alternatehistory.com
The Status of Newfoundland
The Status of Newfoundland
Newfoundland has been a French Overseas Territory since the end of the Franco-British war of 1870. Since then, it received autonomy in the "First Step" of the Évian Accords and the right to independence in the Oran Agreement. Newfoundland, however, chose to remain an autonomous part of France. This status remained for a long time, but now France wants to "let go" of Newfoundland, as French voters do not want to "keep giving money" to the far-flung territory, but also do not want to make them an integral part of France. The easiest solution, which some parties have called for, is to sell Newfoundland to Canada.
Recent polls have shown that some Newfoundlanders want to stay with France (26%), others want independence (17%) and some want to join Canada (25%). Like many issues of the day, the majority of those polled said "don't care" (32%). The harsh reality is that, if France wants to sell Newfoundland, they would have to do so against the peoples' will. The most likely situation is a referendum on the island itself, for the people to choose between independence, Canada, and France.
Newfoundland has been a French Overseas Territory since the end of the Franco-British war of 1870. Since then, it received autonomy in the "First Step" of the Évian Accords and the right to independence in the Oran Agreement. Newfoundland, however, chose to remain an autonomous part of France. This status remained for a long time, but now France wants to "let go" of Newfoundland, as French voters do not want to "keep giving money" to the far-flung territory, but also do not want to make them an integral part of France. The easiest solution, which some parties have called for, is to sell Newfoundland to Canada.
Recent polls have shown that some Newfoundlanders want to stay with France (26%), others want independence (17%) and some want to join Canada (25%). Like many issues of the day, the majority of those polled said "don't care" (32%). The harsh reality is that, if France wants to sell Newfoundland, they would have to do so against the peoples' will. The most likely situation is a referendum on the island itself, for the people to choose between independence, Canada, and France.
- PolishMagnet
- Word Count: 190