Curtis: Are the Quebec riots a manifestation of the global Occupy movement?
Adjunct Professor at Queen's University and Chair of Statistics Canada's Advisory Committee on International Trade Statistics
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Although the statement is not entirely accurate — they are street demonstrations rather than generalized riots — the Quebec phenomenon is part of the global reaction against unbridled deregulation, low taxes, rising income inequality, high youth unemployment in particular, and slow growth/austerity that the political system to date has not been able to effectively respond to. Short of revolution, the two methods of dealing with dissatisfaction in western societies are by voting or by protesting. Broad elements of Quebec’s population have chosen the latter, with consequences for Quebec and for Canada more generally that are unknown at present.
