Quebecois Separatism: Just Some Notes
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In 1986, French speaking Quebecers believed that English would destroy the French culture, so they decided to ban English in parts of the province in an attempt to preserve the French customs. While the rest of Canada is legally bilingual, Quebec instituted a law which made using English, in print or speech, illegal in public places. In many Quebecois businesses and restaurants, uttering an English word is cause for penalties and fines. Canadian culture is based on multiculturalism, diversity, and equality; language policing is destructive to this mindset. This French nationalist movement goes against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which made French and English the official languages of Canada. Moreover, the language barrier created is a deterrent to many tourists who do not speak French and Quebecers who are Anglophonic. Language policing is also leading to a shrinking population because a Francophonic minority is now ruling an Anglophonic majority. Finally, the language policing policy is adding power to the Quebecois Separatism Movement, which could divide Canada into two different sovereign nations.
Despite the many appeals to the Quebec courts, with so many Francophones in control, the laws still cannot be overturned by the non-French speaking Canadians. This poses a threat to the citizens of Canada because so much power is lying in the hands of so few people...