The sky is not falling: Analysing the Quebec election results

What's more interesting is that the PQ earned 3.23 per cent less of the popular vote than they did previously in 2008.  In this light, this is likely a minor setback for the Liberals -- likely due to their leader Jean Charest's own unpopularity stemming from issues surrounding corruption, protests, etc. -- and hardly an endorsement for Pauline Marois and the PQ.

Additionally, 60 per cent voted for non-separatist parties, and even of the other 40 per cent, a significant portion voted against Premier Jean Charest and not necessarily for the PQ and separatists.  Thus, the message is loud and clear. Coupled with what we saw during the 2011 federal elections and for almost the past decade in Quebec, Quebecers have affirmatively rejected the PQ and separatists' agenda.

I have however, been disappointed by the reactions of others to the results.  Taking a look at the responses on Twitter, Facebook and news sites, I see a plethora of irrational attitudes; comments drowned in negative emotion and generalized statements lacking in substance coming from some Quebecers and Canadians, including members of the Muslim community -- much of it being alarmist proclamations in vein of "the sky is falling", or "Quebec is a horrible French place where people are tortured and will separate and everyone ought to move to Ontario, the utopian land of the pure".

There is a perception of Ontario, specifically southern Ontario, doing no wrong and Quebec doing no right - even if this is not the case.  There seems to be a lack of political acumen and understanding of the process in society at large, something that is very apparent among some members of the Muslim community as well.  Being able to discern between sensationalist rhetoric and actual fact is crucial and responding to irrationality with irrationality, or resentment with bitterness, is not helpful.

Panic and hysteria is a problem in response to nonsensical rhetoric.  This type of reaction has actually brought Quebec closer to separation than any of the separatists' best efforts. If companies and hundreds of thousands of people had not deserted the province starting in the 1970s followed by a mass exodus in the 1980s, the influence of the PQ and their agenda would likely have diminished sooner and faster.  In a democratic system, there is strength and influence with numbers and money. The solution is not, and was never, to leave, but rather to stay and protect Canada. All the money and votes that left Quebec did the greatest disservice to confederation. In contrast, those who stayed and rejected separation did so with a unified voice. Anglophone, Allophone, and Francophone, they heroically kept Canada together as the greatest country in the world.

What we see in Quebec today is a minority that is loud, but perhaps more importantly, aging.  As such, some of the more extreme positions the PQ and their ilk are taking, or expressing loudly, are because they realize the end is near.  An injured animal is most dangerous when cornered.  In desperation, these veteran persecutors of citizens in the name of linguistic rights have publicly aired an accentuated xenophobic attitude by leading an inquisition on the rights of religious, or rather, non-Christian minorities, and by adopting the role of "atheist fundamentalists" under the garb of secularism.  One must realize these types of tactics are designed to cause panic and hysteria and perhaps even stimulate an exodus.  The reality is no civilized society or judicial body would ever accept the "secularism charter" proposed by the PQ -- it would fail to hold up against legal challenges.

Despite their best efforts, or rather the violation of rights and freedoms, in their crusade against the non-Pure Laine, there has been an increase of English/bilingualism in the province, especially in the Greater Montreal Area and Outaouais region.  Quebecers en masse have rejected the notion of separation many times over the past few decades.  Society is multicultural and diverse, especially in Montreal -- Canada's best definition of a true, interactive cosmopolitan city -- where a major portion of the younger population belongs to visible and religious minorities.  And perhaps the biggest blow to separatists is that there is a consistent rise of Francophones wanting to attend English schools.

Finally, along with federalist Quebecers, the principal victim of Quebec politics remains Montreal. The city has endured tremendous damage by relentless attacks caused by the separatist agenda; antiquated policies of the provincial government; poor leadership; lack of federal support; and disloyal citizens who abandoned it in a state of panic and hysteria.  Yet, despite it being the greatest victim of Quebec politics, the city continues to be home to the largest inland seaport in the world and leads the country in many industrial and NGO sectors.  As well, it is an internationally-acclaimed city with a cultural vibe that is second to none, and a very active, socially progressive, diverse population.  It is high time for the city, which houses approximately half of the entire population of the province, to get strong leadership on the municipal level and rightfully assert itself in gaining the support it deserves from the province, similar to how New York City is with the State of New York.

Moving forward, a minority PQ government will be challenged to bring significant changes to the status quo and is effectively neutered.  In the long run, we must not forget that Quebec is an integral part of the very foundation of Canada.  It has a rich, diverse, and shared history of the Natives, Francophones, Anglophones, and Allophones hailing from many ethnic and religious cultures, who have all contributed to its advancement.  The province faces important challenges relating to health care, transportation infrastructure and debt reduction, yet differs by remaining the most socially progressive province in the entire country (with its much-vaunted social welfare programs, subsidized $7 per day daycares, and least expensive schooling in North America).

Patriotism should not be measured by superfluous "rah rah" chest-thumping flag-waving expressions, but by concrete actions, such as being on the front lines in defending the confederation, contributing to society particularly to those who are disadvantaged and in need, standing up for the rule of law, and upholding Canadian values of truth and justice (around 300,000 people braved -40 C weather in downtown Montreal to protest Canada's participation in the invasion of Iraq in February 2003).  Quebecers are leaders in these regards and exemplify Canada better than many, if not most, outside the province.

Kalaam Azad is a social scientist and commentator.