This paper gives a brief outline of separatism in Quebec, showing that many of the arguments in Canada are already being echoed in the debate about Scotland’s future relationship with the rest of the UK.
The Quebec referendums (485 KB , PDF)
After a turbulent and violent history, relations between English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians remained difficult in the 20th century. In 1976, with the election to power of the Parti Québécois in the province, Quebec set in motion a process for an independence referendum. This first referendum, held in 1980, failed by a relatively wide margin.
After generally unsuccessful attempts to amend the constitution, a second referendum was arranged for 1995. The wording of the question, set only by the Quebec government, was highly controversial. There were heated debates about what an independent Quebec’s relations with the rest of Canada would be, about currencies and about future membership of international organisations.
In the event, the referendum failed by the narrowest of margins. After the rejection, the Canadian Supreme Court made rulings on the role of the rest of Canada and the clarity of the question in any future referendum.
The Quebec referendums (485 KB , PDF)
A debate on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on Genocide will take place on Thursday 7 December 2023, in Westminster Hall from 1.30-4.00pm. The debate has been scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by Tony Lloyd MP, John Howell MP and Jim Shannon MP.
A debate on the implementation of public registers of beneficial ownership in the UK’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will take place on Thursday 7 December 2023, in the House of Commons Chamber. The debate has been scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by Dame Margaret Hodge MP
A Westminster Hall debate on Sri Lankan Tamils and human rights is scheduled for Tuesday 5 December 2023, from 2.30-4.00pm. The debate will be led by Martyn Day MP.