# The CanaDoper Café, 2013 edition. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 1, 2013, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736 "2013-01-01T03:29:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 117
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2321 "2013-10-12T09:38:37Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > It would depend on the laws governing municipalities in each province. The municipalities are entirely governed by provincial law and don’t have separate constitutional status. So, it’s conceivable that a province might reserve the right to remove elected officials of municipalities, but you’d have to check the law in your own province. I live in Alberta, as does **Cat** , and because of this thread, I reviewed Alberta’s Municipal Government Act today. There are various reasons to remove a councillor or mayor from power, and among other reasons, this is included: > [@](#): > > One possible reason for such a provision is municipal corruption or extreme financial mismanagement; I can see an argument that a removal power might make sense. It does, and such a power is available to the provincial government. In Alberta, anyway. I cannot speak for other provinces, as I did not search their statutes–but see below. > [@](#): > > But just because of a political disagreement between the province and the municipality? I have trouble seeing that as good policy. I did try to look at Quebec’s statutes, but being unfamiliar with Quebec’s civil law codes, I am unsure if I was looking in the right place. At any rate, based on what I did see. the government of Quebec cannot remove a municipality’s mayor just because it doesn’t like what he or she stands for. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2322 "2013-10-12T19:23:47Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > \ At any rate, based on what I did see. the government of Quebec cannot remove a municipality’s mayor just because it doesn’t like what he or she stands for. I guess then the question becomes, if the PQ remove a Montreal mayor because he or she doesn’t support the charter of Quebec values thing, who is going to stop them? ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2323 "2013-10-12T19:32:41Z")
On the topic of Montreal mayors - I’m not entirely sure who to vote for. I’ve been trying hard to decide, but… Of the four frontrunners, they all don’t support the Charter that I am also against, but… one is being elusive on whether or not she’s a sovereignist, one used to believe 9/11 was an inside job (says he doesn’t believe that anymore, but admits he wanted to shock people when he said it), and the other two are both accused of making robocalls. I don’t know who to vote for. Though if whoever gets voted in is kicked out by the PQ, it may be a moot point. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2324 "2013-10-12T20:27:48Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > On the topic of Montreal mayors - I’m not entirely sure who to vote for. I’ve been trying hard to decide, but… > > Of the four frontrunners, they all don’t support the Charter that I am also against, but… one is being elusive on whether or not she’s a sovereignist, one used to believe 9/11 was an inside job (says he doesn’t believe that anymore, but admits he wanted to shock people when he said it), and the other two are both accused of making robocalls. > > I don’t know who to vote for. > > Though if whoever gets voted in is kicked out by the PQ, it may be a moot point. Since, traditionnally, municipal politics is the lowest level where you can find every political has-been, incompetent or corrupt politician, I usually end up voting for one of the independents or unknown. Can’t be much worse than the top bozos. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2325 "2013-10-12T22:25:09Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I did try to look at Quebec’s statutes, but being unfamiliar with Quebec’s civil law codes, I am unsure if I was looking in the right place. At any rate, based on what I did see. the government of Quebec cannot remove a municipality’s mayor just because it doesn’t like what he or she stands for. But since this is just statutory, can the provincial government not simply amend the applicable law to grant themselves this power? Not saying that it would be a good idea or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2326 "2013-10-12T22:26:43Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I guess then the question becomes, if the PQ remove a Montreal mayor because he or she doesn’t support the charter of Quebec values thing, who is going to stop them? The voters. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2327 "2013-10-13T01:17:38Z")
EmilyG for Mayor! ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2328 "2013-10-13T01:25:39Z")
Thanks. I wouldn’t mind running for mayor. I’d make more music festivals, fix the roads, lower the price of poutine, and promote peace and harmony among all citizens of Montreal. The application deadline just passed, though. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2329 "2013-10-13T02:35:00Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > But since this is just statutory, can the provincial government not simply amend the applicable law to grant themselves this power? Not saying that it would be a good idea or anything. I suppose they could, but it would probably be political suicide; akin to telling voters, “If we don’t like who you choose, we’ll just throw them out.” I don’t think the voters of Montreal would think much of the PQ after that, and might indicate their displeasure at the ballot box the next time a provincial election rolls around. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2330 "2013-10-13T05:05:20Z")
We decided that the PQ are pushing to get the martyrdom vote already, right (they push too hard and the Federal government eventually pushes back)? I don’t see how alienating Montrealers plays into that game plan, though. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2331 "2013-10-13T06:46:20Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I don’t see how alienating Montrealers plays into that game plan, though. Easy. The _pur laine_ Francophones in Montreal won’t care. The Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and observantly Jewish Montrealers will split for other provinces. Anglos, and those Francophones who don’t feel oppressed by Muslims and Jews, won’t stick around. The former will move to Ontario; the latter will move to Francophone communities in Ontario and New Brunswick, where their Francophone status is celebrated (in the case of Ontario), and constitutionally-allowed, if not celebrated (in the case of New Bruswick). Remember Jacques Parizeau’s quote about “money and the ethnic vote.” With money (whether belonging to Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh. or Anglo people) moved out of the province; and with the physical leaving of the “ethnic vote,” the next referendum on independence ought to go the PQ’s way. In other words, get rid of the “money and the ethnic vote” in Montreal, and you’ve got an independent Quebec. I look forward to having a “Toronto Smoked Meat Sandwich” at Schwartz’s, the next time I’m in Toronto. Will it land on Spadina, like Shopsy’s and Switzer’s were, or will it be on Yonge Street? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2332 "2013-10-13T12:24:54Z")
A ex-pat Montréaler friend wanted to rename the stretch of the 401 across the Greater Toronto Area the “René Levesque Highway”, for his contribution to the economy of the area in the mid-1970s. As I said earlier, it would be hugely controversial, but the Feds should insist that the next neverendum should include not only those who have been resident in the province of Québec for 6 months or longer, but also anyone who was born in the province, regardless of current place of residence. I think I’d like to see that result… And on that merry note, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am extremely grateful to have a country worth discussing, and good friends with whom to argue about it. Wishing you all joy this long weekend. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2333 "2013-10-13T12:25:50Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > Thanks. I wouldn’t mind running for mayor. I’d make more music festivals, fix the roads, lower the price of poutine, and promote peace and harmony among all citizens of Montreal. > > The application deadline just passed, though. Lower the price of Schwartz’s smoked meat and you have my vote. Like I said before, The PQ is under the control of the hicks (think of them as our version of the Tea Party) since the 80s. They have been trying to diminish Montreal’s influence since then. Seems like they are succeeding. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2334 "2013-10-13T12:43:35Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I look forward to having a “Toronto Smoked Meat Sandwich” at Schwartz’s, the next time I’m in Toronto. Will it land on Spadina, like Shopsy’s and Switzer’s were, or will it be on Yonge Street? 😃 Good luck with that – IIRC, Céline Dion and her hubby have bought into Schwartz’s, and have promised to not franchise it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2335 "2013-10-13T12:53:32Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > A ex-pat Montréaler friend wanted to rename the stretch of the 401 across the Greater Toronto Area the “René Levesque Highway”, for his contribution to the economy of the area in the mid-1970s. In those days, my mom was a real estate agent in Oakville and Burlington. Most of her clients were people fleeing Montreal (she would regularly visit Montreal to recruit clients), as my family had the previous decade. > [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > As I said earlier, it would be hugely controversial, but the Feds should insist that the next neverendum should include not only those who have been resident in the province of Québec for 6 months or longer, but also anyone who was born in the province, regardless of current place of residence. I think I’d like to see that result… I would love that, and would vote for P.Q. to stay in Canada. > [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > And on that merry note, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am extremely grateful to have a country worth discussing, and good friends with whom to argue about it. Wishing you all joy this long weekend. Buuurrrrrrpppppppp! ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2336 "2013-10-13T13:15:53Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > From **Emily** ’s linked CTV News item: > > A “minister for Montreal”? Does British Columbia have a “minister for Vancouver,” or Alberta have a “minister for Calgary”? Why would Quebec need a “minister for Montreal”? > > What the heck is going on in Quebec? It’s their largest city, and it’s were most of the oisti anglos and ethnics live. Got to keep an eye on dat shit. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2337 "2013-10-13T18:41:20Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Easy. \ > > In other words, get rid of the “money and the ethnic vote” in Montreal, and you’ve got an independent Quebec.\ Ah, I see. Well, it could get awfully interesting in Canada if the PQ win their next referendum vote. > [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > \ > And on that merry note, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am extremely grateful to have a country worth discussing, and good friends with whom to argue about it. Wishing you all joy this long weekend. Happy Thanksgiving indeed! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2338 "2013-10-14T05:33:47Z")
nm. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2339 "2013-10-14T05:58:38Z")
Happy thanksgiving my friends. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736/2340 "2013-10-15T00:54:49Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > As I said earlier, it would be hugely controversial, but the Feds should insist that the next neverendum should include not only those who have been resident in the province of Québec for 6 months or longer, but also anyone who was born in the province, regardless of current place of residence. I think I’d like to see that result… It wouldn’t just be impossible, it’d probably be illegal, and is without precedent. Provincial elections and votes have always been based on one’s status of permanent residence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736.md?page=116) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2013-edition/645736.md?page=118)