Key Takeaways:
- Nationalism in Canada has taken on various forms, including civic nationalism, economic nationalism, and Quebec nationalism.
- The concept of national self-determination has been called into question, with some Canadians reacting strongly to the idea of annexation by the United States.
- Economic nationalism has experienced a resurgence, with a focus on promoting economic self-reliance and east-west internal trade.
- The balance between liberal and illiberal strains of nationalism is a tension that needs to be navigated, particularly in the context of Quebec’s policy of laicity.
- The implications of Quebec nationalism for the Canadian national project will continue to be a pressing issue, particularly if the Parti Québécois returns to power in 2026.
Introduction to Nationalism in Canada
Nationalism has many different forms, ranging from benign feelings of pride to aggressive chauvinism. In Canada, various forms of nationalism have made their mark in the past year, and will continue to shape events in 2026. The concept of national self-determination, which holds that a people have the right to govern themselves and chart their own future, has been called into question. This has been particularly evident in the reaction to US President Donald Trump’s sudden interest in annexation, which provoked a strong reaction from Canadians. Many Canadians postponed or cancelled plans to travel to the US, stopped buying American products, or searched for "Product of Canada" labels in grocery stores.
The Resurgence of Economic Nationalism
Economic nationalism, a tradition as old as Canada itself, has experienced a resurgence in recent years. This form of nationalism seeks to reinforce the country’s political independence by promoting economic self-reliance and east-west internal trade. The idea of economic nationalism was seemingly purged from Canada’s toolkit in the late 1980s, when Brian Mulroney prevailed over John Turner’s campaign against the proposed Canada-US free-trade agreement. However, with the rise of protectionism and the erosion of rules-based free trade, Canadians have begun to re-examine their economic relationships and prioritize domestic trade. This shift has been driven in part by a desire to reduce dependence on the US and to promote Canadian industries.
The Tension between Liberal and Illiberal Nationalism
The balance between liberal and illiberal strains of nationalism is a tension that needs to be navigated in Canada. On the one hand, there is a desire to promote Canadian interests and values, while on the other hand, there is a need to protect individual rights and freedoms. This tension is particularly evident in the context of Quebec’s policy of laicity, which has been criticized for restricting religious freedoms. The use of the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to protect these measures has been watched enviously by other provincial governments, which may be motivated by a desire to challenge the notion of a Charter-based civic nationalism.
The Implications of Quebec Nationalism
The implications of Quebec nationalism for the Canadian national project will continue to be a pressing issue, particularly if the Parti Québécois returns to power in 2026. Quebec nationalists have often posed a challenging question to other Canadians, which runs as follows: why is it so obvious that Canada should remain separate from the US, as a sovereign entity able to chart its own distinct course on the North American continent, but so unthinkable that Quebec should do the same? The best answer to this challenge is a pragmatic one, resting on the claim that Quebec’s distinct language and culture are ultimately more likely to survive and flourish within a larger Canadian federation. However, this claim needs to be backed up with actions that not only promise, but deliver, security and respect for Quebeckers and for francophones across Canada.
The Future of Nationalism in Canada
The various forms of nationalism that shaped events in Canada in 2025 will continue to swirl around us in 2026. Canadians will continue to grapple with the implications of economic nationalism, Quebec nationalism, and the tension between liberal and illiberal strains of nationalism. The extent of Canadians’ commitment to the idea of a unified Canada will be debated once again, and the country will be challenged to find a balance between promoting Canadian interests and values, while protecting individual rights and freedoms. Ultimately, the ongoing soul-searching and debate about the terms of Canada’s existence is a sign of a healthy democracy, and Canadians can be shyly confident that they will emerge from this process with a stronger and more nuanced sense of national identity.
