Introduction

Unwillingness of the Canadian government to negotiate such a compromise undoubtedly accounts for a considerable fraction of the large Quebecois minority who favor independence with or without economic association. Anglo-Canadian nationalism has been directed primarily against United States economic penetration and influence and related cultural impacts on Canadian identity. A number of the more sophisticated and politically active Quebecois regard Americans as potential counterweights, even levers, for coping with Ottawa, Toronto, and Anglo-Canadian influences and pressures. A majority is unlikely to go along with assuming those economic risks so long as the Quebec economy is dependent on exports across Canada of its internationally uncompetitive traditional products, which account for more than a quarter of its manufacturing jobs. Quebec francophones, moreover, have been at least as favorable as other Canadians to expansion of trade with, and to most types of investment from, the United States. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.