1. QUEBEC’S ISSUES of the 1960s – NOW

2. Quebec Nationalism
1936 to 1939 and , Quebec was governed by the Union Nationale Party under Premier Maurice Duplessis
- a strong Quebec nationalist, devoted the idea of Quebec as a distinct society or “nation”
- introduced the new flag bearing the fleur-de-lis

3. Duplessis Quebec
Under Duplessis the Catholic Church dominated French culture and promoted traditions of Faith, Family and Farms
Catholic Church ran hospitals and schools
Duplessis encouraged foreign investment, guaranteeing cheap labour and suppressing unions
- as a result, bribery and corruption dogged the Union Nationale party as businesses gave kickbacks
Drapeau

4. Quiet Revolution In 1959 Duplessis dies
1960, Jean Lesage and the Liberals came to power promising “time for a change”
Union Nationale stops existing
Reform begins almost immediately
Lesage = 1st Premier of Quebec after Duplessis

5. Quiet Revolution Lesage attacked corruption
Government jobs and contract were now awarded on merit
Wages and pensions were raised
Attempts were made to modernize the economy, education and social services
Schools were reformed
The power and influence of the Catholic Church declined
This wave of change became known as the Quiet Revolution

6. Economic Reform
1962 election, the Liberals campaigned on the slogan “maitres chez nous” – meaning “masters in our own house”
the goal was to strengthen Quebec’s control of its own economy
For example, the province created Hydro-Quebec, a large publicly-owned electrical company, by buying up smaller private companies

7. Separatism The Quebecois began to feel proud of their achievements
They became angrier at perceived injustices from English-speaking Canadians
At this time, Ottawa was dominated by English speaking politicians, few cabinet ministers were ever French-speaking
French-Canadians did not have rights to their own schools and hospitals in the rest of Canada while English-speaking Canadians had those rights in Quebec
Everyone was expected to speak English at work in Quebec
Some Quebecois began to believe that the answer was to separate from Canada

8. The FLQ
A group of radical young Quebecois created the FLQ – The Front de Liberation du Quebec
The FLQ began to use acts of terrorism to attack symbols of English-Canadian power in Quebec
Most Quebec nationalists were not this radical and disapproved of the use of terrorism

9. Separatism
Armee de Liberation du Quebec (ALQ) robbed banks for money & raided CND Armed Forces for ammunition.
From bomb/ 10 days
1968 Parti Quebecois formed by Rene Levesque – passionate, wanted own country but opposed to terrorism

10. Ottawa’s Response to Separatism
Prime Minister Pearson believed that Quebec had to feel more at home in Canada for everyone’s benefit
He appointed the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, the “Bi and Bi Commission”
The Commission recommended that the country should become officially bilingual and have 2 official languages

11. The Flag Flap
Pearson also wanted to act on a longstanding complaint that Canada’s symbols were too British
He proposed a new flag should replace the British Union Jack and The Red Ensign
Pearson chose the symbol of the maple leaf as he felt it represented all of Canada
This idea was very controversial – “The Flag Flap”
Many felt that Pearson was pandering to Quebec interests
Debate raged across the country

12. Three Wise Men
Pearson looked for well-known Quebeckers to run as Liberals & invited “Three Wise Men from Quebec”all 3 elected
(includes Trudeau)

13. October Crisis
Oct 5, James R Cross Br Trade Commissioner kidnapped FLQ will kill in 48 hrs IF manifesto not read on CBC
Oct 10 Que Labour Minister Pierre Laporte kidnapped

14. October Crisis
Oct 16 WAR MEASURES ACT 1st time used in ‘peace time’ & takes away civil liberties
FLQ made illegal (suspicious of FLQ you can be arrested), people can be held up to 21 days without charges, 90 days without trial
How far will Trudeau go; “Just watch me” Trudeau just watch me quote

15. October Crisis
Oct 18 Laporte found dead in trunk of car (choked to death by his religious necklace)
Dec 4 (after 59 days) Cross exchanged… kidnappers to Cuba
Dec 28—3 FLQ members charged with murder of Laporte
James Cross 8 weeks after being released (7.5 mins)

16. Official Languages Act
Many immigrants to Que but want kids to learn English
Bill 22 introduced to make Fr official lang in Que
1982 report on bilingualism 2 mins

17. Parti Quebecois Victory!
Rene Levesque & separatist party won power of Quebec’s prov leg.

18. Bill 101
Language Law
Fr use in gov’t, courts, business, all signs in Fr ONLY, only students with at least 1 parent Eng speaking could go to Eng school.
Many Eng speaking people/ co. left Quebec ( left)

19. Bill 101 Alliance Quebec = group legally fought Bill 101
Supreme court ruled violated Charter of Rights & Freedoms (1988/89)… Bourassa amends to Bill 178  “outside” signs in Fr only
Supreme Court Ruling (3 mins )

20. Referendum 1980 “sovereignty association” between Que & CND
Levesque “oui”/ Trudeau “non”
60% non/ 40% oui
Trudeau on Non & renew constitution (3 mins)

21. Referendum 1980
Therefore Trudeau wanted to reform Canada to stop it from happening again: Canadian Consitution (’82), Meech Lake (’87), Charlottetown Accord (’91) [see gov’t notes]
Robert Bourassa review of life after death

22. 1990s More Separation
2nd Referendum 50.6% no, 49.4% yes! Rally for Quebeckers to stay (8 mins )
Bloc Quebecois (Lucien Bouchard) win FEDERAL votes
Reform Party… western (Preston Manning)—opposes bilingualism & special treatment for Quebec