Quebec,”is the most culturally distinct subregion in all of North America.• The Québécois are sensitive to discrimination in Canada and periodically lobbyactively for sovereignty.• In Québec there is disagreement between the First Nation population (Cree) andthe Québécois over development of the subregion’s rich oil and mineralresources, but there is large public support for energy independence.• In the seventeenth century, France encouraged its citizens to settle in Canada.By 1760, there were 65,000 French settlers in Canada.• Through the first half of the twentieth century, Québec remained a land offarmers eking out a living on poor soils similar to those of New England and theAtlantic Provinces, growing only enough food to support their families. AfterWorld War II, Québec’s economy grew steadily, propelled by increasing demandfor the natural resources of northern Québec, such as timber, iron ore

Quebec,”is the most culturally distinct subregion in all of North America.• The Québécois are sensitive to discrimination in Canada and periodically lobbyactively for sovereignty.• In Québec there is disagreement between the First Nation population (Cree) andthe Québécois over development of the subregion’s rich oil and mineralresources, but there is large public support for energy independence.• In the seventeenth century, France encouraged its citizens to settle in Canada.By 1760, there were 65,000 French settlers in Canada.• Through the first half of the twentieth century, Québec remained a land offarmers eking out a living on poor soils similar to those of New England and theAtlantic Provinces, growing only enough food to support their families. AfterWorld War II, Québec’s economy grew steadily, propelled by increasing demandfor the natural resources of northern Québec, such as timber, iron ore

andhydroelectric power.”