Quebec france différences

Quebec is part of Canada, and consequently is governed by the parliamentary democracy and the constitutional monarquy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. History explains a lot ofbehaviours in Québec, and one has to know the culture before starting negotiating there.

Jacques Cartier discovered the part of Canada which is called Quebec. In the middle of the 18th century, FrenchAmerica was expending to the west, covering more than half of the continent. But after wars against England during decades, the French territory has been sold in 1763, excepted Louisiana (sold in 1803).Along the history, the Quebecois had to fight against English people and against the English language.

Today the Quebecois still call us their « cousins ». The French language is a very good point tonegotiate in Canada, as one does not have to speak English very well. Apart from the few expressions and different accent (well understood without misunderstandings after one or two month), it isvery easy to speak with Quebecois for French people. French is protected by the “loi 101” founded in 1977 in Quebec to avoid the predominance of English, and recognized by the Canadian government.Moreover, French is still sometimes spoken in few countries such as Ontario, Manitoba and Louisiana. Quebecois love France and they will tell you it’s in their heart, as they still consider it as theiroriginal country.

On the other hand, the French language could be a trap: we are not in France! Quebecois still have a mixed feeling between their love for France, roots with France, and the fact thattheir territory has been sold to England in 1763. They have been abandoned by France, and still reproached this by the expression “maudits français”. The French negotiator has to be very careful withthese feelings: do not disappoint the Quebecois. The French negotiator has generally a mixed feeling between condescension (short history in the country, low culture, accent which sounds like old…