(06/12/09) -

Question Shapes Views on Sovereignty in Quebec

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Adults in Quebec react very differently to two questions that gauge support for sovereignty, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies published in La Presse. 54 per cent of respondents would vote no in a referendum on whether Quebec should "become a country separate from Canada."

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Adults in Quebec react very differently to two questions that gauge support for sovereignty, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies published in La Presse. 54 per cent of respondents would vote no in a referendum on whether Quebec should "become a country separate from Canada."

However, when asked whether Quebec should "become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of a bill respecting the future of Quebec," 40 per cent of respondents would vote yes, while 41 per cent would vote no.

The Canadian province has held two plebiscites on sovereignty. In May 1980, a motion to provide Quebec with "the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad" and "maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency" was rejected by 59.56 per cent of all voters.

In October 1995, a new referendum on whether Quebec should "become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership" was narrowly defeated by a 50.58 per cent to 49.42 per cent margin.

Quebec voters renewed their National Assembly in December 2008. Final results gave the governing Liberal Party of Quebec 66 seats, followed by the sovereignist Parti Québécois (PQ) with 51 mandates, and the conservative Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ) with seven seats. Liberal leader Jean Charest kept his post as premier, overseeing a majority government.

Earlier this month, PQ leader Pauline Marois discussed her views on sovereignty. Marois said she wants Quebec to hold more authority in terms of immigration, language and culture, adding, "We are convinced we must leave behind this all-or-nothing approach in favour of one that is always seeking more for Quebecers."

Polling Data

(Split Sample) – If a referendum on Quebec sovereignty were held today, would you vote yes or no to the following question? – "Do you agree that Quebec should become a country separate from Canada?"

(Split Sample) – If a referendum on Quebec sovereignty were held today, would you vote yes or no to the following question? – "Do you agree that Quebec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of a bill respecting the future of Quebec?"

Source: Angus Reid Strategies / La Presse
Methodology: Online interviews with 800 Quebec adults, conducted on Jun. 4 and Jun. 5, 2009. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.

Complete Poll (PDF)