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Quebec and Canada

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A Stormy Marriage: Quebec in Canada
We Came That Close! A Second Referendum

Come the 1944 election in Quebec, the Quebecois once again elected the separatist party “Parti Quebecois”. In October of 1995 a referendum was held where the Quebecois people could vote on whether they wanted to remain a part of Canada of form their own sovereign nation. On October 30th when the votes were counted it was revealed that 49.4 percent of people voted in favour of the separatists. This extremely close vote shocked many Canadians but despite the close margins Quebec would stay a part of Canada. The popularity of separatism lessened over the coming years. Quebec’s next premier, Lucien Bouchard, spoke of organizing another referendum but the plans never came to fruition. Despite the continued talk of sovereignty, as the century came to an end there was less and less support for Quebec separating and the debate more or less came to a rest.

Main Points * In 1994 Quebec once again elects a separatist party: Parti Quebecois. In 1995 Premier Jacques Parizeau calls for a provincial referendum on Quebec’s sovereignty. * October 30th 1955 the results of the referendum show a 49.4 percent vote for yes and Quebec remains a part of Canada. * The 2000 Clarity Act is passed by the Chretien government, which requires a clear majority in separatist referendums. This means that Quebec would need a clear majority, not just 50 percent plus one, in favour of sovereignty in order the negotiate separatism.

Francophone and Anglophone relations

French and English relations had a history of being tense in Canada, and during this period in time tensions rose even higher. The English part of Canada was offended that the Quebecois people wanted to leave. Not only would it be a cultural loss for Canada but it would also separate the two economies, which would be hard for both sides. The Quebecois people felt that they had experienced a long history of cultural oppression in Canada. They felt like their language and culture was being erased because they were in the minority. Since Anglophones held the majority in Canada they were able to make decisions against the wishes of Quebec. The Quebecois people were still upset about being forced into wars they didn’t necessarily support, and being forced into conscription twice. Despite this tense history, many Anglo Canadians came to Quebec during this time and marched with Canadian flags to show that they wanted Quebec to remain a part of Canada. As the referendum didn’t pass and the century came to a close, tensions de-escalated but even today there are some lasting conflicts betweens English speaking Canada and French speaking Canadians.

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