Canadian IdentityOne, Two or Many Nations?

REBELLATE 1960s ~1980s

Little Rock, Arkansas

Prague Spring

Black Panthers

Soweto Uprising, SA

Katherine SwitzerBoston Marathon, 1968

How had the other Prime Minister’s BEGUN to address

these issues?

Setting the Scene… 1960: Canadian BILL OF RIGHTS

1960- Aboriginals can vote in federal elections

1962- MOST racial discrimination is eliminated from Canada’s immigration policies

1967- Medicare and Canada Pension Plan

1967- Royal Commission on the Status of Women.. Get right to abortion and access to contraception

Then, in comes Trudeau..

TRUDEAU’S CHALLENGES

The 1960 & 1970s were an awakening for human rights in Canada, and around the world

Trudeau had great aspiration of a ‘just society’ – but many people had issues they wanted resolvedWOMENS MOVEMENTENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTLGBTQ+ COMMUNITYMULTICULTURALISM & INCLUSIONABORIGINAL ISSUESFRENCH CANADIANS NATIONALISM

ScenarioPeople have suggested at different points in

history that British Columbia would be better off joining with Washington, Oregon and Northern California to form their own country ~ based on the Pacific Northwest.

Why would they believe that BC would do better off in this alliance than the nation of Canada?

Why QuebecWhy have some Quebecois believed that they

would be better off on their own?

It’s not because they believe that it would benefit them economically… or trigger employment growth… so why would they take such a giant risk?

Separatist Issues1. History of discrimination

and oppression of French Canadians by English

Discrimination of jobs, etc Lack of recognition of the

French role in developing Canada

2. Rise in the movement called separatism – people fighting for an independent nation for French people living in Canada

3. Desire to be recognized as a “distinct society”

History of Separatist Rebellion

Duplessis Era1936-1959

Quiet Revolution•1960-1962

FLQ & Parti Quebecois•1967

October Crisis •1970

Levesque & Referendums

Duplessis Era – 1936-59 Union Nationale party led by Maurice Duplessis

Strong Quebec nationalist who was devoted to the idea of Quebec as a distinct society

Introduced a new flag – “fleur-de-lis” & was linked to the idea of “Je me souviens”

Linked very closely to the Catholic church – seen as the defender of French culture – religion was a part of all authority including education, etc

‘La Grande Noiresse’ – orphanages scandal

Bribery and corruption was rampant – businesses were expected to give “kick-backs”

Famous for the Padlock Law – banning newspapers, publications he didn’t like

The Quiet Revolution~1960s

“Time for Change” – the Liberal party came to power

Lesage (leader) tried to eliminate corruption, wages and pensions were removed, unions embraced

Province became much more modern – education, culture, etc – push to become citizens of the 20th century

“Maitres chez nous” – “Masters in OUR own house” French nationalism increased and standards of living improved greatly

Quebec economy was greatly strengthened as they nationalized businesses and corporations – Hydro Quebec - $$$$

Anger and ResentmentDuring the 1960s, massive resentment and

anger grew amongst the French populationHow come everyone in Ottawa was English

speaking?How come French Canadians were rarely chosen

for Cabinet positions?How come French-Canadians didn’t have schools

and hospitals in other parts of Canada while English speaking Canadians had them in Quebec

How come Quebec’s French majority was forced to speak English in stores and at work in Quebec?

NOTE: Quebec makes up 30% of Canada’s population

Rise of Radicalism - FLQFLQ – Front de liberation du Quebec – fought for

a Quebec Libre! (Free Quebec)

Used firebombs, explosives and other extremist tactics to raise awareness of their cause – bombing mailboxes

Canada’s ResponseLester Pearson –

appointed a commission on Bilingualism – recommended that Canada should become officially bilingual

Changed the flag to make it less British; ironically the French still hang on to the fleur-de-lis

Trudeau –

Acted on the recommendation of the commission and made Canada officially bilingual – 1969; Official Languages Act

Called on young people to increase their knowledge of French culture – ex. French immersion

October CrisisOctober 5, 1970 – FLQ kidnapped James Cross, a

British diplomat, from his Montreal home

FLQ demanded that in return for his release, FLQ prisoners be released from jail – federal and Quebec authorities refused to listen

FLQ then kidnapped Pierre Laporte – Quebec Labour Minister – Trudeau decided to take action

Laporte found dead in a trunk - Trudeau instigates War Measures Act and curfew, police put in place

Terrorists negotiated release of Cross, escape to Cuba

Laporte is found..

Bill 101: Strengthening French Language

1976 – Rene Levesque formed the Parti Quebecois (PQ) – believed that Quebec and Canada should ‘divorce’ ~ very popular leader

He developed the welfare state system in Quebec Social Services – daycare, left-wing ideology

2. Strengthening the status of French language Major fear that French culture will die out – lowest birth

rate in Canada Law made French the only official language of Quebec – all

employees must speak French in order to work, all signs in French,

Main use of not-withstanding clause – ability to break the Charter in certain specific cases

Rene Levesque

To separate or not to separate?

Quebecois politicians have tried to convince the people to separate on two different occasions 1980 Referendum – Sovereignty-Association “maitres chez

nous” Pierre Trudeau made strong speeches against Results – 40% yes, 60% no

1982 – Canada patriates the Constitution (gives total control to Canada)– many controversies regarding the amending formula – how do we change the constitution in future? Kitchen Compromise – 7/10 provinces required to make changes –

50% of the population – Quebec furious, wanted revenge MULRONEY ~Meech Lake Accord – Is Quebec a “distinct

society” in Canada, or are there many distinct societies? Accord is rejected by Canada – major protest from First Nations

Referendum #2 – 1994 – 49% Yes; 51% No

What Now?After the two referendums, new legislation was put

forward that says that any province would need a clear majority to leave the country

After losing a lot of popularity, the Parti Quebecois got a recent resurgence of popularity in the last 2 years in Quebec

Recently had an election a few months ago – PQ leader raised issue of referendum and Charter of Values (religious symbols banned)Strong vote against PQ – kicked out of power, Liberals

now have majority gov’t – sovereignty issue is dead