What is a nation when it comes to Quebec?

Can a nation exist within a country? When it comes to Quebec, the issue is touchy. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has weighed in on the matter, stunning Parliament by introducing a motion recognizing the French-speaking province of Quebec as a nation within Canada.

The separatist party Bloc Quebecois intended Thursday's motion to not say "within Canada." But the party's motion ended up stating that Quebec forms a nation "that is currently inside Canada."

There has been a cynical nature to the Conservatives kissing up to Quebec. Provincial rights (a common issue among Alberta and Quebec) and the fact that the margin of error for Harper is the Conservatives from Quebec are reasons Harper likely weighed in on the "nation" issue. Still, it is a bold move by Harper.

Piling on to the cynicism is that controversial Liberal MP Michael Ignatieff, a front-runner for the Liberal Party leadership, said the French language, history and culture mark Quebecers as a separate people who should be recognized as a nation under the Constitution. Ignatieff is seen as much more conservative than other Liberal leaders, and perhaps Harper would like to see him as the new opposition leader.

This is mostly about symbolism, but symbolism people care a lot about. Harper isn't really giving Quebec much, Quebec appreciates it, and both hope the rest of the country isn't upset by it. Unlike in the U.S., the regions do battle each other much more than in the United States.