The Quebec syndrome strikes every federal government almost from its inception. Otherwise rational and responsible men are suddenly seized with the overwhelming urge to spend taxpayers' money in the vain hope that this project or that program will stir within Quebecois hearts the loyalty and passion towards Canada which has hitherto lain dormant.
In its worst manifestations, it produces Adscam and CF-18 contracts.
Its milder outbreaks, however, are no less dangerous to the health of the Canadian body politic.
Sometimes it's a little illegal referendum spending to save the country, for what are mere campaign finance laws when the unity of the Dominion is in peril?
Sometimes it's promises of jobs, jobs, jobs, even when said jobs are merely being moved over the Ottawa River without the jobholders' spending following along.
No government, Liberal or Conservative, is immune therefrom.
The only cure would a radical Quebecectomy, but even that might be worse than the disease.
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