How Does Quebec Nationalism Affect Canadian Politics

Historically, Quebec nationalism has had a deep impact on Canadian politics, in relation to issues such as language rights and constitutional reforms. This paper will focus on Quebec’s nationalism influences on Canadian Politics, specifically the extent to which the 1980 referendum influenced Canadian Politics. In the 1960s, the rise of a new nationalism in Quebec forced the federal political elites to re-examine the relationship between Quebec and the rest of the country. (MISCONCEIVING CANADA, PAGE XIV) This era marked change for Quebecers across the province in terms of social and political restructuring. For many years Quebec was dominated by a conservative government which had close ties to the catholic church, up until 1960 when the

Only in Quebec, where French-speakers were the overwhelming majority, was it possible to imagine the full economic, social, and cultural institutions of a modern society functioning in the French language” (Misconceiving Canada, page 32) As Quebec’s society modernized, Quebecois started seeing themselves as a distinct cultural group with its own history and values, separate from Anglo-Canadiens. They strongly believed that the federal government was failing to not only respect but also recognize its distinctiveness in the country. The Quiet Revolution symbolizes the future of Quebec’s Liberalism, however, displeased some such as Pierre Elliot Trudeau. “Upon his rejection of the Quiet Revolution would hang much of the future of Canadian politics.” (Misconceiving Canada, page

For most Quebec nationalists, the failure of the referendum had led to bitterness, defeatism, and demobilization. (Meech Lake Post-Mortem, page 4) Quebec’s wish for greater autonomy and recognition as a distinct society has led to various discussions between the federal government and Quebec. The federal government responded to the referendum and Quebec’s wishes by introducing constitutional reforms such as the Meech Lake Accord in the 1980s. The Meech Lake Accord also known as the Constitutional Accord of 1987, was an agreement made by the federal government which at the time was led by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the 10 provincial governments on constitutional agreements. One of the reasons the Meech Lake Accords took place was that Quebec had not formally accepted the Constitution of 1982 and the rise in tensions between Quebecois and the federal government. The Accords were an attempt at appeasing Quebec while also addressing the issue of national unity in Canada. It aimed that the Canadian Constitution formally recognize Quebec as a "distinct society" and give it more powers and autonomy within the federal system. However, the Accord was met with controversy and failed to be ratified. The failure of the Meech lake accords had a significant impact on Canadian Politics. It further deepened the divide between Quebec and the rest of Canada, while also highlighting the challenges of reconciling the different