Mouvement national des Québécoises et des Québécois
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1947, the Mouvement national des Québécoises et des Québécois (MNQ) is a federation that groups together the various patriotic organizations in Quebec
, Canada
. It's membership includes 19 National Societies (Sociétés nationales) and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Societies
(SSJB) throughout all of Quebec.
Its stated mission is to "promote and defend the French language, a sovereign
Quebec, and national pride". Since 1984, the MNQ is responsible for coordinating the festivities for Quebec's national holiday on June 24. The current president is Chantale Trottier, who succeeded Louise Paquet in 2002.
, whose preparation began in 1964 and occurred between 1967 to 1969, the MNQ took a stance in favour of an independent Quebec and gave itself the mission to promote:
, Quebec City
, Rimouski, Saint-Hyacinthe, Nicolet, Hull
, Saint-Jean
and Chicoutimi), formed the Fédération des Sociétés Saint-Jean-Baptiste du Québec during a congress in Sherbrooke. This happened not long after the start of diverging opinions among the members of the ephemeral federation (1945–1946), whose members counted all the SSJB of Quebec and Ontario. In spite of this failure, the SSJB of Quebec and Ontario continued to collaborate closely up until the 1960s.
The young Quebec federation initiated various actions and took part in the efforts for the development of Quebec which accelerated after World War II
. The federation participated to the popular movement that lead to the adoption of the fleurdelisé as Quebec's Flag
in 1948, organized the National Conference on Education which lead, in 1964, to the creation of a Quebec Ministry of Education
, and helped with setting in motion the Estates General of French Canada.
In 1969, the federation's position was "in favour of the total political sovereignty of Quebec", affirming that sovereignty "is an essential condition for a methodical (orderly) development of the human, physical and economic resources of the Quebec community."
In 1972, influenced by the secularization movement that affected all of Quebec's institutions at the time, the federation changed their name to "Mouvement national des Québécois" (Quebecers' National Movement). Strongly committed against institutional bilingualism and for territorial unilingualism, the MNQ was active in the political movement that opposed the Act to promote the French language in Quebec
(1969) and the Official Language Act
(1974) and supported the Parti Québécois
's (PQ) proposed interventionist policy.
The defeat of the sovereigntist option in the Quebec referendum of 1980 consequently left the MNQ disoriented. In 1982, its office closed and dissolving the federation was discussed.
In 1984, the SSJB's 150th anniversary, the government of Quebec entrusted the MNQ with the responsibility of coordinating Quebec's national holiday festivities.
In 1991, the MNQ changed their name to Mouvement national des Québécoises et des Québécois, but kept the acronym "MNQ". This change reflected the movement's support of feminism.
In 2007, the federation celebrated its 60th anniversary.
The MNQ leadership, along with the Bloc Québécois
, impels the federal government of Canada to respect the Charter of the French Language
and withdraw from the field of telecommunications as a consequence of the adoption of the motion recognizing that Quebecers form a nation within Canada
by the Canadian House of Commons
. It also supports PQ National Assembly
member Daniel Turp
's initiative to obtain a .qc country code for Quebec following the precedent of a .cat
for Catalonia
.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It's membership includes 19 National Societies (Sociétés nationales) and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Societies
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society
The Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society is an institution in Quebec dedicated to the protection of Quebec francophone interests and to the promotion of Quebec Sovereignism. Its current President is Mario Beaulieu....
(SSJB) throughout all of Quebec.
Its stated mission is to "promote and defend the French language, a sovereign
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
Quebec, and national pride". Since 1984, the MNQ is responsible for coordinating the festivities for Quebec's national holiday on June 24. The current president is Chantale Trottier, who succeeded Louise Paquet in 2002.
Mission
Following the Estates General of French CanadaEstates General of French Canada
The Estates General of French Canada were a series of three assizes held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada between 1966 and 1969. Organized by the Ligue d'action nationale and coordinated by the Fédération des Sociétés Saint-Jean-Baptistes du Québec , the stated objective of these Estates General was to...
, whose preparation began in 1964 and occurred between 1967 to 1969, the MNQ took a stance in favour of an independent Quebec and gave itself the mission to promote:
- A sovereignSovereigntySovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
, pluralist and democraticRepresentative democracyRepresentative democracy is a form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people, as opposed to autocracy and direct democracy...
Quebec - French as the national languageNational languageA national language is a language which has some connection—de facto or de jure—with a people and perhaps by extension the territory they occupy. The term is used variously. A national language may for instance represent the national identity of a nation or country...
of Quebec - Quebec pride
Affiliated societies
Originally founded by nine SSJB, the movement today counts 19 affiliated societies :- Société nationale des Québécoises et des Québécois of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec (1954)
- Société nationale des Québécois of Amiante
- Société nationale des Québécois et des Québécoises of The Capital (1972)
- Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Centre-du-Québec
- Société nationale des Québécois of Côte-Nord
- Société nationale of Est du Québec
- Société nationale des Québécoises et Québécois of Estrie
- Société nationale Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- Société nationale des Québécoises et Québécois of Hautes-Rivières
- Société nationale des Québécoises et Québécois of Lanaudière (1945)
- Société nationale des Québécoises et Québécois of Laurentides (1952)
- Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Mauricie (1934)
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of MontrealSaint-Jean-Baptiste SocietyThe Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society is an institution in Quebec dedicated to the protection of Quebec francophone interests and to the promotion of Quebec Sovereignism. Its current President is Mario Beaulieu....
(1834) - Société nationale des Québécois et des Québécoises of Outaouais
- Société nationale des Québécois of Richelieu-Saint-Laurent
- Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Richelieu-Yamaska
- Société nationale des Québécoises et des Québécois of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
- Société nationale des Québécois of Suroît
- Société nationale des Québécoises et des Québécois of Chaudière-Appalaches
History
In 1947, nine of Quebec's SSJB (those of Sherbrooke, Trois-RivièresTrois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
, Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
, Rimouski, Saint-Hyacinthe, Nicolet, Hull
Hull, Quebec
Hull is the central and oldest part of the city of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. It is located on the west bank of the Gatineau River and the north shore of the Ottawa River, directly opposite Ottawa. As part of the Canadian National Capital Region, it contains offices for twenty thousand...
, Saint-Jean
Saint-Jean
Saint-Jean is the name or part of the name of several places and of people:- In Canada :*Lac Saint-Jean*Lac-Saint-Jean-Est County Regional Municipality, Quebec*L'Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec...
and Chicoutimi), formed the Fédération des Sociétés Saint-Jean-Baptiste du Québec during a congress in Sherbrooke. This happened not long after the start of diverging opinions among the members of the ephemeral federation (1945–1946), whose members counted all the SSJB of Quebec and Ontario. In spite of this failure, the SSJB of Quebec and Ontario continued to collaborate closely up until the 1960s.
The young Quebec federation initiated various actions and took part in the efforts for the development of Quebec which accelerated after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The federation participated to the popular movement that lead to the adoption of the fleurdelisé as Quebec's Flag
Flag of Quebec
The flag of Quebec, called the Fleurdelisé, was adopted for the province by the government of Quebec, during the administration of Maurice Duplessis. It was the first provincial flag officially adopted in Canada, first shown on January 21, 1948, at the Parliament Building of the National Assembly...
in 1948, organized the National Conference on Education which lead, in 1964, to the creation of a Quebec Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports (Quebec)
The Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports is the individual who has the political responsibility for the regulation and oversight of educational services offered in the province of Quebec as well as for the Ministry of Education.The Quebec government abolished the Ministry of Public...
, and helped with setting in motion the Estates General of French Canada.
In 1969, the federation's position was "in favour of the total political sovereignty of Quebec", affirming that sovereignty "is an essential condition for a methodical (orderly) development of the human, physical and economic resources of the Quebec community."
In 1972, influenced by the secularization movement that affected all of Quebec's institutions at the time, the federation changed their name to "Mouvement national des Québécois" (Quebecers' National Movement). Strongly committed against institutional bilingualism and for territorial unilingualism, the MNQ was active in the political movement that opposed the Act to promote the French language in Quebec
An Act to promote the French language in Quebec
An Act to promote the French language in Quebec of 1969 , also known as Bill 63, was a language law passed in the Canadian province of Quebec...
(1969) and the Official Language Act
Official Language Act (Quebec)
The Official Language Act of 1974 , also known as Bill 22, is an act of the National Assembly of Quebec which made French the sole official language of Quebec, a province of Canada...
(1974) and supported the Parti Québécois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
's (PQ) proposed interventionist policy.
The defeat of the sovereigntist option in the Quebec referendum of 1980 consequently left the MNQ disoriented. In 1982, its office closed and dissolving the federation was discussed.
In 1984, the SSJB's 150th anniversary, the government of Quebec entrusted the MNQ with the responsibility of coordinating Quebec's national holiday festivities.
In 1991, the MNQ changed their name to Mouvement national des Québécoises et des Québécois, but kept the acronym "MNQ". This change reflected the movement's support of feminism.
In 2007, the federation celebrated its 60th anniversary.
The MNQ leadership, along with the Bloc Québécois
Bloc Québécois
The Bloc Québécois is a federal political party in Canada devoted to the protection of Quebec's interests in the House of Commons of Canada, and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc was originally a party made of Quebec nationalists who defected from the federal Progressive Conservative...
, impels the federal government of Canada to respect the Charter of the French Language
Charter of the French Language
The Charter of the French Language , also known as Bill 101 and Loi 101, is a law in the province of Quebec in Canada defining French, the language of the majority of the population, as the only official language of Quebec, and framing fundamental language rights for everyone in the province...
and withdraw from the field of telecommunications as a consequence of the adoption of the motion recognizing that Quebecers form a nation within Canada
Québécois nation motion
The Québécois nation motion was a parliamentary motion tabled by Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 and approved by the Canadian House of Commons on Monday, November 27, 2006...
by the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
. It also supports PQ National Assembly
National Assembly of Quebec
The National Assembly of Quebec is the legislative body of the Province of Quebec. The Lieutenant Governor and the National Assembly compose the Parliament of Quebec, which operates in a fashion similar to those of other British-style parliamentary systems.The National Assembly was formerly the...
member Daniel Turp
Daniel Turp
Daniel Turp is a politician in Quebec, Canada. He has served as a Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament and as a Parti Québécois member of the Quebec National Assembly .- Biography :...
's initiative to obtain a .qc country code for Quebec following the precedent of a .cat
.cat
.cat is a sponsored top-level domain intended to be used to highlight the Catalan language and culture. Its policy has been developed by ICANN and Fundació puntCAT...
for Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
.