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Maurice Richard Riot
The Maurice Richard Riot of 1955, was named after a famous aggressive, Montreal Canadians hockey player. Since times were tight between the French and English Canadians, his foul of hitting the raff caused a big out break between the Anglophone and Francophon’s. After this outburst, a tear bomb was released at a Montreal Canadians Hockey game causes thousands of people to flood out into the streets and thus a riot and fighting occurred. -
First Official Appearance of Canada's New Flag
Throughout the 1960s, the Pearson government put into action the "Great Flag Debate." Since the founding of Canada, Canada had officially flown the Union Jack and unofficially, the Canadian Red Ensign. While the majority of the Anglophone population of Canada reacted negatively to this new flag, the Francophone population was highly in favour of a unique flag that would represent the independence of Canada. -
Expo '67
The Universal Exposition occurred in Montreal during the centennial anniversary of Canada. The theme was called “Man and His World” and the expo went from April 27th to October 29th. Over 50 million people came to Montreal to see the expo. -
Official Language Act
The official Language Act came into play on September 9th 1969 allowing the Anglophones and Québécois to have equal status in government, making both French and English official languages in government. In later years, this act lead to Canada being a bilingual language. Overall, as a country, this act helped eliminate discrimination between the French and English. -
October Crisis
The Front de Liberation de Quebec (FLQ) was a violent group that used terrorist methods to gain power within Canadian society. Their manifesto stated that they hoped to liberate Quebec from the “oppressive” nature of the Anglophone population of Canada. Part of their strategy was to kidnap British Trade Commissioner, James Cross, and Cabinet Minister of Labour, Pierre Laporte, in order to manipulate the population. -
War Measures Act
The War Measures Act had never before been invoked during a peaceful time. However, with the threat of violent outbreaks on the horizon, the Canadian Government felt that it was in the best interests of the citizens to put the Act into action. The War Measures Act gives police the power to search and arrest individuals without a warrant. -
Parti Quebecois is Elected
In the Quebec Election of 1976, the Parti Quebecois surprised the rest of Canada by winning. This created fear within the rest of Canada because the Parti Quebecois was built on a platform of separatism. René Leveque was the party leader and thus became the premier of Quebec. This event was historically significant because it revealed a change in the opinions of the Quebecois. It showed that a larger portion of Quebec was in support of the separatist movement. -
Referendum on the Sovereignty-Association
The Sovereignty-Association proposal was an agreement that was drawn up by the Canadian government. This act would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad, while still maintaining an economic association with the rest of Canada. However, with a voter turnout of 85%, 59.56% of voters voted against this act that would allow Quebec sovereignty. -
Constitution Act
In 1982 Canada instituted the Constitution Act between that was part of Constituting Canada as a Nation. Although the French Canadians never agreed on this act, this act was to help Canada separate its self from Brittan, by changing the British North American Act and to the Constitution act, this allowed Canada to form our own charter of rights and freedoms. -
The Hockey Sweater is Published
"The Hockey Sweater" is a book that was written by Roch Carrier, a French Canadian. It is about a young boy who lives in Montreal and is sorely disappointed when he receives a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater instead of a Montreal Canadiens sweater. This story is historically significant because it reveals that two things were hugely important to Quebec during that time: hockey and religion. It also shows that Quebec was very disdainful when it came to the English-speaking Torontonians. -
Meech Lake Accord 1987
In 1987, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, to help the province of Quebec follow through with the Constitutional Act of 1982, negotiated the Meech Lake Accord. Canada believed that Quebec was not part of our “Constitutional Family” if they did not follows Canada’s charter of rights and freedoms. This accord was made on August 30th when Quebec agreed to ‘juridical equality” -
The Charlotte Town Accord.
In 1992, Prime Minister Mulroney tried to initiate the Charlotte town accord to bring Canada’s constitution together after the Meech Lake accord failed to do so. Just like the Meeck Lake accord, Mulroney was aiming for Canada to have a strong “constitutional family” by bringing Quebec and the rest of Canada together to form a stronger nation and allow the Aboriginals to negotiates their owns right to self govern. The accord was rejected, and the provincial premiers decided to let this idea go. -
Referendum on Sovereignty with Optional Partnership Offer
In one of the most important referendums in Canadian history, the Quebecois casted their votes on whether or not Quebec should become independent. This would've given Quebec sovereignty. The evening of October 30 was one that was awaited with baited breath by all of Canada. Over 95% of eligible voters turned out and the first reports said that the "Yes" side had won by a slight lead. However, the final report later said that the "No" side had won with 50.6% of the votes. -
Assentation of Pierre Laporte
On October 25th 1970 a very saddening event occurred as the deputy minister of Canada part of the Quebec liberal party, Mr. Pierre Laporte was assassinated. First kidnapped by the terrorist group called Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ) to use as a threat to the parliament, Mr. Laporte was questioned but would not say anything. While he was kip napped, Prime Minister Mr. Trudeau appealed the War Measures Act, which allowed murders and mass raids to find Mr. Laporte. Unfortunately, seven days a
