After starting my 10 days journey in Canada in Toronto and Niagara, I arrived in Montreal and Quebec and spend some days there, and I noticed how different things are in the Quebec region, which left me with the question: Will Quebec be its own country?

Quebec Is Like Its Own Country

Quebec is one out of thirteen provinces and territories in Canada, and the second-most populous province in Canada, after the Ontario region, with around 9 million people living in the region. Quebec has never been an independent country, but some would say Quebec essentially is an independent country without the financial responsibility of independence.

Quebec – The Voting For Independence

In the voting for the Quebec Referendum in 1995 the proposal of independence was rejected by voters, with 50.58% voting “No” and 49.42% voting “Yes.” SO CLOSE AS IT COULD GET to be its own independent country, but it remained a part of Canada. But will it stay like this? Or will it seperate from Canada?

What Makes Quebec Different To The Rest Of Canada?

Sports

Quebec’s soccer team, partly funded by the Parti Québécois, competes only with places such as Tibet in a league of non-FIFA teams. Quebec does not have a separate Olympic team.

Language

Quebec’s Bill 101, passed in 1977, requires French to be given a primary position on commercial signs in Quebec, so when you for instance see a ‘Stop-sign’ in Quebec it says “Arret,” which is the French version of stop.

Quebec has had French as its sole official tongue since 1969.

Nature

No difference. Canada (and Quebec) both have super stunning nature!

Culture

Since 2006, Quebec has held its own UNESCO seat, so they have a separate vote on cultural issues. Similarly, Quebec has its own seat in La Francophonie alongside that of Canada. Canada’s national broadcaster operates in both official languages across Canada, with a predominately French-language presence in Quebec.

Flag

The flag of Quebec, called the Fleurdelisé (the Lily-flowered) represents the province of Quebec. It consists of a white cross on a blue background, with four white fleur-de-lis. It was adopted in 1950.

Powers

Unlike other provinces, Quebec has its own controls on immigration, employment, personal taxes and public pension plans. It also holds jurisdiction over health care and education, as do other provinces.

Banknote

Quebec uses Canadian currency – which includes royal symbols.

National anthem

Gens du pays, a 1975 tune, is used at Parti Québécois events and is widely seen as an unofficial anthem for the province of Quebec.

Some Of Quebec’s Laws Are Different To Rest Of Canada

Quebec law is unique in Canada because Quebec is the only province in Canada to have a juridical legal system under which civil matters are regulated by French-heritage civil law. Public law, criminal law and other federal law operate according to Canadian common law. Quebec law follows a civil code, based on Napoleonic law and they have lots of exceptions compared to the Canadian law.

So Will Quebec Be Its Own Country?

The people I’ve talked to in Quebec think it will separate, but say they’re maybe not completely ready yet.

Lots of different opinions on a split-up, James Martin fom Toronto/Montreal says — “Quebec has no future in Canada, for all of us. I live in Montreal and Toronto and have a unique vantage point. Language is/was never the issue — it’s culture. For the good of both countries Quebec must separate. The tremendous economic advantages to both nations would be enhanced by incredible cultural growth for each.”

Peter Edwards from Victoria had a different opinion on seeing Quebec leaving Canada: “— I certainly hope not. However, it will never go without being pushed. A parasite does not voluntarily leave its host.”

Last but not least Mark Sidloi, Cote Saint-Luc, Que said: “— Does Quebec have a future in Canada? I surely hope so. It certainly would not have much of a future outside of Canada.”

Impossible To Predict – One Day Maybe

Québec’s future is maybe within Canada, maybe not. Lots of Quebecers would say it’s time to go, but one thing is certain, they aren’t European! Quebecers didn’t go through the French Revolution and their culture and language is different to France. Quebec’s language and culture is protected within Canada for now, and yes, independence would be very challenging indeed, but it’s certainly possible it’ll happen one day!

Excited to see what’ll happen in Quebec! What do you think will happen? Will Quebec be its own country?

Gustav

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