The fight continues today and in many ways it is a very noble fight for the people of Quebec have been looked down upon for their language, their origins, and their native peoples. All of this in the face of the fact that they are one the highest, if not the highest, producing provinces of Canada. The believers of separatism and self-determination are bound and determine to win the struggle for their freedom. If won, it could indeed be a costly lesson but it could also be a victorious right to the governmental system of their choosing. It could simply be freedom for the diverse population of Quebec.

I. Early Foundations of the Independence Movement

The country of Quebec has considered itself a separate entity since the e

The modern day conflict and struggle emerged in 1982, when Britain condoned a transfer of legislative power from its own parliament to the Canadian government and its provinces. After two years of negotiations all the provinces save Quebec were happy and satisfied with the new constitutional provisions. These provisions included a "charter of rights and a formula for constitutional amendment (with amendments needing support of at least seven provinces, and representing more than 50 percent of the population for approval). To this day, Quebec has refused to agree to this system of constitutional reform, insisting on holding its own veto power" (Canada Business, Current issues, 1997, PG.).

In the middle of 1990 seven Progressive Conservative members of the House of Commons formed a new and bold party. They were led by Lucien Bouchard and called their political group "Bloc Quebecois" (BQ). Their main objective was to fight for a separate and sovereign Quebec (Canada business, Current issues, 1997, PG.). The group soon grew to include nine members, after a few of the Liberals deflected. The leaders were excited and foresaw a great future ahead filled with the self-determination of Quebec.

It was a commonly held belief of the supporters of separatism, and still is, that the "right to national self-determination is the fundamental and unconditional right of nations to determine their own future, free of any outside interference or coercion. This right includes the right of nations to form independent states if they so choose" (Defend Quebec's right to self-determination, 1995, PG.). It is believed that in Canada, or anywhere else for that matter, has a right to tell Quebec whether or not they can form a nation or a state. It is also an issue that no one in English Canada or Quebec has the right to tell the aboriginal people of Canada that they also cannot have a nation. It appears to be merely a right for freedom.

There was, however, great opposition to the Charlottetown Agreement. This became evident during the debates that preceded the referendum. The NDP and the Liberal supporters were perhaps the loudest voices to be heard protesting this Agreement. There was also opposition in the Western provinces as well and the Charlottetown proposals were defeated in a national referendum in late 1992. Only four of the provinces of Canada actually approved of the proposals. It was once again that the federalists, in their attempt to appease Quebec, failed in their attempt to bring some form of unity to the constitutional reform.

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Approximate Word count = 3259
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)