{
  "id": 3405206,
  "title": "U.S. President Donald Trump's pressure on Canada to drop French as an official language has had an unexpected effect - a sharp decline in support for Quebec separatism.\n\nThe movement for Quebec to become an independent country has been a decades-long issue in Canada, with pro-independence activists arguing that the mainly French-speaking province needs to be free from the rest of Canada to preserve its language and culture.\n\nIn a recent development, President Trump suggested that Canada drop French as an official language, saying that only English should be used.\n\nHis comments sparked widespread criticism in Canada, and Quebec nationalists also responded angrily.\n\nHowever, a recent survey found that support for Quebec's independence from Canada has dropped sharply, to 30 percent from 46 percent in 2017.\n\nThe survey, conducted by the Léger Association, found that 60 percent of Quebec residents oppose independence.\n\nThe movement for Quebec's independence has ebbed and flowed over the years, but it had been gaining strength in recent years.\n\nThe sharp decline in support for independence is attributed to various factors, including a strong Canadian economy and a united front against Trump's comments.\n\nThe Canadian government has taken a strong stance against Trump's suggestion, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying that Canada will not drop French as an official language.\n\nThe Quebec provincial government has also responded strongly, with Premier François Legault saying that Quebec will not be swayed by Trump's comments.\n\nThe Léger Association survey found that 71 percent of Quebec residents believe that the province's interests are best served by staying part of Canada.\n\nThe survey also found that 55 percent of Quebec residents believe that the province's language and culture are not under threat.\n\nThe results suggest that Quebec nationalists may be facing an uphill battle in their quest for independence.\n\nThe movement for Quebec's independence has been a contentious issue in Canada for decades, with pro-independence activists arguing that the province needs to be free from the rest of Canada to preserve its language and culture.\n\nHowever, the recent survey suggests that Quebec residents may be rethinking their support for independence.\n\nThe Canadian government has also taken steps to promote French as an official language, including increasing funding for French-language education and promoting French-language services.\n\nThe Quebec provincial government has also taken steps to promote French, including making it easier for immigrants to learn the language.\n\nThe Léger Association survey was conducted from February 7 to 10, and it involved 1,000 Quebec residents.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/story-3405206",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T00:35:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hankyoreh",
    "slug": "hankyoreh",
    "url": "https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/international/international_general/1274685.html"
  },
  "original_language": "ko",
  "account": null,
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}