A few important facts - Revision history

Mathieugp at 17:01, 2 December 2010

2010-12-02T17:01:29Z

Mathieugp: /* 10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State */

2008-03-22T21:38:24Z

10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State

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	The existence of a political nation within Québec goes back to at least 1663 when New France was made a royal province of the [[wikipedia:Kingdom of France\|Kingdom of France]]. With the cession of 1763, this provincial state, its code of law and some of its key civil institutions, were detached from the Kingdom of France and attached to the Kingdom of Great Britain. French Canada became the Province of Quebec.		The existence of a political nation within Québec goes back to at least 1663 when New France was made a royal province of the [[wikipedia:Kingdom of France\|Kingdom of France]]. With the cession of 1763, this provincial state, its code of law and some of its key civil institutions, were detached from the Kingdom of France and attached to the Kingdom of Great Britain. French Canada became the Province of Quebec.

	In 1774, the ''[[An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America\|An Act ~~for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America~~]]'' created a crippled Parliament consisting of an unelected Legislative Council. A minimum of 17 and a maximum of 23 councillors were appointed by a Governor, himself appointed by the British government.		In 1774, the ''[[An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America\|Quebec Act]]'' created a crippled Parliament consisting of an unelected Legislative Council. A minimum of 17 and a maximum of 23 councillors were appointed by a Governor, himself appointed by the British government.

	In 1791, the ''[[Constitutional Act of 1791\|Constitution Act]]'' divided the territory of the Province of Quebec in order to create two distinct colonies. A new Province of [[wikipedia:Upper Canada\|Upper Canada]] and [[wikipedia:Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada\|Parliament of Upper Canada]] were created to meet the demands of the [[Wikipedia:United Empire Loyalist\|United Empire Loyalists]] who started colonizing the [[wikipedia:National Capital Region (Canada)\|Ottawa region]] in 1785. The territory of Upper Canada corresponded to the vast area North of the Great Lakes.		In 1791, the ''[[Constitutional Act of 1791\|Constitution Act]]'' divided the territory of the Province of Quebec in order to create two distinct colonies. A new Province of [[wikipedia:Upper Canada\|Upper Canada]] and [[wikipedia:Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada\|Parliament of Upper Canada]] were created to meet the demands of the [[Wikipedia:United Empire Loyalist\|United Empire Loyalists]] who started colonizing the [[wikipedia:National Capital Region (Canada)\|Ottawa region]] in 1785. The territory of Upper Canada corresponded to the vast area North of the Great Lakes.

Mathieugp: /* 10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State */

2008-03-22T21:37:04Z

10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State

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	==10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State==		==10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State==

	The Parliament of Quebec, created in 1791, is much older than the federal Parliament of Canada, which the Parliament of ~~Great Britain~~ "created" in 1867.		The [[wikipedia:Parliament of Quebec\|Parliament of Quebec]], created in 1791, is much older than the federal [[wikipedia:Parliament of Canada\|Parliament of Canada]], which the [[wikipedia:Parliament of the United Kingdom\|Parliament of the United Kingdom]] "created" in 1867.

	The existence of a political nation within Québec goes back to at least 1663 when New France was made a royal province of the Kingdom of France. With the cession of 1763, this provincial state, its code of law and some of its key civil institutions, were detached from the Kingdom of France and attached to the Kingdom of Great Britain. French Canada became the Province of Quebec.		The existence of a political nation within Québec goes back to at least 1663 when New France was made a royal province of the [[wikipedia:Kingdom of France\|Kingdom of France]]. With the cession of 1763, this provincial state, its code of law and some of its key civil institutions, were detached from the Kingdom of France and attached to the Kingdom of Great Britain. French Canada became the Province of Quebec.

	In 1774, the ''Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America'' created an unelected Legislative Council ~~consisted of a~~ minimum of 17 and a maximum of 23 councillors appointed by ~~the~~ Governor, himself appointed by the British government~~. The territory of the province was greatly expanded and included territories known to the ''Canadiens'' as ''Les Pays d'en Haut''~~.		In 1774, the ''[[An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America\|An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America]]'' created a crippled Parliament consisting of an unelected Legislative Council. A minimum of 17 and a maximum of 23 councillors were appointed by a Governor, himself appointed by the British government.

	In 1791, the ''Constitution Act'' divided the territory of the Province of Quebec in order to create two distinct colonies. A new Province of Upper Canada and Parliament of Upper Canada were created to meet the demands of the United Empire Loyalists who started colonizing the Ottawa region in 1785. The territory of Upper Canada corresponded to the ~~large~~ area North of the Great Lakes.		In 1791, the ''[[Constitutional Act of 1791\|Constitution Act]]'' divided the territory of the Province of Quebec in order to create two distinct colonies. A new Province of [[wikipedia:Upper Canada\|Upper Canada]] and [[wikipedia:Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada\|Parliament of Upper Canada]] were created to meet the demands of the [[Wikipedia:United Empire Loyalist\|United Empire Loyalists]] who started colonizing the [[wikipedia:National Capital Region (Canada)\|Ottawa region]] in 1785. The territory of Upper Canada corresponded to the vast area North of the Great Lakes.

	The rest of the Province of Quebec, to the East of the Ottawa river, was renamed Lower Canada. This territory, the St. Lawrence river valley, corresponded to what was previously French Canada and included Québec City, Trois-Rivières, and Montréal. The crippled Parliament of Quebec~~, which then consisted only of a Governor and an appointed Legislative Council~~ was modified to ~~included~~ an elected Legislative Assembly. (Upper Canada received corresponding institutions.)		The rest of the Province of Quebec, to the East of the [[wikipedia:Ottawa River\|Ottawa river]], was renamed [[wikipedia:Lower Canada\|Lower Canada]]. This territory, the [[wikipedia:St. Lawrence River\|St. Lawrence river]] valley, corresponded to what was previously French Canada and included [[wikipedia:Québec City\|Québec City]], [[wikipedia:Trois-Rivières\|Trois-Rivières]], and [[wikipedia:Montréal\|Montréal]]. The crippled Parliament of Quebec was modified to include an elected [[wikipedia:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada\|Legislative Assembly]]. (Upper Canada received corresponding institutions.)

	In 1792, the Lower Canadian population elected its first representatives in the Parliament of Lower Canada. The Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, located in Québec City, was the only institution representing the people of Lower Canada, in the majority French Speaking and Catholic. This representation was totally powerless, as was the corresponding representation in Upper Canada.		In 1792, the Lower Canadian population elected its first representatives to the Parliament of Lower Canada. The Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, located in Québec City, was the only institution representing the people of Lower Canada, in the majority French Speaking and Catholic. This representation was totally powerless, as was the corresponding representation in Upper Canada.

	~~When, in~~ 1837, the non-elected colonial government of Lower Canada ~~felt~~ it had lost control of the majority of the people, it ordered the arrest of the ''Parti patriote'' leaders. An armed conflict broke out. Following the repression of the people who resisted, Lower Canada was annexed to Upper Canada in 1841. Despite the fact that the population of the late Province of Lower Canada constituted a numeric majority over the population of the late Province of Upper Canada, both sides were given an equal representation in the new Parliament. (This is not an isolated event in British history. Read the page on other independence movements to learn of similar political annexations in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.)		In 1837, the non-elected colonial Executive government of Lower Canada, feeling it had lost control of the majority of the people, ordered the arrest of the ''[[wikipedia:Parti patriote\|Parti patriote]]'' leaders. An armed conflict broke out. Following the military repression of the people who resisted, Lower Canada was annexed to Upper Canada through the ''[[An Act to reunite the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, and for the Government of Canada\|Union Act]]'' of 1841. Despite the fact that the population of the late Province of Lower Canada constituted a numeric majority over the population of the late Province of Upper Canada, both sides were given an equal representation in the [[wikipedia:Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada\|new Parliament]]. (This is not an isolated event in British history. Read the page on [[other independence movements]] to learn of similar political annexations in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.)

	The union succeeded at 1) turning a representation in the ~~majority French speaking and Catholic~~ into the representation of an artificially constructed national minority and 2) breaking the previously invincible solidarity of those who considered themselves the elected leaders of ''la nation canadienne''. Indeed, ~~because~~ of the ~~division between~~ those who ~~wanted improvements~~ within the union and those who wanted to repeal the Union Act~~, the~~ conquered people of the late French Canada was finally divided. But the political agitation was far from being over and the stability of the new union regime ~~was~~ uncertain. The federal system, presented to the electorate as a "confederation" became a reality in 1867, with the adoption of the British North America Act. This Act of the Parliament ~~of Great Britain~~ created a new ~~federal~~ Parliament of Canada ~~and re-separated the~~ late provinces of Upper and Lower Canada~~, this time named~~ Ontario and Quebec. The people of Quebec, thus finally obtained a full Parliament, ~~unfortunately~~ this one came without the full legislative powers ~~the people~~ needed to control ~~its~~ own destiny.		The union succeeded at 1) turning the national representation of the people of Lower Canada into the representation of an artificially-constructed national minority, and 2) breaking the previously invincible solidarity of those who considered themselves the elected leaders of ''la nation canadienne''.

			Indeed, the force legislative union caused the disunion of the ''Parti patriote'' leaders, who became divided into those who sought reforms within the new union framework and those who wanted to repeal the ''Union Act''. The conquered people of the late French Canada was finally divided. But the political agitation was far from being over and the stability of the new union regime proved uncertain. The federal system, presented to the electorate as a "confederation", became a reality in 1867, with the adoption of the ''[[wikipedia:Constitution Act, 1867\|British North America Act]]''. This Act of the UK Parliament created a new Parliament for a new Dominion federating all British American colonies. This federation was given the name of "Canada". The late provinces of Upper Canada and Lower Canada were re-separated as "Ontario" and "Quebec". The people of Quebec, thus finally obtained a full Parliament. Unfortunately, this one came without the full legislative powers needed by Quebecers to control their own destiny. Conflicts of jurisdictions between the federal State of Canada and the provincial State of Quebec have been a permanent issue ever since.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Mathieugp: /* 1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community */

2006-12-02T00:05:05Z

1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community

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	The community of descent comprised of people who can trace some ancestry to the French settlers of New France is vast and dispersed in the whole of North America. A great percentage of those people are actually native English speakers living outside Quebec. Unlike some other ethnic communities, there is nothing uniting French North American.		The community of descent comprised of people who can trace some ancestry to the French settlers of New France is vast and dispersed in the whole of North America. A great percentage of those people are actually native English speakers living outside Quebec. Unlike some other ethnic communities, there is nothing uniting French North American.

	There is however, in Quebec, a human community whose members share a common identity based on language and culture: They are Francophone Quebecers. The members of this community are not united by ancestry but by shared culture & language. This identity can be adopted by anyone who wishes to learn to speak French and become ''Québécois''. Quebec nationalists want this identity, socially transmitted from to generation to generation to keep existing and stop being threatened to disappear because the people who make it exist can only govern their destiny by the means of a provincial government whose status as a national government is denied by the nationalist & centralist power in Ottawa.		There is however, in Quebec, a human community whose members share a common identity based on language and culture: They are Francophone Quebecers. The members of this community are not united by ancestry but by shared culture & language. This identity can be adopted by anyone who wishes to learn to speak French and become ''Québécois'' and has in fact been adopted by quantity of people from Ireland, the United States, Acadia, Scotland, England and Germany during the 19th century and by people of an even greater number of human origins during the 20th century. Quebec nationalists want this identity, socially transmitted from to generation to generation, and passed on to immigrants and their children by assimilation, to keep existing and stop being threatened to disappear because the people who make it exist can only govern their common destiny by the means of a provincial government whose status as a national government is denied by the nationalist & centralist power in Ottawa.

	In addition to the main French-speaking national group, Quebec is home to 10 distinct Amerindian nations, the Inuit nation and a minority of Anglophones who tend to identify as Canadians first. Despite the plurality of identities found in Quebec, all its citizens are de facto and de jure part of the same political nation as the laws adopted by the National Assembly of Quebec apply to all. The same goes for all citizens of the federation who are de facto and de jure a part of the same political nation whether they identify to it or not.		In addition to the main French-speaking national group, Quebec is home to 10 distinct Amerindian nations, the Inuit nation and a minority of Anglophones who tend to identify as Canadians first. Despite the plurality of identities found in Quebec, all its citizens are de facto and de jure part of the same political nation as the laws adopted by the National Assembly of Quebec apply to all. The same goes for all citizens of the federation who are de facto and de jure a part of the same political nation whether they identify to it or not.

Mathieugp at 00:00, 2 December 2006

2006-12-02T00:00:17Z

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	==1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community==		==1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community==

	Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community, just like Canada's English-speaking majority. Francophone Quebecers cannot honestly be described as a simple homogeneous ethnic group or even as a ~~homogenous~~ cultural group.		Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community, just like Canada's English-speaking majority. Francophone Quebecers cannot honestly be described as a simple homogeneous ethnic group or even as a homogeneous cultural group.

	The community of ~~descendance~~ comprised of people who can trace some ancestry to the French settlers of New France is vast and dispersed in the whole of North America. A great percentage of those people are actually native English speakers living outside Quebec.		The community of descent comprised of people who can trace some ancestry to the French settlers of New France is vast and dispersed in the whole of North America. A great percentage of those people are actually native English speakers living outside Quebec. Unlike some other ethnic communities, there is nothing uniting French North American.

	~~In the 1830s during the Lower Canadian revolution~~, ~~the majority of Lower Canadians (Quebecers) were born~~ in ~~Lower Canada. The ancestors of these people originated primarily from the North of France (prior to the linguistic and cultural unification of France), but also from Ireland, the United States, Acadia~~, ~~Scotland, England and Germany. Quebec francophones assimilated~~ a ~~non negligeable portion of these immigrants.~~		There is however, in Quebec, a human community whose members share a common identity based on language and culture: They are Francophone Quebecers. The members of this community are not united by ancestry but by shared culture & language. This identity can be adopted by anyone who wishes to learn to speak French and become ''Québécois''. Quebec nationalists want this identity, socially transmitted from to generation to generation to keep existing and stop being threatened to disappear because the people who make it exist can only govern their destiny by the means of a provincial government whose status as a national government is denied by the nationalist & centralist power in Ottawa.

	~~Since the amending of the racist immigration law of Canada in 1951, Québec has welcomed immigrants from all over the world like all provinces of the federation. The Quebec~~ human ~~group shares~~ a common identity and culture ~~forged~~ by ~~History~~ and transmitted from generation to generation ~~through~~ the ~~French language. Québec is a nation, Quebecers are a~~ people~~, not~~ a ~~tribe, nor~~ a ~~sect, nor an ethnic group nor a bunch of angry Frenchmen~~.

	In addition to the main French-speaking national group, Quebec is home to 10 distinct Amerindian nations, the Inuit nation and a minority of Anglophones who tend to identify as Canadians first. Despite the plurality of identities found in Quebec, all its citizens are de facto and de jure part of the same political nation as the laws adopted by the National Assembly of Quebec apply to all. The same goes for all citizens of the federation who are de facto and de jure a part of the same political nation whether they identify to it or not.		In addition to the main French-speaking national group, Quebec is home to 10 distinct Amerindian nations, the Inuit nation and a minority of Anglophones who tend to identify as Canadians first. Despite the plurality of identities found in Quebec, all its citizens are de facto and de jure part of the same political nation as the laws adopted by the National Assembly of Quebec apply to all. The same goes for all citizens of the federation who are de facto and de jure a part of the same political nation whether they identify to it or not.

	The advocates of Quebec independence argue for a Quebec State that would grant citizenship to all current residents of Quebec. Of course, there is no point in denying that one of the central reasons for the creation of this new State is to allow its people to govern itself freely through political institutions that give control to the majority. It is the right of Quebecers as a people to determine, in full freedom, "when and as they wish, their internal and external political status, without external interference, and to pursue as they wish their political, economic, social and cultural development."		The advocates of Quebec independence argue for a Quebec State that would grant citizenship to all current residents of Quebec. Of course, there is no point in denying that one of the central reasons for the creation of this new State is to allow its people to govern itself freely through political institutions that give control to the majority. It is the right of Quebecers as a people to determine, in full freedom, "when and as they wish, their internal and external political status, without external interference, and to pursue as they wish their political, economic, social and cultural development."

			<!-- In the 1830s during the Lower Canadian revolution, the majority of Lower Canadians (Quebecers) were born in Lower Canada. The ancestors of these people originated primarily from the North of France (prior to the linguistic and cultural unification of France), but also from Ireland, the United States, Acadia, Scotland, England and Germany. Quebec francophones assimilated a non negligeable portion of these immigrants.

			Since the amending of the racist immigration law of Canada in 1951, Québec has welcomed immigrants from all over the world like all provinces of the federation. The Quebec human group shares a common identity and culture forged by History and transmitted from generation to generation through the French language. Québec is a nation, Quebecers are a people, not a tribe, nor a sect, nor an ethnic group nor a bunch of angry Frenchmen. -->

	==2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption of any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them==		==2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption of any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them==

Mathieugp: /* 5. Quebec nationalism stems from an old desire for national liberation */

2006-11-30T20:17:13Z

5. Quebec nationalism stems from an old desire for national liberation

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	==5. Quebec nationalism stems from an old desire for national liberation ==		==5. Quebec nationalism stems from an old desire for national liberation ==

	Quebec nationalism, in the context of British colonialism, must be understood for what it is: a desire for national liberation. The starting point of our movement is the American revolution. The political adversaries of the Quebec independence movement have been expecting the world to believe that a people that is neighbour to the revolutionary colonies ~~and on top of this~~ in the majority ~~spoke~~ French, the dominant language of the Enlightenment Era, could have been completely immune to the philosophy of the ~~time~~.		Quebec nationalism, in the context of British colonialism, must be understood for what it is: a desire for national liberation. The starting point of our movement is the American revolution. The political adversaries of the Quebec independence movement have been expecting the world to believe that a people that was 1) neighbour to the revolutionary colonies, 2) in the majority native speakers of the French language, the dominant language of the Enlightenment Era, could have been completely immune to the philosophy of the 18th century.

	Discrediting the sovereignty movement by linking Québec's nationalism to reactionary right-wing movements is part of something called Plan B. See Québec Bashing. The whole thing has been blown out of proportion since the near-victory of the sovereignists in 1995.		Discrediting the sovereignty movement by linking Québec's nationalism to reactionary 20th century "right-wing" movements is part of something called Plan B. See [[Québec Bashing]]. The whole thing has been blown out of proportion since the near-victory of the sovereignists in 1995.

	==6. The word "Québécois" is not an invention of the Parti Québécois ==		==6. The word "Québécois" is not an invention of the Parti Québécois ==

Mathieugp: /* 4. The majority of the independentists recognize the right to self-determination of the Amerindians and the Inuit */

2006-11-30T20:14:26Z

4. The majority of the independentists recognize the right to self-determination of the Amerindians and the Inuit

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	The majority of the independentists recognize the right to self-determination of the Amerindians and the Inuit. They are to be a part of all negotiations between Québec and Ottawa in the advent of secession. Despite Indian affairs being a federal jurisdiction, the Québec government has worked with native communities to help them strengthen their economic, social and cultural autonomy. See the current proposal for an agreement in principle with the Innu people.		The majority of the independentists recognize the right to self-determination of the Amerindians and the Inuit. They are to be a part of all negotiations between Québec and Ottawa in the advent of secession. Despite Indian affairs being a federal jurisdiction, the Québec government has worked with native communities to help them strengthen their economic, social and cultural autonomy. See the current proposal for an agreement in principle with the Innu people.

			A minority of the independentists recognize the right to autonomy of the Amerindians and the Inuit inside Quebec. The main reason for that is that some adversaries of Quebec's independence have threatened to partition Quebec. So it is believed that were Quebec to officially recognize the right to self-determination of the Amerindians and the Inuit, it would play against the right to self-determination of all Quebec peoples.

	==5. Quebec nationalism stems from an old desire for national liberation ==		==5. Quebec nationalism stems from an old desire for national liberation ==

Mathieugp: /* 2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them */

2006-11-30T20:06:35Z

2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them

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	The advocates of Quebec independence argue for a Quebec State that would grant citizenship to all current residents of Quebec. Of course, there is no point in denying that one of the central reasons for the creation of this new State is to allow its people to govern itself freely through political institutions that give control to the majority. It is the right of Quebecers as a people to determine, in full freedom, "when and as they wish, their internal and external political status, without external interference, and to pursue as they wish their political, economic, social and cultural development."		The advocates of Quebec independence argue for a Quebec State that would grant citizenship to all current residents of Quebec. Of course, there is no point in denying that one of the central reasons for the creation of this new State is to allow its people to govern itself freely through political institutions that give control to the majority. It is the right of Quebecers as a people to determine, in full freedom, "when and as they wish, their internal and external political status, without external interference, and to pursue as they wish their political, economic, social and cultural development."

	==2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them==		==2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption of any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them==

	The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them. Québec has yet to democratically choose its constitution. As a people, Quebecers can legitimately claim its right to self-determination just like all the other peoples on Earth. Read Article VIII of the Helsinki Act.		The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them. Québec has yet to democratically choose its constitution. As a people, Quebecers can legitimately claim its right to self-determination just like all the other peoples on Earth. Read Article VIII of the Helsinki Act.
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	Read the [[Constitutional saga]] to know more.		Read the [[Constitutional saga]] to know more.

	==3. The majority of Québec's independentists favor a republican form of government==		==3. The majority of Québec's independentists favor a republican form of government==

Mathieugp: /* 1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic society */

2006-11-30T20:01:53Z

1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic society

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	==1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic ~~society~~==		==1. Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community==

	Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic ~~society~~, just like ~~English~~ Canada's English-speaking majority. ~~To describe Franco-~~Quebecers~~, who consider themselves as Quebecers alone (Québécois in French)~~ cannot honestly be described as a simple homogeneous ethnic group.		Québec's French-speaking majority is a multi-ethnic community, just like Canada's English-speaking majority. Francophone Quebecers cannot honestly be described as a simple homogeneous ethnic group or even as a homogenous cultural group.

	In the 1830s during the Lower Canadian revolution, the majority of Lower Canadians (Quebecers) ~~are~~ born in Lower Canada. The ancestors of these people originated primarily from the North of France (prior to the linguistic and cultural unification of France), but also from Ireland, the United States, Acadia, Scotland, England and Germany.		The community of descendance comprised of people who can trace some ancestry to the French settlers of New France is vast and dispersed in the whole of North America. A great percentage of those people are actually native English speakers living outside Quebec.

			In the 1830s during the Lower Canadian revolution, the majority of Lower Canadians (Quebecers) were born in Lower Canada. The ancestors of these people originated primarily from the North of France (prior to the linguistic and cultural unification of France), but also from Ireland, the United States, Acadia, Scotland, England and Germany. Quebec francophones assimilated a non negligeable portion of these immigrants.

	Since the amending of the racist immigration law of Canada in 1951, Québec has welcomed immigrants from all over the world like all provinces of the federation. The Quebec human group shares a common identity and culture forged by History and transmitted from generation to generation through the French language. Québec is a nation, Quebecers are a people, not a tribe, nor a sect, nor an ethnic group nor a bunch of angry Frenchmen.		Since the amending of the racist immigration law of Canada in 1951, Québec has welcomed immigrants from all over the world like all provinces of the federation. The Quebec human group shares a common identity and culture forged by History and transmitted from generation to generation through the French language. Québec is a nation, Quebecers are a people, not a tribe, nor a sect, nor an ethnic group nor a bunch of angry Frenchmen.

	In addition to the main French-speaking national group, Quebec is home to 10 distinct Amerindian nations, the Inuit nation and a minority of Anglophones who tend to identify as Canadians first.		In addition to the main French-speaking national group, Quebec is home to 10 distinct Amerindian nations, the Inuit nation and a minority of Anglophones who tend to identify as Canadians first. Despite the plurality of identities found in Quebec, all its citizens are de facto and de jure part of the same political nation as the laws adopted by the National Assembly of Quebec apply to all. The same goes for all citizens of the federation who are de facto and de jure a part of the same political nation whether they identify to it or not.

			The advocates of Quebec independence argue for a Quebec State that would grant citizenship to all current residents of Quebec. Of course, there is no point in denying that one of the central reasons for the creation of this new State is to allow its people to govern itself freely through political institutions that give control to the majority. It is the right of Quebecers as a people to determine, in full freedom, "when and as they wish, their internal and external political status, without external interference, and to pursue as they wish their political, economic, social and cultural development."

	==2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them==		==2. The people of Québec was never consulted on the adoption any of the constitutional acts enforced to rule them==

Mathieugp: /* 10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State */

2006-11-24T21:57:29Z

10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State

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 ==10. The Quebec State is much older than the Canadian federal State==
-Québec's National Assembly (formerly Lower Canada's legislative assembly), is much older than the Canadian federal House of Commons, which London "created" in 1867. The existence of a political nation within Québec goes back to 1791 when, under the Constitutional Act voted by London, the Canadien population voted its first assembly of representatives. The Assembly of Lower Canada, located in Québec City, was the only institution democratically representing the people of Lower Canada (i.e., the Canadiens). When the non-elected colonial government of Lower Canada lost control of the population in 1837, it ordered the arrest of the Patriot leaders. An armed conflict broke out. Following the defeat of the rebels, Lower Canada was annexed to Upper Canada in 1841. This is not an isolated event in British history. Read the page on other independence movements to learn of similar events in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. You can also visit the website of the National Assembly of Québec to learn more about this institution.
+The Parliament of Quebec, created in 1791, is much older than the federal Parliament of Canada, which the Parliament of Great Britain "created" in 1867.
 == See also ==

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	The existence of a political nation within Québec goes back to at least 1663 when New France was made a royal province of the [[wikipedia:Kingdom of France\|Kingdom of France]]. With the cession of 1763, this provincial state, its code of law and some of its key civil institutions, were detached from the Kingdom of France and attached to the Kingdom of Great Britain. French Canada became the Province of Quebec.		The existence of a political nation within Québec goes back to at least 1663 when New France was made a royal province of the [[wikipedia:Kingdom of France\|Kingdom of France]]. With the cession of 1763, this provincial state, its code of law and some of its key civil institutions, were detached from the Kingdom of France and attached to the Kingdom of Great Britain. French Canada became the Province of Quebec.

	In 1774, the ''[[An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America\|An Act ~~for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America~~]]'' created a crippled Parliament consisting of an unelected Legislative Council. A minimum of 17 and a maximum of 23 councillors were appointed by a Governor, himself appointed by the British government.		In 1774, the ''[[An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec in North America\|Quebec Act]]'' created a crippled Parliament consisting of an unelected Legislative Council. A minimum of 17 and a maximum of 23 councillors were appointed by a Governor, himself appointed by the British government.

	In 1791, the ''[[Constitutional Act of 1791\|Constitution Act]]'' divided the territory of the Province of Quebec in order to create two distinct colonies. A new Province of [[wikipedia:Upper Canada\|Upper Canada]] and [[wikipedia:Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada\|Parliament of Upper Canada]] were created to meet the demands of the [[Wikipedia:United Empire Loyalist\|United Empire Loyalists]] who started colonizing the [[wikipedia:National Capital Region (Canada)\|Ottawa region]] in 1785. The territory of Upper Canada corresponded to the vast area North of the Great Lakes.		In 1791, the ''[[Constitutional Act of 1791\|Constitution Act]]'' divided the territory of the Province of Quebec in order to create two distinct colonies. A new Province of [[wikipedia:Upper Canada\|Upper Canada]] and [[wikipedia:Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada\|Parliament of Upper Canada]] were created to meet the demands of the [[Wikipedia:United Empire Loyalist\|United Empire Loyalists]] who started colonizing the [[wikipedia:National Capital Region (Canada)\|Ottawa region]] in 1785. The territory of Upper Canada corresponded to the vast area North of the Great Lakes.