Quebec’s Quiet Revolution Originally the Catholic Church told people that following the faith was the best means of avoiding assimilation by ‘English’ Canada. However people began to tire of the traditional ways of the Church and began to change their thinking; people separated Church beliefs from politics. Led by Jean Lesage Premier of Quebec from 1960-1966, Quebec underwent intense social and political change. Secular - not relating to religion. The public school system ran by Catholic church. When school system came under scrutiny from all the pressure put on it by the adolescent baby boomers the department of education began to question the presence of the catholic church. Therefore, the church started to divide and develop away from political aspect of government. L'Armée de libération du Québec was an antecedent group to the FLQ. The two groups participated in the 1963 Montreal bombing spree. For a decade bombings, robberies, and attacks against government officials were unleashed by the FLQ

Lesage fed the desires of Quebecers to gain special status within Confederation; views of Quebecers became more nationalistic and secular. French Canadians identified themselves now as Quebecers and began to believe that separating from Canada was the way to preserve French identity. Beginning of the Separatist movement; Contributed to FLQ Crisis.

The October Crisis and its affect on our culturally divided country. THE FLQ The October Crisis and its affect on our culturally divided country.

Who Or What Is The FLQ? “The Front De Liberation Du Quebec”; was a terrorist organization in Canada. Separatists – believed Quebec should be a nation separate from Canada. Responsible for More than 200 bombings Deaths of at least 5 people October, 1970 = October Crisis Put pressure on the on the weak relationship between French and English Canadians

OCTOBER CRISIS Name given to the events which occurred in Quebec in October of 1970. Included kidnapping of Canadian diplomats by members of the FLQ.

The Kidnapping of James Cross British Trade Commissioner Kidnapped on October 5, 1970 by the “Liberation Cell” of the FLQ Kidnapping left police with list of demands

THE DEMANDS 1. End of police searchs 2.     Publication of an FLQ manifesto 3.     Rehiring of the Lapalme employees 4.     Liberation of all political prisoners (23 FLQ members) 5.     Denunciation of the informer who had led the police to the capture of a cell of the FLQ in June of 1970 6.      $500 000 in gold 7. Safe passage out of the country.

Kidnapping of Pierre Laporte Minister of Labour and Vice Premier of Quebec. Kidnapped on October 10, 1970 by the “Chenier Cell” of the FLQ. Wrote letter to Quebec Premier, Robert Bourassa, pleading for his life. Executed October 17 - strangled to death and dumped in the trunk of an abandoned car. Chenier Cell=extremist of the FLQ Cells. VIOLENT

Meeting the Demands The Canadian government broadcasted the FLQ manifesto on October 8th, 1970. Policemen lined the streets of Quebec cities. On October 15th, Quebec government invited the Canadian Armed Forces to Quebec to assist the local police. The police search did not end and political prisoners were never released.

WAR MEASURES ACT Enforced on October 16th 1970. Invoked to find and stop FLQ members Emplaced throughout all of Canada, but took action in Quebec Police were to arrest those who were suspected of belonging to the FLQ or supported the FLQ through literature, posters, stickers, or pamphlets. Outlawed FLQ Suspended Civil Liberties 497 persons arrested, of whom 435 would be released, the other 62 were charged.

Controversy of the War Measures Act Jeopardized the civil rights of Canadian citizens Police had power to arrest and put in detention on suspicion alone Despite controversy 85% of Canadians agreed with invoking act 3 days before the act was invoked Trudeau was asked how far he was willing to go to stop the FLQ, he responded with: “JUST WATCH ME”

Meeting the Demands After Laporte’s Death After the execution of Pierre Laporte, negotiations were reached between police and the FLQ James Cross was released and 5 known members of the FLQ were flown to Cuba by Canadian Forces.

The Capturing of the FLQ All 4 members of the FLQ’s Chénier cell were captured and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte. This included Paul Rose, Jacques Rose, Frances Simard, and Bernard Lortie.

Quotes “We are going to win because there are more boys ready to shoot members of Parliament than there are policemen.” ~Michel Chartrand, Radical Separtist and FLQ supporter “The Army occupies Quebec. It is unpleasant but undoubtedly necessary in times of crisis.” ~ René Lévesque, Future Premier of Quebec

Documentary Action: The October Crisis of 1970