To be a nation, you require:

– a common territory (boundaries);

– a common ethnic group, language, or culture;

– a common history.

Quebec meets all of these requirements, since its territory contains most of Canada’s French-speaking people. They share a language, literature, and culture. They have a common history dating back to 1534, when Jacques Cartier staked France’s claim to the New World.

However, there is one other requirement:

– a common will to be a nation/state/country

So far, Quebec has failed to achieve this. There have been two referendums, one in 1980, the other in 1995 (I think). The second came within a few percentage points of a favourable result, that is, a decision to become independent.