Student Protests in Quebec What are they Really All About?

Having lived in Quebec for over 25 years I am not surprised by anything that happens in this province.  When they say Quebec is a distinct society, they really mean it.  For one the province is basically broke ( and so is Ontario for that matter). 

Over 40% of the population do not pay any income tax which means they are on some form of social assistance.  Five dollar a day care started in Quebec as well.  So here you have students who pay the lowest tuition out of any student in any province and they are protesting an increase of less than $500 over 3 years.  What gives?  

Well in my mind this is not about tuition. Like occupy its about a new youth revolution that is being driven by the use of social media.  I call it an experiment really. Social media, twitter, Facebook and the others all allow for conversations to start on various topics.  Its also about exerting your collective power. 

Our younger generations always are interested in personal revolutions of some sort. For example I remember the 70's and the wearing of jeans to school, listening to rock and roll, smoking on school property and not having to wear a tie to an assembly. 

We protested all of these things on top of the war in Viet Nam and having more say on what went on at the campuses of our universities and how the funds were being used.  Our protests were collective however, no one wore a mask, carried a crowbar, set off smoke bombs in subways and smashed stores, or sparred with riot police.   Today's protests are far more violent and premeditated. 

They are supported by unions, lobbyists and potentially separatists and anarchists.  They are labeled protests but are really about exerting power and controlling the balance of the conversation. Its not so much about the tuition fees.  That's secondary, this is about control.  The government is not sure what to do.  Each time they make a concession they lose the power.   This is a test.  If the government cancels the increase the terrorist students have won.   So .. what do we do now?

Social media revolutions have started, they are having some success and its only going to be a matter of time when revolutions will be fought over bigger issues.  They will include, taxes, water, wind turbines, energy, over countries, language resources and social programs.   The bottom line is the provinces in question are broke and if this continues you may just see a new young guard that controls the power.  The power of the twittistphear and using the power of social media, the bulk of the conversation.

So.. as far as protesting tuition goes, most of the people protesting it, are not in school anyway, that's a symbol and a smokescreen.   The future will be about power and who will control it. Based on how governments have been waisting our tax dollars for years on needless programs, the power may just be in hands of the people and few thousand Quebec non-student protesters may just be the canary in the coal mine as to what is to come.