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The Roots of Quebec Nationalism

The Roots of Quebec Nationalism. The Duplessis Era (1936-39) (1944-59) Duplessis The leader of Quebec and Union Nationale Strong Quebec nationalist who wanted Quebec to be its own nation Did not want outside influence of foreign culture in Quebec

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The Roots of Quebec Nationalism

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  1. The Roots of Quebec Nationalism

  2. The Duplessis Era (1936-39) (1944-59) • Duplessis • The leader of Quebec and Union Nationale • Strong Quebec nationalist who wanted Quebec to be its own nation • Did not want outside influence of foreign culture in Quebec • No unions because of influence of communism • Wanted foreign investment in Quebec • Guaranteed cheap labour • Promised low taxes • US and Ontario were attracted in investment in Quebec • Leadership was filled with bribery and corruption • Businesses or people who wanted something from the government needed to do something for Duplessis • Supporters of Duplessis=Roman Catholic Church • Liked the old Quebec traditions of farm, faith, and family • The church operated Quebec’s hospitals and schools • Religion was important in Quebec

  3. The Quiet Revolution • 1960 • Duplessis died • Jean Lesage became leader of Quebec. • “Time for change” • Stop corruption in government • Wages and pensions were raised • New Quebec government • 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 • Influence of Roman Catholic Church declined • New Quebec government led Quebeckers to a Quiet Revolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxHCsod 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.

  4. 1962 • Quebec government • Motto: “Masters in our own house”—“Maitres chez nous” • To strengthen Quebec’s control of 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 • Wanted to separate from Canada

  5. Terrorist groups such as the FLQ (Front de liberation du Quebec) emerged. • Wanted to free Quebec from Canada • Used bombs and explosives to attack symbols of English-Canadian power in Quebec • For 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 Canada • 1967: Rene Levesque • A powerful politician formed a party called Parti-Quebecois (Federal) • Supported separatism

  6. Ottawa’s response • Lester Pearson was PM during the Quiet Revolution • Felt that the Canadian government should make French feel more at home in Canada • Appointed Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism to find solutions (aka BI-BI COMMISSION) • Recommendation: make Canada bilingual • Canada should make French and English the official languages of Canada The Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, 1963-1971, established under Prime Minister Pearson to examine cultural dualism in Canada.

  7. 1964 • Pearson decided to have a different flag for Canada to make sure that it was not too British • Pearson chose the maple leaf as a symbol for the new flag because it seemed to represent ALL Canadians • BUT the new flag increased tensions between French and English in Canada • On February 15, 1965the new flag was raised. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-tNQA2pOp4&feature=related

  8. 1968 • Pierre ElliottTrudeau became PM • Wanted to make sure that Quebec stayed in Canada • Passed the Official Languages Act -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 culture • Some liked Trudeau’s ideas, and others did not • Who did not support Trudeau’s ideas? • Western Canadians • Felt that the government was forcing French on them • Felt that West and it concerns were being ignored. • Francophones-felt that Trudeau should give them “special status”

  9. The October Crisis • October 1970 • Members of FLQ kidnapped James Cross, a British diplomat • FLQ wanted FLQ members in jail to be released • Government did not agree to this • Result: FLQ kidnapped Quebec labour minister Pierre Laporte YouTube - A Shattered Peace - A Portrait of the FLQ in Canada

  10. Trudeau’s Actions: • 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. • On 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. YouTube - Pierre Trudeau - Just Watch me

  11. October 17 • Pierre Laporte’s body was found • The Government knew that it needed to find James Cross, the other hostage • Two months later, James Cross was found • FLQ kidnappers were sent to Cuba under political asylum • The October crisis was over Pierre Laporte James Cross

  12. The PQ in Power 1976 • Quebec voters chose the Parti Quebecois (PQ) as their next provincial government (Leader: Rene Levesque) • PQ promised Quebec separation from Canada. • PQ goal—to strengthen French language • Passed Bill 101—Charter of the French Language • 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.

  13. The 1980 Referendum • Referendum was held 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 • Results of the referendum=majority of voters did not want separation

  14. Patriating (Bring it home) the Constitution • 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 the Act to change, it 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

  15. “Notwithstanding clause”Kitchen compromise • Allowed federal government or the provinces to choose out of some of the clauses in the Charter • Quebec did not agree to new conditions of the Constitution • Quebec felt that it was being denied distinct status • On April 17, 1982- the new Constitution was still signed into law by Queen Elizabeth II and PM Trudeau. • Canada is truly an independent nation since the Constitution was brought home

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