Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Name:
Date:
Per:
T.o.C.#
Handout #1: Word Splash
Based on the “Canadian History PowerPoint, create at least 2 sentences using at least 4 of the
words in the Splash on the main topic.
Secede
Canada and Quebec
Quebecers
Provinces
Transcontinental Railroad
1.
2.
Canadians
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout #2: Political Map of Canada
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout #3: Pros vs. Cons
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout #4: Quebec’s Independence Movement
Quebec is an important part of Canada. A large part of Canadian industry is centered in
Quebec. Many electronics and computer industries are based in the province. The people of
Quebec and the rest of Canada share a history of cooperation and success. Most Canadians
want to keep the French-speaking citizens as a part of Canada.
Some people in Quebec want Quebec to be independent. These people are called
separatists: They believe that Quebec cannot keep its French language and culture in a country
where most people have English as a first language. The people have voted on the issue. Both
times, they decided to remain a part of Canada.
The government of Canada has passed several laws to help Quebec's citizens preserve their
language and culture. First, they made Canada officially bilingual. That means that both the
English and the French languages are used for government and business. Canadian law
guarantees the right to preserve one's cultural heritage. Quebec has also been officially labeled
a "distinct society" in Canada.
In Quebec, French is the only official language. English may be used in advertising, but it
must be placed after the French words, and it must be in a smaller size. Some in Quebec are
happy with these changes. Others are not satisfied. They still believe that Quebec should be
independent.
Let’s Work Things Out
The government of Canada wants Quebec to remain part of its
country. Quebec contributes greatly to Canada's economy. The province
has thriving high-tech industries, abundant natural resources, and a
major shipping channel along the St. Lawrence River. The government
also fears that a new country in the middle of Canada would disrupt the
rail, road, and water routes that connect the nation.
The Canadian federal government has tried to satisfy the separatists. In 1988, the
government passed the Canadian Multicultural Act, guaranteeing all Canadians the right to
preserve their cultural heritage. In 1998, Canada's Supreme Court ruled that Quebec cannot
secede without the rest of the country's consent. Stay tuned—this issue is a hot one in cool
Canada!
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout #5: Quebec’s Independence Movement
from Canada Organizer
Complete this organizer after your reading selections on why Quebec wants to separate from
Canada.
Pros
Cons
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout: Day 1 TOTD
After reviewing all of the background information on this issue, answer the
following questions:
1. Which two European countries have had the most influence on Canada’s development?
2. Why do the citizens of Quebec feel disconnected or different from other citizens of
Canada?
3. Many Canadians are bilingual—what does this mean?
4. Give at least 2 reasons why Quebec wants to separate from Canada and become its own
country.
5. What are citizens who support Quebec’s independence movement called?
6. Why does Canada’s government want Quebec to remain a part of the country?
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout #6: Letters to the Editor
To Secede or Not to Secede?
Dear Editor,
I am a Cree Native living in Quebec and I’m greatly concerned about the Francophiles' efforts
to have Quebec secede from Canada. As is clear from past ballots, the French are a large group in
Quebec. Results show that almost 5O% of Quebec's people want to secede from Canada, but that is
only 5O%. My people, other Natives, English, other ethnic groups, and even some contented
French make up the other 1/2 of the population. What about us/ if the French separatists believe
that people should be able to rule themselves according to their own culture, why haven't they
listened to the 95% of the Native people in Quebec that voted "No" to secession?
I believe that Francophile efforts secede show great prejudice. The French say that they have
a right to preserve their culture, but what about us? What about our culture? As Matthew Coon
Cone, Grand Chief of the Grand Council of Crees said, "I find it totally hypocritical that the
separatists can say these things, and at the same time deny the democratic rights of all Aboriginal
(native) peoples in Quebec to determine their future." (Cone, 1994)
The French believe that a simple majority vote should allow Quebec to secede, but it should
not. if allowing one group their full rights keeps a large number of people from having theirs, that's
wrong. In other cases of secession, a simple majority vote should allow Quebec to secede, but it
should not. if allowing one group their full rights keeps a large number of people from having
theirs, that's wrong. In other cases of secession, a simple majority was not good enough. When
Nova Scotia voted to secede in 1868 and Western Australia tried in 1934, neither was allowed to do
so because their federal government and the rest of their nation did not agree. Even Canada's
Supreme Court said in their 1998 ruling that if the French could gain the majority, they would still
need to work out an agreement with Canada before seceding, and that agreement would have to
consider the rights of other people living in Quebec.
Neither the French nor the other people of Quebec are treated unfairly. All people enjoy
political freedom, so I do not see the point of seceding. As things stand now, the situation is fair,
but if the Francophiles get their way, it won't be. I firmly disagree with secession!
Nay-saying Native
InspirEd Educators, Inc. pg 36
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
To Secede or Not to Secede?
Dear Editor,
I am a French citizen living in Quebec, and I fully support Quebec's secession from
Canada. In my opinion we deserve our own French-speaking nation what will respect and
preserve our culture and ideas.
Quebec is not like the other provinces and territories of Canada. The rest of the country
was explored and colonized by the English, but our history looks back to Jacques Cartier and
Samuel Champlain, Frenchmen. We were settled by French explorers, fur traders and
missionaries; in fact the original name of our province was new France! The only reason we
became an English colony was because the British defeated France in the French and Indian
War. French Canadians should not be held responsible for the small failures of the motherland!
Throughout history the Canadian government has made feeble attempts to keep the French
Canadians content, but the government has failed. While the Quebec Act of 1774 allowed us to
keep our language, we were soon overrun with British loyalists escaping from America during
and after its Revolution. We Francophiles, as we are called, are now in danger of losing our
culture altogether; we believe it is important that our children grow up knowing about their
heritage, and that it is different from the rest of Canada.
Francophiles differ in many ways from other Canadians. Our language is obviously
different, our religion is Catholic, while most English Canadians are Protestants, and our heroes
are different. We have different tastes in foods, and we have different traditions.
We should be a separate nation, apart from Canada, and we will continue to fight until
that separation is achieved. I hope and pray that Quebec will again be given an opportunity to
vote on the issue. We almost had the required majority of 50% +1 vote in the past two ballots in
1995 and 1998, and next time we will win our fight! It is a fight that should be won! We want a
country!
Favoring Frenchman
InspirEd Educators, Inc. pg 35
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
To Secede or Not to Secede?
Dear Editor,
I am a loyal Canadian; I love my country and want it to remain united. I believe that the possibility
of Quebec's secession poses a serious threat to the structure and economy of our land. Canada, a socially
diverse nation that values tolerance, is one of the world's oldest and most stable democracies. Our economy
is strong and prosperous. Why would we want any of that to change?
If Quebec were to secede, then the Atlantic Provinces would be totally separated from the rest of
the country: Depending upon how cooperative Quebec is in trade, this could be devastating to the
economies of those provinces. The trade of the rest of the nation would also be at risk, since Quebec
actively contributes important products including pulp and paper, transport equipment, food processing,
and several mined products.
Culturally, while predominantly French, Quebec reflects the make-up and values of the rest of
Canada. English-speaking Canadians, a number of native groups, and others who have come from places
around the globe also live in Quebec. Canada is completely accepting of its diversity and considers it a
great strength. The country is officially bilingual - English and French - and all government information is
available in both languages. Canada has not tried to separate the French Canadians, so I cannot
understand why the French would want to separate themselves from Canada.
Even in Quebec most people do not favor secession (50.6% in 1998). Even among those who voted
in favor of breaking away, some did so without all of the facts. Many people that voted, "Oui" assumed
they would still be Canadian citizens if Quebec seceded. Some thought that Quebec would still send
representatives to the Canadian Parliament, and still others thought that they could continue working in
Canada, even if they work for the Canadian government. Unless some type of compromise agreement is
worked out, people in an independent Quebec cannot count on any of these things.
Canada is a successful country as it is. If Quebec secedes, Canada and Quebec itself would be
at risk, so I want to speak out loudly against secession.
Concerned Canadian
InspirEd Educators, Inc. pg 37
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout #7: Summarizing Activity
After reading all of the “Letters to the Editor,” summarize each opinion on
Quebec’s Independence with facts to support your answer.
Favoring Frenchman
1. Opinion: Should Quebec become independent?
2. Why do they have this opinion?
Nay-Saying Native
1. Opinion: Should Quebec become independent?
2. Why do they have this opinion?
Concerned Canadian
1. Opinion: Should Quebec become independent?
2. Why do they have this opinion?
Standard: SS6H4 and SS6H5
Essential Question: How has Canada’s unique history shaped the identity of its people and created conflict amongst groups?
Handout: Day 2 TOTD
3-2-1 Activity
Describe 3 reasons why there is conflict between the province of Quebec and
Canada.



Brainstorm 2 possible solutions to the conflict.


Relate 1 conflict in your life that you feel is similar to the Quebec and Canada
conflict. Explain why!
