1. Trudeau and Québec
Ms. Campbell
Socials 11

2. Trudeau & Québec
Pierre Trudeau succeeded Pearson as Prime Minister in 1968
Believed Quebec’s future lay with Canada
Acted on the “Bi and Bi Commission”
Official Languages Act  Canada became bilingual and all federal agencies would now provide service in both official languages
Many Canadians embraced bilingualism, but:
Western provinces resented having French forced upon them and felt ignored by Ottawa
Quebec thought Trudeau wasn’t doing enough
Quebec is a province just like any other – no “special status” required

3. The October Crisis
1970
October 5: The FLQ kidnapped British diplomat James Cross from his home
For his release the FLQ wanted FLQ members released from prison
Federal and Quebec authorities refused
October 10: The FLQ kidnapped Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte
Trudeau is worried things in Quebec will get out of control and decides to take drastic measures by asking parliament to impose…

4. “How far will you go to defeat the FLQ?”
The War Measures Act
Trudeau believed Quebec was on the verge of a violent revolution
The War Measures Act had only been used during the two world wars
Civil rights would be suspended
Anyone could be arrested and detained without being charged with an offence
Membership in the FLQ became a crime
October 16: hundreds of pro-separatist Quebeckers arrested without charge
“How far will you go to defeat the FLQ?”
“Just watch me”

5. October 17, 1970
Pierre Laporte’s body was discovered in the trunk of a car
He had been strangled with his rosary beads

6. The October Crisis
Canadians were horrified and pressured the police to crackdown on the FLQ
Two months later the group holding James Cross was tracked to a Montreal house
In return for his safe release, the kidnappers were permitted safe passage to Cuba for political asylum
The 450 people detained under the War Measures Act were released and the October Crisis was over  only 25 charged

7. BRAIN BREAK!

8. Parti Québécois in Power
1976 Québec voters elected the PQ
A stunning victory for Lévesque (who had only won 7 of 110 seats in 1970)
In 1976, Lévesque reassured voters that a vote for the PQ didn’t mean automatic separation from Canada  a referendum!
Stronger status for the French Language was the top priority of the PQ
This is the FIRST time Quebec had voted in a party dedicated to the ultimate goal of separating from Canada!

9. Bill 101: “The Charter of the French Language”
French became the only official language in Quebec
Government employees had to work in French
Commercial outdoor signs had to be in French
Children of immigrants would go to French speaking schools
Bill 101 divided Francophone and non-Francophone Quebeckers
Many outside of Quebec believed the PQ was too extreme

10. 1980 Referendum
YES vote: PQ would negotiate a new agreement with Canada
Sovereignty- Association
Politically Independent
Economically tied
NO vote: Trudeau would negotiate a new constitution
Equal Partner
Distinct Society
YES: 40%
NO: 60%

11. Patriating the Constitution
British North America Act (BNA) had been Canada’s Constitution since 1867  no changes could be made without the approval of the British Parliament
Trudeau announced a plan to patriate (bring home to Canada) the Constitution and create a Charter of Rights and Freedoms
An amending formula was needed
How many provinces had to agree before a change could be made? Could Quebec veto?

12. Provincial Opposition
All provinces wanted more influence  The west thought they might finally get a say in affairs that affected them
Provincial premiers feared the Charter would make the courts more powerful than their legislatures
Lévesque feared the Charter would override legislation to protect Quebec’s distinct society

13. Kitchen Compromise: November 4, 1981
Finally the National Justice Minister (Jean Chrétien) hammered out the “Kitchen Compromise” with the Justice Ministers from Saskatchewan and Ontario
Nine of ten provincial premiers were awakened to approve the deal

14. Kitchen Compromise
Premiers agree to accept Charter if an “escape clause” was added
The “notwithstanding clause” allowed for opting out
An amending formula was also reached
7/10 provinces representing 50% of Canada’s population

15. Exclusion of Québec
Réné Lévesque was staying at a different hotel and was not included  he was furious
Trudeau chose to accept the agreement
Quebec felt betrayed
Québec refused to sign Constitution
Trudeau went ahead without Quebec
April 17, 1982 the new Constitution Act was signed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Trudeau

17. Independence Canada became a completely independent nation at last
Cracks in national unity were revealed
Flags in Quebec flew at half mast
The rest of Canada celebrated

18. Should Quebec Become an Independent Nation?
Debate
Should Quebec Become an Independent Nation?
YES NO

19. What Now?
Write a persuasive paragraph examining the OTHER side of the Separatism Debate from what you argued in the debate
AKA: If you argued “NO” in class, you must argue “YES” in your paragraph!
Due: Next Class