Quebec's Minority English-Speaking Population: Identity, Formation and Affirmation Through Institutional Vitality

In an effort to more fully comprehend the realities of the English-speaking community in Quebec, the authors explore the cultural reproduction of its collective identity through the community's institutional base. They point out that the institutions and organizations of the province's English-speaking community are essentially social and cultural community groups through which members can claim ownership for their collective identity. From this perspective, the authors present new research by introducing community concerns through semi-structured interviews conducted with institutional leaders from across the English-speaking population in the Spring of 2012. They investigate the intricate relationship between the ethnocultural identity of the community and how an institution has the ability to foster the links, bonds and attachments that contribute to enhancing community well-being and sustainability. This, they believe, is an important step in recognizing how the English-speaking community can build more recognition and ideological legitimacy and be seen as a contributing partner to the broader French-speaking community in Quebec.

Journal of Eastern Townships Studies/Revue d’études des Cantons de l’Est

No. 41

13-35

Fall 2013

en