French – English Relations A 1950s-1980s Simulation

Instructions The class will be divided into six groups – 2 groups representing the Quebec government, 2 groups representing the citizens of Quebec, and 2 groups representing Canada’s federal government. Your task is to get what you want. Each group will be given a goal sheet. Throughout this activity all groups will be provided with new information or a new event. Groups have to consider the new information and decide what they intend to do in order to get what they want.

First, some Background…

The Hockey Sweater, 1979 Written by Roch Carrier in 1979 About his experience in his hometown in Quebec in 1946 Serves as an allegory of the uneasy relationship between the French and English in Canada

The Richard Riot, 1955 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Hall of Famer Captain and scoring star of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1950s Hit a Boston Bruin player with his stick and attacked a referee Suspended by Clarence Campbell for the rest of the season = Riot!

The Quiet Revolution, 1962 Jean Lesage becomes Premier of Quebec Promises to modernize the province (give married women legal status, improve the education system, create a Quebec pension plan, etc.) Persuaded federal government to let Quebec run its own social programs, like pensions – the federal government still gives Quebec money, but Quebec decides how to use it No other province in Canada has this right How do other provinces feel about this situation?

The Rise of Quebec Nationalism In the 1960s English speakers were a minority in Quebec But… some stats: Average yearly income in Quebec, 1961, by ethnic origin British - $4969 Russian - $4851 Hungarian - $3537 French - $3185 English speakers controlled all but 3 of the province’s largest companies Quebecers wanted change Hydro-Quebec expanded by taking over 11 privately owned power companies French used as its language of business and French Canadians were put in charge = “Masters of our own house!”

The Events… Remember, after each event your group needs to… Describe your reaction. Explain what your next move is in order to reach your goals. Consider whether the event helps your cause or hinders it. Write your reaction and plan using your GAPPS document.

Event 1: Vive le Quebec Libre, 1967 Montreal hosted the World’s Fair, called Expo ‘67. Invited leaders from many countries to help celebrate. President of France, Charles de Gaulle, gives televised speech to thousands outside his hotel. At the end of his speech he says: “Vive Montreal! Vive le Quebec! Vive le Quebec libre!”

Event 2: Rene Levesque and the PQ Lesage’s reforms cost a lot of money, which meant more taxes Many Quebecers were upset, but they also wanted to see more change… Rene Levesque, an MPP in Lesage’s government, left the Liberals and formed the Parti Quebecois in 1968 The goal of the Parti Quebecois = Independence for Quebec

Event 3: FLQ Bombings, 1960s A terrorist group called the Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ) begins planting bombs and raiding banks and arms stores. The FLQ is tired of being controlled by English “colonists”.

Event 4: Official Languages Act, 1969 The federal government creates a law that makes Canada officially bilingual. All government business can be conducted in both French and English.

Event 5: FLQ Kidnapping and Murder, 1970 The FLQ kidnaps a British diplomat, James Cross. They also kidnap Pierre LaPorte, Deputy Premier and Minister of Labour in Quebec. LaPorte is found dead in the trunk of a car.

Event 6: Bi and Bi Commission, 1971 The federal government creates the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. Among other things, the commission recommends Canada becomes a multicultural country, or cultural mosaic, where ethnic and cultural roots are respected, valued, and honoured. as opposed to a “melting pot” where immigrants were expected to assimilate.

Event 7: Bill 101, 1977 Quebec legislature creates a law that says all business signs must be written in French. French is the only official language in the province and it is the only language that could be used in workplaces and schools.

Event 8: Referendum, 1980 Levesque’s government proposed a “Sovereignty Association” – Quebec would govern itself but keep economic ties to Canada. The people of Quebec would vote on the question: Yes for separation from Canada, No for staying with Canada. Do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate [sovereignty association] between Quebec and Canada? 60% said No

Event 9: The Constitution, 1982 During the 1980 referendum Prime Minister Trudeau promised to bring our Constitution back from Britain and to add a Charter of Rights and Freedoms that would protect all Canadians. In a hotel in Ottawa the premiers of all the provinces agreed on some compromises as to what should go into the Constitution – all provinces except Quebec.