Why are relations between Quebec and the rest of Canada tense?

Question

Danzigdawson · Accepted Answer

They're not tense right now (since we're united against trump), nor have they really been tense since the mid-1990's. I have to assume that you're looking for an historical explanation. Here it is:

It's mainly because Canada was built around their interests and their interests only, at the expense of ours—and at the far greater expense of the First Nations.

From the moment New France was given to Britain after the Seven Years’ War, the relationship was one of "conqueror" and "conquered" (the British did not actually "conquer" New France in the classic definition of the term, but that's a matter for another long explanation).

We were here since 1534 (permanently so from 1608 onwards). They are here since about 1760. By the start of the Seven Years War, we already had started to develop a separate national identity from the French. "Our" country was robbed from us: two nations that had more or less nothing to do with us decided of our fate and we had no say.

The English and Scottish settlers who would later call themselves “Canadians” belonged to this land even less than we did—like all settler societies in the Americas, it ultimately belongs to the First Nations. Yet they worked relentlessly to prevent us from settling other provinces, to limit our political and demographic power, and to claim most of the country for themselves. Assimilation was the avowed goal.

Early on, the outnumbered British struck a bargain with the Catholic clergy to keep us docile and prevent rebellion. The Church quickly became the —massively— dominant power in the province and used that position to reduce us to ignorant, servile, undereducated cheap labor. That abuse of power endured until the 1960s.

Throughout this period, Anglo settlers displayed open contempt—bigotry and hostility rooted in the fact that we spoke French, were Catholic, and were, in their eyes, a "conquered" people. These attitudes were exported beyond Quebec and crystallized internationally into the caricature of Québécois as irrational, whiny, inferior scum.

The only chapter of the KKK ever to exist within Canada was anti-catholic, based in Saskatchewan and dedicated to "preserve the britishness" of Canada.

As a bonus, the anglo-canadians, being lackluster and having no identity besides being a former part of the British empire, relied heavily on cultural appropriation to build up their image. Maple syrup, the use of the maple leaf as a symbol, the term "Canadien", lumberjacking, poutine, being outdoorsmen: these things all originate from the First Nations and us. The only thing that they brought to the table was hockey BUT it's partly based on the First Nations' sport called lacrosse and we did contribute to the invention of sport in one way or another.

You could sum up by saying that our anger is justified and theirs isn't. They're mad because we're embarassing them by constantly reminding them that they belong here even less than we do. We're here to remind them of their embarassing jingoist and racist past. We're here to dismantle the illegitimate country that they have built for their own glory at the expense of others who had no real say in it. We're a haunting remnant of their shady past that they can't bury.

Hardon-Collider · Accepted Answer

they are a welfare state to Canada just like Israel is to the rest of the world.

supercutebutt · Accepted Answer

You'll kinda see why if you watch that Sydney Sweeney movie. The one where she's an eye doctor who watches her across the street neighbors have intimate relations.

queenofcardio · Accepted Answer

I haven't heard anything recently and I drive there all the time?

abc3643 · Answer

They've always been. Always as in toujours.
This is because French Canadians live a different lifestyle and are fiercely defensive of maintaining their "distinct society".
For example, Canada is officially bilingual, French and English, and students must learn both.
However, in Québec:
* Signs are all in French; no English. (I grew up in New York and took French so I could go to French Canada. It helped when I went to France, too... ;) ) In New Brunswick, signs are often in both languages.
* They use the 24-hour clock. The rest of Canada uses the 12-hour clock with AM/PM like the USA does.
* Their colonial history is much different and older with New France having been founded by Samuel de Champlain. He died in 1637 in Ville de Québec (Québec City). By comparison, New York City was founded as New Amsterdam by the Dutch in 1624 and taken over by the English in 1664.

OneViewpoint · Answer

The baggage of Colonialism. French and British populations forced together under a common federal government but hanging onto their historical heritage. Quebec feels like a second class member of the country and fears losing their cultural identity in the melting pot.

AviatorTom · Answer

Quebec has strong French roots, while the rest of Canada has British roots. French is the main language in Quebec, while the rest of Canada speaks English. Quebec has considered independence for decades, and independence votes have narrowly failed. The British and the French historically don't get along, and that carries over to Quebec and the rest of Canada.

Spencer10 · Answer

They are not tense. There are still left over sovereignty issues but Trump has pretty much silenced those. Canada is a much better option than going it alone or joining the USA lol. I travel to Quebec all the time and I love the people and culture. You have not partied till you do a pub crawl in Montreal!

Alexandrubaschet08 · Answer

From what i know, Quebec never want to be part of UK and they simply need to deal with the situation after France lose some wars.
Because it was such a buge population of franch people there it was hard to manage the region so Canada and UK decided to let them be as long thei stay part of UK/Canada.

I may be wrong.

Redstang88 · Answer

On provincial level - they’re a welfare state, constantly bitching for special treatment politically, legally and socially, and due to their population have vast power in federal government and often push agendas very much against the interest of the western provinces.
On an individual level - arrogant pricks. Never met one I could stand

KostasKouvalis · Answer

Quebec (except Montreal) is more conservative and pro-American compared to the rest of Canada, and they have different culture, attitude and mindset.

But the funny thing is, they've had like 3 independence referendums and voted against them each time

Jersey2 · Answer

They have different languages and a different culture. This is the problem the UK has just injected into their own society with the mass illegal migration that they allow. At least the Canadians are all Christians… or were anyway.

slatyb · Answer

The tension is caused by the movement of the north magnetic pole, which is trying to tear Quebec away from the rest of Canada.

lightbulb27 · Answer

They make all the money by way of resources, then the bankers (Toronto montreal) squander it.

Miristheiss · Answer

No idea. I do not follow Canada's internal politics.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Possibly because the rest of Canada wants to become part of America.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Lingering sovereigntist sentiment which has roiled for more than three generations.

Daytoday79 · Answer

It seems like a lot of Quebecoise seem to prefer independence from the rest of Canada.

Iron_Man · Answer

It’s very good

888theGreat · Answer

too many frog legs

Pterodon · Answer

Because they don’t have an official language

Why are relations between Quebec and the rest of Canada tense?

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