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This page gathers various on line documents and resources that we have chosen to help visitors understand what Québec sovereignists and other independentists are fighting for. Whenever possible, we provide English language material and we have even translated some documents ourselves for the sake of our English-speaking visitors. However, bare in mind that most of the pro-independence literature has not necessarily been translated to English. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
This page gathers various on line documents and resources that we have chosen to help visitors understand what Québec sovereignists and other independentists are fighting for. Whenever possible, we provide English language material and we have even translated some documents ourselves for the sake of our English-speaking visitors. However, bear in mind that most of the pro-independence literature has not necessarily been translated to English. This is only the tip of the iceberg.


Now, be ready to discover the story of a very old national liberation movement that just won't give up...
Now, be ready to discover the story of a very old national liberation movement that continues to this day.  


==Basic Notions==
==Basic Notions==


* Take some [http://www.languageguide.org/francais/ French lessons] on line or immerse yourself into our society by moving to Québec! ;-)
* Take some [http://www.languageguide.org/francais/ French lessons] on line or immerse yourself into our society by moving to Québec! ;-)
* Learn to spot a [http://www.geocities.com/safacta/fallacies.html fallacy] when you see one
* Learn to spot a [http://www.logicalfallacies.info fallacy] when you see one
* Learn of common [[Myths and fallacies about Québec|myths and fallacies]] in the Quebec debate
* Learn of common [[Myths and fallacies about Québec|myths and fallacies]] in the Quebec debate
* Have a look at [[a few important facts]] you should not miss
* Have a look at [[a few important facts]] you should not miss
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''Québécois'' and Canadian intellectuals agree on the basics...
''Québécois'' and Canadian intellectuals agree on the basics...


* Read [http://www.cam.org/~ipso/Textes/common_declaration.htm ''Common declaration of sovereignist and federalist intellectuals from Canada and Québec''], by ''Les Intellectuels pour la souveraineté''
* Read ''[[Common declaration of sovereignist and federalist intellectuals from Canada and Québec]]'', by ''Les Intellectuels pour la souveraineté''
* Read [http://pages.infinit.net/mseymour/apage/ap_openletter.html ''Open Letter in Support of the Democratic Right to Self-Determination for Québec''], by Michel Seymour
* Read ''[[Open letter in support of the democratic right to self-determination for Quebec|Open Letter in Support of the Democratic Right to Self-Determination for Québec]]'', by Gary Kinsman et al.


== Historical Arguments ==
== Historical Arguments ==
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===Documents===
===Documents===


* 1970: The [[manifesto of the Front de libération du Québec|manifesto]] of the ''Front de libération du Québec''
* 1970: The [[manifesto of the Front de libération du Québec|manifesto]] of the ''[[Wikipedia:Front de libération du Québec|Front de libération du Québec]]''
* 1960: The [[manifesto of the Rassemblement pour l'indépendance nationale|manifesto]] of the ''Rassemblement pour l'indépendance nationale''
* 1960: The [[manifesto of the Rassemblement pour l'indépendance nationale|manifesto]] of the ''[[Wikipedia:Rassemblement pour l'indépendance nationale|Rassemblement pour l'indépendance nationale]]''
* 1958: The [[manifesto of the Alliance laurentienne|manifesto]] of the ''Alliance laurentienne''
* 1958: The [[manifesto of the Alliance laurentienne|manifesto]] of the ''[[Wikipedia:Alliance laurentienne|Alliance laurentienne]]''
* 1934: The [[Manifesto of the Action libérale nationale|manifesto]] of the ''Action libérale nationale''
* 1934: The [[Manifesto of the Action libérale nationale|manifesto]] of the ''[[Wikipedia:Action libérale nationale|Action libérale nationale]]''
* 1867: The ''[[Political Testament of Louis-Joseph Papineau|Political Testament]]'' of Louis-Joseph Papineau
* 1867: The [[Political Testament of Louis-Joseph Papineau|Political Testament]] of [[Wikipedia:Louis-Joseph Papineau|Louis-Joseph Papineau]]
* 1853: An account of [[An Excusion to Canada]] by [[Wikipedia:Henry David Thoreau|Henry David Thoreau]]
* 1853: An account of [[An Excursion to Canada]] by [[Wikipedia:Henry David Thoreau|Henry David Thoreau]]
* 1839: The ''[[History of the Insurrection in Canada in refutation of the report of Lord Durham]]'' by Louis-Joseph Papineau
* 1839: The ''[[History of the Insurrection in Canada in refutation of the report of Lord Durham]]'' by Louis-Joseph Papineau
* 1839: The [http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/PageView?id=cb002794415f982e&display=32374+0002 ''Report on the Affairs of British North America''] by John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham
* 1839: The [http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/PageView?id=cb002794415f982e&display=32374+0002 ''Report on the Affairs of British North America''] by [[Wikipedia:John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham|John Lambton]], 1st Earl of Durham
* 1838: The ''[[Declaration of Independence of Lower Canada]]'' by Robert Nelson
* 1838: The ''[[Declaration of Independence of Lower Canada]]'' by Robert Nelson
* 1837: The ''[[Address of the Fils de la liberté of Montreal to the young people of the colonies of North America|address]]'' of the ''Fils de la liberté'' of Montreal to the young people of the colonies of North America
* 1837: The [[Address of the Fils de la liberté of Montreal to the young people of the colonies of North America|address]] of the ''Fils de la liberté'' of Montreal to the young people of the colonies of North America
* 1837: The [[List of the public meetings held in Lower Canada between May and November 1837|resolutions]] adopted during county meetings in response to the Ten Resolutions.
* 1837: The [[List of the public meetings held in Lower Canada between May and November 1837|resolutions]] adopted during county meetings in response to the ''Ten Resolutions''.
* 1837: John Russell's [[John Russell's Ten Resolutions|Ten Resolutions]] ultimately adopted by the British Parliament
* 1837: John Russell's [[John Russell's Ten Resolutions|Ten Resolutions]] ultimately adopted by the British Parliament
* 1834: The [[The Ninety-Two Resolutions of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada||Ninety-Two Resolutions]] of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
* 1834: The [[The Ninety-Two Resolutions of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada|Ninety-Two Resolutions]] of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
* 1831: The [[notes of Alexis de Tocqueville in Lower Canada|notes]] taken by Alexis de Tocqueville while visiting Lower Canada
* 1831: The [[notes of Alexis de Tocqueville in Lower Canada|notes]] taken by Alexis de Tocqueville while visiting Lower Canada
* 1794: ''[[The Free French to their Canadien Brothers]]'', by [[Wikipedia:Edmond-Charles Genêt|Edmond-Charles Genêt]], Ambassador of the first [[Wikipedia:French First Republic|French Republic]] in the United States
* 1794: ''[[The Free French to their Canadien Brothers]]'', by [[Wikipedia:Edmond-Charles Genêt|Edmond-Charles Genêt]], Ambassador of the first [[Wikipedia:French First Republic|French Republic]] in the United States
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===Québec's demands===
===Québec's demands===
In the old dialectic between Québec and Ottawa, the one which started as early as 1867, successive Québec parliaments wrestled the federal executive and legislative powers to keep them out the jurisdictions which are exclusive to provinces, as per the constitutional text of law. The contemporary movement for independence, which truly took form after WWII, initiated the breaking away from this useless dialogue that, even in the best scenario imaginable, would have left Quebec with less than equality.


From the [http://www.saic.gouv.qc.ca/index_en.htm ''Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes''] of the Government of Québec:
From the [http://www.saic.gouv.qc.ca/index_en.htm ''Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes''] of the Government of Québec:
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===Failure of constitutional reforms===
===Failure of constitutional reforms===


Understood to be a pact between two founding peoples, the confederation of 1867 was not always rejected by a majority of Quebec nationalists. The failure of constitutional talks in 1971, 1982, 1989 and 1992 has pushed yet more so called "soft" nationalists to adopt the sovereignist thesis.
Understood by Quebec to be a pact between two founding peoples, the "confederation" of 1867 was not always rejected by a majority of Quebec nationalists. The failure of constitutional talks in 1971, 1982, 1989 and 1992 has pushed yet more so called "soft" nationalists to adopt the sovereignist thesis that the time has come for Quebecers to stop asking for permissions to an authority that does not respect them, draft their own constitution and assume all their responsibilities toward themselves.


* Read [http://www.bibliotheque.assnat.qc.ca/01/mono/2005/08/819576.pdf Canadian federalism and the autonomy of Québec: a historical viewpoint] by Marc Chevrier (PDF)
* Read [http://www.bibliotheque.assnat.qc.ca/01/mono/2005/08/819576.pdf Canadian federalism and the autonomy of Québec: a historical viewpoint] by Marc Chevrier (PDF)
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==Linguistic & Cultural Arguments==
==Linguistic & Cultural Arguments==


Since the 1950s, the Quebec literary and artistic community is very engaged in the struggle for the independence of Quebec, the defence of the French language and development of Quebec's national culture. The support of talented artists and intellectuals is largely responsible for the wide support Quebec nationalism receives in the general public. You will find many writers, poets, playwrights and song writers under '''Opinions by individual militants''' just below.
Since the 1950s, the Quebec literary and artistic community has been very engaged in the struggle for the independence of Quebec, the defence of the French language and development of Quebec's national culture. The support of talented artists and intellectuals is largely responsible for the wide support Quebec nationalism receives in the general public. You will find many writers, poets, playwrights and song writers under '''Opinions by individual militants''' just below.


=== The complex demolinguistic situation ===
=== The complex demolinguistic situation ===
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* Peek through the [http://www.independance-quebec.com/musique/liste.php?selection=aucun Independentist Music Directory] (French)
* Peek through the [http://www.independance-quebec.com/musique/liste.php?selection=aucun Independentist Music Directory] (French)
* Read some [http://membres.lycos.fr/poetesse/souvreine/quebec.html Independentist & Sovereignist Poetry] (French)
* Read some [http://membres.lycos.fr/poetesse/souvreine/quebec.html Independentist & Sovereignist Poetry] (French)
* The film ''15 février 1839'' by movie director [http://www.pierrefalardeau.cjb.net/ Pierre Falardeau] (French)
* The film ''[[Wikipedia:February 15, 1839|15 février 1839]]'' by movie director [http://www.pierrefalardeau.cjb.net/ Pierre Falardeau] (French)
* Read the article [http://www.axess.com/users/jackr/godin.htm ''A Sovereign Presence - The poet and the politician in Gérald Godin''] by Jack M. Ruttan
* Read the article [http://www.axess.com/users/jackr/godin.htm ''A Sovereign Presence - The poet and the politician in Gérald Godin''] by Jack M. Ruttan
* The film [http://www.onf.ca/trouverunfilm/fichefilm.php?id=18114&v=h&lg=en ''A Song for Quebec''] by Dorothy Todd Hénaut
* The film [http://www.onf.ca/trouverunfilm/fichefilm.php?id=18114&v=h&lg=en ''A Song for Quebec''] by Dorothy Todd Hénaut
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===Les Intellectuels pour la souveraineté (IPSO)===
===Les Intellectuels pour la souveraineté (IPSO)===


* [http://www.cam.org/~ipso/ Website] of IPSO (in French)
* [http://www.ipsoquebec.org/ Web site] of IPSO (in French)
* [http://www.cam.org/~ipso/ancien%20site/doc/objecta.html ''Sovereignty: A Legitimate Goal''], around 1998
* ''[[Quebec Sovereignty: A Legitimate Goal]]'', 1995
* [http://www.cam.org/~ipso/ancien%20site/doc/yes.html ''A Yes for Change''], June 1995
* ''[[A Yes for Change]]'', June 1995


=== Political parties ===
=== Political parties ===
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Founded in 1968, the Parti québécois still is today the main political party of Quebec advocating secession from the federal state of Canada.
Founded in 1968, the Parti québécois still is today the main political party of Quebec advocating secession from the federal state of Canada.


* [http://www.pq.org Website] of the Parti québécois
* [http://www.pq.org Web site] of the Parti québécois
* [http://www.pq.org/tmp2005/finances_english.pdf ''Budget of a sovereign Québec''], by François Legault, October 2005 (PDF)
* [http://www.pq.org/tmp2005/finances_english.pdf ''Budget of a sovereign Québec''], by François Legault, October 2005 (PDF)
* See our page on the [[presidents of the Parti québécois]]
* See our page on the [[presidents of the Parti québécois]]
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The SPQ Libre (Syndicalistes et progressistes pour un Québec libre) is a "political club" officially recognized by the PQ in 2006. The political stance of its member is similar to that of Québec solidaire parti members, however they have refused to completely break away from the PQ.
The SPQ Libre (Syndicalistes et progressistes pour un Québec libre) is a "political club" officially recognized by the PQ in 2006. The political stance of its member is similar to that of Québec solidaire parti members, however they have refused to completely break away from the PQ.


* [http://www.spqlibre.org/ Website] of the SPQ Libre
* [http://www.spqlibre.org/ Web site] of the SPQ Libre
* [http://www.spqlibre.org/default.aspx?page=22 ''Declaration of principles''] (French only)
* [http://www.spqlibre.org/default.aspx?page=22 ''Declaration of principles''] (French only)


====Bloc québécois (BQ)====
====Bloc québécois (BQ)====


Founded in 1990, the Bloc québécois provides an alternative when Quebecers vote during federal elections.
Founded in 1990, the Bloc québécois provides an alternative to Quebecers when voting in federal elections.


* [http://www.blocquebecois.org/fr/publications-english.asp/ Web site] of the Bloc québécois
* [http://www.blocquebecois.org/fr/publications-english.asp Web site] of the Bloc québécois


====Québec solidaire (QS)====
====Québec solidaire (QS)====


* [http://quebecsolidaire.net Website] of the Québec solidaire party
Founded in 2006, Québec solidaire is the result of the merger of the Union des forces progressistes party and Option citoyenne movement.
 
* [http://quebecsolidaire.net Web site] of the Québec solidaire party
* [http://quebecsolidaire.net/assets/files/english/congres_de_fondation/en_projet_declaration_principes.pdf ''Declaration of principles''] (PDF)
* [http://quebecsolidaire.net/assets/files/english/congres_de_fondation/en_projet_declaration_principes.pdf ''Declaration of principles''] (PDF)


Latest revision as of 23:04, 2 November 2010

This page gathers various on line documents and resources that we have chosen to help visitors understand what Québec sovereignists and other independentists are fighting for. Whenever possible, we provide English language material and we have even translated some documents ourselves for the sake of our English-speaking visitors. However, bear in mind that most of the pro-independence literature has not necessarily been translated to English. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

Now, be ready to discover the story of a very old national liberation movement that continues to this day.

Basic Notions

Québécois and Canadian intellectuals agree on the basics...

Historical Arguments

243 years of a just political resistance to imperialism and assimilation in the name of human dignity.

Overview

Documents

Québec's demands

In the old dialectic between Québec and Ottawa, the one which started as early as 1867, successive Québec parliaments wrestled the federal executive and legislative powers to keep them out the jurisdictions which are exclusive to provinces, as per the constitutional text of law. The contemporary movement for independence, which truly took form after WWII, initiated the breaking away from this useless dialogue that, even in the best scenario imaginable, would have left Quebec with less than equality.

From the Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes of the Government of Québec:

Failure of constitutional reforms

Understood by Quebec to be a pact between two founding peoples, the "confederation" of 1867 was not always rejected by a majority of Quebec nationalists. The failure of constitutional talks in 1971, 1982, 1989 and 1992 has pushed yet more so called "soft" nationalists to adopt the sovereignist thesis that the time has come for Quebecers to stop asking for permissions to an authority that does not respect them, draft their own constitution and assume all their responsibilities toward themselves.

Linguistic & Cultural Arguments

Since the 1950s, the Quebec literary and artistic community has been very engaged in the struggle for the independence of Quebec, the defence of the French language and development of Quebec's national culture. The support of talented artists and intellectuals is largely responsible for the wide support Quebec nationalism receives in the general public. You will find many writers, poets, playwrights and song writers under Opinions by individual militants just below.

The complex demolinguistic situation

To understand the desire for independence, we believe it necessary to fully comprehend the fate of Quebec French, language of the majority in Quebec, but language of a national minority inside Canada since the 1850s. Basic notions of language demographics and sociolinguistics are a must.

Poems, songs, movies

Opinions by individual militants

Opinions by militant organizations

St-Jean-Baptiste Society

The oldest patriotic institution of Quebec, the St-Jean-Baptiste Society was founded in 1834 by Ludger Duvernay.

Les Intellectuels pour la souveraineté (IPSO)

Political parties

Many political parties officially advocating a) colonial self-government vis-a-vis London, b) provincial self-government vis-a-vis Ottawa or c) the independence of Québec have been created in history. There are presently two major parties supporting independence: the Parti québécois (PQ) and Québec solidaire (QS).

Parti québécois (PQ)

Founded in 1968, the Parti québécois still is today the main political party of Quebec advocating secession from the federal state of Canada.

SPQ Libre

The SPQ Libre (Syndicalistes et progressistes pour un Québec libre) is a "political club" officially recognized by the PQ in 2006. The political stance of its member is similar to that of Québec solidaire parti members, however they have refused to completely break away from the PQ.

Bloc québécois (BQ)

Founded in 1990, the Bloc québécois provides an alternative to Quebecers when voting in federal elections.

Québec solidaire (QS)

Founded in 2006, Québec solidaire is the result of the merger of the Union des forces progressistes party and Option citoyenne movement.

Historical

See also

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