On April 25, 2024, the Government of Quebec unveiled an ambitious project to enrich the province’s cultural landscape: the creation of the Musée national de l'histoire du Québec (MNHQ). This new institution, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2026, will be located in the prestigious Pavillon Camille-Roy at the Séminaire de Québec, a historic place in the heart of the capital. With an investment of $92 million, this major project will become the fourth largest state museum in Quebec.
Prime Minister François Legault, speaking at the Séminaire de Québec on April 25, 2024, announced the creation of the Musée national de l'histoire du Québec (MNHQ).
Yes, his statement has elicited some reaction, including from the first nations, who have expressed concerns about their representation in this museum.
Two exact quotes from François Legault about this project that have been a reaction:
«My wish is that the Quebecers who come to visit this museum will be proud of their history»
«The idea is to show the history of the nation, which was French-Canadian, which is now Quebec, which began with Champlain»
The weight of history
From New France to the present day, Quebecers have constantly been between preserving their heritage and adapting to contemporary realities. In the Canadian socio-political landscape, Quebec stands out as a unique territory with a rich history and a deeply rooted cultural identity.
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In New France, racism was openly expressed and often institutionalized, is it the fault of today’s francophone whites?
The ethnic Quebecers are direct descendants of the French settlers who colonized America in the New France era and often find themselves in a difficult position when trying to assert their cultural identity. Every attempt to express their attachment to their heritage or claim a distinct cultural space is frequently met with reminders of the actions of their ancestors towards Indigenous peoples. It is their story and no one can change that, even if laws were passed for XYZ. No one can change the history of a people, in this case that of Quebeckers.
This dynamic creates a collective sense of guilt that is a form of reverse racism. Quebeckers often feel judged for actions committed centuries ago, which complicates their quest for identity and cultural affirmation in modern Quebec.
History does not change
To understand what a Quebecer of origin (with historical roots dating back to New France (17th-18th centuries)) is, it can be instructive to look at audiovisual documents from the early 1900s. These archives provide an authentic insight into the Quebec population of that time.
Today, these people who are seen in these videos represent the direct ancestors of many Quebecers (also known as Quebecois of origin). Their descendants make up a significant proportion of the current population of Quebec.
In the applicable facts of our era, the Quebec nation includes:
- Members of the 11 Aboriginal nations present in Quebec.
- The Métis Aborigines called "Quebecois of Souche", having a descendant of the French settlers of New France.
- The so-called "Quebecois of origin", descendants of the French settlers of New France.
- Adoptive Quebecers: Immigrants who have become CANADIANS and their descendants who have adopted the francophone culture of Quebec, for example, we could speak of Canadians of French, Haitian or Italian origin.
The historical origins of Quebecers
The Quebec Act of 1774 is therefore a significant historical milestone, and its impact is still being felt today. During the drafting of the act, Governor Carleton warned London that Quebec was “a province completely different from the others, and its particular circumstances cannot be ignored...”.
This clear-sighted observation led the British authorities to abandon the assimilationist approach that had been their driving force until then. The resulting new Constitution can therefore be considered as one of the first acts of recognition of the existence in North America of a distinct and unique nation, including its language, its identity descended from the French colonists and its culture: the Quebec nation.
To be brief, the Quebec Act recognizes certain cultural, linguistic and religious characteristics of the inhabitants of the province’s francophone settlers
Canada now recognizes the Quebec nation
On November 27, 2006, the House of Commons of Canada passed a motion recognizing that “Quebeckers are one nation within a united Canada”.
This purely symbolic recognition has important implications for the identity of Quebecers. It reinforces the thesis that the descendants of the French settlers were different.
Since that time, the Constitution Act, 1867 states, among other things :
Article 90Q.1 : « Quebecers form a nation »
Article 90Q.2 : « French is the only official language of Quebec. It is also the common language of the Quebec nation. »
These sections were added to the Constitution Act, 1867 through Bill 96, entitled An Act respecting the official and common language of Quebec, French, passed in 2022. This amendment was made using section 45 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which allows provinces to amend their own constitutions.
Some experts consider these additions to be primarily symbolic, while others suggest they may have broader implications for the interpretation of laws and rights in Quebec. It is written in black and white, nobody can deny it, let alone the Supreme Court of Canada.
Whether or not the experts deny it, legal force is there. The facts are enshrined in the constitution, which gives it undeniable legal value, regardless of any divergent opinions on its interpretation or scope.
Download the Constitutional Laws of 1867 to 1982
Download the 1982 Constitutional Laws
A perpetual struggle in time that ends more
Francophone Quebecers continue to struggle for full legal recognition of their status as a distinct nation within Canada. This situation continues despite the many years since the first claims.
The struggle of Quebec francophones is centred around the preservation of their language and cultural identity. They face challenges at several levels:
- At the federal level, where they seek greater recognition of their specificity.
- At the provincial level, where some language policies are contested.
- In society, where the integration of immigrants and the definition of Quebec identity are a subject of debate.
The term "Quebecer" has particular significance in this context. Although it is used in an inclusive manner to designate all residents of Quebec, it also carries a specific historical and legal significance for ethnic francophones, particularly in their relations with the rest of Canada.
This complex situation reflects the persistent tensions between preserving a distinct cultural identity and the realities of a modern, diverse society.
The struggle of francophone Quebecers is a historical narrative of resilience and determination, a perpetual confrontation that seems never really to end.
In conclusion, the creation of the Musée national de l'histoire du Québec represents an ambitious and significant project for the province. With its inauguration scheduled for spring 2026 in the historic setting of the Camille-Roy Pavilion at the Séminaire de Québec, this museum promises to be a major addition to the Quebec cultural landscape. The investment of nearly $100 million demonstrates the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Quebec history.
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