Quote:
Originally Posted by Architype
I am not saying the situation did not exist, but it is part of the popular narrative now, somewhat exaggerated. Who were these Anglo oppressors, how and why did it begin? I could say that we are all cheap labour, perhaps you, or me; the so-called oppressors are the wealthy class, regardless of language or nationality. I have been to Quebec and I've seen plenty of photos here as well, of very nice looking historic Quebecois towns and cities, they don't have the look of impoverishment.
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It started with the Conquest. The Brits "magnanimously" let the (French) Canadian have their language and their religion. Of course, the real reason was to avoid a revolt (revolt that finally happened in the south a little more than a decade later). The deal made with the Catholic Church was keep the people docile and you can keep "saving their souls". The threat to impose the conqueror’s religion was always present, so the Church did their best to keep people docile. French people were probably happy, they did the best they could with what they had. They were convinced they were "born for a small bread" but that they did God's work and would therefore end up in Heaven.
That is probably the first time in history that religion was used to control people, right... During that time, British people were more than happy to take away the burden of money from the Canadians. So everyone was happy in their own way, but only one group would end up with intergenerational wealth.
I wouldn't call it oppression, but definitely exploitation (we all know true oppression is having to learn French in Québec...).
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Beat it. Alberta is NOT your Daddy anymore. We will do are own thing now 
) for Quebec. Since we are a reasonable democratically enlightened country, diplomatic solutions inherently abound, and are better than indecision. To gain something, you must perhaps give up something else.
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