Cultural life of Quebec

In many ways, Quebec is a smaller plural society within the larger pluralism of Canada: that is to

say, it is nearly as difficult to define the cultural identity of Quebec society as it is to define that of

Canada as a whole. Although a minimum of overall linguistic identity does exist in French

Canadian life in Quebec, there are also many cultural differences between its French-speaking

groups in east Montreal and similar groups in such smaller centres as Abitibi, Lac-Saint-Jean,

Gaspé, or the Eastern Townships. Regional variations heightened by immigration have produced

a sociocultural fragmentation that in part explains the differences in political votes, religious

behaviour, and even the quality in the use of the French language. Furthermore, there are

class-cultural differences and a strong elitist tradition explaining the high social status of such

professions as medicine, law, the clergy, and business management. Even the new middle class

of French Canada, which has appeared since the development of urban industrial society, is

more politically aggressive in Montreal than in Quebec city, for the obvious reason that in

Montreal their socioeconomic status is most difficult. Because of the cultural variations within

Quebec, it is often difficult and sometimes impossible to obtain unanimity in political decisions

that touch cultural or educational questions.

While claims of a unique French-speaking culture, based on certain traditions brought from

France, go back to the 19th century, a debate exists as to the exact nature of Quebec's cultural

identity beyond the simple fact of dominant use of the French language. In many ways cultural

values have been called up in an attempt to create a distinctive society. This is reflected in the

government's fostering of a "Quebec" national culture, which was largely nonexistent when

French-speaking Québécois used to call themselves French Canadians. Cultural values have thus

been a sign of political identity as much as, or more than, the expression of long tradition.

To ensure the continuation of this Québécois identity, the Quebec government has created a

number of institutions aimed at fostering cultural life. Foremost among these institutions is the

Ministry of Cultural Affairs, which is responsible for improving the quality of the language used

and for stimulating cultural, literary, and other artistic activities. Created in 1961, it was the first

of its kind in North America. It not only gives direct financial aid to such state cultural bodies as

museums and helps more than 60 theatrical, ballet, and musical companies, but it also has

contributed for a number of years to book publishing and to public libraries for book buying.

One of the major responsibilities of the department is to develop cultural links with other

French-speaking countries. Another of its activities has been the development of regional cultural

centres within Quebec to foster regional cultural life. Another institution created by the Quebec

government in its efforts to stimulate French-language cultural development is Radio-Québec,

founded in 1968 to develop cultural and educational programs. In 1969 its scope was

broadened to take in television as well, and it was renamed Quebec Broadcasting Bureau.

Radio-Canada and the TVA Network also broadcast in French as well as English. There are

French- and English-language daily newspapers, the French-language papers being more

numerous by far. The largest dailies of both languages are published in Montreal.

Besides the official cultural institutions, Quebec possesses an extremely large number of private

artistic organizations, ranging from theatre companies to filmmaking. The most spectacular

cultural development in Quebec, however, has been that of the chansonniers, who represent a

cross between poets and songwriters. Their popularity, especially among the younger generation,

arises from the fact that their songs reflect the present search for cultural and political identity.

The chansonniers are involved frequently in political activities and are identified largely with the

nationalist movement. Music and painting also share in this artistic revival, as does literature.