have the Maple Leaf and the Provincial flag  hang off every Provincial building. Regardless what the PQ wants, Quebec is still part of Canada. Until they hold another referendum and if the majority of people vote to leave Canada then the Maple Leaf should be removed. I like that they still have to swear an oath to the Queen of Canada - which as a constitutional monarchy Canada should always require.  ^

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-flag-back-in-quebec-assembly-for-now/article4551306/