'Demi' Canadian bill becoming local currency in Quebec's Gaspé region

[Mr.HappySilp]

'Demi' Canadian bill becoming local currency in Quebec's Gaspé region - Montreal - CBC News
Residents in Quebec's Gaspé region are cutting Canadian bills in half to create a new local currency they call the "demi."

No one really knows who started the practice, but $5, $10 and $20 bills, sliced down the middle, have been showing up since the spring.

Canadian dollar closes below 75 cents US for 1st time since 2004

Residents and some local merchants have been using them, accepting their value as half of the original bill.

"It's money that can only be circulated among these local users," said Patrick DuBois, a demi user from Carleton-sur-Mer, Que.

"No one else will accept it anywhere right now."

Michelle Secours, who owns a business in Caplan, Que., said the demi has created a parallel local economy. She said it shows a commitment to local businesses.

"You have to be kind of in-the-know to use it, so it's creating a tight network," she said.

"It's not going to be accepted in a depanneur in Montreal, so it's a way for us to consolidate our money here."
Bank of Canada says practice is 'inappropriate'

The Bank of Canada says the practice isn't illegal, but also isn't advisable.

"The Bank of Canada feels that writing and markings on bank notes or mutilating them [is] inappropriate as they are a symbol of our country and a source of national pride," Bank of Canada spokeswoman Josianne Ménard said in a written statement.

"Canadians can help keep their bank notes in good condition so they circulate longer."

Martin Zibeau, a demi user from Saint-Siméon, said it's impossible to know how many people are using the quirky local currency, but he personally knows of more than a dozen.

"It's something that's still developing. It's funny — there are a lot of tourists who have seen it and spread the word across Quebec."

Zibeau says he doesn't see anything wrong with the demi because the bills are still being used as currency.

"In the worst case, if we find ourselves in trouble, we just need to make a call out to collect all the bills with the same serial number to restore the value. We can always put them back together."

Bank of Canada policy says it can refuse to reimburse anyone who wants a replacement bill if "the notes have otherwise been altered or damaged deliberately or in a systematic fashion.

Sigh that's pretty dumb. If they want to use a lower value of the bill just use the apporiate one. I wish all banks would deny the replacement of bills cut in half so these people are left with a bill with no value.

[6o4__boi]

Quebec...enough said.

[Teriyaki]

Quebecois being Quebecois...

[320icar]

We really should just let them seperate, and then not trade or support them at all and see how long that country lasts. They have absolutely nothing to offer other than a false sense of superiority. They really are the 16 year old girl of Canadian provinces who just "happens to know everything and we just DONT UNDERSTAND! GUHHH!!"

[Hondaracer]

So instead of changing a $20 into the $10's, you cut them in half splitting the serial numbers apart and essentially making the currency useless outside of this tiny area..seems like the right idea..

[Traum]

Originally Posted by 320icar

We really should just let them seperate, and then not trade or support them at all and see how long that country lasts. They have absolutely nothing to offer other than a false sense of superiority. They really are the 16 year old girl of Canadian provinces who just "happens to know everything and we just DONT UNDERSTAND! GUHHH!!"

I want to point out that not everyone in Quebec is that stupid / self entitled. In particular, the vast majority of Montrealers that I've met / known are perfectly normal, sensible human beings just like everyone else. But once you move out of the Montreal region...

Oh, and Montreal girls are hot!

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by 320icar

We really should just let them seperate, and then not trade or support them at all and see how long that country lasts. They have absolutely nothing to offer other than a false sense of superiority. They really are the 16 year old girl of Canadian provinces who just "happens to know everything and we just DONT UNDERSTAND! GUHHH!!"

I wish people like you would stop parroting this garbage every time there's a negative story about Quebec.

The fact is, Canada as we know it is fucked if we separate Quebec from Confederation.

Quebec holds 22% of Canada's population and accounts for just as much of the economic output of this country. It's also the second largest manufacturing base after Ontario and tightly tied logistically to said province.

Quebec goes, then it's just a matter of time before the Maritimes, NFLD go too. Not to mention we'd lose Montreal - big loss IMO.


As for Currency debasement, there is historical precedent for this such as during Roman times with gold/silver coins and with the Spanish Dollar "Pieces of eight", but today it's kind of moronic. However, to attribute the action so of a few country bumpkins in Gaspe to an entire province of 8 million is also similarly idiotic

[Hehe]

It truly shows the flaw in fiat money...

The value is what the receiver perceives, and nothing else.

But to come up with this idea.................. Quebecois...

[CivicBlues]

Failed for presenting facts in a logical and concise manner?

Fuck you 320icar. Are facts and logic too much for your brain to handle? Fail this asshole:

Guess you have a learning disability too as well Underscore.

[CorneringArtist]

Consider that Quebec wants to separate while remaining economically tied to Canada....yeah fuck that. If they divided the vote into administrative districts and let the country rednecks separate on their own, and let the logical, urban areas remain part of Canada proper, let those fucks suffer on their own and let the money that was allocated to them by the government fund the regions that voted to remain.

Of course, this is my logical take on Quebecois, but frankly, if the entire province separates, they should fund themselves as a new country. But this will never happen as most are smart enough to not separate. The extreme will probably never happen though.

[underscore]

I'm not sure why the actions of a few idiots from piddly little towns in Quebec (total population 5300 between the two listed) are making national news, must be a slow day. There will always be idiots in rural Quebec doing dumb shit to try and make themselves different from the rest of the country.

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Quebec holds 22% of Canada's population and accounts for just as much of the economic output of this country. It's also the second largest manufacturing base after Ontario and tightly tied logistically to said province.

The province that has the lowest GDP per capita of the major provinces, received the most in Federal support (second highest per capita of the major provinces) and the largest equalization payments by far (2.5x the second highest province)? And you think we should be worried because they're tied to the second largest receiver of Federal support and equalization payments? From these two things alone the country would save nearly $30B/year by letting Quebec go.



Of course the number of people who actually want to separate are a constantly shrinking minority in Quebec, so they aren't going anywhere, but I have to laugh when people suggest losing them would hurt Canada economically.

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by underscore

I'm not sure why the actions of a few idiots from piddly little towns in Quebec (total population 5300 between the two listed) are making national news, must be a slow day. There will always be idiots in rural Quebec doing dumb shit to try and make themselves different from the rest of the country.



The province that has the lowest GDP per capita of the major provinces, received the most in Federal support (second highest per capita of the major provinces) and the largest equalization payments by far (2.5x the second highest province)? And you think we should be worried because they're tied to the second largest receiver of Federal support and equalization payments? From these two things alone the country would save nearly $30B/year by letting Quebec go.



Of course the number of people who actually want to separate are a constantly shrinking minority in Quebec, so they aren't going anywhere, but I have to laugh when people suggest losing them would hurt Canada economically.

Quebec receives the highest amount of equalization payments as a function of it's population which is twice the size of BC.

Per capita, PEI receives the most benefits from Equalization but I don't hear anyone using that for an argument to kick out another one of the founding members of Confederation.

Oh maybe we should kick everyone on EI out of Canada we'll save billions upon billions no doubt.

[Traum]

Originally Posted by underscore

The province that has the lowest GDP per capita of the major provinces, received the most in Federal support (second highest per capita of the major provinces) and the largest equalization payments by far (2.5x the second highest province)? And you think we should be worried because they're tied to the second largest receiver of Federal support and equalization payments? From these two things alone the country would save nearly $30B/year by letting Quebec go.

Of course the number of people who actually want to separate are a constantly shrinking minority in Quebec, so they aren't going anywhere, but I have to laugh when people suggest losing them would hurt Canada economically.

^^ QED

[Traum]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Per capita, PEI receives the most benefits from Equalization but I don't hear anyone using that for an argument to kick out another one of the founding members of Confederation.

Nobody ever suggests that because the Islanders aren't some self-important, ungrateful prick that constantly threatens to leave the Confederation.

That and I PEI potatoes.

[underscore]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Quebec receives the highest amount of equalization payments as a function of it's population which is twice the size of BC.

Your point is? BC receives no equalization payments, so it doesn't really matter what it's a function of because Quebec receives infinity times more money either way. You'd think with twice the number of people they'd be more productive.

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Per capita, PEI receives the most benefits from Equalization but I don't hear anyone using that for an argument to kick out another one of the founding members of Confederation.

You should learn to read better because I'm not arguing to kick out Quebec, they're the ones wanting to leave, I'm saying that your argument:

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

The fact is, Canada as we know it is fucked if we separate Quebec from Confederation.

of Canada being hit in the pocketbook by Quebec leaving is laughably untrue.

PEI is the highest per capita but lowest total cost, they cost less than 25% of the second lowest (NS) and as an added bonus they have the good sense to keep their mouths shut and grow their potatoes instead of wasting their time cutting up the money the rest of the country has been giving their ungrateful asses for as long as I can remember.

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by underscore

Your point is? BC receives no equalization payments, so it doesn't really matter what it's a function of because Quebec receives infinity times more money either way. You'd think with twice the number of people they'd be more productive.

Actually BC has for several years. Only recently has BC stopped getting it mostly as a function of rising commodity prices and the nature of our economy. Equalization payments aren't a simple formula of if you generate this much GDP/capita you stop getting it.

You should learn to read better because I'm not arguing to kick out Quebec, they're the ones wanting to leave, I'm saying that your argument:

Actually we're arguing semantics where you're differentiating between "Letting them Leave" vs "Kick them out" as if it's the prerogative of a artificial entity such as a province to have the ability to pack up and go like an brooding adolescent.

of Canada being hit in the pocketbook by Quebec leaving is laughably untrue.

PEI is the highest per capita but lowest total cost, they cost less than 25% of the second lowest (NS) and as an added bonus they have the good sense to keep their mouths shut and grow their potatoes instead of wasting their time cutting up the money the rest of the country has been giving their ungrateful asses for as long as I can remember.

I guess I was mistaken to think we can argue this with facts and reasoning but it seems obvious to me that you, traum, and 320icar would rather parrot the same old jingoistic jerk-off that makes English Canada feel better about itself.

[320icar]

Lol, someone's on a heavy flow day

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by 320icar

Lol, someone's on a heavy flow day

So you want to add misogyny to your admirable traits I see?

[320icar]

Uh oh guys careful, we've got a white night here

[underscore]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Actually BC has for several years. Only recently has BC stopped getting it mostly as a function of rising commodity prices and the nature of our economy. Equalization payments aren't a simple formula of if you generate this much GDP/capita you stop getting it.

Err...

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Equalization payments are based on a formula that calculates the difference between the per capita revenue yield that a particular province would obtain using average tax rates and the national average per capita revenue yield at average tax rates

It's not a hard number, but they're based on revenue yield/capita vs national average.

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Actually we're arguing semantics where you're differentiating between "Letting them Leave" vs "Kick them out" as if it's the prerogative of a artificial entity such as a province to have the ability to pack up and go like an brooding adolescent.

There's a pretty significant difference as the former refers to Quebec wanting to leave, and the latter refers to them wanting to stay but being forced to leave.

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

I guess I was mistaken to think we can argue this with facts and reasoning but it seems obvious to me that you, traum, and 320icar would rather parrot the same old jingoistic jerk-off that makes English Canada feel better about itself.

Says the guy parroting the same "you'll miss me when I'm gone" bullshit the separatists have been spewing for years. For someone claiming to want to argue with facts and reasoning you sure are doing a terrible job of it considering you've ignored most of the facts I've posted and provided none of your own.

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by 320icar

Uh oh guys careful, we've got a white night here

huh??

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by underscore

There's a pretty significant difference as the former refers to Quebec wanting to leave, and the latter refers to them wanting to stay but being forced to leave.



Says the guy parroting the same "you'll miss me when I'm gone" bullshit the separatists have been spewing for years. For someone claiming to want to argue with facts and reasoning you sure are doing a terrible job of it considering you've ignored most of the facts I've posted and provided none of your own.

You're so smart, you see facts where there are none and none where there are.

When you 3 are done jerking each other off you can join me in the real world. There's a reason why successive Federal governments have not antagonized Quebec's separatist movements. You think you know better? Go run for office, get elected and change Federal policy. Douchebag.

[PiuYi]

this escalated quickly.

[underscore]

As a clarifying disclaimer I don't want Quebec to separate and don't care about the current status of the equalization payments, but I always have and always will laugh at any claims that losing Quebec would hurt Canada financially at this point in time.

[underscore]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

You're so smart, you see facts where there are none and none where there are.

Alright then, if I'm so stupid, please explain to me how losing Quebec would hurt Canada financially. This is a legitimate request as from where I sit now that claim appears to be false.

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

When you 3 are done jerking each other off you can join me in the real world. There's a reason why successive Federal governments have not antagonized Quebec's separatist movements. You think you know better? Go run for office, get elected and change Federal policy. Douchebag.

Because there will always be idiots like the ones in this article that don't agree? Quebec just has more of a history so it gets noticed, but I'll bet you there are idiots in every province/territory that want to separate for some daft reason or other (inb4 Yukon separatists make the news).