Policy on Québec Affirmation and Canadian Relations

192 Pages·2017·1.23 MB·English

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OUR WAY OF
BEING CANADIAN
Policy on Québec Affirmation
and Canadian Relations
This publication was produced
by the Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes
in collaboration with the Direction des communications.
Information on the Secrétariat aux affaires
intergouvernementales canadiennes may be obtained
by consulting its website: www.saic.gouv.qc.ca.
Direction des communications
Ministère du Conseil exécutif
1er étage, secteur 400
875, Grande Allée Est
Québec (Québec) G1R 4Y8
Telephone: 418 643‑2001
Fax: 418 643‑3006
Website: www.mce.gouv.qc.ca
Legal deposit – June 2017
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec
ISBN 978‑2‑550‑77873‑8 (print version)
ISBN 978‑2‑550‑77874‑5 (electronic version)
All rights reserved for all countries.
© Gouvernement du Québec – 2017
A WORD FROM
THE PREMIER
We are the sum of everything we have received from
our predecessors: the only predominantly French‑
speaking state in America, our culture and a civil‑law
based tradition, but also the talents and strengths of
all the people who have chosen to settle in Québec.
Our nation is, first and foremost, French‑speaking, but
it is also Nordic, maritime and creative. It has been
enriched by the diversity and historic contribution
of the First Nations and the Inuit, and by English‑
speaking Quebecers.
Quebecers took part in the building of Canada. We have helped shape
the country through our values, our resilience, our accents and our
worldview. This federation, although still perfectible, has made possible
a cohabitation based on solidarity, cooperation and respect for diversity.
Canada is part of our inheritance.
Today, a large majority of Quebecers believe that Québec progresses when it
is united instead of divided; when it participates instead of withdrawing; and
above all, when it builds bridges instead of walls between the partners in the
Federation.
Building stronger bridges with our partners, especially the Aboriginal peoples,
affirming our national character and its complete expression on the Canadian
scene, stating our vision of a 21st century Canada that recognizes both
individual and collective identities—these are the objectives of this Policy on
Québec Affirmation and Canadian Relations.
Our heritage, distinctiveness within the Americas and diversity are a source
of pride. We do not need to choose between an allegiance to Québec and
a sense of belonging to Canada, since they both define who we are. To
affirm one identity or belonging, there is no need to erase, diminish or reject
another—in fact, it must be upheld with confidence, openness and optimism.
In this regard, novelist Amin Maalouf wrote that “Each of us should be
encouraged to accept his own diversity, to see his identity as the sum of all
his various affiliations […].”
The 150th anniversary of the Federation provides an opportunity for all of us,
Canadians of all backgrounds, to improve our understanding, knowledge, and
acknowledgement of each other. As Quebecers, we can take our rightful place,
in particular as one of the founding peoples of this country, while bringing in
our differences, not to divide, but to help bring us closer together, because it
enriches all of us.
We are Quebecers, and this is our way of being Canadian.
Philippe Couillard
Premier of Québec
A WORD FROM
THE MINISTER
In the words of Robert Bourassa, which remain just
as meaningful today, Québec is free to make its
own choices and able to shape its own destiny and
development. Québec has all the characteristics
of, and recognizes itself as, a nation. It is a singular
state within Canada. It has, over the last 150 years,
experienced significant economic and social progress.
Québec, and Canada, are aware that their diversity
gives them a substantial advantage. However, beyond
the question of individual diversity, Canada must be
able to name the national and collective identities that have always been part
of its makeup.
Allegiance to Québec and a sense of belonging to Canada are the foundations
for the identity expressed by a large majority of Quebecers. Recognition for
Québec’s difference as a nation recalls the founding idea of our country, and
brings us closer together rather than dividing us.
Promoting a form of federalism that is open to a plurality of ways of belonging
increases, rather than dilutes, our strengths. It makes diversity, in all its forms,
an advantage. It offers a way to accept the reality of Québec, to renew our
relationship with the Aboriginal peoples, and to offer Canada to the world as
a model of respectful collaboration.
The process we propose has several components.
First, we must affirm our identity as Quebecers. Québec’s specificity is based
on French as a common language, on a nation‑to‑nation relationship with the
Aboriginal peoples, on the long‑standing and dynamic presence of an English‑
speaking community that has contributed to Québec’s advancement and
possesses recognized rights, and on diversity, as immigrant communities
have become part of Québec’s historical narrative through interculturalism.
Next, we must reiterate our sense of belonging to Canada and ensure our
continuing presence on the Canadian stage. We must make our voice heard,
to ensure that we are better understood.
Québec’s desire to play a more dynamic role in Canada will become apparent,
first, in Québec government actions. The Government of Québec intends to
ensure a stronger presence on the Canadian stage by using the structural and
substantive means at its disposal. We will take our seat at every table, and
seek new tables where we can participate. We will also introduce new tools
to better fill the space of Canadian relations.
We hope that Quebecers, and other Canadians, will begin to realize the
strength of the links forged since the birth of the Canadian Federation, and
that connections between individual citizens will multiply. The ties binding
Quebecers to other Canadians are not just governmental or institutional—they
also connect individuals and civil society, forming a foundation for a genuine
dialogue about the future of our country.
In addition, we clearly announce our goal of breaking down the taboo surrounding
discussions about our future relations within Canada. We must resume the
discussion about the future of the Federation, including its constitutional
aspects. In contrast to past attempts, we want to discuss, exchange and seek
greater mutual understanding before considering any constitutional talks.
Although it is clear that a constitutional guarantee in certain areas is a must,
experience has shown that cooperation does not need to be based solely on
constitutional negotiations.
Last, we want to agree on actual ways to strengthen our relationship. These
include asymmetry, which must be seen in its true meaning as a way to
encourage participation rather than to withdraw from the debate. By ensuring
that Québec’s specific characteristics are respected, differential treatment
becomes a way to ensure equal treatment for all the provinces. Cooperation
will encourage flexibility, not the imposition of a single model.
Québec calls on all citizens and federative partners to begin a new dialogue.
We have received, as our inheritance, a country that is viewed with envy by
the entire world, and that provided a fertile ground for our nation. The progress
that we have made together, in Québec and in Canada, can only encourage
us to define common goals. After 150 years within Canada, Quebecers know
that for their children’s future, hope resides in our shared willingness to better
understand each other in order to better know and better acknowledge one
another.
We are Quebecers, and this is our way of being Canadian.
Jean‑Marc Fournier,
Minister responsible for Canadian Relations
and the Canadian Francophonie
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................1
1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...............................3
1.1 A MEETING OF PEOPLES ..........................................5
1.2 EMERGENCE OF THE CANADIAN PLURINATIONAL PROJECT .................9
1.3 EVOLUTION OF FEDERATIVE AND IDENTITY-BASED RELATIONSHIPS ..........15
Aboriginal Peoples ...........................................15
The Birth of Intergovernmental Relations in Canada ................16
Development of the Québec State and the Québec Identity ..........21
The Significant Growth of the Québec State .....................22
Strengthening Canadian and International Relations ...............23
Acquiring Economic and Financial Levers .......................23
The Official Language of Québec .............................24
From French Canadians to Quebecers ..........................25
Canada’s Francophone Space ..................................28
1.4 CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES, 1960 TO 1995 ............................31
The Multilateral Negotiations Preceding Patriation .................31
Québec and Patriation ........................................32
Constitutional Negotiation of the Meech Lake Accord ..............34
Constitutional Negotiations after the Meech Lake Accord ...........38
vii
2. FROM 1995 TO THE PRESENT ............................41
2.1 POLITICAL AND LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS ..............................43
Recognition of the Distinct Society ..............................44
Federal Spending Power ......................................48
Appointment of Three Québec Judges to the Supreme Court ........49
The Right of Veto .............................................51
Increased Powers Over Immigration .............................53
A Current Assessment ........................................54
2.2 TODAY’S QUÉBEC ..............................................57
Diversity and Coexistence in Québec ............................57
Québec’s Aboriginal Nations .................................58
The English‑Speaking Community .............................63
Immigration ..............................................66
Interculturalism ............................................68
A Multiplicity of Belongings ...................................71
Solitudes and Solidarity, Ties That Bind Québec and Canada ........73
The Economy and Globalization ................................78
2.3 THE CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE .....................................81
The Resurgence of Aboriginal Demands .........................81
The New Legitimacy of the Francophonie in Canada ...............82
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ....................85
An Increasing Number of Actors ................................87
3. QUÉBEC’S VISION ........................................89
3.1 A FORM OF FEDERALISM THAT RECOGNIZES COLLECTIVE DIVERSITY .........91
3.2 RECOGNITION OF THE QUÉBEC NATION ..............................95
Québec and Canadian Diversity .................................98
The Québec Nation and International Relations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
viii