Quebec and Canada at the Crossroads: A Nation within a Nation

Abstract. I argue first that there are many different concepts of the nation, and advocate a certain conceptual pluralism. I also argue that a population as a whole cannot constitute a nation unless it has a certain national consciousness. I then show that we must adopt a fundamental principle of tolerance. I also try to attend to the complexities of the relations between Quebec and Canada, and argue that different populations represent themselves as nations in different ways and with different concepts. 1 show that Quebec constitutes a nation within a nation. I then wonder what it would mean for Canadians to accept a Quebec nation. Finally, I try to explain why a very large proportion of the population of Quebec has increasingly been favourable to sovereignty, and favourable to making a partnership proposal to Canada.     

Modeling Air Quality in Urban Areas: A Cell‐Based Statistical Approach

Statistical regression models are presented that explain the observed variations, across urban areas, in the concentrations of two major pollutants, ozone and carbon monoxide. Model specification and estimation are based on an explicit and new spatial framework derived from the theoretical concept of well‐mixed cells, whereby the basic Fickian system of diffusion equations is integrated over the regional space partitioned into a grid of large cells. The concentration in each cell results from the balance of pollutant flows into and out of this cell and of pollutant emissions and removal within that cell, and is expressed as the sum of two concentration contributions: (1) the local effect, dependent upon pollution‐related factors around the measuring station, and (2) the regional effect, dependent upon pollutant flows originating outside the local area. A large database is developed, making extensive use of GIS technology, to spatially relate such data as pollution measurements, meteorological factors, land‐use characteristics, census socioeconomic data, and major highway network characteristics. The results confirm the appropriateness of the well‐mixed cell framework, are in line with general knowledge regarding the determinants of ozone and carbon monoxide concentrations, and clarify the role of transportation, residential fuel use, economic activities, natural environments, and meteorological factors such as temperature and solar radiation. About SO percent of the variations in concentrations are explained by these models. Several areas of further research are outlined.     

Ambiance, Structure, Et Stratégie: Recherche Sur L'Appréciation Du Paysage Forestier Par Les Campeurs

L'utilisation efficace des espaces consacrés aux loisirs et l'optimalisation de la satisfaction des usagers exigent la compréhension des relations entre ceux-ci et leur environnement. Cet article explore les liens entre 1'attraction d'un site de camping en milieu forestier et I'ambiance qui y règne. On montre d'abord comment cette notion d'ambiance peut-être mise en ceuvre à travers le concept écologique de structure de la végétation forestière. L'étude montre ensuite le rôle important que jouent ces caractéristiques structurelles dans le choix d'un site pour l'usager. Ce choix est le résultat de stratégies qui, tout en s'adaptant aux particularités du milieu, visent la satisfaction de certaines préférences fondamentales du campeur.
The most efficient use of a recreational area as well as the optimization of user satisfaction require the elucidation of the relationships between recreationists and their environment. This article investigates the links between the attractiveness of camping sites in a forest environment and the ambiance which characterizes these sites. It is first shown how the notion of ambiance can be operationalized through the ecological concept of forest structure. Then the study points out the role of this structural dimension of a forest environment as a factor of the user's choice. This choice results from strategies which are aimed at the satisfaction of some of the camper's fundamental preferences while, at the same time, being adapted to environmental characteristics.