Quebec Recognition Research Paper

The concept of recognizing Quebec as a distinct society is an idea that has been kicking around for some time, but just what does it mean and what are its broader implications? This paper will examine the origins of the term, what it means, and its historical context. It will then examine rival interpretations of federalism. The essay will conclude with an in-depth examination of the concept's involvement with the failed constitutional accords and the failed Quebec succession attempts.

More so, many Quebeckers were finding greater economic opportunities in the United States, which fostered concerns about the economic isolation of Quebec, which could ultimately become part of the United States and lose any form of Francophone independence: “Quebec’s economic weakness could be seen already in the flood of emigration toward the United States” (Silver 46). In this case, the underlying debate about provincial rights in the new federal government had to be addressed to ensure that Ontario did not usurp the provinces under a primarily Anglophone government. These clashing interest define how the threat of British colonialism and the economic and military aggression of the United States posed a major threat to Cartier and the Bleu Parti (Smith 43). These political negotiations defined the major efforts to unify the nation under MacDonald and Cartier’s federal plan as the two major provinces of Canada. This political culture created an opportunity to provide greater legislative and principal authority to countermand the new central government created through the Canadian

Jocelyn Letourneau’s is a history professor that wrote the essay “Reconstructing the Canadian Identity”. The author argues that if one compares the Harper government's idea of conservatism against Trudeau’s idea of multiculturalism, the reader can infer that multiculturalism is failing and Canada should go back to its monarch roots. By bringing back symbols of monarchy, a new Canadian perspective would form. Letourneau’s essay is structured in a very well and composed matter. His arguments and connections are structured in proper format where his whole essay can be linked and understood easily by the average individual. Although Letourneau’s essay is structured in a proper format, it is without its faults. The essay contains many fallacies that give his arguments a weak perspective on the topic. Also throughout his essay, the author appears to be taking a side within his argument. His bias viewpoint makes himself, and his work uncredible to the reader.

For most Quebecers, November 15, 1976 serves as a memorable date that triggered an array of effects that have come to define today’s Quebec. The date marks the Quebec general election in which the Parti Québécois (PQ) led by René Lévesque, defeated the Quebec Liberal Party, led by Robert Bourassa (Gossage & Little, 2012, p. 265). The victory caused many repercussions and reforms in rural zoning, auto protection, and laws on political party funding (Dickinson & Young, 2008, p. 333). Most notably, the triumph left federalists feeling powerless, particularly in Quebec’s English-speaking community, who were very concerned about the possibility of Quebec independence. Moreover, the bringing in of the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) on August 26, 1977 contributed to the enlarging strain in Quebec’s English-speaking community (Gossage & Little, 2012, p. 266). As a result, a great deal of research has been made on the intense psychological transformations felt by Quebec’s English-speaking communities following the historic election.

This essay looks to discuss Quebec sovereigntists and federalists, and how they differ in their understandings of Canada and Quebec. To accomplish this, the paper looks at three points of contention; how to understand history, the nature of the Quebec state, and recognition of Quebec. The three points of contention show where the two view diverge and why, but the paper views these points as merely pieces of the puzzle. As such only after looking at all three points does the paper reach a conclusion about the real differences between the two views. The paper concludes that sovereigntists view Quebec as distinct enfranchised nation within the confines of Canada, and while viewing Canada as a subjugator and an enemy to Quebec. In comparison,

Although Canada can be defined as a nation state, its vast landscape means many people are faced with different views and mindsets. Source one simply shows the differences within the nation of Canada. Eastern and Western Canada, because of their geographical differences, can be faced with contending loyalties when it comes to some nations aspects of life. Different lifestyles under the same set of government creates a physiological barrier between a nation. The source also shows the differences in Quebec nationalism compared to the rest of Canada. Some groups like the FLQ or the Front for Liberation of Quebec are known for their extremist views of Quebec nationalism. The small group called the FLQ was active in the 1960’s and 1970’s and they

Mackey, Razack and Poulter bring up the issues of a falsely constructed national identity in their article’s arguments. Settling Differences: Managing and Representing People and Land in the Canadian National Project states that “identity is formed in the ‘simultaneous vectors of similarity, continuality, and difference’” (Charbram and Fregoso, 1990: 206, as quoted by Mackey 2002: 24) – that certain characteristics and attributes from each identity is what relates or differentiates one identity from the next. These identities are either rooted in the lands history or appropriated from other groups, but never displays the full progression of coming to be. Rather, they display a discourse where only specific accounts of history are included in

Since the beginning of Canadian history, regionalism has had a prominent effect on the country`s political system. The concept of regionalism can be defined as a political ideology grounded on a shared sense of place or attachment and is discussed in terms of Canadian society, culture, economy and politics.1 From the days of confederation, Canada has developed into regional cleavages and identities based on various geographical characteristics, traditional lifestyles and economic interests. Two of Canada`s greatest regionally distinct political cultures are known as Western alienation and Quebec nationalism.2 Historically, the lack of regional awareness and accommodation within Canada’s central government has given rise to a great deal

Finally in 1867, the United Canadas joined two other British Colonies, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to form the Dominion of Canada (McRoberts 1991, 413). French-Canadians continued to fight against assimilation and received autonomous privileges with exclusive jurisdiction over matters regarding its cultural distinctiveness***. Thus, the Francophone language and culture has always been at the forefront of Quebec priorities. Since Confederation, Quebec nationalist have felt that the Francophone language and culture has been at risk of assimilation by the rest of Canada. As a result, Quebec nationalism is fundamentally rooted in the preservation of the Francophone language and culture (Guiberneau 2006, 52). Political leaders in Quebec continuously urge for the recognition that Canada is composed of two nations or cultures (McRoberts 1991, 413). Prior to confederation Quebec enjoyed numerous autonomous privileges. Unfortunately, post-confederation Quebec did not enjoy as many autonomous privileges because Canada was created as a relatively centralized federation (Beland and Lecours 2007, 406). A centralized federation not only took several of these autonomous powers away from Quebec, but it also threatened the Francophone language and culture (Beland and Lecours 2007, 406). With this said, Quebec nationalism has placed a great deal of pressure on the federal government to decentralize, giving more powers to provincial governments.

Nationalism is an important aspect of national pride and identity for countries around the world. For example, Canada takes pride in its cultural identity, one that is claimed to be different from other ‘Western’ more ‘industrialized’ nations, such as countries in Europe, and the United States. Even though Canada currently has a national identity that differs greatly from that of other more established countries, history has dictated the way in which a particular national identity exists today. In Canada, Samuel De Champlain and the French established colonies that created a cultural clash between the French Europeans, and First-Nations Canadians within the country. However, this notion of French Canadian Nationalism isn’t necessarily embraced by all of the Canadian Population. This paper seeks to analyze important pieces of Canadian History that have contributed to a broken concept of what constitutes Canadian nationalism, with an emphasis on how historic events prevent and affect coherent Canadian Nationalism in modern society. Through the analysis of the notions and histories associated with ‘First-Nations Nationalism’, ‘Quebecois Nationalism’, and a broader ‘Anti-American’ identity embraced by many Canadians, this paper seeks to locate common ground within the culturally diverse Canadian population in order to progress toward a singular coherent

First Nation is a special group of people who live in Canada. Their cultures, traditions and lifestyles are totally different from other Canadian and in the Canadian history the unequal treatment of aboriginal people influence them to be different. Also, this debate will influence the profits of First Nation. “Some of the main issues they see as pertinent in the separatist debates are issues of land rights, resource management, and their right to self-determination.” (Etzel 2015) If Quebec is independent, First Nation will lose the support from federal government and be controlled by Quebec government. Without Canadian supporting, they will lose rights due them and will influence the relationship to withe First Nations. Furthermore, this Quebec debate affects other provinces even lead them to have the same thoughts as Quebec. Everything happened will have a flow and most people in this world have the same thought which conformity. Thus, other provinces will try to be individual. For example in Alberta, “In English Canada in the early 1980s, there was also some separatist activity, particularly in Alberta, which was embodied in the Western Canada Concept Party.” (STEIN 2006). From the influence of Quebec, Alberta also wants to be independent even had an activity to show their determination at an

Western alienation is defined as a “political ideology” or regional discontent, this is rooted with the dissatisfaction of western provinces in the federal government by representation. This essay will examine the causes of western alienation in Canada by examining 3 main causes: Inter-state federalism, the senate and the importance of Quebec emerging in late 1900's. Governments in Canada have developed relations between themselves, involving government and legislation. Inter government relations resemble international diplomacy( meetings with prime minister, provincial premiers, staff and flags). Conducted by government and politicians who have to be sure of the fact that what they do in inter government relations

“The Constitution Act, 1867 contained specific provisions designed to protect Quebec 's distinct culture and language” (Nicholson, 2003) Canada has always given guarantees to protect the Quebec culture, a policy would be nice but it is not an absolute must have as he portrays. Tremblay then moves on to say, that U.S Department of Commerce would like to deregulate the communications industry and how horrible this would be for Canada . He points out that once this happens the U.S will pressure Canada to do the same. Yet, he seems to forget that Canada is a sovereign nation that does not have to give in to U.S pressure. Canada sets its own policies without being influenced by others. It has and will always be this way. Quebec is already officially recognized as distinct, it is entrenched in the constitution. Simply put, it does not get any better than that.

In this essay, I will be discussing policies enacted by Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government and explaining how they relate to the political compass. In the first paragraph, I will explain the difference between libertarian and authoritarian policies. In the second paragraph, I will discuss the Liberal government’s proposal to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to add gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination, and illustrate why that constitute a libertarian policy. In the third paragraph, I will discuss the liberal proposal amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and why that constitute an authoritarian policy. Afterward, in the fourth paragraph, I will explain the difference between the left-wing and the right-wing policies. In the fifth paragraph, I will discuss the Canadian Liberal government decision on the rise of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payouts and why that constitute a left-wing policy. Then in the sixth paragraph, I will discuss the Liberal’s Canada-EU free trade agreement and why that constitute a right-wing policy.

The idea of Québec separating from Canada isn’t as popular as it once was, twenty one years ago. In the 1980’s and 90’s, Québec sovereignty left the country divided, and the 1995 referendum showed how Québec and Canada had a tumultuous relationship. All of Canada was affected, but this debate targeted mostly English Canadians and French Canadians. The lack of unity between both cultures resulted in the Quiet Revolution in 1960’s, which was the starting point for the sovereignty movement. The inability of Québec and Canada to resolve their differences regarding Québec separation resulted in events that affected the whole country.