Québec After Québec After WWIIWWII

Ch. 8 (p. 191-204)Ch. 8 (p. 191-204)

The Duplessis EraThe Duplessis Era From Great Depression to 1959, Québec From Great Depression to 1959, Québec

controlled by Premier Maurice Duplessis and controlled by Premier Maurice Duplessis and his Union Nationale governmenthis Union Nationale government Believed in Québec nationalism, not just another Believed in Québec nationalism, not just another

provinceprovince Ruled Québec with an iron fistRuled Québec with an iron fist

Strongly anti-union, anti-communist (Padlock Law)Strongly anti-union, anti-communist (Padlock Law) Encouraged foreign/outside investment in QuébecEncouraged foreign/outside investment in Québec Much bribery and corruption, “kickbacks”Much bribery and corruption, “kickbacks”

Defender of traditional French cultureDefender of traditional French culture Roman Catholic Church ran most hospitals and schoolsRoman Catholic Church ran most hospitals and schools Québec fell behind in fields of science, engineering, Québec fell behind in fields of science, engineering,

businessbusiness

Maurice DuplessisMaurice Duplessis

The Quiet RevolutionThe Quiet Revolution 1960: Liberal Jean Lesage becomes Premier 1960: Liberal Jean Lesage becomes Premier

after Duplessis diesafter Duplessis dies Election slogan: “Time for a change”Election slogan: “Time for a change” Promises to get rid of government corruptionPromises to get rid of government corruption Restrictions lifted on unions, wages go upRestrictions lifted on unions, wages go up Modernization of Québec – “Modernization of Québec – “The Quiet The Quiet

RevolutionRevolution”” Government takes control of social services and Government takes control of social services and

schoolsschools Catholic Church less influentialCatholic Church less influential Quebec economy increasingly controlled by Québec, Quebec economy increasingly controlled by Québec,

specifically Francophones (French speakers)specifically Francophones (French speakers) Gov. buys out (nationalizes) power companies, creates Hydro-Gov. buys out (nationalizes) power companies, creates Hydro-

QuébecQuébec Maitres chez nousMaitres chez nous – “Masters in our own house” – “Masters in our own house”

The Birth of SeparatismThe Birth of Separatism

As the Quiet Revolution progressed, some As the Quiet Revolution progressed, some Québecois became angry over the influence of Québecois became angry over the influence of English-speakers in Québec, and the lack of English-speakers in Québec, and the lack of influence Québecois had in the federal influence Québecois had in the federal governmentgovernment Not many Québec MPs in federal cabinetNot many Québec MPs in federal cabinet Many English schools in Québec, few French Many English schools in Québec, few French

schools in rest of Canadaschools in rest of Canada Québecois expected to speak English at work, in Québecois expected to speak English at work, in

storesstores Some Québecois believed separation from Some Québecois believed separation from

Canada was the answerCanada was the answer

The Birth of SeparatismThe Birth of Separatism

Some young extremists join separatist terrorist Some young extremists join separatist terrorist groupsgroups Felt change moving too slowlyFelt change moving too slowly Most prominent was Front de libération du Québec Most prominent was Front de libération du Québec

(FLQ)(FLQ) 1960s: Bombed mailboxes, office buildings, Montreal 1960s: Bombed mailboxes, office buildings, Montreal

stock exchange (English symbols); robbed banks; several stock exchange (English symbols); robbed banks; several people killed, dozens injuredpeople killed, dozens injured

Most Québecois disapproved of actionsMost Québecois disapproved of actions 1968: MLA René Lévesque leaves Liberals 1968: MLA René Lévesque leaves Liberals

(unhappy with refusal to discuss separatism), forms (unhappy with refusal to discuss separatism), forms provincial separatist party provincial separatist party Parti Québecois (PQ)Parti Québecois (PQ)

FLQFLQ

p. 193

René LévesqueRené Lévesque

Pearson’s ResponsePearson’s Response

PM Pearson moved to avoid a separatist PM Pearson moved to avoid a separatist crisiscrisis 1963: Appointed Royal Commission on 1963: Appointed Royal Commission on

Bilingualism and BiculturalismBilingualism and Biculturalism Recommended Canada should become officially Recommended Canada should become officially

bilingualbilingual 1965: Replaced old Canadian flag based on 1965: Replaced old Canadian flag based on

British Union Jack with maple leaf flag British Union Jack with maple leaf flag Many English-Canadians saw this as pandering to Many English-Canadians saw this as pandering to

QuébecQuébec Québecois still preferred provincial Québecois still preferred provincial fleur-de-lisfleur-de-lis flag flag

FlagsFlags

Trudeau’s ResponseTrudeau’s Response Pierre Trudeau becomes PM in 1968Pierre Trudeau becomes PM in 1968 Continues Pearson’s work to keep Québec in CanadaContinues Pearson’s work to keep Québec in Canada

1969: Passes Official Languages Act, making Canada 1969: Passes Official Languages Act, making Canada officially bilingualofficially bilingual

Government must provide services in both English and FrenchGovernment must provide services in both English and French French-immersion schools available across countryFrench-immersion schools available across country

Appointed more French-speaking MPs to cabinetAppointed more French-speaking MPs to cabinet Encourages English-Canadians to learn about Québec Encourages English-Canadians to learn about Québec

cultureculture Some Canadians in favour of bilingualism, others Some Canadians in favour of bilingualism, others

not (especially in western provinces)not (especially in western provinces) Many did not believe French useful to themMany did not believe French useful to them Felt gov. focusing too much on Québec, ignoring rest of Felt gov. focusing too much on Québec, ignoring rest of

CanadaCanada Some Québecois felt policies not enough, wanted Québec Some Québecois felt policies not enough, wanted Québec

given “special status”, but Trudeau refusedgiven “special status”, but Trudeau refused

BilingualismBilingualism

The October CrisisThe October Crisis October 1970: FLQ in Montréal kidnaps James October 1970: FLQ in Montréal kidnaps James

Cross, a British diplomatCross, a British diplomat Demand as ransom release of FLQ members in prisonDemand as ransom release of FLQ members in prison Federal and provincial governments refuse to release Federal and provincial governments refuse to release

FLQ prisonersFLQ prisoners FLQ kidnap Pierre Laporte, Québec Minister of LabourFLQ kidnap Pierre Laporte, Québec Minister of Labour PM Trudeau invokes War Measures ActPM Trudeau invokes War Measures Act

Believed violent revolution beginningBelieved violent revolution beginning First time War Measures Act used when not at warFirst time War Measures Act used when not at war Allows police to arrest and jail suspects without warrants or Allows police to arrest and jail suspects without warrants or

trialstrials FLQ outlawed, troops patrol Ottawa and MontréalFLQ outlawed, troops patrol Ottawa and Montréal 450 suspects arrested during crisis, most released without 450 suspects arrested during crisis, most released without

chargescharges

The October CrisisThe October Crisis

The October CrisisThe October Crisis

The October CrisisThe October Crisis

The October CrisisThe October Crisis Much controversy over Trudeau’s use of the Much controversy over Trudeau’s use of the

War Measures ActWar Measures Act Many believed it went too far in taking away civil Many believed it went too far in taking away civil

rightsrights PM Trudeau said it was necessary to fight PM Trudeau said it was necessary to fight

terrorismterrorism October 17: body of Pierre Laporte found in October 17: body of Pierre Laporte found in

trunk of car near Montréal airporttrunk of car near Montréal airport PM Trudeau gets more support for War Measures PM Trudeau gets more support for War Measures

ActAct Dec. 1970: kidnappers of James Cross found, Dec. 1970: kidnappers of James Cross found,

his release traded for safe passage to Cubahis release traded for safe passage to Cuba Kidnappers of Laporte later found, convicted Kidnappers of Laporte later found, convicted

of kidnapping and murderof kidnapping and murder

The October CrisisThe October Crisis

The PQ in PowerThe PQ in Power 1976: PQ win Québec election, Lévesque premier1976: PQ win Québec election, Lévesque premier Lévesque promises to hold a referendum (vote on an Lévesque promises to hold a referendum (vote on an

issue) on whether to separate from Canada or notissue) on whether to separate from Canada or not In the meantime, PQ pass Bill 101In the meantime, PQ pass Bill 101

Made French the only official language in QuébecMade French the only official language in Québec All signs must be in French onlyAll signs must be in French only Provincial employees must work in FrenchProvincial employees must work in French Kids must go to French schools, unless they have an Kids must go to French schools, unless they have an

English-speaking parentEnglish-speaking parent French-speakers in favour of Bill, felt French culture French-speakers in favour of Bill, felt French culture

slipping awayslipping away English-speakers disagree with Bill, felt it was oppressiveEnglish-speakers disagree with Bill, felt it was oppressive

The 1980 ReferendumThe 1980 Referendum

1980: Lévesque calls a referendum1980: Lévesque calls a referendum Asks for support to negotiate a Asks for support to negotiate a sovereignty-sovereignty-

associationassociation with federal government with federal government Québec would be politically separate from Québec would be politically separate from

Canada, but remain linked economicallyCanada, but remain linked economically PM Trudeau against Québec separatismPM Trudeau against Québec separatism

Campaigns for the “non” sideCampaigns for the “non” side Promises to negotiate a new Constitution if Promises to negotiate a new Constitution if

Québec staysQuébec stays Result: 40% vote “oui” to separate, 60% vote Result: 40% vote “oui” to separate, 60% vote

“non”“non” Lévesque accepts defeat, but encourages Lévesque accepts defeat, but encourages

separatists not to give upseparatists not to give up

The 1980 ReferendumThe 1980 Referendum

Patriating the Patriating the ConstitutionConstitution

PM Trudeau keeps his promise, begins PM Trudeau keeps his promise, begins negotiating an updated Constitutionnegotiating an updated Constitution Canada still governed by BNA Act (1867)Canada still governed by BNA Act (1867)

Could not be changed without permission from Could not be changed without permission from British ParliamentBritish Parliament

Trudeau wants to “patriate” the Constitution Trudeau wants to “patriate” the Constitution (bring it home to Canada), be able to make (bring it home to Canada), be able to make changes without British permissionchanges without British permission

Wants to clarify the basic rights of CanadiansWants to clarify the basic rights of Canadians Needs support of provinces, though Needs support of provinces, though

Patriating the Patriating the ConstitutionConstitution

Amending formulaAmending formula and rules of the and rules of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Charter of Rights and Freedoms must must first be agreed uponfirst be agreed upon Provinces want more say over changing of Provinces want more say over changing of

Constitution, possible veto-powerConstitution, possible veto-power Provinces want to be able to opt-out of CharterProvinces want to be able to opt-out of Charter

Worried that courts would become more powerful than Worried that courts would become more powerful than provincial governmentsprovincial governments

Québec afraid that Charter would be used to weaken Québec afraid that Charter would be used to weaken Bill 101Bill 101

1980-81: Extended negotiations between 1980-81: Extended negotiations between provincial premiers and federal government provincial premiers and federal government largely unsuccessful largely unsuccessful

Constitutional Constitutional NegotiationsNegotiations

Patriating the Patriating the ConstitutionConstitution

4 Nov. 1981: final desperate attempt to 4 Nov. 1981: final desperate attempt to come to agreement at hotel in Ottawacome to agreement at hotel in Ottawa Federal Minister of Justice Jean Chrétien and a Federal Minister of Justice Jean Chrétien and a

couple provincial politicians hammer out a final couple provincial politicians hammer out a final agreement between federal gov. and provincesagreement between federal gov. and provinces

Called “Kitchen Compromise” or “Kitchen Accord” Called “Kitchen Compromise” or “Kitchen Accord” because written in hotel kitchen in middle of the because written in hotel kitchen in middle of the nightnight

Provincial premiers woken up in hotel to sign the dealProvincial premiers woken up in hotel to sign the deal Québec premier Lévesque staying at other hotel, surprised Québec premier Lévesque staying at other hotel, surprised

by deal in the morning, refuses to agree to it, wants by deal in the morning, refuses to agree to it, wants referendum on Constitutionreferendum on Constitution

Referred to as “Night of the Long Knives” in QuébecReferred to as “Night of the Long Knives” in Québec Compromise includes current Compromise includes current amending formulaamending formula

and the and the notwithstanding clausenotwithstanding clause, allowing provinces , allowing provinces to opt-out of Charterto opt-out of Charter

Kitchen CompromiseKitchen Compromise

Patriating the Patriating the ConstitutionConstitution

PM Trudeau goes ahead with new PM Trudeau goes ahead with new Constitution without Québec’s agreementConstitution without Québec’s agreement

17 April 1982: Constitution Act signed by 17 April 1982: Constitution Act signed by Queen Elizabeth II and PM Trudeau in Queen Elizabeth II and PM Trudeau in OttawaOttawa

Canada now completely independent, last Canada now completely independent, last step in gaining autonomy from Great step in gaining autonomy from Great BritainBritain

Many in Québec feel betrayed by federal Many in Québec feel betrayed by federal government and other provincesgovernment and other provinces

Patriating the Patriating the ConstitutionConstitution

Further Constitution Further Constitution DebateDebate

1984: Brian Mulroney, campaigning to become 1984: Brian Mulroney, campaigning to become next PM, promises to “fix” Constitution so next PM, promises to “fix” Constitution so Québec would sign itQuébec would sign it

1987: PM Mulroney holds conference with 1987: PM Mulroney holds conference with premiers at Meech Lake, Québec, come up with premiers at Meech Lake, Québec, come up with several changes to the Constitution – several changes to the Constitution – Meech Meech Lake AccordLake Accord Québec to be recognized as a Québec to be recognized as a “distinct society”“distinct society” Change to amending formula to allow provincial Change to amending formula to allow provincial

vetoesvetoes More provincial control over immigration, more More provincial control over immigration, more

input in appointment of senators and Supreme Court input in appointment of senators and Supreme Court judgesjudges

Further Constitutional Further Constitutional DebateDebate

Meech Lake Accord requires all provinces to Meech Lake Accord requires all provinces to agree to it within three years before it becomes agree to it within three years before it becomes lawlaw Much debate over the AccordMuch debate over the Accord

Trudeau against the Accord, “distinct society” would Trudeau against the Accord, “distinct society” would isolate Québecisolate Québec

First Nations argue that they should be recognized as a First Nations argue that they should be recognized as a distinct society as welldistinct society as well

Many Canadians want more input into the AccordMany Canadians want more input into the Accord 1990: deadline to agree to the Accord passes without 1990: deadline to agree to the Accord passes without

Manitoba and Newfoundland agreeing, Accord failsManitoba and Newfoundland agreeing, Accord fails Many in Québec feel betrayed again, more support for Many in Québec feel betrayed again, more support for

separatismseparatism MP Lucien Bouchard leaves Conservative Party and forms MP Lucien Bouchard leaves Conservative Party and forms

the the Bloc Québécois (BQ)Bloc Québécois (BQ), a federal separatist party, a federal separatist party

Meech Lake AccordMeech Lake Accord

Further Constitutional Further Constitutional DebateDebate

PM Mulroney tries again to amend the PM Mulroney tries again to amend the ConstitutionConstitution Learned from mistakes of Meech Lake AccordLearned from mistakes of Meech Lake Accord Seeks out input from Canadians on Constitutional Seeks out input from Canadians on Constitutional

changes in meetings across the countrychanges in meetings across the country With recommendations from citizens and With recommendations from citizens and

premiers, comes up with the premiers, comes up with the Charlottetown Charlottetown AccordAccord Québec to be recognized as a “distinct society”Québec to be recognized as a “distinct society” Senate to be electedSenate to be elected Supported Aboriginal self-governmentSupported Aboriginal self-government ““Canada Clause” – proposed official Canadian valuesCanada Clause” – proposed official Canadian values

Charlottetown AccordCharlottetown Accord

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5uLPu4GTUQv=e5uLPu4GTUQ

Further Constitutional Further Constitutional DebateDebate

Charlottetown Accord to be decided upon in Charlottetown Accord to be decided upon in a national referendum in October 1992a national referendum in October 1992 54.5% of Canadian vote against it54.5% of Canadian vote against it Many clauses in the Accord, easy to find Many clauses in the Accord, easy to find

something to disagree withsomething to disagree with BC: 68.3% vote against itBC: 68.3% vote against it

Felt would give Québec too much power (min. 25% of Felt would give Québec too much power (min. 25% of MPs)MPs)

Québec: 56.7% vote against itQuébec: 56.7% vote against it Not happy with many Senate seats going to Western Not happy with many Senate seats going to Western

provincesprovinces Aboriginal self-government would limit power in N. Aboriginal self-government would limit power in N.

QuébecQuébec

Charlottetown AccordCharlottetown Accord

Resurgence of Resurgence of SeparatismSeparatism

Québec frustrated with Constitution developmentsQuébec frustrated with Constitution developments Rise in support for separatismRise in support for separatism 1993: separatist Bloc Québécois (BQ) win second most 1993: separatist Bloc Québécois (BQ) win second most

seats in federal election, becomes official oppositionseats in federal election, becomes official opposition Leader Lucien BouchardLeader Lucien Bouchard

1994: separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) elected 1994: separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) elected provinciallyprovincially

Premier Jacques Parizeau promises referendum on full Premier Jacques Parizeau promises referendum on full sovereignty (political independence), not sovereignty-sovereignty (political independence), not sovereignty-associationassociation

1995: referendum called for October1995: referendum called for October PM Chrétien campaigns strongly for “non” sidePM Chrétien campaigns strongly for “non” side Bouchard and Parizeau lead “oui” sideBouchard and Parizeau lead “oui” side

Parizeau and BouchardParizeau and Bouchard

Resurgence of Resurgence of SeparatismSeparatism

Large rallies and ad campaigns held for both Large rallies and ad campaigns held for both sidessides

Debate over wording of referendum question:Debate over wording of referendum question: Do you agree that Québec should become Do you agree that Québec should become

sovereign after having made a formal offer to sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Québec and of the agreement signed the future of Québec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?on June 12, 1995?

““Non” side believes question is confusing, unclearNon” side believes question is confusing, unclear Oct. 1995: “Non” side barely winsOct. 1995: “Non” side barely wins

50.6% “non”, 49.4% “oui”50.6% “non”, 49.4% “oui”

1995 Referendum1995 Referendum

Resurgence of Resurgence of SeparatismSeparatism

AftermathAftermath Extremely narrow margin devastating for “oui” Extremely narrow margin devastating for “oui”

side, shocking for “non” sideside, shocking for “non” side PM Chrétien and Liberals pass the PM Chrétien and Liberals pass the Clarity BillClarity Bill

Would require a very clear question in any future Would require a very clear question in any future referendum on separatismreferendum on separatism

Separatism would require a “clear majority”, not just Separatism would require a “clear majority”, not just 50% + 150% + 1

What is a “clear majority”?What is a “clear majority”?

Support in Québec for separatism has decreasedSupport in Québec for separatism has decreased Québec Liberal Party in power since 2003Québec Liberal Party in power since 2003 BQ still popular in Québec, but not focused on BQ still popular in Québec, but not focused on

separatismseparatism