The Predicted Economic and Social Consequences of Quebec Separation

Abstract

On October 30, 1995, a referendum vote was held in Canada. The issue on which the people of Quebec voted was whether or not the province was going to separate from the rest of Canada and to become a sovereign state. The margin between those who submitted a "Yes" vote and those who voted "No" was very small, less than one percent. Although Quebec remains a part of Canada today, there is a question as to the longevity of the country retaining all of its constituent parts. This paper examines the normative question of whether it is in Quebec' s best interest to separate itself from the other nine provinces that comprise Canada. By examining two issues, the economic and the social aspects of Quebec sovereignty, one will better be able to understand the situation, its implications on Quebec, on Canada, and on other countries.