Then, a few Montreal English Canadians noted that if the province seceded, regions of Quebec where a majority opposed secesion might choose to split off from Quebec and remain with Canada. Their stace won approval from Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and other federal politicians. Ottawa politicians have treacherously challenged the Quebec government to commit itself to use no violence against such breakaway regions. Quebec politicians have requested a commitment from Ottawa not to interfere with a democratically decided secession of the whole province. Indeed, they cannot.
Violence is inherent to the situation.
Forcing somebody to live under a state he does not want may not lead to open violence if the victim does not take up arms because he has no chance, but it is still violence, albeit covert violence. A large chunk of the population will be bloody angry whatever the majority decision is, and whichever majority makes it. The question is only whether violence would be covert and legal, or open and revolutionary. Canadians are normally very patient subjects. In this respect, Quebecers are disturbingly Canadian.