Expert: Adam McDonald - 1/11/2012

Question
Hello Adam,

My question is regarding Quebec separatism.  The advocates of Quebec’s independence argue that the main reason they want to separate from Canada is that they would have more power and more resources to secure the evolution of the Quebec nation. But Canadian provinces already have jurisdiction over heath care, education, immigration etc. What more powers does quebec want from the federal government?  

In addition, would it be accurate to say that if the federal government had respected the constitution regarding provincial powers and jurisdictions, that the independence movement in Quebec might not have existed at all?

Sincerely,

Carl.

Answer
Hello Carl,

Thank you for your question.

It's a pretty complicated answer. In the 1960s, Quebec started asserting itself against the powers of the Canadian federation under the slogan "maitres chez nous." The Liberal government of the day (and, later the Parti Quebecois) suggested that Quebec should make all decisions that affect Quebec and that the federal government had no place making those decisions.

Quebec also argues that it is different from other provinces and, because of those cultural differences, should have exclusive control over so-called "national" areas of concern. Many people in Quebec want total control over every part of the "nation's" destiny and will not stop until they have it. Others look at it more pragmatically and say that, as long as Quebec has control over what it wants, the other provinces and federal government can do what they want.

As to your second question, the short answer is "no." There have been a number of "phases" of federalism, swinging the pendulum from strong provinces to a strong federal government. Interestingly, Canada has had a number of independence movements over the years, including one in Nova Scotia right after Confederation! The independence movement came out of a period of time in Quebec called "The Quiet Revolution," in which Quebeckers started expressing a growing level of frustration with their place in the Canadian federation. Any number of attempts to reconcile that frustration were made, and yet the independence movement flourished.

Hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Adam