The Deep Split Between French and English Canada

Held on May 20th, 1980, and October 30th, 1995 the purpose of the Quebec referendums was to settle the subject of Quebec sovereignty and independence. A referendum is the asking of a political question to an electorate for immediate decision by a general vote. The two provincial referendums held in Quebec were the most famous and most heavily scrutinized referendums in Canada. After the first referendum, sixty percent of Quebec voters refused to give the government a statute to negotiate Quebec’s sovereignty association with the rest of Canada. In 1995, the referendum asked the question of whether voters agreed that Quebec should become an independent dominion. The result of the second referendum was the narrowest of victories for the federalist side, with fifty point six percent of the population voting no and forty-nine point four percent voting yes. The rise of the sovereignty movement in Quebec directly impacted the relationship between French and English Canada. Canada’s response to the two Quebec referendums was a result of the distension between French and English Canada. The past, current, and future relationship between French and English Canada suffered due to the tension that the Quebec separatist movement caused. The Quebec separatist movement which gained support in Canada during the 1960s and 1970s was a result of the distention between French and English Canada.

The rise of the Quebec sovereignty movement had a direct impact on the relationship between French and English Canada. The separatist movement was the advocacy for separation or secession from the larger political unit which it was a part of. Parties in favor of separatism are known to use terms such as sovereignty, sovereignty-association, and independence when describing their main objective. The separatist movement emerged as a political force in Quebec during the late 1950s and 1960s. Arguably the most important display of separatism was the leftist Rassemblement pour l’indepépendance Nationale (RIN). RIN was a citizen's movement that became a political party in March 1963, just as support for separatism in Quebec and for organizations that were in favor of it began to increase. In 1957, the Alliance laurentienne which advocated for the independence of Quebec was created by Raymond Barbeau, a professor at the École des Hautes études commerciales. During the late 1960, the separatist movement was driven by the belief that the economic hardships Quebec was facing, were brought about by English Canadian control of the confederation and could only be ended by changing or cutting off ties with the other provinces and the central government. French-Canadian nationalism was also the outcome of major economic and social changes that had been taking place in Quebec since the late 1800s. For many years, Quebecers had a desire to obtain their own state, which was driven by their long-felt sense of minority grievance, sparked by the execution of Louis Riel in 1885. The growth rate of the French Canadian population and the lack of workable land outside the narrow St. Lawrence and Richelieu valleys contributed to the rush of low-paying jobs in urban industries and to the growth of urban slums, largely in Montreal. Canadian journalist Peter C. Newman expressed that, “All we want is an independent Quebec within a strong and united Canada”. Newman’s words prove that not everyone in Quebec believed that the province couldn’t have a beneficial relationship with Canada. A recent poll published in La Presse showed that eighty-six percent of Quebecers hold the opinion that the sovereignty movement has stalled and regressed. A similar poll that was conducted by Groupe Léger revealed that the majority of avowed sovereignists no longer believed that the province would separate from the country. This included the art community in Quebec, a community of people that had been in favor of the sovereignty movement for many years, shied away from any political label that may hurt their personal bottom line of “artists are scared today”. However, while some believe that the relationship between French and English Canada could only grow stronger it was hard to deny the language and cultural division that existed in Quebec, and the political friction it caused. Furthermore, the fact that Anglophone-francophone relations have weathered both the depression and the war was another source of tension. An obvious amount of the tension came from the realization by francophones that their rural way of life could no longer serve as protection from assimilation. The question of Quebec’s place in Canada has been deeply rooted and widely debated throughout Canadian history. Canadian politician, John Parisella spoke about how “Quebec sovereignty is not in any way imminent, but since nothing has been done to stem the cause of discontent, it could rise again given the right circumstances”. The sovereignty movement in Quebec had a significant impact on the province’s relationship with the rest of the country.

Canada’s response to the Quebec referendums was directly related to the tension between French and English Canada. An obvious amount of the tension came from the realization by francophones that their rural way of life could no longer serve as protection from assimilation. Canadians took a mixed view to the referendums and the uprise of the separatist movement, Quebecers held vastly different opinions compared to citizens of other parts of Canada. In the midst of the campaigning of both sides on the topic of the Quebec referendum close to one in three Canadians expressed support for the view that Canada had reached a point where it would be better in the long run if Quebec were to separate from the country. Many English-speaking Canadian citizens believed that the country was in serious trouble in terms of national unity. However, during the rapid rise of the separatist movement, the prevailing view of English-speaking Canadians was that no significant change would occur, and the country would likely spend the next five to ten years debating national unity recourse. Despite having pessimistic opinions in terms of unity, many English-speaking Canadians were willing to make concessions in order to keep Quebec a part of Canada. Canadian politician Pierre Trudeau was primarily concerned with maintaining the unity of Canada as well as the good relations between English-Canada and French-Canada. The development of nationalism in Quebec greatly disturbed Trudeau. Trudeau maintained that the protection and development of French culture in Canada was the responsibility of both the federal government and the government of Quebec. In Trudeau’s perspective, there was a sense that the federal government should not transfer powers to the provinces, specifically Quebec, as the province had not shown adequate ability in managing the power it had. Trudeau believed Canada as a whole was the homeland of French Canadians and they shouldn't feel confined to Quebec. Many Canadians today believe that Pierre Trudeau’s heavy-handed opinions fueled the mood for the referendums in Quebec. However, there is a part of the population that feels that Pierre Trudeau won a place and voice for francophones in the federal government. One Canadian journalist stated that “There was in Trudeau a love for the country and a commitment to the ideals that were very profound. But there was also an inflexibility of character, an inability to accept compromise, an annoying habit of distorting and simplifying his opponent's views, and a devil-may-care attitude about the consequences of his decisions and actions”. This quote shows how and why many Canadians had conflicting opinions about Pierre Trudeau. Today, Pierre Trudeau’s programs to promote equality of the English and French languages in Canada is supported by a large majority of Canadians. Canadians had become fed up with the tense relationship between English and French Canada and responded with their willingness to rectify the situation. Ultimately, Canada’s response to the referendums in Quebec had much to do with the tension that had already risen in the country due to the growth of the separatist movement.

Quebec’s already dynamic relationship with the rest of Canada was directly impacted by the referendums held in Quebec. The relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada has not always been smooth sailing, tensions over language and religion have heightened over the past few decades. Because Quebec is considered a crucial part of Canada’s survival as a country, the question of what Quebecers really wants has been given a lot of attention by the Canadian political class. Quebec’s francophones have lived side by side with their English-speaking counterparts in harmony for years, but also in an atmosphere of strain. Quebec’s relationship with Canada differs from other countries because of its language and it being mainly francophone as well as the different culture, institutions, and social model. Quebecers felt a true and strong loyalty to the Quebecois nation, this sense of loyalty put a heavy strain on Quebec’s relationship with other provinces. Many Quebecers still believe that Canada has not welcomed, understood or formally accepted Quebec. “French Canadians [in Quebec] will never be happy until they separate… Quebec’s future is to be an independent nation” wrote SR. Watkins. Watkins’ words show that many Canadians believe that Quebec and Canada as a whole will stay suffering as long as they are united. However, Quebec representatives are able to meet with other Canadians in an attempt to create stronger bonds of solidarity. Quebecers and Canadians from other provinces no longer believe that citizens have to choose between being a proud Quebecer and being a proud Canadian. At present Quebecers embracing their unique identity has played a positive role in Canada for many years. Most Quebecers are now fully invested in being a part of Canada, and contributing to Canadian identity. Both communities continue to play by the rules established in 1867 when the country first came together while continuing to challenge the interpretation of those rules. At present, many citizens have spoken at length about how the relationship between Quebec and other provinces was impacted by the Quebec referendums. Impacts that many Canadians believe have helped shape the country into the diverse, multicultural society that it is today.

The tension that existed in the relationship between French and English Canada resulted in the separatist movement in Quebec that was widely favored during the 1960s and the 1970s. Sovereignty in Quebec and the rapid increase of supporters of an independent Quebec was a direct result of the intense strain that was evident in the Quebec-Canada relationship. Furthermore, the rest of Canada’s response to the rise of the separatist movement in Quebec as well as the two referendums the province held also had a significant impact on the relationship between French and English Canada. The current and future state relationship that Quebec has with the rest of the provinces has been shaped in many ways by the desire Quebecers had for an independent Quebec, and both referendums that were held as well as the separatist movement. Ultimately, sovereignty in Quebec, Canada’s response to the referendums as well as the Quebec-Canada relationship are all directly related to the distention that has always existed between French and English Canada.

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