Francœur Motion

The Francœur Motion, prepared in 1918 by Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec Joseph-Napoléon Francœur, declared that Quebec was disposed to leave the Canadian federation if English Canadians felt the presence of Quebec was a nuisance to Canada.

It was a reaction to protestations in English Canada over the strong anti-conscription feelings in Quebec during the Conscription Crisis of 1917 of the First World War. Many Quebecers opposed conscription because of anti-imperialist sentiments. It caused great media attention and was notably approved by the newspaper Le Canada. Premier of Quebec Lomer Gouin finally convinced Francœur not to present it to the Legislative Assembly because he did not wish to see a vote taken on it.