There have been various movements within Canada for secession.

List

This list is composed of both historical and active movements for secession or autonomy. ;Secessionist movements Women's March on Portland - 71

Quebec_referendum,_1995_-_Results_By_Riding

Alberta * Proposed state: Flag of Alberta

Alberta or part as Western Canada ** Political party: Maverick Party,

Wildrose Independence Party Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada, which was formed through the merger of Wexit Alberta and the Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta in 2020. Views According to its constitution, Wex ...

Independence Party of Alberta The Independence Party (TIP), known as the Alberta Independence Party from 2001 to 2019, is an Albertan provincial political party. It was originally dedicated to increasing the autonomy of Alberta within Canadian Confederation, partly as a ...

British Columbia together with the Flag of Cascadia

Pacific Northwestern US ( United States) * Proposed state: Flag of Cascadia

Cascadia ** Political party: BC Cascadia Party, Cascadian Independence Party Flag of New Brunswick

The Maritimes: New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, & Nova Scotia * Ethnic group: Canadians, Acadians ** Proposed state: Maritime Union or Flag of Acadia

Acadia *** Political party: Parti acadien Flag_of_Newfoundland_and_Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador * Proposed State: Newfoundland Tricolour

Newfoundland and Labrador Flag of Quebec

Quebec * Regional group: Québécois people ** Proposed state: Flag of Quebec

Republic of Quebec *** Civil organization: Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society, Mouvement national des Québécois et des Québécoises (MNQ), Rassemblement pour l'indépendance du Québec (RIQ),

Les Intellectuels pour la souveraineté (in English: Intellectuals for Sovereignty), or IPSO, is a group of intellectuals studying and promoting Quebec sovereignty movement, Quebec independence. It was created on June 21, 1995 by the publication of their manifesto, four months before ...

(IPSO), Mouvement de libération nationale du Québec (MLNQ), Réseau de Résistance du Québecois (RRQ) *** Labour union: Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ), Union des artistes (UDA) *** Political party: Parti Québécois,

Bloc Québécois The Bloc Québécois (BQ; , "Québécois people, Quebecer Voting bloc, Bloc") is a list of federal political parties in Canada, federal political party in Canada devoted to Quebec nationalism and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty movement, Que ...

, Québec solidaire,

Marxist–Leninist Party of Quebec The Marxist–Leninist Party of Quebec (french: Parti marxiste–léniniste du Québec, PMLQ) is a Marxist–Leninist and sovereigntist communist party in Quebec, Canada. The PMLQ is the Quebec branch of the anti-revisionist Communist Party of C ...

Saskatchewan * Proposed state: Flag of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan or part as Western Canada ** Political party: Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan, Maverick Party Vancouver Island * Proposed state: Flag of Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island ** Political party:

Vancouver Island Party The Vancouver Island Party (VIP) was a political party in British Columbia, Canada. Robin Richardson, a former Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament (1979–1980), led the party until November 2019. The party proposed that Vancouver Isl ...

Western Canada * Proposed state: Western Canada ** Political party:

Wexit Canada The Maverick Party, formerly known as Wexit Canada, is a Canadian federal political party. It advocates for constitutional changes to benefit, or the independence of, Western Canada, which includes British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Mani ...

, Western Canada Independence Party *** Pressure group: Wexit ;Autonomist movements Flag of Alberta

Alberta * Proposed autonomous area: Flag of Alberta

Alberta ** Political party: Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta, Alberta Independence Party Flag of Quebec

Quebec * Proposed autonomous area: Flag of Quebec

Quebec ** Political party:

Coalition Avenir Québec The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ; , ) is a Quebec nationalist, autonomist and conservativeÉquipe Autonomiste

Movements seeking independence from Canada

In a poll, 25% of Canadians preferred independence of their province.

Newfoundland & Labrador

There is a secessionist movement in Newfoundland based on its unique history, and as a result of its grievances and broken promises with both the federal government and the government of Quebec. Prior to 1949 the area was a self-governing Dominion (

Dominion of Newfoundland Newfoundland was a British dominion in eastern North America, today the modern Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was established on 26 September 1907, and confirmed by the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westmi ...

). "The root of our trouble is centred in the relationship between the two countries, between Newfoundland as a country and Canada" according to James Halley, a former lawyer involved in negotiating a deal to get Newfoundland into Canada in 1949. According to a July 2003 report, secessionism was on the rise In 2004, a "flag flap" occurred when the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Danny Williams removed all Canadian flags from government buildings and raised provincial flags instead. Tensions have since eased; however, a non-organized movement has emerged amongst citizens and the ability of potential premiers to appeal to a strong sense of Newfoundland nationalism is imperative to forming a government. The secessionist movement in Newfoundland and Labrador is most commonly associated with a flag under several names, including the "Pink, White and Green", "Flag of the Republic of Newfoundland & Labrador", or officially as the Newfoundland Tricolour.

Nova Scotia

Shortly after the Confederation of three British colonies ( Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada) to form the Dominion of Canada in 1867, opponents of Confederation in Nova Scotia began promoting the withdrawal of that province from the new confederation. The Anti-Confederation Party won 18 of the 19 Nova Scotia seats in the new

House of Commons of Canada The House of Commons of Canada (french: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The House of Common ...

in the 1867 general election, and 36 of the 38 seats in the Nova Scotia legislature, but did not succeed in achieving independence for Nova Scotia. In 1990, just before the failure of the Meech Lake Accord, then-

premier Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of governm ...

John Buchanan predicted Nova Scotia and the rest of

Atlantic Canada Atlantic Canada, also called the Atlantic provinces (french: provinces de l'Atlantique), is the region of Eastern Canada comprising the provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec. The four provinces are New Brunswick, Newfoundlan ...

would have to join the United States if the accord failed.

Quebec

The Quebec sovereignty movement seeks independence from Canada for the province of Quebec. This movement often seeks what has been termed "sovereignty-association", which is sovereignty for Quebec within an economic association or union with the rest of Canada. Since the Quiet Revolution, the many available options have garnered support from Quebecers. The sovereignty movement has spawned a variety of political parties, such as the Parti Québécois, a

social democratic Social democracy is a political, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocating economic and social interventions to promote soci ...

political party at the provincial level in Quebec that has governed the province for various periods since 1976, and the

, which sometimes wins the majority of seats in Quebec. This party aims to promote Quebec's sovereignty and purports to defend the interests of Quebec at the federal level of government. The

Front de libération du Québec The (FLQ) was a Marxist–Leninist and Quebec separatist guerrilla group. Founded in the early 1960s with the aim of establishing an independent and socialist Quebec through violent means, the FLQ was considered a terrorist group by the Canadia ...

(FLQ), was a terrorist organization in the 1960s and early 1970s that used violence to promote independence for Quebec. Although they both advocated a sovereigntist agenda, the FLQ and its violent tactics were denounced by the Parti Québécois. Since the Quiet Revolution, sovereigntist sentiments have been stoked by the patriation of the Canadian constitution in 1982 which was introduced without the consent of the National Assembly of Quebec and by numerous failed attempts at constitutional reform, which have sought to address Quebec's distinct society. Two provincial referendums, in 1980 and 1995, rejected proposals for sovereignty, with majorities of 60% in 1980 and only 50.6% in 1995, respectively. Given the narrow federalist victory in 1995, a reference was made by the Chrétien government to the

Supreme Court of Canada The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC; french: Cour suprême du Canada, CSC) is the Supreme court, highest court in the Court system of Canada, judicial system of Canada. It comprises List of Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, nine justices, wh ...

in 1996 regarding the legality of a unilateral secession of Quebec. This resulted in the passage of the Clarity Act in 2000. In a poll, 40% Albertans and Quebecers preferred independence.

Western Canada

Numerous political parties in the western provinces, believing there to be no other solution for stemming apparent "Western alienation" by

Central Canada Central Canada (french: Centre du Canada, sometimes the Central provinces) is a region consisting of Canada's two largest and most populous provinces: Ontario and Quebec. Geographically, they are not at the centre of Canada but instead overlap w ...

, have sought independence. These movements are strongest in Alberta and British Columbia, but lesser ones exist in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. These movements have also assumed that Canada's northern territories ( Yukon,

Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories (abbreviated ''NT'' or ''NWT''; french: Territoires du Nord-Ouest, formerly ''North-Western Territory'' and ''North-West Territories'' and namely shortened as ''Northwest Territory'') is a federal territory of Canada. ...

, and

Nunavut Nunavut ( , ; iu, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ , ; ) is the largest and northernmost Provinces and territories of Canada#Territories, territory of Canada. It was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the ''Nunavut Act'' ...

) would also be a part of a new Western Canadian union. Parties advocating Western separation include the Western Canada Concept, the Western Independence Party, and the Western Block Party. These parties have not achieved much success, however. In the early 1980s, in Saskatchewan, the Unionest Party advocated the western provinces join the United States. In 1995, Premier of Saskatchewan Roy Romanow secretly formed a committee on consequences if Quebec seceded. The most seriously studied option was strengthening Saskatchewan's relationships with other western provinces because Romanow said in 2014, Ontario would become closer to the US economically and Atlantic Canada would become "an island". Other possibilities included also seceding from Canada, and joining the US. Romanow said that predecessor Allan Blakeney had similarly studied options for Saskatchewan during the 1980 Quebec referendum. On July 12, 2003, the Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan (WIPS) was create

and registered as a Provincial Party, running candidates in 17 ridings in the

2003 Saskatchewan general election The 2003 Saskatchewan general election was held on November 5, 2003, to elect the 58 members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan (MLAs). The election was called on October 8 by Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Lynda Haverstock, on the ...

. It was de-registered in May 2019. A poll by the '' Western Standard'' conducted from June 29, 2005, to July 5, 2005, finds 35.6% of residents of the four provinces think "Western Canadians should begin to explore the idea of forming their own country." On January 12, 2020, the

Wexit The Maverick Party, formerly known as Wexit Canada, is a Canadian federal political party. It advocates for constitutional changes to benefit, or the independence of, Western Canada, which includes British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Mani ...

party, a party advocating for separation, was formed federally.

Alberta

The Alberta Independence Party promoted independence for the province of Alberta, either on its own or in union with the other western provinces, in the 1990s, but it is now defunct. The Separation Party of Alberta nominated candidates in the 2004 Alberta provincial election. In a poll, 40% Albertans and Quebecers preferred independence.

Manitoba

In January–February 1868, a small group of settlers declared a Republic of Caledonia, later the

Republic of Manitobah The Republic of Manitobah was a short-lived, unrecognized state founded in June 1867 by Thomas Spence at the town of Portage la Prairie in what is now the Canadian province of Manitoba. History In the mid-19th century, the future province of ...

, at Portage-la-Prairie in Hudson's Bay Company land that was to be incorporated into Canada. These settlers aimed to use this declaration to obtain favourable terms (for themselves) for the entry of the area into Confederation. The declaration was not recognized by Canadian or British authorities, and the republic soon collapsed. In the 19th century, the Manitoban secessionist movement has support from the Fenians and secessionist Liberals.

British Columbia and Yukon

Shortly after joining Confederation, British Columbia threatened to secede after the initial failure of the transcontinental railway promises which were one of its conditions for joining Canada. During the disputes over what led to the Columbia River Treaty, BC Premier

WAC Bennett William Andrew Cecil Bennett (September 6, 1900 – February 23, 1979) was a Canadian politician. He was the 25th premier of British Columbia from 1952 to 1972. With just over 20 years in office, Bennett was and remains the longest-serving prem ...

threatened to take BC out of Canada - and to take Yukon as well - if Ottawa and Washington would not accede to his demands. There is an ongoing informal movement in British Columbia to create a separate country of Cascadia. While Yukon lacks a formal separatist movement or party, there is an element of dissatisfaction in the territory as well. However, as anticipation of a Conservative government in Ottawa built, the number of Yukoners that would be in favour of secession (if it included British Columbia and Alberta) has steadily dropped from a high of 18% in August 2005 to a mere 8% by January 2006. Many First Nations politicians and some First Nations in BC, nearly all claiming and still technically holding unceded sovereignty, want varying degrees of autonomy, with some asserting outright independence. The

is the first secessionist movement that aims to secede from British Columbia and become a separate province by 2021, instead of leaving Canada like other secession movements.

Cascadia

The Cascadian Independence movement seeks separation from Canada and the United States.

Other movements

Republic of Madawaska

The Republic of Madawaska occupied what is now the northwest corner of New Brunswick, and lies partially in Quebec and the American state of Maine. The origins of the so-called republic lie in the 1783 Treaty of Versailles, which established the border between the United States of America and the British North American colonies. The Madawaska region remained in dispute between Britain and the US until 1842. In Canada, Madawaska was considered part of Quebec until the 1850s, when the border with New Brunswick was modified. The "Republic" is now a purely ceremonial entity.

In popular culture

Occasionally regions of Canada have declared themselves to be "independent" in a non-serious, satirical or promotional way. These "movements" are taken for what they are and not considered secessionist.

Republic of Rathnelly

The Rathnelly neighbourhood in Toronto made headlines in 1967, while celebrating Canada's 100th birthday. During the celebrations, Rathnelly residents playfully declared themselves as a republic independent of Canada. To mark their independence, the "Republic of Rathnelly" elected a queen, organized a parade, and issued Republic of Rathnelly passports to everyone in the neighbourhood. The new nation conscripted all 8- to 14-year-old citizens to form a militia, known as the Rathnelly Irregulars, and armed them with 1,000 helium balloons (the Rathnelly "air force"). The "Republic of Rathnelly" continues to hold annual street parties.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Secessionist Movements Of Canada Political history of Canada