The Quebec Question

1
The Quebec Question

• Why is Quebecs relationship with the rest of
  Canada so important?

2
Learning goals

• By the end of this lesson, students will be able
  to
• describe the changes made during the Quiet
  Revolution in Quebec
• assess the positive and negative effects of the
  Quiet Revolution

3
First, a video clip

• http//www.nfb.ca/film/sweater/

4
The Hockey Sweater
5
The Rocket

• Maurice Rocket Richard was captain and scoring
  leader of the Montreal Canadiens
• considered a hero to Quebecers
• his suspension by English NHL president Campbell
  caused a riot in Montreal (March 17, 1955)
• Became a symbol of the struggle of French
  Canadians in Canada

6
Duplessis Quebec

• Quebec Premier 1936-1939, 1944-1959 until he died
  (Union Nationale)
• wanted traditional life and values
• kept federal government interference to a minimum
• allowed English investment in Quebec controlled
  good paying jobs

7
Results of Duplessis rule

• French Canadians did not get the education needed
  to be competitive in the post-war era (ex.
  science, engineering)
• big business belonged to English speaking
  Canadians
• French Canadians felt like 2nd class citizens in
  their own country

8
The Quiet Revolution

• by 1960, Jean Lesage and the Liberals promised a
  Quiet Revolution in Quebec
• Lesage introduces key changes
• modernized education system
• joined Canadas Medicare program
• limited influence of Catholic Church on education
• nationalized companies (ex. Hydro Quebec)
• made French the language of the workplace
• used key slogans to gain support
• maitres chez nous (masters in our own house, je
  me souviens (I will remember), la survivance
  (survival of French)

9
Outcomes of the Quiet Revolution

• French Canadians realized the extent of the
  discrimination they had endured.
• French Canadian and English Canadian relations
  now tense
• Some felt he didnt do enough rise of
  separatist groups (FLQ bombings 1960s)

10
Quebec Part 2

• The rise of the Separatist Movement(the 1960s
  and 70s)

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- wanting to make Quebec an independent country
- from separate to divide into parts
SEPARATIST
- wanting to leave a union or confederation
- noun is separatism
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Events leading to the Separatist Movement

• Quebec in the 1960s - present

13
Expo 67

• Canada (Montreal) hosts the World Fair -
  celebrates our centenary (100 years)
• 50 million visitors from 60 countries visited
• French president Charles DeGaulle delivers a
  speech to a roaring enthusiastic crowd
• vive le Quebec libre
• viewed as a rallying cry
• for Quebec separation

14
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS RESPONSERoyal Commission
Bilingualism and Biculturalism

• Recommendations
• Canada should be a billingual country
• Eng Fr. Official languages of parliament and
  federal courts
• Results
• Suggestions are adopted, and become official
• 1968 The Official Languages Act-Canada is
  officially bilingual (civil service, signage,
  packaging, etc)
• STILL NOT ENOUGH!!!

15
The October Crisis!!!

• a radical separatist group called the FLQ (Front
  de Liberation du Quebec) demands action in 1970!
• kidnapped political figures (British Diplomat and
  Quebec Cabinet Minister)
• resort to murder when demands not met
• Trudeau invokes War Measures Act to stop them!

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A Brief History
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Rise of the Parti Quebecois

• Rene Levesque forms a new party (PQ) and becomes
  Premier of QUE. in 1976
• promises major changes!
• introduces Bill 101 the sign law
• holds a referendum on Quebec sovereignty
  Trudeau fights for Canada!

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Result of 1980 Referendum

• Levesques Yes side 40
• Trudeaus No side wins 60 of the vote
• Referendum process that allows every citizen say
  on some question of importance to a nation or
  community.

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Other events in the Separatist Movement

• 1982 Constitution debate (Que. Doesnt sign it)
• 1990 Meech Lake Accord - conference (try to
  change the Constitution)
• 1992 Charlottetown Accord - conference (same as
  above)
• 1995 Referendum on separation so close!!!
  (49.4 YES and 50.6 NO)