Separation (novel)

Separation is a 1976 novel by Richard Rohmer with domestic and international political themes surrounding the ambition of Quebec separatists to establish the Canadian province as a separate nation.

The novel is set in the mid to late 1970s. Due to a provocation not specified, Saudi Arabia has embargoed all oil shipments to the United Kingdom, leaving the nation reeling and needing to relieve its population of six million people. Prime Minister Jeremy Sands is able to persuade Australia, and even the United States, to accept and assimilate two million Britons each. Canada, however, is not in a position to accept them without an internal political crisis.

If two million Britons are admitted to Canada, Quebec's separatist government, led by Gaston Belisle of the Parti Quebecois, will separate the province from the country. If Quebec is appeased by refusing the British immigrants, Alberta and British Columbia have vowed that they will separate. The prime minister, Joseph Roussel, is placed in this impossible dilemma, and himself feels a cultural affinity with Quebec's Francophone population.

The issue is brought before the federal cabinet, which votes by majority in favour of admitting the Britons, but all the Francophone members of cabinet, including the prime minister, vote against the resolution. One Quebec minister leads the others out, resigning their posts. An outspoken Anglophone minister demands that Roussel himself resign as he also voted against the resolution. The deputy prime minister, Michael Lucas, speaks passionately in defence of Roussel's service to Canada, but Lucas has his own hidden agenda.

Roussel and a trusted colleague meet with Premier Belisle in Montreal, and insist that the oft-delayed referendum must be held, since it is a foregone conclusion that the House of Commons vote will mirror the cabinet vote, and most Quebec MPs will walk out. Belisle confidently asserts Quebecers will support independence, but grudgingly agrees to hold the referendum to be absolutely certain, Roussel's insistence. Belisle says the vote will be in 30 days; the PM's companion asks for 90 days; Belisle says that's too long, so they compromise on 60 days.

Roussel next meets with Stewart, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. Roussel persuades Stewart not to let the issue come to a vote in Parliament lest the same division happen. Stewart wouldn't mind, because he'd become the prime minister after so many Quebec Liberals walked out, but Roussel persuades Stewart that the country can't endure a federal election and a separation referendum at the same time, so Stewart grudgingly agrees.

Roussel also has a visit from the American president, who offers military assistance; the president amuses Roussel by asking if Belisle is a Communist. He voices concern about the economic impact that Quebec separation will have on American interests.

Meanwhile, in France, Rashida, a female operative is meeting with those who want her services, and eventually provide her with an assassin's weapon. Rashida is an assassin, and is to murder someone. French police are also on the case, suspecting something of this nature is being planned, though the target is not known.

Lucas is chided by his allies for defending Roussel, but Lucas expects to be the next prime minister, and his expectations are strengthened when he learns that Roussel's staff is trying to find him a safe electoral district within English Canada, where he will seek reelection. Lucas is also involved in acrimonious negotiations between federal and Quebec representatives. Several of the Quebec reps have grudges, one citing the offense of having the British Queen opening the Montreal Olympic games. A hawkish federal negotiator eventually provokes a fistfight. The sides dicker over distinctions between different assets to be divided. Ultimately, they reach an accord on what will happen if separation goes ahead, but because the referendum vote isn't over yet, the accord is not signed.

The British government falls on a vote of confidence, which does not change the situation, but adds to Britain's internal instability.

Finally, Rashida is told who her target is, and to find him in Monte Carlo: the king of Saudi Arabia. She uses the weapon, which passes a poison that will cause symptoms of a heart attack; the symptoms occur while Rashida is leaving, and she is pursued by another Saudi. About that time, Roussel discovers Lucas' duplicity; Lucas warns Roussel that he'll be out of a job in a few days.

The new king lifts the sanctions on Britain, and that is now known to Roussel, who has responded that the Britons won't be coming to Canada after all.

It is only three days until the referendum, which is not called off, but continues to voting day. This time, the Paul Sauve arena in Montreal, home to the separatist victory party in 1976, is used by the pro-federalist forces, who await the result. And Lucas has left the federal cabinet, probably sensing he is unwelcome there.

Movie

Separation was made into a television movie in 1977, airing on the CTV network. Barry Morse made a brief appearance as the British prime minister. Emile Genest played Joseph Roussel; other actors were Paul Hecht (Michael Lucas, P.C.), Guy Hoffman (Robert Belanger), Monique LePage, Lois Maxwell (Lois Hampton), Sabina Maydelle, Daniel Pilon (Cartier), Robert Rivard (Belisle) and Alexandra Stewart (Rashida).