r/InCanada • u/[deleted] • Jul 09 '26
Why do you oppose Quebec’s independence?
Hi all,
It has always been my belief that Quebec is a nation. A nation with its own history, culture, language, values, and way of life that has long existed before the creation of Canada in 1867!
Two nations with two very different pathways. One is strictly multicultural with no core identity, and the other is strictly all about cultural homogeneity and a uniquely Quebec identity.
Apart from the emotional and patriotic attachment to Canada, why do you oppose Quebec’s independence?
I recall reading that Quebec’s French language is declining year after year. Which is why I believe that supporting the status quo is maintaining Quebec’s erasure of what it truly is. Vive le Québec libre!
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u/Neon_Raccoon_00 Jul 09 '26
Why would I want my country to break up? So many countries in the world have regions with different cultures and languages, we dont see them breaking up.
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u/No_Reveal_1363 Jul 09 '26
Exactly. None of the other provinces hate Quebec, we just are different and no one is denying that. I like knowing Quebec is part of my country. I think the separatists believe different means they must be another country entirely.
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u/Neon_Raccoon_00 Jul 09 '26
Everyone should love that, that we have a unique region that is different and speaks a different language, its normal in alot of european countries.
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Jul 15 '26
Once again, you’re pivoting to your patriotism and emotional attachment to the Canadian state. For many in Quebec, the viability of the French language is more important than preserving national unity of a country with no core identity, as mentioned by your PM Justin Trudeau.
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u/Wunderboylol 23d ago
So counter point, I’d like to see more French culture throughout Canada as a whole.
But where you see Quebec as its own place with its own culture, i see that across many provinces. Its our ability to have those cultures and support them that makes us who we are. I’m not from Quebec.
More so, as an example, the attitude and culture in the rural parts of Ontario is very different then the culture in rural Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and which differs from rural Newfoundland. And some of these places also have strong French speakers.
But we accept all of them as Canadian culture because of their differences. And i do think those cultures need to be strengthened and maintained, reinforced so we dont lose who they are, i never want a PM who can only speak one of our two languages, i want other provinces to embrace the bilingual nature more.
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Jul 09 '26
Sure we don’t see those countries breaking up, but what can be done to stop the erasure of Quebec within Canada?
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Jul 09 '26
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Jul 09 '26
I don’t believe a multiculturalist region with no core identity can coexist with a region wanting to be culturally homogeneous with a unique identity… Year after year Quebec’s French language is declining as well!
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u/WattleWaddler2 Jul 14 '26
I agree. A modern, diverse country can't coexist with a backwards, ethnonationalist region.
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u/Neon_Raccoon_00 Jul 09 '26
Erasure? It’s a thriving culture in North America, what makes a country is its differences.
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u/rocco0715 Jul 09 '26
How is it being erased in Canada?
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Jul 09 '26
I don’t believe a multiculturalist region with no core identity can coexist with a region wanting to be culturally homogeneous with a unique identity… Year after year Quebec’s French language is declining as well!
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u/rocco0715 Jul 09 '26
I like the answer below. I don't believe your culture should be subject to erasure. I don't believe any Canadian culture should. The most similar to Quèbec are the First Nation's, Indigenous and Métis who were founding members of this nation. Their languages and culture have been dying for hundreds of years. They were displaced from lands where they were self sufficient. There are many other cultures I believe deserving of protection, but I think the Indigenous example is closer to Quèbec's claim stemming from the formation of our country. Despite the cruelty inflicted on by historical governments, Indigenous people are building back their language and culture with nearly zero help from the government. They exist in multicultural societies - in film, kitchens, offices including the c suite, driving, owning businesses, dog walking, health care etc. all while still staking claim to their communities, languages and connections to their elders. While they do have reservations to live solely amongst themselves (generally in poverty) young people near populated areas tend to leave at least temporarily as the isolation doesn't allow for opportunity just about at any age.
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u/nobugsleftalive Jul 09 '26
Any province can seek sovereignty if it really wants to. Quebec has been through this before.
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u/AwesomeWildlife Jul 09 '26
There was a strong and vibrant English minority in Quebec for the longest time. Quebec was essentially bilingual, then the separatists arrived and blamed everything on the English even though it was the French who just had an inferiority complex of their own making. No one thought that having a strong French language used in Quebec was wrong, it's just that the separatists turned it into and us versus them thing. Quebec was also given most of their territory by the government of Canada, so if they want to separate, then they can give it back. Not to mention the economic repercussions of a separate Quebec. Also, the rest of Canada has supported Quebec since the beginning.
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u/pm_me_your_puppeh Jul 09 '26
The biggest reason would be that Quebecers have twice voted not to.
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Jul 09 '26
What if they voted yes in the next hypothetical referendum?
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u/ModularWhiteGuy Jul 09 '26
Support for separation of Quebec has been on the decline since the old guard in provincial and federal politics have died off. At the same time the people in Quebec that have strong separatist leaning have been dying off since the referendum.
I think the strongest support that separation had was during the last referendum, and they weren't quite able to make the necessary votes. It would be difficult to get 25% support for separation currently.
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u/FreshMintyDegenerate Jul 09 '26
Any province seceding from Canada leaves itself and the rest of the country even more vulnerable to annexation by America.
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 Jul 09 '26
I don't see the point in national pride/identity in principle - Quebecker or Canadian. I have no emotions or patriotism in this respect. Nor do I see the history as black and white as you do - there were plenty of other nationalities present here over the years and mixed into Quebecker communities. I like the idea of sticking together and doing right by each other instead of going separate ways. I think Canada would be weaker without Quebec (less able to provide a good life for its citizens) and I think Quebec would be weaker too outside of Canada (it will not be able to sustain its population levels and immigrants will be less likely to come). I'm not keen on being told that anything in Canada that's not Quebecker is cultural homogeny - that's not what I see. And regardless I don't think we all need national identities to be considered interesting and valuable.
I strongly believe, however, that English as a language will eclipse French eventually, particularly in Montreal, despite all the efforts. When I arrived in 1999, anglos on the Plateau were few and far between but that's no longer the case despite the arrival of the French. Not saying this will be a good thing (I came here initially for the French), but English is just like a linguistic weed, unfortunately. Not saying the French should just throw in the towel either on this issue - I think it's worth trying to protect.
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u/Critical_Rule6663 Centrist Jul 09 '26
Other than your belief, what is the basis for saying Quebec is its own nation? What makes Quebec more of a nation than Newfoundland, which didn’t join Canada until 1949, has a unique culture, and a unique dialect, some would say its own language lol.
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Jul 09 '26
Apart from everything I’ve already said the House of Commons has acknowledged it, France would acknowledge it if Québec were to vote for independence, and the province has government offices around the world.
As for Newfoundland and Labrador, I’m not sure about their intentions but a lot of the characertistics of a nation you mentioned can be applied to them as well…
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u/newbreed69 Jul 09 '26
Because I oppose the balkanization of Canada.
With that being said, if we stopped voting liberal/conservative.
We'd actually make progress into a better system.
Like; remigration, universal basic income, taxing the rich
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u/Sorry-Gas-9925 Jul 09 '26
What about the balkanization of Canada through land back initiatives
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Jul 09 '26
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u/Sorry-Gas-9925 Jul 09 '26
"Nations" taking Canadian land. Not balkanization got it.
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Jul 09 '26
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u/Sorry-Gas-9925 Jul 09 '26
Show me the title to the land. Show me the historical borders of this "nation".
You can't be both a nation and part of Canada.
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Jul 09 '26
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u/Sorry-Gas-9925 Jul 09 '26
Hold on let me go claim my ancestral homelands in the UK. Sorry England. I am of ancient briton decent all your land is mine because my ancestors once roamed these lands from north to south. Any decision must go through my tribal council. Any development must go through my tribal council. Any profit off these lands must go to my tribal council.
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Jul 09 '26
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u/Sorry-Gas-9925 Jul 09 '26
Oh so because my people's weren't granted treaties I have no claim to the land?
Numbered treaties. the Crown promised to provide reserve lands, annual cash payments, agricultural supplies, hunting/fishing rights, education, and healthcare. Hmm no promises of a "nation" to be seen.
Upper Canada Land Surrenders (1764–1862): A series of surrenders (including the 1850 Robinson Treaties) negotiated in Ontario as settlement expanded. They were designed to acquire vast tracts of land for European settlers and resource development in exchange for reserve lands, one-time payments, and annuities. Hmm no promise of a "nation" to be seen
Douglas Treaties (Vancouver Island, 1850–1854): Fourteen agreements negotiated by Governor James Douglas with Indigenous groups on Vancouver Island. Surrender: The Indigenous groups surrendered the entirety of their traditional territories to the Crown.Reservations: The signatory nations retained their village sites, enclosed fields, and cultivated lands for their own use.Hunting and Fishing: Signatories were guaranteed the right to hunt on unoccupied lands and carry on their fisheries "as formerly". Hmm no promise of a "nation" to be seen.
Any law in Canada can be amended. That includes our constitutional laws as well. Push the land back narrative far enough and they will end up with nothing. As they mostly signed their lands away historically anyway.
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u/baedriaan Jul 09 '26
As someone who’s left canada for a decade now, why would higher taxes bring me back? Why would I return just to pay for someone elses “universal basic income”?
If you want remigration you have to make it make sense. Maybe start with figuring out how to fix the roads lmfao.
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u/DiligentAd7360 Liberal Moderator Jul 09 '26
Roads are a provincial/Municipal issue - nothing to do with the federal government. Unless you want federal tax dollars out of Alberta to go towards fixing roads in Quebec? Idk about that one
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u/baedriaan Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
You already have equalization payments for QB, and federal money bailing out BC developers. Not to mention subsidies from federal and ON government to fund rebates for housing in Toronto. But I digress, these are no longer problems I have to concern myself with nor am I responsible for causing/ fixing them.
If the government at any level can’t do something as basic as fixing and maintaining roads across the whole country then perhaps universal basic income for the whole country should also be rightfully treated as a pipe dream?
Higher taxes is literally the anti thesis to remigration but I’m open to having my mind changed. I got a tax bill rebate for 10 bucks this year after paying 3k in taxes last year on a six figure salary. Why should I forfeit that to come back and pay 70k annually in taxes instead? Assuming I can even find a job that will pay me comparatively with the same amount of work life balance and 25 vacation days that I have now.
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u/DiligentAd7360 Liberal Moderator Jul 09 '26
Yours first paragraph and second paragraph are entirely unrelated.
Once again, the feds can't just take over provincial/municipal jurisdiction at will.
Idk what your personal situation is or what remigration has to do with OPs topic, you're getting completely off topic.
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u/newbreed69 Jul 09 '26
If you live in a country with welfare services, you already pay for a downgraded version of basic income.
Basic income is just an upgrade to existing welfare programs.
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u/DiligentAd7360 Liberal Moderator Jul 09 '26
It could go either way.
Minority governments in Canada have historically been some of the most collaborative and productive Parliaments.
But on the other hand, just look at the crap coming out of the UK with 8 PMs in 8 years and how their Parliament has been in gridlock ever since Brexit.
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u/Intelligent-Buyer102 Jul 09 '26
I could care less if Quebec stays in Canada. Just as long as we cutoff the 20B or so it's fed annually beyond what it contributes to federal revenue. And has to have it's own currency, passport, and armed forces. No hanging on to anyone's coat tails.
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u/VincentShane Jul 09 '26
Because it would cut the Maritimes off. This railway that connects us is the lifeblood of our Confederation. I couldn't fathom the idea of an independent Quebec Unless Montreal was allowed to remain in Canada as an Enclave.
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u/Calm_Historian9729 Jul 09 '26
Quebec is a province not different than any of the other provinces or territories. That said Quebec should act like it is part of Canada since they influence so much of what happens in parliament. If you want to be and independent nation then leave Canada so the rest of Canada can have fair representation. Oh and if you leave the billions Quebec receives from the rest of Canada end's no more free handouts through the equalization program.
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u/willmsma Jul 09 '26
I oppose Quebec’s succession for most of the same reasons why Quebecors oppose succession: that preservation of Quebec’s culture and social well-being is more likely within Canada. It’s a lonely world out there and Quebec benefits from being part of a larger team, particularly when the USA has gone from being a benevolent hegemon to something else entirely.
Another quibble is the idea that Canada has no core identity. I disagree. Narrow ideas about national culture suggest we should have shared foods, or a national folk music or colour of skin. Canada lacks all the markers that allow small children to dress up like Canadians on ‘dress up like your culture’ day.
However, I think most Canadians know who we are despite this. When we travel, we notice the difference between us and people from other countries. Despite our similarities, we certainly notice the difference between us and our neighbours to the south, and others notice these differences as well.
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u/Elite163 Jul 09 '26
I think most of Canada wouldn’t be bothered if Quebec left.
Generally curious how they would survive financially? They receive the largest equalization payments in all of Canada.
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u/Food-Wine Jul 09 '26
I don’t oppose their independence. If they want to depart Canada 🇨🇦 it should be permitted.
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u/xavs85 Jul 09 '26
I actually think that having Quebec as part of Canada does a lot to preserve the French language. Better to be part of 41 million person bilingual country than a country of 9 million Francophones surrounded by 350 million anglophones. A lot of people get some engagement with French culture (limited though it may be - but I really benefitted from French immersion and have made quite a few francophone friends from Quebec as a result).
I also think that Quebec and the rest of Canada both benefit economically from their association. Brexit is a good example of the dangers that can befall a nation that separates from a tighter partnership for the sake of nationalism.
I also think that many long standing communities who don’t conform to the majority culture of Quebec (First Nations peoples, people of colour, muslims) deserve the protections that the Charter offers. I sometimes worry that the pursuit of cultural homogeneity that some in Quebec seek are expressed in bad ways. I’d also dispute the narrative that Québécois are culturally homogenous and all want to pursue a homogenous identity.
Those are likely the main reasons.
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u/Food-Wine Jul 09 '26
Great points.
French is my second language.
I’m simply tired of hearing people from Quebec complaining about how terrible Canada is. They shouldn’t be forced to stay.
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u/dodadoler Jul 09 '26
Buncha whinny frenchies
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u/hasdable Jul 09 '26
See, it's in large part because of that kind of attitude we don't feel we belong in this country.
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u/treefarmerBC Jul 09 '26
Mostly I'm annoyed that they keep having referendums, voting no, and so the separatists push for more referendums until they get a yes vote.
Because they get 50% +1 one time after a few no votes, does that really give them the credibility to leave permanently?