French English Relations 1968 - 2000

The Plains of Abraham 1759– The British defeated the French army at Quebec City. France gives up all their land claims in present day Canada.

However the French culture does not disappear.

Many schools and hospitals are run by French priests and nuns.

A Long Long Time Ago…

A period of modernization in QuebecThe provincial state replaced the church

at the heart of Quebec’s political lifeLinguistic division of labour – Hydro-

QuebecQuebec’s provincial government became

more assertive about Quebec’s place in Canada and federalism.

Quebecois, not French Canadian, nationalism.

The Quiet Revolution – 1960's

Full control over provincial jurisdictionThe federal government to remove itself from

provincial jurisdictionGreater provincial powerIncreased say over federal institutionsRecognition of “special status”

What Did Quebec Want?

1969 – Trudeau and his government passes the Official Languages Act . We are now officially Bilingual.

It was Trudeau’s attempt at creating better English – French relations.

Promoting linguistic minorities and personal bilingualism

A rejection of any special recognition of Quebec

Where We Begin

However several people believed that it didn’t go far enough.

Quebec’s response was Bill 22

Quebec Nationalism Grows – Turns into separatism

The Front de Liberation du Quebec

A socialist extremist group that committed over 200 violent acts between 1963 – 1970.

October Crisis

The FLQ

Parti Quebecois (PQ) founded by dissidents who left the provincial Liberal party

Led by Rene LevesquePQ grew steadily in supportWon the 1976 provincial election with 41% of the vote and a majority government

The Parti Quebecois

PQ settled on a step by step approach to sovereignty

1. Govern well (Bill 101)2. Call a referendum to get a mandate to

negotiate with Ottawa3. Negotiate with Ottawa4. Have the outcome of the negotiations ratified

in another referendum

Taking It One Step At A Time

A soft question: asked for a mandate to negotiate sovereignty association

Bitter, divisive campaign60% “Non” – 40% “Oui”Economic fears loomed large in the votePQ may have miscalculated in its referendum

strategy, Trudeau promised new Constitution.PQ re-elected in 1981

1980 - Referendum!

Canada did not control the amendment of its own constitution

Trudeau wanted to replace the constitution with a Charter of Rights

8 provincial governments, including Quebec’s opposed Trudeau

Compromise reached, but Quebec did not agree

Constitutional Negotiation

Applies to all of Canada, including Quebec, even though Quebec did not agree

Charter of Rights stats both English and French are equal.

Enhanced the idea of provincial equality: Quebec did not achieve recognition of special status or increased power

Constitution Act, 1982

Brian Mulroney takes over as Prime Minister in 1984: wants to bring Quebec into the constitution

Now a Liberal provincial government, led by Robert Bourassa

Bourassa outlines five conditions for Quebec to sign the constitution

A New Sheriff In Town

Recognition as a “distinct society”Limitation on federal government intrusion in

provincial jurisdictionRole in appointing justices to the Supreme

Court of CanadaIncreased power over immigrationA veto over any constitutional change

They Are…

Mulroney wins agreement of all ten premiers to change the constitution

Enshrines Quebec’s five conditions in the constitution

Ten provincial governments and the federal government have to ratify the agreement within three years

Manitoba fail to do so by 1990: the Accord dies

Meech Lake Accord - 1987

Trudeau spoke out against it. No one province should get special treatment.

Hardcore separatists didn’t think Quebec got enough power.

Federalists thought Quebec got too much power.

Aboriginal groups didn’t think their rights had been addressed.

Elijah Harper, an aboriginal member of the Manitoba legislature voted against the accord.

Why Did It Fail

Much anger in QuebecSovereigntist sentiment on the riseAgain, federal government and provinces

agree on constitution package, called the Charlottetown Accord

Defeated in a national referendum: 55% No, 45% Yes

Defeated in Quebec as wellMost felt their issues were not dealt with.

The Charlottetown Accord - 1992

Bloc Quebecois forms as a national political party in 1990, wins 54 of Quebec’s 75 seats in Parliament in 1993

Parti Quebecois wins the 1994 provincial election

Announces a referendum in 1995Narrow victory for the federalists: 50.6%

Non, 49.4% OuiFederal government weak in referendum

The Bloc Quebecois

Sovereigntist sentiment is currently in decline

Parti Quebecois lost the 2003 provincial election quite badly

Bloc Quebecois’ support is in declineDemographic change in QuebecEvidence that Quebeckers have grown

tired of the debate over sovereignty55% (63% of those under 45) do not

identify themselves as sovereigntist or federalist (CRIC)

What Is It Like Today?