Cultural Issues

For Separatism:
The long-ago conflict between Quebec and France is a sore subject for Quebecois historians. Feeling lost and betrayed, Quebec was forced to live amongst the English and the Natives after being sold for several boatloads of fish and two small islands by their mother France. Quebec was now an orphan so-to-speak, obliged to live in a home with foster parents who didn’t speak their language. They felt as though England had taken everything from them. (Gingras, 2008). Unfortunately, these feelings of animosity still exist today between the English and the French living in Canada. We see this conflict at play in social situations every day with many Quebecois feeling it is absolutely essential to speak the French language if one resides within Quebec.  Furthermore, there is a beautifully artistic and proactive air to the French culture, something that seems quite unique in comparison with their slightly more conservative neighbouring provinces. - Sophie

 Against Separation:
 According to Fenwick (1999), "Linguistic conflict between french and English- speaking Canadians has been an enduring feature of Canadian society since the British conquest of New France (Quebec) in 1759" (p.196). Quebec's culture is projected through the people, their language, and their religion. It is true that Quebec's culture is different from those in the other provinces, and it is a land of diverse immigrants coming from all around the world. Quebec, being the largest french speaking society in North America, absolutely have a right to want to preserve their language and culture. This aspect does sets them apart from all the other provinces but it does not make them superior.  Wanting to become its own country is not going to preserve anything. Isolation is not the answer to saving and preserving oneself, adapting and embracing openness is!  It is important to preserve culture, this can happen through collaborating with other cultures and neighbouring provinces around. Through this, all cultures in and outside Quebec can be embraced. I again do not believe separating is the answer to preserving one's own culture as there are other means which can be more beneficial on many different levels. These alternatives will be discussed in later sections.
-Kristian