Sawt Falasteen - 30 years after cliffhanger vote, Quebec separatists voice hope for independence

But the mass of devoted separatists who rallied in Montreal this month insist the fight for an independent Quebec is gaining momentum again, after a period of stalled progress.

"Quebec's culture is disappearing," said 20-year-old Zachary Cyr, who was among the crowd of separatist supporters clad in deep blue, chanting and singing through the streets of Montreal.

His friend, Gabriel Paradis-Fortin, agreed, saying "English always dominates," with French speaking in decline.

"We want to be able to speak French to our children in 40 years," added Paradis-Fortin, also 20.

Quebec, which has a population of about nine million, has a special status within Canada -- an acknowledgement of its unique linguistic and cultural character.

Independence supporter Camille Charbonneau told AFP she has "no hatred of Canada or hatred of English," but wants "an assertion of a distinct people with a different culture."

- Youth support rising? -

Polls vary, but one conducted this summer by the Montreal-based firm Crop offers optimism for the separatist movement, with 56 percent of people aged 18–34 saying they backed independence for Quebec.

Camille Goyette-Gingras, who heads the organization OUI Quebec, said the strong poll numbers reflect the fact that people view the separatist struggle as "a project of hope."

"The public mobilization we see in Catalonia inspires us," she told AFP, referring to the northeastern region of Spain that mounted a secession bid in 2017.

Goyette-Gingras said she wanted to see debates on independence play a central role in Quebec's provincial elections next year.

The pro-independence Parti Quebecois is polling strongly ahead of that vote, and its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has promised to hold a referendum in his first term if elected as Quebec's premier.

Chantal Hebert, one of Canada's most prominent political journalists and a Quebec expert, told AFP the polling numbers miss the larger picture.

For the past 30 years, a clear majority of Quebecers -- including those for and against independence -- have been united on one point, she said: "they do not want to be asked the question."

Federalists don't want to relive the nail-biting trauma of 1995, and separatists "don't see momentum suggesting a positive result" if another referendum were held, Hebert said.

A September survey from leading polling firm Leger said 59 percent of Quebecers were against independence, with 31 percent in favor.

Hebert further suggested any possible separatist momentum was being undermined by the blows Canada's economy was suffering from US President Donald Trump, whose trade war is causing job losses and suppressing growth.

"When the economy is being threatened in such an unprecedented way, it doesn't make it likely that voters will want to take a chance on even more uncertainty," like an independent Quebec, she said.

- 'Everything we need' -

Youth enthusiasm for independence is perhaps embodied in a 17-year-old rapper who goes by Kinji00.

In his lyrics and comments on stage, the popular artist expresses his dreams for an independent Quebec.

"The young people who come to my show are all under 18 and they all bring their Quebec flags," he told AFP.

But passion for Quebec's sovereignty extends beyond the province's youth.

At the Montreal rally, 75-year-old Denise Michaud told AFP she had driven five hours from the city of Rimouski to attend.

She said she also voted for separation in the first referendum, in 1980, when the federalist camp won with 60 percent support.

"I would like the money I send in taxes to the federal government to stay in Quebec," she said.

"We have everything we need to be on our own."

R.Halabi--SF-PST