Separatist group plans to protest royal visit

A spokesperson with the Quebecois Network of Resistance says a recent poll suggests more than 17 per cent of Quebecers want to cut ties with the monarchy. Gaudreau says the group will peacefully protest use of Quebec taxpayers' money for the royal visit.

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, walk to meet soldiers during a ceremony as part of Armed Forces Day activities at Victoria Barracks in Windsor, England, Saturday, June 25, 2011. (AP / Akira Suemori)

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Jun. 29 2011 9:34 PM ET

Not all Canadians are interested in giving William and Kate the royal welcome during their nation-wide tour.

An anti-monarchist group in Quebec is planning to protest the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal visit when they arrive in the province on Sunday.

Around 300 protesters with The Quebecois Network of Resistance (RRQ), a hard line separatist group, plan to gather at Quebec City Hall to protest Canada's ties with the British Crown.

RRQ spokesperson Julien Gaudreau said his group represents Quebecers who want to rid themselves of any ties to the British monarchy, adding that the rally is not a personal attack against the royal newlyweds.

"As tourists, they're more than welcome in Quebec," Gaudreau told CTV News Channel.

"But as long as they want to hold a title or pretend to have any authority in Quebec…they are not welcome."

In 2009, members of the RRQ delayed a military ceremony in Montreal attended by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla. The royals were forced to duck into military barracks for safety.

Despite the organization's tense past with the royals, Gaudreau maintains that the RRQ's rally will be peaceful.

"We hold the right to protest so we hope to be visible on the site," he said.

If the RRQ's rally happens as planned, it'll coincide with the royal couple attending a ceremony meant to showcase the relationship between the Royal 22nd Regiment, Canada's best-known Francophone military regiment, and Quebec City.

The royal couple plans to head to Charlottetown after their Quebec visit. Twenty-four hours later they will be in the Northwest Territories before finishing the tail end of their Canadian tour in Calgary.

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Nobody's Fool
said
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@ It's what it is: Oh, don't be silly. Someone's track record of unceasing crotchety annoyance has made clear a "Him! Him! Him!" complex to all. Let's not pretend that you're not angrily obsessed with our friend "Prof. Pye Chartt" and feel a compulsive need to fire your little pea shooter at him every chance that you get. Ending your crabby posts with "LOL" doesn't fool anybody as to your lightheartedness (lack thereof). ...Good night; sleep tight :)

It's what it is
said
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I wonder if more than 17 percent of Canadians want to cut ties with Quebec?

It's what it is
said
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Someone really does have a "me, me, me" complex issue. Perhaps getting over one's self is in order? Ah, but of course that would mean getting behind the wheel of the tractor so that others can do the shovelling. I'll just perish the thought, and be careful not to step on the toes of those who are critical of all, and so darned right all the time... What did my dad call those types... Oh yeah, I remember... LOL

NS
said
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These ignorant little snobs..... Canada gives too much leeway to a defeated people. I can respect the french culture, but when they cannot respect ours, I say let's rewind to the Plains of Abraham and not be so wussy handling the losing side.

Ranger
said
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If you turn at Quebec separatist upside down, then you will know what they really look like. And fortunately they are few and far between.

Guy Calgary
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Hence the reason why some people hate Quebecers. You people need to learn to keep your mouths shut and show some respect if you would like to receive it. Most of us don't care that they Royal Couple is visiting but that doesn't mean we are going to cause them trouble. They are here for a visit roll out the red carpets and let them enjoy themselves.

Sam C
said
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@tina... our duly elected Prime Minister invited them here, on our behalf. I only wish I could go to Ottawa to see them.

rick
said
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grannie used to say " courtesy covers a lot of flaws."

fed up with the french
said
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the French were conquered by the British! You lost; build a bridge and get over it!

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
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@ It's what it is: Your monarchial enthusiasm is infectious! (Those who label it "monarchial madness" are, indeed, such republican ruffians.) I look forward to your illustrious and descriptively enchanting comments regarding this monumentally "exciting" royal visit. (The resulting stimulative discussion should prove to be nothing short of inspiring!) Oh; please remember to address the absolutely smashing hats that our beloved Kate is sure to sport. ...Thanks!

British Columbian Tree Hugger
said
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Agree or disagree with them, they have the riot to speak their minds. Peacefully. At the end of the day, freedom should reign.

tina lagrotteria
said
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The Royal couple don't have any power in Quebec, and anywhere in Canada. They are invited guests. Who invited them here???

Cambob in Toronto
said
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A loud vocal minority that taints all of us.

PinVictoria
said
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I agree these folks are delussional. Here is a chance to showcase the culture and heritage of Quebec. And, they will instead showcase radical separatists. As they claim 17% of Quebecers oppose the monarchy - that is a fairly small percentage. Their efforts would be better served really demonstrating how unique and special Quebec is - and like it or not, it is still part of Canada. The last federal election showed that!

bob
said
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I think the Quebec separatist's new strategy, not having much support for their cause in Quebec, is to annoy the ROC so much that we kick them out.

Pauline
said
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And if you make a mess it will be tax dollars to clean it up, tax dollars to treat the injured, tax dollars that increase the security because of people like you. Why don't you pick your own day to protest? Why on a day when people just want a day in a year to be happy. I love Quebec. It is a beautiful province with many beautiful people. I hope no one phones in sick to their work and cheat the gov't and then wonder why there isn't more money for us. WEEEEEEEEEEE waste it.

Merlin
said
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A warning to all quebecers...Keep your Quebecois Network of Resistance (RRQ) inline or I can see Frogs legs for dinner !

Ella-Max
said
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Oh how sweet of them. Maybe the separatist groups should protest Quebec snuffling up "60%" in federal equalization transfers from the pockets of struggling "Canadians" whom they so despise. They should protest looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth which butters their radical separatist bread.

JB in Ontario
said
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May the Royal couple enjoy their visit to Canada, including Quebec. They will not be in Canada for very long, so we should enjoy the royal visit and be respectful!

George, Montreal
said
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They are the future King and Queen of Quebec. Pay your respects!!

boy
said
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I think it's time the truth comes out .. most people here in Canada can care less about this couple

Democracy
said
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Peaceful protest against things we don�t like is part of the democratic system. Vive le Canada Libre.

Ella-Max
said
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Truth
said
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Some people have the smart of a dead fly. Population of Quebec : 7,970,672 people. Hum,, 300 people taking part in the protest,, so, 0.003% of the population, yet dead flies comment negatively on the entire Province. Quebecers are Canadians, and as far as supposedly Separatists posting on this website, so much for french language, so much for their real convictions.

Denise
said
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Hopefully the police in Quebec will squash this ridiculous protest (rather than stand there ineffectively). For those delusional nutbars who actually believe the supposedly "have not" province of Quebec could survive without the annual 8 - 10 billion it sucks from the rest of the provinces (mostly Alberta) - you might be right - but your heavily subsidized gravy train would come to a screeching halt. Imagine paying the full cost of festivals, day care etc like the rest of Canada! Fortunately most Quebecers are smarter than that.

Aaron in Calgary
said
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Look at the source, seperatist French m0r0ns. Canada, and at least half or more of Quebec don't care what you have to say. Go away, I'm tired of putting up with and paying for all your french crap.

Marc
said
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Yes, the British beat the French and took Canada from them. Get over it, and stop ruining the rest of Canada with your petty attempts to get back at the British.

David Fraser Nanoose Bay BC
said
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The last time I looked, Quebec was still a part of Canada (unfortunately) and as such should respect the members of the Royal Family, if for nothing else but common courtesy. The people of Quebec should be careful of what they wish for, just look at your NDP Members of Parliment that will not serve your fanatical wants. The rest of the country is getting tired of all your complaining so either be a part of Canada or leave, but just do something instead of your constant whinning.

cook_manager
said
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Be smart quebecer. This is not Canadian Values. If you are not Canadian then seperate Quebec. If you seperate then You will be like Greece. I welcome this new Royal couple even though i do not like them. Be CANADIAN!!!

George Gilliland
said
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The young gentleman shown in the photo is - I suppose - the one who made the comments in the attached article. He seems to be a lonely young man, without many friends, and is using the Royal Visit as a "hey look at me" type of act. I wonder if he does anything useful otherwise?

Laura
said
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Oh please. These separatists will protest anything that's remotely related to Canada. Soon they'll start chopping down any maple trees in the province because it's a "symbol of how Canada tries to force itself on Quebecers". If you hate Canada so much, move. I hear Congo is great this time of year.

Michael
said
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It is about time the seperatists wake up a smell the coffee that is reality. If you really want to leave Canada them move to another country Canada is the best country in the world with or without the seperatists even most french speaking people in Canada (my wife included) understand that why don't these people?

Marcel From Ontario
said
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You will reap what you sow. If a person does not agree to this visit from the the Royal then stay home. Let me suggest that if you show up to protest whatever that you leave your hoods and covering at home and have the guts to show your faces. So everyone can see who you are. I am French Canadian and find people like these individuals as an embarassment to Canada and this is their lame attempt at getting their names in the history book.

Charles Andr� Joseph Marie de Gaulle
said
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Vive le Quebec Libre!

It's what it is
said
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The Royal visit hardly needs a bunch of separatist yahoos to stick their unwanted and completely ridiculous ideals into the equation to make the visit interesting and worthy of discussion. The courtship of William and Kate, their wedding, and this visit have been of great interest to many Canadians, and remains a positive topic of discussion in spite of the blinders that some forum posters continue to wear while they type away in order to see their name in print. Welcome William and Kate. Our country owes our very existence to the loyalty towards this land given by your ancestors. Those who oppose should simply hop the next schooner to the US.

GH
said
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"Resistance"? Resistance to what? Equalization payments? Losers. Go home.

Ken
said
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It's nice to know that my tax dollars are going to the post office workers and the Royals.

tired of dellusional people
said
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What a joke these guys are but I have to agree with the commentor who said - someone has to make their visit interesting! Thanks to the RRQ, now it will be :))) Bunch of idiots though and very laughable.

mark
said
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The only people 'pretending to have authority in quebec' are dried-up and irrelevant separatists who haven't realized their 'glory days' have long since passed.

Ian Ottawa
said
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The Separatists can separate by moving their whiney Butts to France and wait to be Liberated once again. We'll keep the ones that want to be part of Canada.

Gregory Boudreau
said
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Well this was bound to happen, there is a lot of strong views when it comes to the royal family, esp: in Quebec. Let's just hope that the protest will be peaceful ones. There is one question that has to answered sooner or later and that is when is Canada going to break ties with the royal family, after all didn't we break ties with the British in 1981 under Pierre Trudeau. Don't get me wrong it is nice to see the royal family, but when they do come you can expect these kind of actions.

David
said
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Does this mean we are allowed to protest against the separatists or simply support Canada?

D.K. Lindsay
said
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Most Canadians probably want to welcome Will and Kate. These yahoos are not Canadians and should not be allowed to speak for us

David
said
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Donna
said
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What is so wrong with this world any more that people have to protest everything and anything in it. I wish Quebec would just up and leave already they are so unhappy with the rest of us . Find an island some where and go good riddance.

Get Real
said
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Really, how much of a surprise is it!! They face protest all over the world.

Monarchist
said
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Guess what? The royal newly weds DO have authority in Quebec, because Quebec is still part of Canada. French lost the war, and have been whining about it ever since. The PQ is a lame duck, they have no backbone, they actually seem to believe the rest of Canada will continue to give them billions even if Quebec is not part of Canada. Quebc cannot survive on their own, therefore will continue to whine forever. Boo hoo.

Abdulka from Kanata
said
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Before all the rightwing trolls pop in with thier nonnsense about most Canadians Hate the royal I thought I would state the truth that most Canadians couldn't hgive a darn about them most of the time but are more than happy to hold onto our historic connections and keep the royals. If you don't believe it there are hundreds of polls that will state that Canada has no urge to dump them and almost none that are anti royals.

GD in Montreal
said
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Long live The Quebecois Network of Resistance!

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
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Somebody has to make the "Royal Visit" interesting and worthy of discussion. Thank-you, RRQ. (As hard-line separatists, however, I must add that you're utterly delusional as to Quebec's ability to survive on its own, and Canadians' willingness to helpfully hold your hand once gone. We currently babysit your economy and aid your cultural isolationism. That will end. Sorry.)

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