The Outaouais region of Quebec has a history of being one of the most federalist parts of the province. This is due to the significant role of the federal government in the economy of the National Capital Region, and the historically Anglophone settlement of many of the municipalities, particularly in Pontiac and Papineau counties. Today at the Archives of Ontario in Toronto, I found evidence that there were separatists of another kind in the Outaouais region back in 1972. They wanted to join Ontario in order to preserve their Anglophone identity. Prime Minister Robert Bourassa's government had just introduced the first French language legislation in Quebec and the citizens and council of the Township of Chichester in Pontiac County were unimpressed. Ontario Premier William G. Davis rejected their plea.
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