Michael Ignatieff, the front runner in the LPC leadership, wants to recognize Quebec as a nation in the Constitution. This is a bad idea. If it is not a convention ploy from which he will later wander off into intellectual semi-retraction, we would be very disappointed. And Canada would be worse off, if he wins.

Quebec is of course a nation in some respects, sociologically for example. Economically? Perhaps -- but so much of the Quebec economy is interdependent and federally regulated that resting the argument there seems incomplete. Culturally or linguistically? For what it is worth, that definition would leave out a million French Canadians outside Quebec, and exclude a linguistic mosaic within that we believe also counts. Legally? Not yet at least. That is only a secessionist's dream. And what's good for one nation is also good for other Aboriginal nations within, when it comes to Canadian law.

So just what does Ignatieff mean? This is not the finesse we expected from the man; rather it seems like the bookish fancy of someone looking at Canada as an excited outsider. Is it not clear that the PQ would be making progress, and Canada would not, if this were seriously explored? Should we not explore ideas that make secession less likely in 20, 30, 40 years, and not ideas that make it virtually certain?

Being on the wrong side of the Iraq war, or nebulous on torture may not stick. But being wrong on unity is not an option. Ignatieff ought to start designing his reversal soon.