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Québec voters & the dynamics of asymmetrical federalism in Canada
It is interesting to observe Quebec voters. In the last election, Quebec voters elected 33 Bloc Québecois Members of Parliament whose ultimate purpose is to promote the separation of Quebec as an independent country. In this current election they are changing direction, and the Bloc is predicted to elect only 20 MPs, a significant reduction.
Quebec often has its own rules and policies that differ from the other provinces. Some of these policies include immigration, environmental policy, language laws, education, health care. When the Government of Canada adopts new programs with federal funding, Quebec will often opt out and develop their own parallel programs that accomplish the same goals but protect their language and cultural concerns. This system is called Asymmetrical Federalism.
There are several countries around the world where one or more regions have separate rules, laws, or cultural identities, like how Quebec functions within Canada. In other words, we are not alone having an Asymmetrical Federation.
Some examples of other countries with Asymmetrical Federalism are Spain (Catalonia), United Kingdom (Scotland, Wales), China (Hong Kong), Italy (Sicily), India (Kashmir). Often, they have two or more official languages like Belgium (Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia). Some of these are cooperative, and some are contentious.
I suspect a good part of the decision of Quebec voters to move away from voting for the separatist MPs is that there is great value in being part of Canada. With pressure from the United States to become the "51st state", even the possibility of undue influence or a takeover by the United States would threaten Quebec’s distinct culture and society. Under the Canadian Asymmetrical Federalism approach, Quebec has protection for their distinctive culture and language. That protection would evaporate under the "51st state" proposal by President Trump.
Quebec often has its own rules and policies that differ from the other provinces. Some of these policies include immigration, environmental policy, language laws, education, health care. When the Government of Canada adopts new programs with federal funding, Quebec will often opt out and develop their own parallel programs that accomplish the same goals but protect their language and cultural concerns. This system is called Asymmetrical Federalism.
There are several countries around the world where one or more regions have separate rules, laws, or cultural identities, like how Quebec functions within Canada. In other words, we are not alone having an Asymmetrical Federation.
Some examples of other countries with Asymmetrical Federalism are Spain (Catalonia), United Kingdom (Scotland, Wales), China (Hong Kong), Italy (Sicily), India (Kashmir). Often, they have two or more official languages like Belgium (Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia). Some of these are cooperative, and some are contentious.
I suspect a good part of the decision of Quebec voters to move away from voting for the separatist MPs is that there is great value in being part of Canada. With pressure from the United States to become the "51st state", even the possibility of undue influence or a takeover by the United States would threaten Quebec’s distinct culture and society. Under the Canadian Asymmetrical Federalism approach, Quebec has protection for their distinctive culture and language. That protection would evaporate under the "51st state" proposal by President Trump.