A policy for the Anglophone community
If Quebec was truly an island there is little doubt the anglophone community, like the Kurds in Turkey, would be in a state of simmering revolt. However, as Quebec is not an island the anglophones tend to be quiescent. Most live fairly close to Ontario so there is a feeling that if circumstances get too dire one can always escape to friendlier climes. While all this may seem to be obvious it is too often forgotten when the question of the survival of the anglophone population is considered. Conversely, the close proximity of English-speaking areas to Quebec is also the justification for the steps taken to try and limit the use of English and preserve the French language. The major strand holding the anglophone community together is a belief in federalism. Anglophones fear that an independent Quebec would not respect community rights and certainly there are a number of signs that their fears might be justified. Jacques Parizeau, on the weekend of March 3, said at the meeting of the Option nationale, “Once we are rid of constitutional restraints, where will we go with regard to the anglophones? What rights will we recognize?”
