The Duplessis Era (1936-39) (1944-59) Duplessis

1. The Duplessis Era (1936-39) (1944-59) • Duplessis • 1.The leader of Quebec and Union Nationale (see dates above)-known as “le chef”-the boss! • Avoided English influence-supressed • 4.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

2. The Quiet Revolution • 1960 • 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.

3. 1962 • 7. Motto: “Masters in our own house”—“Maitres chez nous” • Quebec controls its own economy • Decided to nationalize (buy) several hydro companies and turned them into a large, provincially power company Hydro-Quebec

4. 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?”

5. Terrorist groups such as the 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 Canada • 1967: Rene Levesque • A powerful politician formed a party called Parti-Quebecois (Provincial) • Seperatism-first party to represent this!

6. Ottawa’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 Canada • In 1964 • 10. 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.

7. 1968 • 11. Trudeau • Became PM-Remember idea of a “Just Society?” • Quebec stays in Canada • 10. 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 culture • Responses: • French Canadians “unimpressed” • Wanted more special status • West felt alienated • French forced on them

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

9. D) 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 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

10. The PQ in Power Questions 17-21 1976 • 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

11. The 1980 Referendum • Question 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

12. Patriating (Bring it home) the Constitution • Questions 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

13. Questions 27-29 “Notwistanding clause”Kitchen 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, 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."

15. 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) • Western 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. • Westerners felt that the contract was awarded a means of buying votes in Quebec. • In addition, both Alberta and Newfoundland demanded reforms to the Senate to give their provinces a stronger voice in Ottawa

17. 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.

18. 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 1990Quebeckers 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.

20. 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 1992Mulroney warned that a rejection would endanger the future of the nationyet, 54.5% of the voters rejected ittoo many clauses designed to please each groupeasy 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.

21. Referendum of 1995 and After 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. • 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) Portrait of Jean J. Charest.

22. Separation (PROS/CONS)taken from Falk workbook PROS CONS ØIncreased power for Quebec to make its own decisions ØIncreased trade opportunities (Quebec is a strong exporter) ØAppease French-Canadian nationalism ØMight strengthen the French language and culture ØFewer French-English tensions ØMore representation for Western provinces in the federal government and Supreme court ØQuebec might be forced to renegotiate international trade deals such as NAFTA ØNo longer receive federal grants for assistance ØAnglophone community might move to other provinces ØForeign and domestic investment might drop ØEconomic problems might worsen ØQuebec might be asked to pay part of Canada’s debt ØSlow to gain international reputation ØMay lose land to Aboriginal groups ØCanada 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 ØAtlantic Canada severed and separate

23. A Multicultural Nation • Immigration 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 attitudes1962 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 skillsimmigrants 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 multiculturalismencouraged the country’s different ethnic groups to express their culturee.g. festivals/heritage language classesprograms 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.

24. Multiculturalism 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 nationhelps Canadian national unity by drawing all Canadians closer together in mutual respect. • Opponents=preventing Canada from developing a common Canadian identitynot 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.