In the United States, the term "the 51st state" when applied to Canada can serve to highlight the similarities and close relationship between the United States and Canada. Sometimes the term is used disparagingly, intended to deride Canada as an unimportant neighbor. In the Quebec general election, 1989, the political party Parti 51 ran 11 candidates on a platform of Quebec seceding from Canada to join the United States (with its leader, André Perron, claiming Quebec could not survive as an independent nation). The party attracted just 3,846 votes across the province, 0.11% of the total votes cast. In comparison, the other parties in favour of sovereignty of Quebec in that election got 40.16% (PQ) and 1.22% (NPDQ). COUNT 4
QSN1 What does Canada being referred to as the 51st state in a positive way mean in the US, generally? ANS1 can serve to highlight the similarities and close relationship between the United States and Canada QSN2 What is a negative connotation of the term? ANS2 to deride Canada as an unimportant neighbor QSN3 How man votes did Parti 51 attract in 1989? ANS3 just 3,846 votes QSN4 What did the other parties receive that year? ANS4 40.16% (PQ) and 1.22% (NPDQ)