English-speaking friends of Québec
Although they did not, to our knowledge, explicitly voice in favour the independence of Québec, and might even have voiced against it, preferring an alternative solution to Canada's constitutional crisis, the people listed here are considered friends of Québec because 1) they have always defended the truth before all, 2) have shown an honest sympathy for our nation's struggle to preserve her language, her laws and customs and obtain democratic self-government.
Too often in political debates, naive patriotism or distasteful chauvinism wins over intellectual honesty and international solidarity. Despite the constant flow of liefull propaganda denigrating, in the English language media of Canada, Quebecers in general, French-speaking ones in particular, and nationalists even more, these individuals have had the honesty to recognize the justice of our cause and the soundness of our core arguments.
Sometimes francophile, sometimes simply passionate for justice and equality to all, they have won our respect and will not be forgotten along with the many more who have openly voiced their support for our national liberation.
Contemporary
Gary Caldwell
Biography in Wikipedia: Gary Caldwell
Native of Toronto, Ontario, he graduated from York University and obtained a masters in sociology at Université Laval in Québec. Married to Aurelie Poisson, he presently lives on a farm with his family in Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton in the Eastern Townships. After teaching at Bishop's University for 9 years, he became a researcher at Institut québécois de recherche sur la culture, a position he kept from to 1980 to 1992.
Gregory Baum
Biography in Wikipedia: Gregory Baum
Theologian, Gregory Baum has defended the ethical principles behind the Charter of the French language, the main legislative instrument of Quebec's language policy. Gregory Baum would rather that Quebec remains inside a new Canada, but until then, he intends to vote YES on referendums on sovereignty for Quebec.
- Gregory Baum on nationalism, by Gérald LeBlanc (2002)
- Ethical Reflections on Bill 101 (1993)
Ramsey Clark
Biography in Wikipedia: Ramsey Clark
Lawyer and former Attorney General of the United States, Ramsey Clark has defended the legitimacy of the the Charter of the French language before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Miriam Chapin
Biography in Wikipedia: Miriam Chapin
Quebec author and translator of American origin.
- Read an excerpt of her book entitled Quebec Now (1955)
19th century
Lower Canada
John Neilson
Biography in Wikipedia: John Neilson
Born in Scotland, John Neilson inherited the printing press of his uncle and became the editor of the newspaper The Quebec Gazette / La Gazette de Québec. He supported the Parti canadien and Parti patriote up until 1834 when it became too radical for him. He nevertheless kept voicing against the forced union of the Canadas and defend the rights of his adoptive homeland.
Great Britain
John Arthur Roebuck
Biography in Wikipedia: John Arthur Roebuck
Politician, born in Madras, India, on December 28, 1802, died in London, England, November 30, 1879. Fifth son of Ebenezer Roebuck, civil administrator in India and Zipporah Tickell. He was the second agent of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada.
Daniel O'Connell
Biography in Wikipedia: Daniel O'Connell
Daniel O'Connell, Irish patriot, supported the rights of the peoples of Lower Canada and Upper Canada in the British Parliament along with a minority of other enlightened MPs.
James Mackintosh
Biography in Wikipedia: James Mackintosh
James Mackintosh, philosopher, Member of the British Parliament, was the first agent of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada.
Henry Brougham
Biography in Wikipedia: Henry Brougham
Henry Brougham supported the rights of the peoples of Lower Canada and Upper Canada in the British Parliament along with a minority of other enlightened MPs.
Joseph Hume
Biography in Wikipedia: Joseph Hume
Joseph Hume supported the rights of the peoples of Lower Canada and Upper Canada in the British Parliament along with a minority of other enlightened MPs.
18th century
Great Britain
Francis Maseres
Biography in Wikipedia: Francis Maseres
John Baker-Holroyd
Biography in Wikipedia: John Baker-Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield
Charles James Fox
Biography in Wikipedia: Charles James Fox
Charles James Fox spoke against the Quebec Act and was in favour of the creation of a Provincial Parliament in what was then the Province of Quebec along with a minority of other enlightened MPs.
See also
- The page dedicated to the English speakers for the independence of Québec
- The article Meeting with English-speaking sovereignists. Québec, my country
- Norman Delisle, Robert McKenzie fait ses adieux au journalisme, in Trente, Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec, February 2002
- Opinions by individual militants