1 n. — Politics, French relations
the secession of the province of Quebec from Confederation.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — In Canada, the term has come to be most associated with the possibility that Quebec will choose sovereignty over Confederation, especially since the 1980 referendum on the issue (see Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Québec Referendum (1980)"). A second separation referendum in 1995 failed, like the first, but by a very narrow majority of 0.58 percent (see Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Québec Referendum (1995)").
See also: separatism separatist ((n.)) ROC sovereignist sovereignty-association sovereignty (meaning 1)
- See the 1980 quotation for the terminology used and for the preferred Anglophone term separatism over sovereignty or the Quebec neologism sovereignty-association.
2 n. — Politics
the act of a province withdrawing from Confederation.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — Although separation is most associated with Quebec, groups in other provinces, most notably Alberta (see Canadian Encylopedia, s.v. "Separatism") and Newfoundland (see CBC reference), have advocated for withdrawal from Confederation.
See also ITP-Nelson, s.v. "separation"(2), which is marked "Canadian".
3 n. — historical, Politics
the act of the colony of Canada separating from Britain.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — The term was used to refer to the potential for Canada to sever ties with Britain. The possibility of separation continued to be expressed post-Confederation (see, e.g. the 1883 quotation).