🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <46jnsb$gjr@nnrp.ucs.ubc.ca> aldham@unixg.ubc.ca (Daniel l Aldham) writes:
>Please, this is an honest question. Bouchard and Parizeau have threatened
>to leave Canada and use payment of their share of the debt as a bargaining
>chip. If we, Canada, do not want to bargain, how do we make Quebec pay?
>What is the procedure to force Quebecers to assume their fair share?
>Short of an occupying army to collect taxes, what is the mechanism?

 An occupying army first has to occupy, which involves invading and
 winning.  Short of military action, there are many well-tested
 methods of inducing other countries to do things: diplomatic talks,
 world-court suits, economic sanctions occur off the top of my head.
 Anything that convinces the other country (a) it will suffer worse
 if it doesn't do what you want, or (b) it will benefit more if does
 what you want, is ok.
 
 If you want a specific example, how about, "We will withhold
 most-favored nation status unless you take at least N% of the
 debt" (but make sure N is more than you will eventually accept)?
 Of course, it works both ways, as in, "We will charge you ruinously
 for use of the St. Lawrence Seaway unless you let us off with M% of
 the debt" (where M is less than you will eventually agree to pay).
 
 Just don't plan to get your shorts in a twist if it seems to be
 taking a while to settle.  Don't even think about a settlement
 this millenium.