A National Identity in Transformation- Reconciling Minority Nationalism with Immigration in Quebec

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the situation for immigrants within the context of minority nationalism. With the help of theories on nationalism and multiculturalism,a case-study has been conducted on the case of Quebec. The material used consists of academic books and journals, as well as primary sources from the Canadian government and the government of Quebec. Quebec has had a major influx of immigrants and is actively seeking to integrate these into the Quebecois nation. Doing so has meant a transformation of the predominant articulations of a national identity which stressed the ethnic background of French Canadians, to a focus on territory and language. Through a policy of interculturalism and linguistic policies, the aim is to integrate immigrants into a pluralistic, Francophone society unified by French as the language of public communications. It will be argued that Quebec has come a long way towards a more inclusive notion of nationhood. However, the focus on language and the collective goal of survival of Francophone Quebec unavoidably mean promotion of the dominant culture.