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The Great Depression
When the Great Depression hit Canada in the 1930's, issues in Quebec escalated into a crisis. This led to the rise of the political party known as the Union Nationale and their leader, Premier Maurice Duplessis. This event is important because it was the beginning of the Duplessis era and it would prove to be a major influence in French nationalism. -
The Duplessis Era
Maurice Duplessis blamed the American and Canadian owned businesses as well as the federal government for Quebec's problems. He was determined to increase Quebec's power so that it may decide its own future. This is an important event because it led to "The Great Darkness." -
La Grande Noirceur (1933-39, 1944-59)
Maurice Duplessis' ideas never came to fruition however and the Duplessis era was referred to as "La Grand Noirceur" ("The Great Darkness"). Under his rule, many secrets were kept from the public, Quebec became corrupt, and he failed to make any social, political, or economical advancements. This is an important event because it led to The Quiet Revolution. -
Maurice Richard Gets Suspended
Montreal Canadiens Hockey player Maurice Richard got into a fight and accidentally hit a linesmen on March 13, 1955. English NHL president Clarence Campbell suspended Maurice for the rest of the season including the playoffs. The French believed that the punishment was too extreme and that it was an attempt to embarrass French-Canadians by suspending their most beloved player but the English felt that his suspension was justified. This event is important because it led to the Richard Riots. -
The Richard Riots
The NHL president Clarence Campbell attended the first Montreal Canadiens game after Maurice Richard's suspension. When fans noticed him in the arena, a riot broke out and eventually made its way into the streets outside of the arena. The whole event caused about $100,000 in property damages, 37 injuries, and 100 arrests. This event is important because it was the last straw for Quebeckers, it sparked the Quiet Revolution, and led to the desire for separation. -
Jean Lesage
After Maurice Duplessi died, the provincial Liberal government came in to power in Quebec under the leadership of Jean Lesage. The Quebec government promised its citizens two things: to improve economic and social standards for them and to win greater recognition for all French-speaking people which would give them greater control over their own futures. This is important because it is the beginning of The Quiet Revolution. -
The Quiet Revolution
Many changes were done during the Quiet Revolution such as: declining the influence of the church, allowing students to study science, technology, business, commerce, and provincial health care was instituted. Other major changes that Lesage and his government produced are: nationalizing hydroelectric utilities (Hydro Quebec) and improved the status of women who had the status of minors. This is important because it was the birth of Separatism in Quebec. -
The Birth of Separatism (1960-1970s)
The Quiet revolution caused Quebeckers to begin asking questions about their country and province. They believed that Ottawa shouldn't be as English-speaking as it was, there should be more cabinet ministers from Quebec, and that Quebeckers shouldn't be expected to speak English. This is important because it led to the creation of the FLQ and the ongoing topic of separatism. -
The FLQ Is Formed
A terrorist organization known as the FLQ (Front de Liberation du Quebec) is formed in 1963. Between 1963 and 1970, the FLQ had set off a number of bombs killing and wounding multiple people. This is important because they are responsible for The October Crisis. -
The Bi and Bi Commission
PM Lester B. Pearson felt that something needed to be done about the separatist wave in Quebec so he established the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. The ideas that it presented are that Canada should become a bilingual country with French and English as its official languages, develop a national strategy to promote both languages across it, and protection of language minority rights. This is important because Quebec is finally getting a response from the Canadian government. -
The French President Visits Quebec
The president of France, Charles de Gaulle, is invited to Quebec, he added fuel to the already large fire of separatism by saying that standing in Quebec made him feel as liberated as when France was liberated by the Nazis. He also said a well-known separatist slogan and one that the FLQ had used: Vive le Quebec Libre! The English Canadians and the Canadian Prime minister at the time, Lester B. Pearson were outraged. Relations between France and Canada were strained until DeGaulle died in 1969. -
The Official Languages Act
After Pierre Elliot Trudeau was elected as PM, his government passed The Official Languages Act which made Canada bilingual and required all federal government agencies to offer services in both English and French. More francophones were appointed to senior government positions and Canadians were encouraged to increase their understanding of other cultures. -
The October Crisis Begins
British diplomat, James Cross, is kidnapped by two FLQ members at his home in Montreal. They demanded four things: the release of political prisoners, publication of FLQ manifesto, transportation to Cuba or Algeria, and $500,000 in gold bars.This is important because it is the beginning of The October Crisis. -
Pierre Laporte is Kidnapped
On October 8, the Canadian government refused the demands of the FLQ but their manifesto was read on CBC radio. Two days later, four FLQ members kidnapped Pierre Laporte, the Quebec Labour Minister and number two man in Quebec. Important Government officials were relocated because of this and on October 12, federal troops took position in Ottawa to protect government officials and buildings. This is important because it led to the creation of the War Measures Act. -
The War Measures Act
PM Pierre Trudeau enacts the War Measures Act which took away the civil rights of Canadians and allowed police to hold suspects without charge for 21 days and without trial for 90 days. Around 464-497 people were arrested in total. This is important because it helped arrest about 30 FLQ members. -
The October Crisis Is Over
On Oct. 18, the body of Pierre Laporte was found and on Dec. 4, police retrieved James Cross who was being held captive for 59 days by the FLQ. On Dec. 28, the FLQ members who kidnapped and killed Pierre Laporte are arrested just outside of Montreal and the crisis is finally over. This is important because the crisis alerted Canadians as to just how serious the Quebec independence movement is. -
Bill 22
Many immigrants are coming to Canada and the majority of them prefer to learn English, which upsets French-Canadians. In an attempt to protect their language and culture, the provincial government led by Henri Bourassa pass a new legislation called Bill 22. The bill proclaims French as the official language of public service in Quebec and the immigrant parents' rights to choose the language that their child would learn is limited. This is important because it forces people to learn French. -
Le Parti Quebecois
A provincial party in Quebec called Le Parti Quebecois was elected. Their main goal was to separate from Canada with the help of their leader, Rene Levesque. This is important because it marks the first time that Quebeckers elected a government and Le Parti Quebecois is responsible for Bill 101. -
Bill 101
The first thing that Le Parti Quebecois wanted to do was to pass Bill 101. The bill stated that French was to be used in the government, courts, and businesses, businesses could only display commercial signs in French, and French became the official language of the workplace. English speaking Quebeckers were outraged which caused: 50,000 people to leave and multiple companies to move their head offices to Toronto or Calgary. This is important because it alienated English speakers in Quebec. -
Independence for Quebec - Round 1
Premier Rene Levesque creates a referendum for Quebec's independence from Canada. Less than 20% of Quebeckers favoured independence partly because of the fear of American dominance politically, economically, and socially. 84% of Quebeckers still wanted something to change within Canada. This is important because Quebec may finally become independent. -
The Referendum Results
PM Trudeau is against separation and is very passionate about keeping Canada united. He promises Quebeckers a constitutional arrangement if the referendum is defeated. He also wants Canada's constitution to belong to Canada rather than be an act of British Parliament. Over 90% of the total Quebec population voted in the referendum for independence. 60% of the population voted NO for independence and 40% voted YES for independence. This is important because Quebec voted NO for independence. -
The Gang of Eight
PM Pierre Elliot Trudeau was determined to bring home a revised constitution so that Canada would no longer have to ask for Great Britain's permission to change it. Premier Bill Davis of Ontario and Richard Hatfield of New Brunswick supported the PM but the other premiers formed an alliance against him known as the gang of 8. This is important because it leads to The Night of The Long Knives. -
The Night of the Long Knives
After failed attempts to persuade them, Trudeau held a last chance meeting with all the premiers in Ottawa. After 3 days of negotiations, there were no agreements. During the 3rd night, all of the premiers retired to their rooms at the hotel Chateau Laurier except for Rene Levesque who went to Hull, Quebec to sleep. In the middle of the night, Trudeau had meetings with the premiers and persuaded them to agree to his terms. This is important because PM Trudeau got what he wanted without Quebec. -
The Meech Lake Accord
PM Brian Mulroney proposed The Meech Lake Accord to create constitutional harmony by bringing Quebec into the revised constitution. The issue with this was that it seemed vague, was left open to interpretation, and as a result, worried English Canadians. The aboriginal community also felt that Quebec shouldn't have special consideration if no other groups did. The accord was a failure and never came to fruition. This is important because it would have had a big impact if it was passed. -
Supreme Court Rules Against Bill 101
The supreme court ruled that English could not be ruled out on signs and that the English language had to be evident somewhere on the signs. This is important because it helped English speaking people in Quebec after the devastating effects of Bill 101. -
Independence for Quebec - Round 2
A second referendum was held in Quebec to determine whether Quebec should continue being a province of Canada or become independent. The voter turnout was the largest in Quebec's history with 93% of Quebec voting. After countless hours of voting, the NO side won with 50.6% of the vote and the YES side lost with 49.4% of the vote. This is important because this was a very good chance for Quebec to become independent after years of begging for it, but it was voted against in the end.
