Arguments For and Against Quebec Separation

Arguments for Separation

Preventing Future Conflict

radical terrorists such as the FLQ would have no reason to exist to forbid separation is to deny French-Canadians their demands years of violence/tension between English and French would end

Setting a Precedent

other countries will use us as a role model in order to resolve their own issues regarding outspoken ethnic minorities

utopia of multicultural plurality: Canada would become truly multicultural by listening to all of its population

Protecting French Culture

curb immigration to protect French language and culture re-establish ties with France and other Francophone countries in a new way freedom from British monarchy dissociate from the policies of Canada - Quebec does not vote Conservative, but

it has to deal with the government that English Canada elects end of discrimination against Quebec most of Quebec is French-speaking, but the other provinces are predominantly

English

Redressing the Injustices of the Past

the referendum was unfair; the government poured a lot of money into Quebec for the Non vote

renegotiations are only temporary and will lead to future conflicts the Quebecois have been treated unfairly and deserve the right to govern

themselves they were treated as second-class citizens in their own land

Economical Benefits

easier to make business decisions because Canada does not have to wait for Quebec’s consent, and vice versa

no need to spend more money trying to advertise a “united” country

Arguments for Unity

Geographical and Social Repercussions

western Canada would be cut off from the Maritime Provinces

loss of national unity and identity - America became the most powerful country in the world because all 50 states were united under one nationality

Canadian defense would be more difficult Canada would lose 15.5% of its land area and up to 25% of its population having a bilingual and bicultural society enriches us francophones in other provinces would be left without one of their most

powerful allies Quebec may lose land to aboriginal groups English speakers in Quebec might leave Quebec has been a part of Canada for centuries - such ties are not easily broken

Political Effects

as a democracy, Canada operates by letting people vote: two referendums were held, and each time there was a majority who voted against Quebec separation

Quebec has no right to separate unilaterally from Canada there is no provision in the Constitutional Act for a province to separate from

Canada even if a majority were to decide to separate, the process would be extremely

long, tedious, difficult, and costly - there are many issues which need to be addressed, such as, “How would the new political system of Quebec be organized? What would its relationship with the government of Canada look like?”

it is unnecessary to resort to such extreme measures, given the risks associated with separation

Economical Impact

may be forced to renegotiate international trade deals such as NAFTA Anglophone population/big businesses may move out of Quebec, jeopardizing

their economy foreign and domestic investment might drop for Quebec economic and social problems such as unemployment and poverty may worsen Quebec would have to repay a portion of Canada’s national debt Quebec will no longer receive federal grants or assistance - it will be on its own Quebec would be forced to re-negotiate its status in the North American Trade

Agreement the province may not receive ownership of federal property owned by Ottawa Canada may lose up to 23% of its Gross National Product - Quebec is a “have”

province

Long Term Consequences

dissent and opposition in English Canada aboriginal peoples and ethnic minorities may demand to have their own land

fragmented country: other provinces might ask for separation as well, leading to the disintegration of Canada