Pearson-Shoyama Institute
Place du Canada

Can We Win

Can Canada really win Quebec's Hearts and Minds? What could the ROC do to assure this? I think most separatist base their opinions on just two different topics: a feeling of belonging and language.

I think I have an interesting insight on the question of unity since my own native language is French but, being born and raised in New-Brunswick I have a good knowledge of the ROC's sentiments on this issue. I know very well what French Quebec's culture is. I was brought up on French CBC (SRC) and, in the ten years I've been living in the province of Quebec, I have yet to feel I've missed out on something because I was living in the Maritimes when I was a child.

So can Canadians defeat the separatist project? I'm not sure. To start with, French Quebecois would need to feel much more at home in Canada than they do now. I regularly hear of Quebecois being called Frogs or to speak "white" while touring outside of Quebec. I can attest to that with all the commotion we Acadians have received from Anglophones in New-Brunswick, although I will admit the situation has been better in the past few years. I've seldom heard of an Anglophone being called a "bloke" or a "square head" and I feel even hard liner separatists are more respectful than many ordinary Anglophones. That's part of the problem and it's a matter of identity.

How can Quebecois feel they are part of Canada if they can't feel at home outside their province? They frequently travel to the Cap Cod area of Maine or to Florida and the Americans are so much more respectful by providing French services (then again, the Americans may just be more able at business than we Canadians hey?).

Just recently have Quebecois started to look at a place like Shediac, N.-B. as a viable summer tourist destination. They're starting to find out that this destination is no farther away than the southern part of Maine, the beaches are cleaner and warmer and the Acadians living there speak French (although kind of weirdly by Quebecois standards :-)

It just goes to illustrate that one of the main problem with the unity issue is the Quebecois language of French. That language has been, is and should be an asset to this country. It isn't perceived as such but, it is ONE of the reasons why a lot of Quebecois don't believe in Canada anymore. Quebec already has a lot of powers to enforce and protect their language at home. So much in fact, that it has the English minority, and often the ROC, fuming over this fact.

The other key issue for the Quebecois in a formal recognition in the Canadian constitution that Quebec is a distinct society. If this is entrenched and Quebecois can be explained that market will indeed dictate their dealings with the ROC (i.e. if the numbers warrant, French services will be provided) a lot of separatist arguments would fall flat. It's ironic because Quebec IS a distinct society, just like the Maritimes that are about to harmonize provincial and federal sales taxes under the name HST and any unique region of this country getting distinct treatment by the federal government because they ARE unique and their needs are different from the rest of this country.

I think the Quebec secession is a real possibility, unfortunately. The youth of this province doesn't identify with Canada and they will vote in the next referendum. What could we do about this. Organize classrooms exchange with others from the ROC? To prove what? That the Rockies are beautifull? That the French Quebecois can manage to speak English while that class in Medecine Hat can't manage to speak French? Not very convincing is it?

I think the best solution would be to remind the Quebecois they are free to do what they have to do to protect and promote their culture and identity. When minority rights are threatened in Quebec the ROC can always argue about their own treatment of their minorities. This would boil to arguing that Quebecois are free to view themselves as Quebecois but benefit of positive economical transfers from Canada. I'm not sure the Rest of Canada will buy into this.

I believe this whole issue on unity is doomed and all have everything to loose...

Francois Bourgeois
francois@presentix.com