The Anglo-Québécois : a reconciliation is a must !

Fatima Houda-Pepin

Saturday, February 17, 2018 05:00

UPDATE
Saturday, February 17, 2018 05:00

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A poll is a photograph of the moment, but the portrait that provides Light in The Journal, today, perceptions of the Anglo-Quebecers is enough cause for concern that we pay attention to.

Communities on the move

It is plural that it is necessary to speak of the English-speaking communities in Quebec. The language is not the only distinctive feature. It is of composite communities by their ethnic origins, racial, cultural, religious and linguistic.

They differ also by their migration paths, both of british descent, european origin, american, south asian, caribbean or african ; the many variables which must be taken into account to understand the issues.

The reality of a young Black English speaker, originally from the Caribbean, living in the Petite-Bourgogne, faced with unemployment, racism and exclusion is quite different from that of a young English-speaking white Westmount.

The survey Light tells us that 60 % of the respondents are anglo-quebecers are planning to live in another province. It is almost a no-brainer for a community that has interprovincial migration recorded in its DNA.

Since Confederation, the Anglo-Quebecers of british origin are in constant motion. Their departures are highlighted in key events of the 19th and 20th century, especially during the opening of the canadian West, as well as during the first and the Second world War.

Whether they be prospects of employment or political considerations, the Anglo-Quebecers have always made of their linguistic heritage as an asset for their social and economic mobility within Canada.

This is not surprising, therefore, that more than 130,000 anglophones left Quebec between 1976 and 1981, in the peak of the debate on sovereignty and the Charter of the French language.

An exodus that began in the early 1970s with a migration outside Quebec 94 000 between 1971 and 1976, which continued beyond the arrival to power of the Parti québécois, with 71 000 departures between 1981 and 1986.

Today, we are in an era of high mobility, especially among young people. French-speaking, English-speaking or multilingual, they have the world on the horizon and many are settling in other provinces and abroad for their studies or for work.

Some are returning to the fold, for nostalgia or for professional reasons. There are also all these Anglo-Québécois that is not talked about because they are too attached to their corner of the country, in Quebec, to the exit. You can find them in several regions, including Montreal, the eastern Townships and Quebec city where they are well integrated.

It is important to build human bridges

The good news is that 57 % of survey respondents say that relations between francophones and anglophones are now harmonious ; 33 % are of the contrary view.

The greater concern is that this pessimistic view is dominant among young people under 35 years of age, in a proportion of 49 %, not to mention that 34 % of 18-34 year olds believe that these relations will be less good in the next 10 years.

Even more discouraging is the observation made by 63 % of English respondents who say that francophones do not make efforts to be interested in their reality.

This indicates to us that the government, of which it is the primary responsibility, has not created the right conditions for a constructive dialogue.

I live in a cosmopolitan city, with an English language component important. I am in constant contact with several community leaders and participates in several of their events.

By experience, I know that this kind of dialogue is not easy, but possible. To break the two solitudes, it is necessary to build human bridges.

I think, among other things, to the establishment of a body of reconciliation of young anglophones and francophones, on the model of the Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse. A concrete and feasible.