Those damn Quebec Separatists!

[Maury Beniowski]

The further one travels west from Quebec, the more Black & White separatism becomes on our radar screens. "They hate the English", They're just a bunch of whiners after our tax dollars". You've heard them and more. But what is it really all about? Why do they act the way they do? And where and when did their pent up anger toward English Canada get its start anyway? And more importantly, why do they want to separate from the rest of Canada?

Being raised and educated in both solitudes, even I had a hard time coming to grips with the resentment that permeates the French Canadian psyche. I have always sought out historical reasons that could shed light on the problem, and recently found an excellent article in the Marianopolis College's (Montreal) history website, that makes for good reading, and treats the topic with great objectivity and accuracy - written by a French Canadian. There are other articles in there that may interest you as well. I hope you find it as informative as I did...

Quebec History

 

[timec98]

Maury, although your thread title and opening paragraph highlights the separatist component, your reference to “permeating the French Canadian psyche”, to me, presumes on the total Quebec populace. Six of the approximate seven million Quebec population speak French --- if the nationalist drive was simply a “French thing” it would have been over long ago.

My past work and travel to Quebec has allowed me an appreciation of the French speaking Canadian who is proud of being Canadian --- and wants nothing to do with the separatist movement. As everywhere, there’s a component of the population open to influence --- call them the “reactionary”, perhaps the “less thinking” – maybe just call them “sheep”. The separatist movement gains and wanes in its ability to win influence over this component. And yes --- attempt to gain influence is a two-way battle --- hence, recent year initiatives by the Canadian Government to similarly gain favour. Of course, when the Canadian Government gains influence over this Quebec component, that component is no longer reactionary/less thinking/sheep --- it becomes reasoned and clear thinking

Thanks for the link – there’s some interesting reading there --- and yes, damn the French Separatists --- while recognizing the strong and proud French Canadians.

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