Quebec Separatism In Canada

Rough draft essay

Everyone knows that Canada is a peaceful country. But if you ask any Canadian they will tell you that this is not the case. For there is a large ongoing conflict between Canadians. The conflict is between the French and the English, or more specifically between Quebec and the rest of Canada. As a result of this conflict, along with some wrongdoing and propaganda, Quebec has considered and has gone as far to hold referendums over Separatism (Surette,2014). Separatism is that the province of Quebec separates from the rest of Canada to form its own country. Which would have immense effects on indubitably Quebec but also the rest of Canada (Martin, 2014). This report will focus on the basic causes and origin of Quebec Separatism,

Where Quebec was experiencing it’s Quiet Revolution out of the dark ages. Slowly the province is relying less on the Catholic Church and more on government and industry (Library and Archives Canada, 2005). The new economic success for Quebec made Quebecois want to keep what they earned and be forced to share it with the rest of Canada (Noel, 2009). That along with what seemed like less rights for French Canadians in the Canadian constitution, made Quebecois very furious with how they are being treated by Canada. What resulted was the formation of the Bloc de Quebecois a national party with the priority of separating Quebec (History of Canada, 2006). The Bloc Quebecois along with the FLQ provided enough international propaganda, that two referendums took place for Quebec citizens to decide if they wished to separate. Both of these referendums ended up in favour of Quebec not seperating however were decided in the closest of margins (Noel, 2009). But this issue isn’t over yet and is still very present today. Although the issue isn’t as strong as it was in the later 1900’s you can tell that the issue is still with us. It is in clear depiction when you notice the social barriers the French and English have, which more then just surpasses the language barrier (Brenhouse, 2013). If visiting Montreal it is more difficult then it should be for an English person to get

Quebec Separatism was no different, and in 1982 Canada’s Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau changed our constitution giving it many more rights to French Canadians in the height of the separation crisis (History of Canada, 2006). This was actually a good solution and is a large reason why the interest for Quebec Separatism is so low today. After the new constitution Quebecois felt that they have not lost there freedom after all and saw a bright future staying in Canada (Patriquin,2014). But the key to making this issue even less significant is to finally break the social barriers between the French and English (Scott, 2011). This is a lot easier said then done because of the long history of conflict between one another. In order for it to work both French and English people will have to agree to make an effort. The only way for the social barriers to be broken is to first change the beliefs and opinions of one another. If French people stop believing that they must resent the English then they wont. As simple as that (Scott, 2011). Another thing that would help is for they’re to be another solution to Quebec’s problems with Canada instead of Separatism. Separatism is a very dangerous thing to play with because it will change not only Quebec but also the rest of Canada and not just how it looks on a map (Surette, 2014). If Canada’s most multicultural province separates at the cause of