A new survey indicates that most Quebecers’ perception of Canada doesn’t match the negative image often promoted by the nationalist movement.
This doesn’t mean Quebecers have suddenly been stricken with an acute case of maple-leaf-waving Canadianism, but the simmering dissatisfaction some insist exists may be a tad overplayed. Quebec is certainly unique within the federation, with a very strong cultural, linguistic and political identity of its own, but its attachment to Canada appears here to be pretty unexceptional, with a level of affection comparable to the ROC.
In fact, the survey found that Quebec has a “net alienation” score of minus-12 per cent (far better than Saskatchewan’s minus-55 per cent). Quite the score for a province we’re always told has one foot out the door. A majority of Quebecers apparently continue to believe they don’t need to choose between their allegiance to Quebec and their sense of belonging to Canada.
Unsurprisingly, the new poll also found another major gap in perception: While 42 per cent of Canadians think Quebec “disproportionately” benefits from the federation, receiving more than it gives, only 26 per cent of Quebecers feel their province is respected. Could it be both sides are right?
Many of these negative feelings are often shaped by what makes headlines and how we speak about one another. What level of awareness, for example, does the ROC have about francophones’ linguistic concerns and why additional immigration powers have long been granted to Quebec? More dispelling of persistent myths (often amplified on purpose) could go a long way toward smoothing out feelings of rejection or perceptions of favouritism.