QUEBEC’S PLACE IN CANADA
The history of an “oppressed” people.
The place of Quebec in Canada (and if Quebec should even be a part of Canada) has long been a controversial subject and one of much political debate. Throughout Canadian history French-English relations have often been tense and on more than one occasion violence has broken out. This happened because many French Canadians felt they were under oppression and that it was necessary that they take serious measures to preserve their culture and language. But what exactly is so special about the Quebecois? What makes them different from other Canadians? How has the Quebec separatist movement affected Canadian unity? Should Quebec be separated from Canada?
THE QUEBECOIS IDENTITY
In my opinion, Quebec has the most distinguishable identity of all the Canadian provinces and its identity is extremely significant in determining the way it is run (politically and socially). Quebec’s identity has also changed enormously from how it was in the founding days of Canada. In the past, Quebec was largely characterized by the quaint parish church, the iconic farms, and the emphasis on family life. However, as time progressed and Quebec became a province of Canada, its identity shifted. The farms gradually disappeared and the church became much less important in society as Quebec became more and more secular. In the 1960s, various reforms took place in Quebec, bringing it into the modern era of politics, economy, education, and society. However, the importance of the preservation of the French language and culture (necessitated by the increasing fear of Anglo “invasion”) continued to be a huge part of life in Quebec. It came to define Quebec in terms of its government policies and services. So does Quebec still have a unique identity? I would say that it does considering that its language and its culture are like no other. The Quebecois have evolved from the original habitants who first came to tame the land and the generations of Quebecois who lived through Canadian conditions have a truly distinctive experience. Their culture is important not only to their people but also to completely understanding Canada’s history. Therefore, I think that Quebec’s identity is significant enough to justify the need for protection and recognition from the government of Canada.
QUEBEC-CANADA RELATIONS
Over the years, the struggle to protect the Quebecois identity has resulted in numerous conflicts that have threatened national unity. This struggle began way back with the conquest of New France by the British in 1760. Another one of the earlier events that set the precedent for these tense relations was the Rebellion of 1837 in Lower Canada. During this rebellion, the French fought against the Crown and the political circumstances at the time, criticizing the British governor and demanding that they have more control over the spending of revenues in the colony. Furthermore, with the BNA Act of 1867, French Canadians developed the belief that Canadian confederation was the result of an agreement between the two founding groups (i.e. French and English). Thus, they believed that Quebec had been granted certain rights and they developed specific autonomist demands. In addition, the conscription crisis during WWI (in which French Canadians largely opposed the invocation of conscription) caused huge national discord and resulted in several riots throughout Quebec.
“IF THIS MILITARY SERVICE BILL IS PASSED, WE WILL FACE A CLEAVAGE WHICH MAY REND AND TEAR THIS CANADA OF OURS DOWN TO THE ROOTS.” — Sir Wilfrid Laurier
The next major period of Quebec nationalism and national discord was during the Duplessis years in Quebec from around 1936 to 1949 (known as “The Great Darkness). The political relations of this era were defined by Quebec continually attempting to defend its autonomy. This was done by resisting the increasing involvement of the federal government in order to preserve Quebecois culture (e.g. language, religion) and to minimize Anglo influence. In the 1960s, the Quiet Revolution brought the next significant step for Quebec nationalism; Premier Jean Lesage asked the federal government for “special status” for Quebec. However, this period also involved the rise of extreme separatist groups who committed terrorist crimes. One such group was the FLQ (Front de Liberation du Quebec) whose violent actions instigated the October Crisis and further questions of Quebec separatism. Furthermore, a symbolic divide between Quebec and the rest of Canada was created when it was the only province not to sign the new Canadian constitution in 1981. The additional failed attempts to include Quebec in Canada’s “constitutional family” with the Meech Lake Accord (1987) and the Charlottetown Accord (1992) resulted in the electoral victory of the Parti Quebecois in the 1994 election. The inconclusive attempts to pacify Quebec also resulted in a narrow escape in the 1995 Quebec referendum on separation (49.4% for, 50.6% against).
All of these events are significant because they contributed to developing the Quebec-Canada relations throughout Canadian history and they hugely impacted the state of these relations nowadays. The events described above all contributed to the rise of Quebec nationalism as well as the upset in national unity. They accurately depict a conflicted relationship that has affected the lives of many Canadians. So, considering the amount of trouble Quebec has caused for, should it have been made a sovereign nation?
“QUEBEC’S NATIONALISM IS RAPIDLY TRANSFORMING ITSELF FROM A NATIONALISM OF RESENTMENT INTO A NATIONALISM OF SELF-AFFIRMATION.” — Michael Ignatieff
SO SHOULD QUEBEC BE AN INDEPENDENT NATION?
Overall, I don’t think that Quebec should separate from Canada and become its own independent nation. First of all, if Quebec separated from Canada, a large amount of land (Quebec is the largest province in Canada) would be lost as well as several million people and significant tax revenues. Secondly, I find Quebec separation unnecessary since its main goal would be to protect the French Canadians language and culture, something that is already being done today. Bill 101 is one of the laws that has accomplished this and as a result has established French as the main business language of Quebec, providing more economic opportunities for French Canadians. Furthermore, the separation of Quebec may result in deteriorating conditions and fewer rights for English-speaking people in Quebec as an emphasis would be put on everything French. This increase in the lack of tolerance for outside groups might also negatively impact Aboriginals living in Quebec, especially if they prefer to continue living in Canada, since they would have to move to a different province or territory, abandoning their lands. In addition, I don’t believe that Quebec should separate from Canada because Quebec plays a huge role in the history of Canada and in Canadian culture and identity (e.g. bilingualism) in general. And of course, Quebecois poutine is delicious.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT QUEBEC?
Well, Quebec is Canada’s largest province (by land area) and it holds a significant size of the Canadian population. As well, Quebec’s interests have played a huge role in determining the state of national unity in Canada throughout its history. The distinctive French Canadian nationalism and the struggle to preserve the Quebecois culture have resulted in several iconic Canadian events that have defined the way Canadian politics operate today. Furthermore, the Quebecois culture is a significant part of the Canadian identity and knowledge of it can help use gain a better understanding of Canadian history. For all of these reasons Quebec is a significant and integral part of Canada which I think would be a shame to lose.
Works Cited:
Pigeon, Mathieu. “Québec-Canada Relations.” At the MUSEUM. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/scripts/explore.php?Lang=1>.
“Ubcpress.ca :: University of British Columbia Press.” Ubcpress.ca :: University of British Columbia Press. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.ubcpress.ca/search/title_book.asp?BookID=95>.
“Meech Lake Accord.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/meech-lake-accord/>.
“Rebellions of 1837.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/rebellions-of-1837/>.
“The Quebec National Identity.” Multicultural Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/Encyclopedia/A-Z/c4/3>.
“Quebec Identity | McGill-Queen’s University Press.” Quebec Identity | McGill-Queen’s University Press. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.mqup.ca/quebec-identity-products-9780773525986.php>.
Written: January 10th, 2013
