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The Great Darkness
A time in Quebec's history where Maurice Duplessis was in power. There were 3 federal prime ministers during this time, Makenzie King, St-Laurent, and Diefenbaker. During this time period, Duplessis was commited to defending Quebec's provincial autonomy, Economic Liberalism, and social conservatism where the church played a major part, especially in Education and Social services. Played an important part in fueling the QR. Notes: Economic social policies provincial autonomy section -
Rural electrification
Duplessis wants to be traditional which means that the economy should rely on agriculture. As a result, he modernizes farms bringing electricity to them. Farms produced more, and farmers are happy with him. As a result, farmers continue to vote for him and he remains in power for many years until his death. Note section personal notes: THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES OF THE DUPLESSIS GOVERNMENT -
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Baby boom
Maurice Duplessis was in power. There were 3 federal prime ministers during this time, Makenzie King, St-Laurent, and Diefenbaker. The baby boom is a dramatic rise in number of births. It was after WWII, population grew due to high rate of natural increase and low infant mortality rate, 2 million (span of 15 years). Personal notes: A CHANGING AND EVOLVING SOCIETY -
Adoption of the Fleurdelisé
Duplessis strongly believed in provincial autonomy. Therefore he decided to create the Fleurdelisé flag. He then replaces the Canadian flag from Quebec parliament (assemble nationale) and replaces it with new Quebec flag. Personal notes: DUPLESSIS AND THE PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY -
Refus global manifesto published
Many people opposed Duplessis and his ideology, especially artists and intellectuals. They demanded modernization and secularism as a result 15 artists including Borduas and Riopelle Signed a manifesto called the Refus Global to limit the power of Church over society. There were also many acts similar to this like Pierre Elliot Trudeau and Gerard Pelletier publishing magazine Cité Libre about individual freedoms. Personal notes: PROTEST MOVEMENTS -
Asbestos Strike
In response to Duplessis' traditionalist, conservative, and too close ties to the church policies, unions protested. One of the biggest ones being the Asbestos strike. Miners demanded safer conditions and more money. Violent strikes erupted as Duplessis supported the employers and declared strike illegal, which caused brutal suppression by police. As a result some progress was made with the demands of the strikers, but it was very little progress. Personal notes: PROTEST MOVEMENTS -
Introduction of Provincial Income Tax
Once more, in an attempt to gain more provincial autonomy, Duplessis creates personal income tax, a tax that goes directly to the provincial government, making them richer and have more financial autonomy from the federal government. Personal notes: DUPLESSIS AND THE PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY -
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The Quiet Revolution (QR)
Federal gov under Pierre Elliott Trudeau. It starts when Jean Lesage comes into power. Due to Duplessis' non-progress, the Lesage government makes Quebec a welfare state, also making Quebec modern and secular. Especially education and healthcare now being the duty of the state instead of the church. Creates crown corporations (economic change), also one of the largest employers in the province. Union national retakes, but stays modern. Personal notes: PART 2: The Quiet Revolution and its impact -
Office de la langue Française and department of Cultural Affairs created
The state promotes Quebecois identity and culture. Promotes the Arts (Office du film du Quebec). Responsible for promoting the French language in Quebec. Museums, concert halls and theatres built. Personal notes: THE EMERGENCE OF A WELFARE STATE -
Nationalization of Hydro-electricity
The provincial government under Jean Lesage had a policy of economic nationalism which was in contrast to the Duplessis government before it. The most important part of that policy being the nationalization of hydro-electricity. They nationalized electricity by buying out all electricity companies and merged them with Hydro-Quebec into one crown corporation. This made Quebec very rich. Personal notes: THE EMERGENCE OF A WELFARE STATE -
Laurendeau-Dunton Commission & Bilingualism
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson creates a “Royal Commision” to examine the state of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada. Done in order to show federal willingness to be open to Quebec’s demands as they want to make Quebec happy. It was found that Francophones didn't have much access to civil services jobs as they were mostly held by anglophones and Francophone minorities in Canada were less privileged than Anglophones in Quebec. Personal notes: RELATIONS BETWEEN QUÉBEC AND OTTAWA -
Creation of the Ministry of Education
Due to Duplessis' outdated education system, the Lesage government makes major reforms. School becomes mandatory until the age of 15. Education is now free. Parent commission recommends other major reforms to create high quality public education. 1965 comprehensive high schools and vocational programs. Creates and more modern and secular education system. The state becomes in charge of education instead of the church. Personal notes: THE EMERGENCE OF A WELFARE STATE -
Adoption of the labour code
State wanted to reform the civil service, need to hire many to staff the new crown corporations, schools, hospitals, etc. State became one of the largest employers in the province, created many new departments. Worked to eliminate corruption and favouritism that were characteristic of the Duplessis era. 1964 adopted the labour code, was very favourable toward unions and allowed state employees to unionize Modernizes and improves working conditions. Personal notes: AFFIRMATION MEASURES -
Bill 16 enacted – Married Women Gain Legal Independence
Women make massive gains in the 60s. More women are taking a less traditional role. There are more divorces and less marriages, and women are gaining more independence. Ie. 1951 Terese Forget Casgrain becomes first woman to lead political party in Quebec, 1955 birth control, but most notably, 1964 Act Respecting the Legal Capacity of Married Women, a law where Married women can now open up bank accounts and rent apartments without husband's consent. Personal notes: CHANGING ATTITUDES -
Creation of pension plan for workers
Jean Lesage government is a welfare state. Means that the state takes care of its people. 1966 he creates a pension plan. He also creates the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Quebec a government financial institution (crown corporation) managing funds and pensions. Personal notes: THE EMERGENCE OF A WELFARE STATE -
Expo 67
Modernization of Quebec with the quiet revolution being shown on the world map at expo 67. Opening of Montreal Metro system. Cultural vitality in art, music, writing, Place des Arts, etc. Truly shows la belle province off to the world. Personal notes: THE IMPACT OF THE QUIET REVOLUTION -
Passage of the Official languages act
Due to the finding of the Laurendeau-Dunton Commission, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau passes the Official Languages Act making both French and English the two official languages. This was done in an attempt to make Quebec happy. Personal notes: RELATIONS BETWEEN QUÉBEC AND OTTAWA -
Introduction of Québec’s Medicare System
Bourassa continues the social reform to make health care accessible to all Quebec citizens. 1970 Health Insurance act = Universal healthcare in Quebec. Medicare card = free treatment at any hospital or clinic. 1974 CLSC created: designed to provide accessible local social services. Personal notes: HEALTH CARE -
October Crisis
FLQ are radical separatists targeted symbols of British colonialism and Anglophone power. October 1970, FLQ kidnaps British diplomat James Cross and Liberal minister Pierre Laporte, killing the latter. Robert Bourassa, calls PM Pierre Elliot Trudeau to enact war measures act, giving federal government total power. Some FLQ arrested, others FLQ members given safe conduct to Cuba in exchange for the release of James Cross. Personal notes: SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TENSIONS -
James Bay Hydroelectric Project lauched
Bourassa launches James Bay Hydroelectric project, the largest Hydro-Electric project in Canada in order to get hydroelectricity from James Bay area. 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec agreement. Inuit and Cree sign with Quebec government. It is the first time Quebec government takes a step to come to terms with Indigenous and negotiate with them. Personal notes: HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT -
Bill 22 enacted – French as Québec’s Official Language
Due to most immigrants whose mother tongue was neither French nor English (allophones) chose to send their children to English schools. Francophones worried French language losing ground to English. Bourassa government adopted Official Language Act. The law made French the only official language of Quebec, limited access to English schooling, and was designed to reinforce the French character of Quebec. Personal notes: A STRONGER SENSE OF IDENTITY -
Adoption of Québec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
Quebec continues to become more progressive and created a charter. All individuals are equal, rights to be respected and promoted, investigate discrimination, freedom of expression, equality before the law, safety at work. It created a new standard. Personal notes: QUÉBEC’S CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS -
Election of René Lévesque & The Parti Québécois
Quebec Neo-nationalism. Start of separatist parties (RN, RIN) which unite under René Lévesque to form the Parti Quebecois in 1968. 1976 PQ wins
Makes René Lévesque Premier of Quebec. They promised to hold a referendum(public vote Yes or No on a specific question) on Quebec Sovereignty (independence). Happens in 1980. Reinforce Quebec identity, more Quebec autonomy.
Causes tensions between Quebec and English Canada. Personal notes: THE ELECTION OF THE PARTI QUÉBÉCOIS -
Bill 101 – The Charter of the French Language
René Lévesque: Greater protection of the French language. Law passed to protect and promote language. Official bill states: Quebec is cultural distinct (different from rest of Canada), If you are a immigrant or francophone (parents went to francophone school) must do school in French until end of high school. Imposed French only on commercial and public signs, inside and outside. Consequence: Anglophones go to Ontario(90000 over 5 years). Personal notes: GREATER PROTECTION OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE -
Prioritization of francophone immigrants
Federal government multiculturalism policy under Trudeau results in easing of restrictions for immigration. Immigration act: broaden the eligibility criteria, not only European countries. Quebec decides to prioritizes francophone immigrants, accepts many Haitian and Vietnamese refugees. Promote French. Personal notes: THE AFFIRMATION OF A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY