Expert: Mike Caverhill - 4/24/2001

Question
Hi my name is Karen Day,

I am a student in England and am currently researching the divide between the french and english speaking communities in Quebec, i wonder if you could help with a few questions.

1. When did this divide start?
2. What has made it more difficult, for the people of Quebec?
3. How do people cope?
4. What solutions do you see, do you think the French and English speaking communities can live together peace fully?

I hope you can help

thank you for your time.

Karen Day  

Answer
Wow, thi is quite the question. There are literally hundreds of books published on this very subject. Fortunately, for my sake at least, I can't even begin to give you an adequate answer here,  other than perhaps pointing you in the right direction.

1. The divide began in North America as soon as the French and English began living together; it's just a continuation of the historical France/England conflict. A popular date is the conquest of 1763, when Britain gained control of New France (the colony, now Quebec) and created British North America. Quebec was allowed to keep their language, culture, etc.

2. Obviously, Quebec, and francophones in general, are outnumbered in Canada. Quebec constitutes 1/3 of Canada's population. They are surrounded by English Canada to the east and west and America to the south. It is important to note that there are many francophones living throughout Canada in ALL the provinces. The Quebec government, though, see themselves as the only protectors of the French fact and Quebec as the french homeland.

3. People cope with varying degrees of success. Everyone has become accustomed to it and treat it diffenetly. Some Quebec nationalists push for more power from the federal government while federalists feel Quebec should be treated as a province just like the others. There is no violence to speak of, just the verabl assualts from politicians.

4. This is a tough one. I think there is always the possibility of reconciliation. However, it may take severe concessions to the Quebec government. It is highly unlikely, in the forseeablt future at least, that a politican from Quebec would willingly enter into the constitution fold without some form of increased power, responsilbility, etc.

Well, I hope that provides you with a starting point. If you'd like clarification on anything don't hesitate to ask.

Mike