Although there is nothing explicitly stated in the Canadian constitution or any other legally-binding work that states the illegality of secession from Canada, the complex legal separation of Quebec is not without its barriers. The complications that would arise from the separation would affect both Canada and Quebec negatively, much like the economic factors, as well as a potential for legislation to work against the separation.
An important, but not carefully considered opponent to the separation would be the land that Quebec itself occupies. The Quebec government, as it currently stands, would not be able to claim that the land of Quebec is theirs due to the First Nations groups residing in the province. The establishment of First Nations …show more content…
Nationalism in Quebec is based off of unity behind the French culture and language, which First Nations peoples would not be considered a part of, allowing for the Quebec federal government to ignore the communities. This would continue the ongoing marginalization of First Nations, especially in a nationalism-dominated society. There is also the matter of land titles and treaties, which the government of Quebec has faced problems with problems with in the past, specifically in the expansion of Hydro Quebec. In that case, land titles had to be settled in the northern areas of Quebec before any projects could be implemented, showing the difficulty in doing so little as continuing the growth of Hydro Quebec. Following the dispute, the larger question of Quebec sovereignty was posed again. “On this issue of land rights, Williams remarked: “A Mohawk spokesman in Kahnawake said that if the Quebecois leave Canada, they take with them ‘only the land they came here with -- the little bit of dirt between their toes.’” 12 The First Nations of Quebec have always been against the idea of Quebec sovereignty and have made their presence known during sovereignty …show more content…
In order to better understand this, the results of the referendum of 1980 and the referendum of 1995 must be considered. In both referendums, the ‘yes’ vote was defeated and while the ‘no’ side in the 1995 referendum was only slightly larger than the ‘yes’’ (50.58% voted ‘no’ while 49.42% voted ‘yes’), it demonstrates the weakness of separatist groups to appeal to the rest of the population. They were unable to gain a clear majority, therefore having an equal amount of the population against them and the movement. There are many possible social and psychological reasons behind this, as Stephane Dion theorizes; “Conflicting fear and confidence perceptions will tend to deprive the secessionist party, the Parti Quebecois, of majority support, when the stark choice between leaving or staying in Canada is put before the electorate.” 16 The separatist movements, as well as its sympathizers, tend to idealize Quebec secession without considering the true consequences and when each referendum was put forward, it forced the population to confront the reality that would face them following their
An important, but not carefully considered opponent to the separation would be the land that Quebec itself occupies. The Quebec government, as it currently stands, would not be able to claim that the land of Quebec is theirs due to the First Nations groups residing in the province. The establishment of First Nations …show more content…
Nationalism in Quebec is based off of unity behind the French culture and language, which First Nations peoples would not be considered a part of, allowing for the Quebec federal government to ignore the communities. This would continue the ongoing marginalization of First Nations, especially in a nationalism-dominated society. There is also the matter of land titles and treaties, which the government of Quebec has faced problems with problems with in the past, specifically in the expansion of Hydro Quebec. In that case, land titles had to be settled in the northern areas of Quebec before any projects could be implemented, showing the difficulty in doing so little as continuing the growth of Hydro Quebec. Following the dispute, the larger question of Quebec sovereignty was posed again. “On this issue of land rights, Williams remarked: “A Mohawk spokesman in Kahnawake said that if the Quebecois leave Canada, they take with them ‘only the land they came here with -- the little bit of dirt between their toes.’” 12 The First Nations of Quebec have always been against the idea of Quebec sovereignty and have made their presence known during sovereignty …show more content…
In order to better understand this, the results of the referendum of 1980 and the referendum of 1995 must be considered. In both referendums, the ‘yes’ vote was defeated and while the ‘no’ side in the 1995 referendum was only slightly larger than the ‘yes’’ (50.58% voted ‘no’ while 49.42% voted ‘yes’), it demonstrates the weakness of separatist groups to appeal to the rest of the population. They were unable to gain a clear majority, therefore having an equal amount of the population against them and the movement. There are many possible social and psychological reasons behind this, as Stephane Dion theorizes; “Conflicting fear and confidence perceptions will tend to deprive the secessionist party, the Parti Quebecois, of majority support, when the stark choice between leaving or staying in Canada is put before the electorate.” 16 The separatist movements, as well as its sympathizers, tend to idealize Quebec secession without considering the true consequences and when each referendum was put forward, it forced the population to confront the reality that would face them following their