Misconceiving Canada: The Struggle for National Unity

Eric P. Mintz is an associate professor of political science at Sir
Wilfred Grenfell College, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

The author of this book blames Canada’s current national unity
predicament on Pierre Trudeau’s unrealistic vision of the country and
on his unsuccessful strategy to undermine Quebec nationalism. Despite
official bilingualism, constitutionally protected individual language
rights, and multiculturalism, French Quebecers continue to have their
primary identification with Quebec, to view the Quebec government as
playing a crucial role in protecting their language and culture, and to
expect recognition of their province’s distinctiveness. By stiffening
the resistance of English-speaking Canadians to the accommodation of
Quebec, Trudeau’s legacy has made the necessary compromises
difficult—if not impossible—to achieve.

McRoberts proposes an alternative strategy based on acknowledging the
“multinational” character of Canada; on constitutionally
establishing an asymmetrical federalism so that provinces, particularly
Quebec, could “opt out” of national programs; and on adopting a
territorial approach to language rights. He concedes, however, that it
would be difficult in English-speaking Canada to gain support for such a
strategy.

Misconceiving Canada provides a solid analysis of national unity
problems. McRoberts’s argument that Trudeau’s conception of Canada
has driven Canadians apart deserves careful consideration. Despite his
Quebec-centred view of national unity (the position of Native peoples
and the perspectives of Western and Atlantic regions do not receive
detailed treatment), his well-written book can be highly recommended to
all Canadians who are concerned about national unity.