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1500
First Nations
In the First Occupants time period, the 3 sociolinguistic groups (language groups) were Algonquins, Iroquois and Inuits. The Algonquins and the Inuits were nomadic, patriarchal & gatherers. The Iroquois were sedentary and matriarchal. -
1534
Jacques Cartier 1534 & 1535-1536
Cartier made 2 voyages through 1534 to 1536. His objectives for his first voyage (1534) were to claim new territory for the king of France, look for precious resources to collect for France, & to evangelize people (convert to Catholicism). All though, instead he found cod fish in Newfoundland, which was still a great resource for the king. During his second voyage (1535 & 1536), he went down the St Lawrence river & found the first nation people, he also made contact with Stadacona & Hochelaga. -
Foundation of Quebec City
Champlain officially founded the settlement of Quebec City in 1608. He specifically chose Quebec City because it's where the river narrows, there is easy access to the St. Lawrence river (and the ocean), and it was a trading point with the Innu (and other Algonquians). -
The Company of 100 Associates
From 1627 to 1663: The company of 100 associates were granted a trade monopoly on fur in New France which lasted them until 1663. As a trade off they were expected to bring over settlers and protect them. The company wasn't okay with this because bringing over settlers would cost too much money, which would lead to them not making much profit. At the same time, France is at war with Britain. Britain's death threats at sea lead to the company not working anymore, their boats were being attacked. -
Foundation of Trois-Rivière
Trois-Rivière was founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1634. He wanted to expand his territory in population. -
Foundation of Ville Marie
Ville Marie, later known as Montreal was settled by Samuel de Champlain in 1642. He wanted to expand his territory in population. -
Intendant Jean Talon
Jean Talon was the intendant of New France, in 1663. Jean Talon mandated to increase the population and encouraged people to come populate New France. He gave free land to soldiers and engagers so that they would stay in New France after their service. He also gave the Filles du Roy (orphans or single women) money to create big families in New France -
Canadians in the 18th Century
In the 18th Century, the people who were born in New France became from as the Canadiens. These Canadians were French speaking Catholics. The quality of living in New France allowed for a high birth rate during this period of time. They had access to food and good water, they stayed in good health. The population was spread out over the territory (unlike the city), which helped limit the spread of diseases. In the city, there were high death rates because of disease and uncleanliness. -
New France Captured (1756-1763)
The 7 Years War (in 1756 to 1763) brought an end to New France.
First, Louisbourg surrendered to the English in 1758. Then, in 1759, Quebec City was captured. Later on there was the capitulation of Montreal in 1760. From 1760 to 1763 New France was under British Military rule. In 1763, the 7 Years War ended in Europe with the Treaty of Paris and New France was officially ceded to Britain. -
Demographics of New France
In New France (1760), at the end of the French Regime, 45% of the population were soldiers. Engagers and nobles were 15% each, and 25% were the unwanted (prisoners, refugees...). Even though the English took over, 99% of the population was French and only 1% was English. -
Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation, in 1763, was a document signed that officials gave New France to Britain. This document “Assimilated the French”. First, it renamed the territory of Quebec City, MTL, etc. to the Province of Quebec. English Laws and the Anglican church were introduced to the territory in order to attract British colonists. Meaning, Catholicism and French Law were no longer allowed, this lead to the French people being very mad. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act, of 1774 “Pleases the French”. The reason for this was that the British King was scared of the 13 colonies becoming their own nation and of the French leaving him. He expanded the territory of the province, the oath of allegiance was replaced with one that no longer made reference to the Protestant Faith (Catholicism was allowed again). The French Civil law was back, while still maintaining the English common law. -
American Revolution / War of Independence (1775-1783)
The American Revolution / War of Independence, in 1775-1783 was when the Thirteen Colonies declared their independence from British Control (1776). Only certain people (15-20% of the population) remained loyal to the King of England and chose to come to BNA (loyalists). Those 46 000 Loyalists were offered land and subsidies. -
Constitutional Act
The Constitutional Act (1791) opened up new land to be given to the Loyalists entering Canada. They settled in Eastern Townships region of the Province of Quebec. Pieces of square land (townships) were offered to the loyalists, tax free. It was still english laws / settlements. Between 1775 and 1812 about 15 000 loyalists came to BNA. Then, the Government tried to bring peace: he divided North America into Upper (English) Canada & Lower (French) Canada. -
Demography of Quebec (1814-1861)
Quebec's population, from 1814 to 1861, tripled due to natural growth. There was approximately 160 000 people after the constitutional act and then 660 000 people after the Act of Union. Between 1830 and 1840, many of the rural area were over-populated, so many French Canadians moved to urban area. After 1840, between 22 000 and 35 000 French Canadians emigrated to the United States, where industrialization is quicker in the better and where there are more jobs. -
Act of Union
The Act of Union, in 1840 was when a French Canadian rebel group (the Patriotes) wanted a better representation for french speaking people and businessmen, but they were defeated by the english speaking canadians. This act united Lower Canada and Upper Canada into one territory, Canada. English became the official language and the French were now a minority of Canada, instead of being majority or Lower Canada -
The Great Famine
The Great Famine, in 1845 to 1852 was a major migration flow. It was a period of mass starvation in Ireland. Their main food source was potatoes and a disease made the potatoes not fit to eat for the people. Approximately 1 million people died and 1 million people emigrated. -
The Confederation of 1867
The Confederation, in 1867, is when the British North America act officially creates the Dominion of Canada, by joining together Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario and nova scotia. -
Immigration Policies (from 1867-1885)
In 1867-1885, there were nearly 3.4 million people in the Dominion, during the confederation. In 1871, there was the first Canadian census. Quebec had 1 191 516 inhabitants. The first prime minister of Canada, John A Macdonald created the National Policy, he promoted population growth, his objectives were: To settle the west of the Dominion through immigration: gave people big land, they farm & make families. The workers there then built a railroad. This would hopefully promote immigration. -
The Baby Boom
After world war 2, there was a lot of money flowing, which lead to the growth of the population, as marriages and births increased. There was a fertility rate of 3.84 children per woman, this was the rate before the Great Depression in the 1920’s. It became known as the Baby Boom (from around 1946 to around 1964). In 1960, 94% of women were giving birth in hospitals compared to 16% in 1940, this lead to a decrease in mortality rate. -
Immigration after 1950
In 1952, there was an immigration Act. British, french, usa people, and asians with family in Canada were prioritized. The act excluded asians without family in Canada, Indians, pakistanis, and Sri Lankans. In 1962, the government eliminated criteria that was racially discriminatory. In 1966/67 “The White Paper” led to a new policy, based on the skills of the french and English. In 1968, Quebec created its own immigration ministry & in 1969 Canada aids in the settlement of refugees. -
Immigration Act of 1976
The main objectives of the Immigration Act in 1976 were to: Encourage population growth, enrich cultural heritage, facilitate family reunions, facilitate the adaptation of new residents into society, selection with non-discriminatory criteria & to maintain humanitarian attitude towards refugees. -
The Charter of the French Language ("Bill 101")
In 1976, the Quebec government enacted The Charter of the French Language OR “Bill 101”. This protected the french language in Quebec, by forcing Immigrant children to go to French School. -
Quebec government policies after 1980
The Quebec government policies after 1980 were:
Office de la garde à l’enfance - 1980
Tax breaks for having children - 1986
CPEs (Centre de la Petite Enfance) - 1997 and 5$ a day daycare (now 7$)
QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan) - 2005
