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Quebec Sovereignty
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In 1995 Canadians start to confront the unthinkable: a Yes vote for sovereignty is a possibility (Lewis 4).” On October 30, 1995 the question “Do you agree that Quebec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Quebec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?” was to be put towards the Quebec culture in a referendum. (Dion 15) The Quebec government believes that for survival of the French population in Canada, separation from the country was the only conclusion. “Because we have the deep-seated conviction that continuing within Canada would be tantamount to condemning ourselves to languish and to debasing our very identity(Bill 1)” we want to be “Free to choose our future…with full possession of all the powers of a state (Bill 1)” Under the Canadian Constitution it is not legal for a province to separate from Canada. However, with Quebec being determined to separate for the survival of their culture, legal ramifications would not be a concern and separation from Canada would take place (Came 19) However, with Quebec thinking of themselves, they did not take the rest of Canada into consideration. “There should be more input then just from Quebec. Our opinions of wanting the province to stay should count for something (Nemeth, Pifer 32)” was a widespread voice heard from English Canada. The future of Canada as a nation was under debate. Was there common ground throughout the country to keep Canada in tact? Or was Quebec correct in thinking that they should protect what they had without considering the rest of Canada. English Canada felt that there was more to the countries Nationality then one provinces distinctiveness. Nationalism can be defined as simply as a link between a single person in a group (Litt Sept. 11), or as structured as a sense of national consciousnesses exalting on a nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supernatural groups (Merriam-Webster).” The definitions of nationalism vary very widely and if they are to incorporate every aspect they leave many nations out. Similarly when they are basic and apply to all nations, they are very simple and again don’t include everything that nations are. Therefore, to recognize Canada as a nation, tangible and intangible aspects of Canadian life will be examined (Litt Sept. 11). The tangible aspects of nationalism include a common language, territory, religion, ethnicity and a critical mass. Canada is a bilingual or multilingual country. The official languages of French and English are accepted all over Canada with strict laws regulating their use.
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