The Duplessis Era (1936-39) (1944-The Duplessis Era (1936-39) (1944-59)59)Duplessis•1.The leader of Quebec and Union Nationale (see dates above)-known as “le chef”-the boss!•Avoided English influence-supressed4.Why the Great Darkness?•Quebec nationalist-wanted Quebec to be its own nation-no federal support•No foreign influence•No unions=communisms• foreign investment •cheap labor•low taxes•Had to contribute to Duplessis’s party, Union Nationale•US and Ontario invested in Quebec •Bribery and corruption.Supporters of Duplessis•3.Roman Catholic Church•Tradition=farm, faith (religion) and family•Operated Quebec’s hospitals and schools

The Quiet RevolutionThe Quiet Revolution1960•5. Jean Lesage-Liberal leader in Quebec•“Time for change”6. The Quiet Revolution (no violence-political and economic change)•Stop corruption in government•Wages and pensions were raised•Wanted to change economy, politics, education and culture of Quebec•Control of social services and the education system•Encouraged people to think of themselves as citizens of the 20th century•Roman Catholic Church declined•Quebec was led through a Quiet Revolution •a movement that modernized Quebec society

Jean Lesage (L) and René Lévesque (R) are drawn into a common handshake by jovial Daniel Johnson Sr. (C). This picture was taken on the eve of Daniel Johnson's passing. All three are past Premiers of Quebec and actors of the Quiet Revolution.

196219627. Motto: “Masters in our own house”—“Maitres chez Maitres chez nousnous”•Quebec controls its own economy•Decided to nationalize (buy) several hydro companies and turned them into a large, provincially power company Hydro-Quebec

The Birth of Separatism French-Speaking-

Quebeckers vs. English-Speaking-Canadians

French-Speaking-Quebeckers did not like how Canada seemed to be more English than French

Separation Remember “De

Gaulle’s Speech in 1967?”

•Terrorist groups such as the FLQ FLQ (Front de liberation du Quebec) emerged.•Wanted free Quebec from Canada•Used bombs and explosives to attack symbols of English-Canadian power in Quebec•Example •Royal mailboxes and downtown office towers owned by Canadian National Railways were attacked•Most Quebec nationalists did not like what the FLQ did BUT still felt that it was better for Quebec to separate from Canada1967: Rene Levesque•A powerful politician formed a party called Parti-Quebecois (Provincial)•Seperatism-first party to represent this!

Ottawa’s responseOttawa’s response•Lester Pearson (PM) during “Quiet Revolution”•Felt that the Canadian government should make French feel more at home in Canada•8. Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism to find solutions (aka BI-BI COMMISSION)9. Recommendation: make Canada bilingual•Canada should make French and English the official languages of CanadaIn 196410. Pearson decided to have a different flag for Canada to make sure that it not too British•Pearson chose the maple leaf as a symbol for the new flag because it seemed to represent ALL Canadians•BUT new flag increased tensions between French and English in Canada•February 15, 1965•New flag was raised.

The Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, 1963-1971, established under Prime Minister Pearson to examine cultural dualism in Canada.

1968196811. Trudeau•Became PM-Remember idea of a “Just Society?”•Quebec stays in Canada10. Passed the Official Languages Act, 1969 •Making Canada an officially bilingual country•All federal government agencies across the country were required to provide services in both languages•English-speaking civil servants had to learn French•More French-Canadians in government positions•Called on all Canadians to understand the French-Canadian cultureResponses:•French Canadians “unimpressed”

•Wanted more special status•West felt alienated

•French forced on them

The October CrisisThe October CrisisOctober 1970October 1970

A) Members of FLQ kidnapped James CrossJames Cross, a British diplomat on October 5th, 1970B) FLQ reads manifesto; demanded a ransom $500, 000; wanted transport to Cuba and release of members•Government did not agree to thisC)Result: FLQ kidnapped Quebec labour minister Pierre Laporte-read letter Pierre Laporte-read letter on p. 177 of Falkon p. 177 of Falk•Trudeau’s actions-next slide.

D) War Measures ActD) War Measures Act•Civil rights were suspended•Anyone could be arrested and detained without being charged with an offence.•Membership in the FLQ became a crime.•October 16•Federal troops were sent in to watch the streets of Ottawa and Montreal•Pro-separatist Quebeckers were arrested•Trudeau felt that he needed to do this because he wanted to stop FLQ terrorism and help free FLQ hostages.

E) October 17E) October 17•Pierre Laporte’s body found•Government knew that it needed to find James Cross, the other hostage•Two months later•Found James Cross•FLQ kidnapers were sent to Cuba•October crisis was over

Watch CAPH chapter-dvd 1

Pierre Laporte

James Cross

The PQPQ in PowerQuestions 17-211976 Quebec voters chose the Parti Quebecois

(PQ) as their next provincial government (Leader: Rene Levesque)-Provincial party

PQ promised Quebec separation from Canada.

PQ goal—to strengthen French language Passed Bill 101—Charter of the French

Language in 1977 Made French the only official language of

Quebec Quebec government employees had to

work in French Commercial outdoor signs would have to

be in French only Children of immigrants would be required

to attend French rather than English Schools.

Rene Levesque

The 1980 ReferendumThe 1980 ReferendumQuestion 22Question 22•Referendum (occasion to vote) to determine Quebec’s political future•Levesque, Quebec’s leader, wanted Quebec to be politically independent yet to keep a close economic association with Canada•Trudeau wanted a strong and united Canada•Promised to negotiate a new Constitution that would allow both Quebec and English-Canadians to be happy•Result of Referendum•Majority of voters wanted no separation –watch the Choice DVD 2

Patriating (Bring it home) the Patriating (Bring it home) the ConstitutionConstitutionQuestions 23-26Questions 23-26•BNA ACT of 1867•Canada’s constitution•Powers of the federal and provincial governments•Guaranteed the language and education rights of Quebec’s French-speaking majority•In order for Act to change, needed British approval•Trudeau wanted to patriate the Constitution where the Canadian government would have the authority because he hoped to include the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.•How would Trudeau create a new constitution?•Amending formula.•The process by which changes can legally made to the Canadian constitution•Changes to the Constitution could only be made IF seven out of 10 provinces representing 50% of the population agreed to the changes

Questions 27-29Questions 27-29““Notwistanding clause”Notwistanding clause”Kitchen Kitchen

compromise compromise Allowed federal government or nay of

the provinces to choose out of some of the clauses in the Charter

Quebec did not agree to new conditions of Constitution

Quebec felt that it was being denied distinct status

April 17, 1982April 17, 1982 New Constitution was still signed into

law by Queen Elizabeth II and PM Trudeau.

Canada is truly an independent nation since Constitution was brought home

But what about national unity?Watch Night of Long Knives

In 1980, Pierre Trudeau was determined to repatriate the Canadian Constitution, come hell or high water. He set his sights on getting all ten Canadian premiers to toe the line on the project. So I drew the premiers as Trudeau's ten toes, being readied for the walk through the process."

The Constitutions Debate

 

•Mulroney promised to repair the damage of 1982 by obtaining Quebec’s consent to the Constitution “with honour and enthusiasm”timing was right since Réné Lévesque retired and Robert Bourassa (pro-federalist Liberal party) was now in power.•Other provinces make demands on Mulroney’s government e.g. Newfoundland wants control over fisheries and Alberta wanted more control over oil (their resources)oWestern alienation, which had grown through the oil crisis of the 1970s, came to a head once again when Ottawa awarded the multibillion-dollar contract to repair air force jets to the Bombardier company of Montreal, even though Bristol Aerospace of Winnipeg made a better proposal.oWesterners felt that the contract was awarded a means of buying votes in Quebec.oIn addition, both Alberta and Newfoundland demanded reforms to the Senate to give their provinces a stronger voice in Ottawa

The Meech Lake Accord•1987, Prime Minister Mulroney called premiers to a conference at Meech Lake•Change Constitution-offered Quebec=distinct society.•Provinces-veto constitutional change.Trudeau-Quebec’s recognition as distinct would create “two solitudes” in Canada, isolating the Francophones of Quebec.•Quebeckers saw this clause as vital to protecting French language and culture, but opponents claimed the Quebec would use it to override the Charter and deprive specific groups of their rights.

Aboriginal peoples wanted recognition of their distinct society (Elijah Harper-Cree NDP member in particular opposed the Accord-from Manitoba (look at fig. 8-10 to see which delegate rejected the Meech Lake accord and why!)) and Newfoundland didn’t support=Meech Lake disintegrated (failed) in June 1990Quebeckers felt rejected!

By 1990 64% of Quebec supported separation.

Lucien Bouchard, a powerful Quebec member of Mulroney’s Cabinet, resigned and formed the Bloc Québécois.

The Charlottetown Accord

 

•Prime Minister Mulroney, appointed a special “Citizen’s Forum”•The Charlottetown Accord proposed Senate reform, making it an elected body with equal representation from all parts of the country and support Aboriginal self-government (included Quebec’s concerns outlined by The Meech Lake Accord)•The Accord was put to a national referendum in October 1992Mulroney warned that a rejection would endanger the future of the nationyet, 54.5% of the voters rejected ittoo many clauses designed to please each groupeasy to find fault.•Greatest opposition in B.C.68.3% voted “no” objecting to the guarantee that Quebec would always have 25 % of the seats in the House of Commons, regardless of the size of population.•Quebeckers felt that the Accord gave too many seats in the Senate to the West and feared Aboriginal self-government because it would affect a large portion of northern Quebec. 

"A nice image of former Premier Bourassa, a guy heading in two directions at the same time!"

With his party caught between defending federalism and seeking more and more powers for Quebec, Robert Bourassa reluctantly supported the Charlottetown Accord, which was rejected by Quebeckers as well as a large portion of Canadians, although for the opposite reason. Finalized in 1992 by the premiers, the accord, an attempt to free Canada from the constitutional impasse in which it had been embroiled since the Meech Lake Accord, was rejected by Canadians during the 1992 referendum.

Referendum of 1995 and AfterReferendum of 1995 and After 

•Angered by the Constitution debated the Premier Jacques Parizeau (PQ-1994) called a provincial referendum of full sovereignty— separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada. •Results = 50.6 % “no” / 49.4 % “yes”•Prime Minister Chrétien set up the controversial “clarity bill” which set down the law that a substantial “yes” majority would have to be attained before Quebec’s exit from Confederation was negotiated.•The new premier of Quebec, Bernard Landry, remains committed to restructuring the Canadian confederation into something resembling the EU (European Union)

In the last days of the 1995 referendum campaign, the federalists organized a huge rally "We love you" rally in Montreal. Among those in attendance were Jean Chrétien, Jean Charest and Daniel Johnson. To ensure that many people from other provinces would be at the Montreal rally, organizers even chartered planes and buses, complete with discounted tickets for those willing to travel to Montreal! That move was bitterly criticized by sovereignists.

Portrait of Jean J. Charest.

PROS CONS

       Increased power for Quebec to make its own decisions       Increased trade opportunities (Quebec is a strong exporter)       Appease French-Canadian nationalism       Might strengthen the French language and culture       Fewer French-English tensions       More representation for Western provinces in the federal government and Supreme court

       Quebec might be forced to renegotiate international trade deals such as NAFTA       No longer receive federal grants for assistance       Anglophone community might move to other provinces       Foreign and domestic investment might drop       Economic problems might worsen       Quebec might be asked to pay part of Canada’s debt       Slow to gain international reputation       May lose land to Aboriginal groups       Canada would lose 15.5% of its land area, 25% of its population, 23% of its GNP, 15% of tis fresh water, and 14% of its mineral production capability       Atlantic Canada severed and separate

Separation (PROS/CONS)Separation (PROS/CONS)taken from Falk workbooktaken from Falk workbook

A Multicultural NationA Multicultural Nation 

Immigration and MulticulturalismImmigration and Multiculturalism 

•WWI 1960’s Canada’s immigration policy was quite restrictive (look at figure 8-12) majority of immigrants from Europe and America•By 1960’s more open attitudes1962 new regulations removed most limits on immigrants of Asian, African, and other origins.• 1967 legislation made Canada’s immigration policy “colour-blind”Canadian economy required people with training and specific skillsimmigrants chosen by a point system based on education and employment prospects (Nationality and race no longer factors)•1971 Prime Minister Trudeau introduced an official policy of multiculturalismencouraged the country’s different ethnic groups to express their culturee.g. festivals/heritage language classesprograms were also intended in preventing racism by promoting respect for all cultures.• 1976 immigration regulations changed to allow immigration of family members with relatives already in Canada and for refugees fleeing persecution (e.g. 11000 from Czechoslovakia fleeing Soviet Union invasion)•1980s immigration policy tried to attract skilled workers and investors into Canada. 

Multiculturalism becomes an issueMulticulturalism becomes an issue 

•Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship 1988•Supporters=allows people of all ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds to feel welcome and play a positive role in the development of the nationhelps Canadian national unity by drawing all Canadians closer together in mutual respect.•Opponents=preventing Canada from developing a common Canadian identitynot a mosaic rather follow the “melting pot” idea of U.S. where groups were encouraged to assimilate—give us their identities and take on the mainstream culture.•In B.C., traditional Canadian holidays such as Easter and Christmas, holidays rooted in the Christian faith and culture, presented a challenge to the multicultural nature of the schools.•Solution=highlight the festivals of other cultures=Chinese New Year, Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and Sikh holy days such as Baisakhi.