Take it from the Scots

Re: Referendum Lessons From Scotland, John Ivison, March 6. Mr. Ivison correctly suggests that Ottawa should intervene forcefully, as the British did in their fight with Scottish nationalists, to disabuse Quebecers from the no- tion that voting for separation would be painless. The PQ has disingenuously said that Quebecers pay more to Ottawa than they receive, and has also claimed that people in the province would keep their passport and the Canadian dollar.

Westminster has recently said this would definitely not be the case with Scotland, which has resulted in a concomitant decline in enthusiasm for separation. That decline in enthusiasm has been helped along by the announcements from big Scottish companies, such as Standard Life and RBS, which suggest they would decamp if separation passes.

The federal government in Canada should encourage all large Quebec companies to state the same, and also compel them to inform Quebecers about the effect of separation on Quebec jobs, taxes and social benefits.

Alan Mew, Baie-D’Urfé, Que.