Québec Confronts Canada: Two Competing Societal Projects Searching for Legitimacy

Abstract

Forced centralist policies, made possible by the utilization of Ottawa's spending, taxation powers, and frequent opposition to Québec's policy preferences led a large number of Québecers to favor greater sovereignty. The federal government's attempts to reduce provinces tojunior governments in the federation have backfired in Québec's case, and led to the construction of a modern, liberal, pluralistic, and territorial nationalist project. Meanwhile, Québecers continue to shape a vision of themselves lhal is marked by sharp differences with the Canadian political project of undifferentiated citizens and that erects instead a communitarian model inspired by social democratic values.