quebec separation

By Elena ania

Quebec separation

Previous situation

In 1700, Great Britain and France had colonized several areas of North America. The British victory in the French War in 1763 gave them possession of France and its territories in Canada (what is now Quebec). Later, when Canada became an independent nation in 1867, many thought that Quebec should secede and form its own nation.Finally a referendum was proclaimed and on May 20, 1980 his sovereignty plan with Canada was rejected, although the sovereignty proposal seemed to be the only viable option for Quebec.

Causes of separatism

Most French Canadians had lived in Quebec for hundreds of years, and there were several characteristics that divided them from the rest of the Canadian population. For example, their cultures were different, the French Canadians were Catholic and the English Protestants, they do not have the same language, although English is gaining territory, a little French is still spoken. But since they were divided on most things this caused the French Canadians to feel that their customs were disappearing and that they were like second fiddle to the English Canadians. These are the main causes of the independence of Quebec.

Process

After its 1980 referendum failed, in April 1981 the Parti Québécois was re-elected to the National Assembly and increased its popular support. Later, Robert Bourassa's Liberals returned to power in the Quebec popular elections in 1985 and in 1987 they reached an agreement (Meech Lake Agreement) that recognized Quebec as a distinct society, with constitutional and legislative changes but it was never adopted.

They made more agreements and referendums but all in vain, being rejected. Finally, the political sovereignty of Quebec continues to be part of the program of the Quebec Party trying to initiate the sovereignty of Quebec.

Nowadays

The National Assembly of Quebec has asked to make public documents and testimonies related to the independence referendum of 1995. Specifically, what has to do with information on the financing of the campaign of opponents of the separation of Canada. This proposal has been accepted. The independence of Quebec attracts less and less attention from voters and after the second referendum, parliament approved the Clarity Law, a series of conditions to take into account in future consultations the formulations of the questions and the interpretations of the results.