Cultural Identity of Quebec: Christianity as the Ideal and the Norm

The article I read was about the Quebec government’s decision to keep the crucifix above the speaker's chair in the National Assembly. In this essay I will argue that this exemplifies the cultural identity of Quebec being represented by the media and our system is one of white Christianity and while multiculturalism is important to Canada, the idea of normality being presented is one not of multiculturalism but of white Christian norms in Quebec and that this affects the representation of Canada and their cultural identity as well.

This article details how the government of Quebec decided that the crucifix in the national assembly is not one of religious symbology but rather one of historical significance and thus should not be removed. This decision directly connects to the Quebec government banning all religious imagery on public sector workers. The Premier claims 'In our past, we had Protestants and Catholics. They built the values we have in Quebec. We have to recognize that and not mix that with religious signs.'. The article also talks about Quebec’s immigration policy and its ability to grant immigration on its own basis rather than with what the federal government says.

I believe that Quebec is establishing itself as its own nation with its own sets of values and beliefs outside of the rest of Canada. Canada’s policy and image in the wider world is one of acceptance and blending. Quebec is actively creating its own policies and rules that directly go against these ideas. Quebec by going against established Canadian values of inclusivity and by choosing to willfully ignore the federal government and make its own decisions is trying to set itself as its own nation. I think the rules/values Quebec is putting forward are very indicative of the type of people they are trying to appeal to and represent their identity with, namely white Christians. The ban on all religious imagery and acceptance of the crucifix in the national assembly are very Christian-positive, while they forbid all religious imagery, the most prolific image of Christianity is still accepted despite these rules. I see this as an advertisement from Quebec saying that their nation is Christian-loving and everything else is allowed but tolerated. I think this is further emphasized by the fact that the Quebec government has done nothing whatsoever to show any aboriginal imagery in their national assembly despite keeping the crucifix for its historical value. If the national assembly holds items with symbols that are important historically to Quebec and Canada, then aboriginal imagery should be shown as well. No aboriginal symbols or imagery are in the national assembly or are represented by their policies, I see this as directly advertising themselves as a Christian nation first and foremost. Canada as a nation-state refuses to involve themselves meaningfully in establishing multicultural tendencies in Quebec and takes a rather hands-off approach. I see this as either Canada being lazy or them accepting Quebec’s identity and the messages that send across as okay. I think the media in Canada generally shows that being a Canadian means you are someone who is from any background but exemplifies Canada’s values. Canada values multiculturalism (insofar as you are not an aboriginal in which case then you are generally forgotten about) in its media and representations of everyone I believe. I think this article represents a French-Canadian idea of nationalism, a white Christian Canada. 

I think in general Canadian nationalism is based in ideas of equality, as equality to everyone, no matter who they are is an idea Canada preaches. For Quebec, we can see citizenship and immigration being a large issue. Quebec has decided to regulate its own immigration without the help of the Federal government. “Legault also told Trudeau that Quebec will add language and value requirements for immigrants seeking to settle in the province. Though immigration falls under federal jurisdiction, Quebec has an agreement with Ottawa that allows it to select its own economic immigrants.”. As we know from earlier Quebec generally likes people to be Christian, so they can choose their immigrants with extreme prejudice unless they are “economic immigrants”, essentially what this means is they will favor Christian immigrants, allow some others but favor rich non-Christians. Quebec only likes you if you are rich or Christian is what I understand from this. They believe the ideal citizen should look like a white person, with a cross, generally middle to upper-class who speaks French. Canada, on the other hand, is generally more accepting, to them Canadian culture and identity look like anyone (of any culture) who is kind, loves their neighbor, likes hockey, and basically anyone who is not an aboriginal. We can also see the impact of Christian values in what I had mentioned previously, as many Canadian values are also taught as normal Christian values such as “love thy neighbor”. It is clear that the aboriginal community is not included in any of these representations, Canada and Quebec. They are ignored and forgotten about constantly. I think this is representative of how Canada and Quebec treat the aboriginal community as a whole. The media representations are a small microcosm of how these communities view and treat other people. Canada is accepting, however, generally neglects their aboriginal community, and Quebec as well as doing that tolerates people who are not Christian and tries to erase them and have them assimilate to their idea of normality. I think Canada’s neglect of Quebec’s policies is also a form of showing how while they are very inclusive, their care for people who are not White/Christian is shallow. Like by not investing in things like helping minority communities with problems like social exclusion and ethnic discrimination. I think the argument by the premier is a shallow argument to continue having Christianity loom over every sector of Quebec.

I believe these narratives push a white Christian identity on Canadians and Quebecers, both subtly and explicitly. In the case of Quebec, I believe they are doing everything in their power to push for Christianity to be the ideal and the norm that every citizen should strive for or already be. In Canada’s case, I believe their ignoring of the aboriginal community and non-confrontational stance on Quebec also enforces this onto Canadians as well but in a less direct way. I believe both are promoting cultural identity of tolerant multiculturalism but approval if you are Christian.

Works cited:

1. Crucifix represents Christian values but isn't a religious symbol, Quebec's incoming premier says | CBC News. (2018, October 11). Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-francois-legault-crucifix-religious-symbols-1.4858757.
2. Oxman‐Martinez, J., Rummens, A. J., Moreau, J., Choi, Y. R., Beiser, M., Ogilvie, L., & Armstrong, R. (2012). Perceived ethnic discrimination and social exclusion: newcomer immigrant children in Canada. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82(3), 376.