Cultural Traits of Quebec Society

P104 – Discovery and Challenges Marcelo R. Cesar

“Culture is the soul of democracy.”

Lionel JospinGeneral policy statement, 19 June 1997

What are cultural traits?• Cultural traits are the features of a society and

culture. They are also known as a culture’s heritage.

• Heritage is what makes up a culture’s identity.

What makes up a country’s heritage? Here are some examples…

• Food and drink• Music and the arts• Humor and toys• Clothing• Holidays and festivals• Religious beliefs• Geography• Myths and tales• Country’s history• Language and dialects• Traditions and symbols

• Work ethic• Ethnicity• World’s perception• Government type• Citizen rights and

responsibilities• Historic buildings• Communities• Shared beliefs• Scientific contributions• Famous people

Can you identify these examples of cultural heritage? Ask your classmates!

Why should we learn about a country’s cultural heritage?

• Today’s globalized world requires us to understand each other’s culture.

• We are all of different backgrounds, but in many ways we are also all the same!

• Immigrating to another country means you need to understand how that country compares to yours.

• The goal of this module is to learn about Quebec and its society’s cultural traits.

What are some Quebecois examples of cultural heritage?

Vieux Quebec (Old Quebec), Quebec City

The St. Lawrence River

Cabanes A Sucre

Nuit Blanche

St. Jean Baptiste Day

Regions of Quebec1) Iles-de-la-Madelaine2) Gaspesie3) Bas-Saint-Laurent4) Quebec City (and area)5) Charlevoix6) Chandiere-Apalaches7) Mauricie8) Eastern Townships9) Monteregie10) Lanaudiere11) Laurentides12) Montreal13) Outaouais14) Abitibi-Temiscamingue15) Saquenay-Lac-Saint-Jean16) Manicouagan17) Duplessis18) Baie-James19) Laval20) Centre-du-Quebec21) Nunavik

Research Activity – Regions of Quebec1. Find a partner and pick a region of Quebec to

research. Don’t pick the same region as another group!

2. Using the internet, discover the following information about your region:– What is the region known for (e.g. food, holidays)?– What can a tourist do in that region?– What’s the geography like in that region?– Is there any interesting history about that region?

3. Once you find the information you need, you will present it orally to the class!

Why does Quebec have two official languages?• Canada was not originally English. It was founded by the

French empire.• Colonial wars led to Canada becoming British, but the

French colonists were still here!• Over time, resentment between the English and French

people grew, as well as religious differences (Protestant vs. Catholic).

• In the 1960s-1970s, nationalism for a “Quebec libre” grew, and eventually led to the election of the Parti quebecois, a pro-separatist party.

• Referendums for a sovereign Quebec failed, but laws requiring French to be recognized as an official language passed.

• There are many concerns regarding the French language laws from English speakers and immigrants alike…

• Education for immigrants must be in French, English is only available in separate school boards, children must learn French first…

• Discussion question: Is enforcing the teaching of the French language the best way to preserve the language and Quebecois culture?