<P> The primary mainstream political vehicle for the movement is the Parti Québécois, which has governed Quebec on multiple occasions . In 2012 it was elected to a minority government, in which its leader, Pauline Marois, became the first female Premier of Quebec . However, only eighteen months later, the PQ was defeated by the Liberal Party of Quebec in the 2014 election . </P> <P> In practice, "separatist" and "sovereignist" are terms used to describe individuals wanting the province of Quebec to separate from Canada to become a country of its own; supporters of the movement generally prefer the latter term . The term "independentist" is preferred by some supporters . </P> <P> Justifications for Quebec's sovereignty are historically ethno - nationalistic in character, claiming the unique culture and French - speaking majority (78% of the provincial population) are threatened with assimilation by either the rest of Canada or, as in Metropolitan France, by Anglophone culture more generally, and that the best way to preserve language, identity and culture is via the creation of an independent political entity . Other distinguishing factors, such as religious differences (given the Catholic majority in Quebec), are also used to justify either separation or ethno - nationalist social policies advocated by the Parti Québécois . </P> <P> The historical justification is that Quebec should be independent by virtue of New France having been conquered by the British in 1763 and subsequently relinquished to the British in exchange for Guadeloupe . It argues that the people of Quebec are the descendants of a conquered people who are due their national sovereignty . This perspective was popular in the 1950s and 1960s when European countries were giving up their colonies in the name of independence throughout much of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia . </P>

What province in canada has tried to gain independence due to cultural differences