New France, New England, or Neither

    With the prospect of a Conservative government, with Steven Harper on the crest, coming to power, I need to explain how the relationship between the French and English is determining the outcome of Canadian elections.

    Traditionally, we are concerned about the free market or traditional moral values (the Tories), and others social justice and freedom of the individual (the Liberals). On the continuum, we find all the other parties, either more or less conservative or liberal.

The dynamic between the right and left – two competing visions for Canada – has determined how people have voted. Quebec adds a third element. Once we may choose our political stripes, we do not cast a ballot unless assured the party selected can keep Canada together. In the past, keeping Canada united has meant electing a French Prime Minister, or at least someone that hails from Quebec. Quebecois, for their part, have voted Liberal or for a left-wing separatist party, the Parti Quebecois.

In our multicultural country, we have official bilingualism - English and French - which is inconsistent. There is the trade off: power to the French for complicity in the national dream, achievable because the tempers were cool. In 1947, India was divided into two (geographically, three, with East and West Pakistan). In India, unlike Canada, the temperament of individuals both Muslim and Hindu was crude and volatile. English Canadians, especially those of non-European ancestry have become frustrated with the privilege afforded to Quebec.

We do not talk about Canadian politics in terms of English and French, because it is bad manners. We do not wish to disturb social harmony and encourage voting, not in terms of pro- and anti-environment, but on ethnic or racial lines.

    The fact is that we cannot evade the feeling of western alienation, which must include even the English across the country. Canadian politics, for some time to come, will be shaped by the Quebec question. Though I want the country to remain united, we need to reconsider the assumptions of even Trudeau to build his vision of a multicultural Canada.