What was the Canadian government's response toward nationalism during the Quebec sovereignty movement?

The response of the Canadian government toward nationalism during the Quebec sovereignty movement involved strategic negotiations, which is why this choice is the most appropriate. Throughout the movement, particularly prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, the government adopted a multifaceted approach, seeking to address the concerns of Quebecois nationalism through dialogue and political engagement.

This strategy included the Quebec Liberal Party's introduction of the "Quiet Revolution," which focused on reforming Quebec’s socio-economic structure and addressing the aspirations of Quebec's nationalist population. Furthermore, the government engaged in discussions to recognize and protect Quebec's distinct society, culminating in constitutional negotiations that aimed to bring Quebec into a new constitutional framework that recognized its unique status within Canada.

Other options reflect responses that either did not align with the actual government actions or oversimplified the complexity of the situation. While increased security measures and suppression of nationalist sentiments occurred at various points, particularly in response to specific violent actions by extremist groups, these were not the overarching strategies employed to address the broader nationalist movement. Instead, the emphasis on negotiations indicates an understanding of the need for cooperation and dialogue in resolving the tensions surrounding Quebec's national identity.