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World War One Conscription Crisis
PM Sir Robert Borden made mandatory conscription official in Canada in wake of the high number of casualties. To try and retain his leadership, he asked liberal leader Laurier for support, which he replied no because of the fear of rise of Quebecois nationalism. Quebec was the only province who did not support conscription. This brought the Easter Riots to Quebec and ended up with the feds placing martial law. 6,000 soldiers and rioters caused 150 casualties in total. -
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Creation of the Union Nationale Party
The Union National was a Québec political party founded in 1935 and dissolved in 1989. The Union National defended provincial autonomy, conservatism, economic liberalism and rural life. -
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The Duplesiss Era/The Great Darkness
The Great Darkness was a period in time in which Maurice Duplessis was the Union Nationale premier of Quebec. He served for a total of 18 years non-consecutively. Duplessis strongly supported the church and was very conservative. He had a disdain for English influence and supported provincial rights. In his era, Quebec was known to have terrible working conditions and discouraged unions. At the end of his ruling as premier and along with the swinging 60s, people pushed for social change. -
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World War Two Conscription Crisis
After the Canadian government held the referendum to cancel anti-conscription policies, the Government implemented the new draft in which only 12,903 were conscripted and only 2,000 plus made it to the front lines. The French did not appreciate this and previous tensions flared but not to the same extent as before. Minimal public demonstrations occurred during this period. -
Front de liberation du Quebec LQ party is formed
The FLQ was a Canadian terrorist movement that pushed for the separation of Quebec. It is very important to mention that this group was a staunch supporter of Marxist-Leninst ideals. The group was trained by Cuban communists. The FLQ began placing bombs in English areas of Montreal and began to increase their power by stealing money and firearms. From 1965-1969 there were heavy bombings (+200) in very important areas throughout Quebec. After the October crisis, the FLQ would flee to Cuba. -
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The Quiet Revolution
The Quiet Revolution aka Révolution Tranquille was a time in which Quebec went through modernization and development in a short period of time. This was done through secularization, this meant that political affairs distanced themselves from the Catholic church. In terms of development, Quebec focused on bettering the welfare state, they poured massive investments into public education, unionized civil service, implemented measures to control the economy, and nationalized energy production. -
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1960s Separatist Movement
The separatist movement of Quebec began with the citizen's movement that turned into a political party called Rassemblement pour l'indépendance nationale (RIN). This party merged with another (1968) to form Parti Québecois which garnered 41% of Quebec's vote and 71 seats (Nov. 15, 1976). In 1980 there was the Quebec Referendum in which a close vote brought the decision to not separate with Canada- about 60 to 40 in favor of no. -
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Bi & Bi Commission (Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism) investigation by Lester B. Pearson
Lester B. Pearson established the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism investigation in response to Quebec's growing fear of losing their culture and language. The whole point of the investigation was to foster bilingualism and multiculturalism. They specifically focused on equal opportunity. All provinces changed their education programs to better accommodate French speakers. A federal department of multiculturalism was created. The commission laid the foundation for diversity. -
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Canada’s New Flag 1965
Lester B. Pearson brought up the plans to introduce a new Canadian flag in the House of Commons. His plan was to redesign the flag as 'Canadian' while not paying much mind to the country's colonial past. The leader of the opposition wanted to include homage to the 'founding' of the nation. Diefenbaker obviously did not sit well with French Canadians who felt that including the colonial past would not accurately the French. In the end the flag we know today was introduced and passed in the HOC. -
Canada’s Immigration Policy becomes “Colour Blind”
The attempt to eradicate discrimination on accepting immigrants. There was now a criteria where immigrants had to fit it to gain points. This ruled out the possibility for immigration officers to be prejudicial. Once an immigrant was able to score a certain amount, though for example having a high-level of education, they would be permitted into Canada. -
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Pierre Trudeau Becomes Prime Minister
Pierre Trudeau was Canada's 15th PM. He was made the leader of the liberal party on April 6th with his image as a young and new politician. His nationwide support, especially from the youth, resulted in him becoming the PM. While serving, he helped Quebec stay with Canada, neutralized the Quebec terrorist threat, pushed for universal healthcare, implemented bilingualism, and made Canada officially independent from Britain. -
Official Languages Act passed
Pierre Trudeau put the Official Languages act into action. This brought equality of the two main languages of Canada: French and English. It legally allowed citizens to interact with the government in both French and English and required all products to have both French and English labels. -
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October Crisis
4 FLQ men kidnapped James Cross, British trade commissioner. The demands: $500,000 ransom, transport to Cuba, FLQ manifesto be broadcasted, and the realize of FLQ members in prison. Oct. 10th, an FLQ cell kidnapped Pierre Laporte, Minster of Labour. Laporte wrote soon after begging for their demands to be met and the FLQ threatened to do more. Oct. 17th, Laporte was found dead, the government agreed to broadcast the manifesto, and gave transport to Cuba all in exchange for Cross' release. -
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The War Measures Act (1970)
The War Measures Act was implemented onto Quebec in 1970 in reaction to the October crisis. Please note that Canada was not in a state of war at this time. This allowed the federal government to suspend certain civil rights. The feds used this act to launch an offensive on the FLQ resulting in over 400 arrests and thousands of searches. The government of Canada feared the conspiracy to overthrow the government. This finally lapsed (ended) on April 30th, 1971. -
Policy of Multiculturalism
Pierre Trudeau introduced the new Multicultural policy for Canada in 1971. This policy officially recognized Canada to have two majority cultures and languages: English-Canada and French-Canada. French Immersion schools were a by-product of this policy change. Trudeau's policy was met with criticism because while the policy implied recognition of minority groups, the minority groups felt underrepresented. The main focus of this was on the two main groups. -
Bill 22 introduced by Robert Bourassa
Robert Bourassa, the Liberal Premier of Quebec, proposed Bill 22 which made French the official language of Quebec. It also enforced the French language in the workplace and out restrictions on kids going to English schools by making them pass an English proficiency test. This bill was brought up because at the time there was a fear of losing French culture and language as birth rates dropped in Quebec and immigration rose. -
Parti Quebecois wins provincial election on Quebec
The Parti Quebecois, led by Rene Levesque defeated the Liberals in the provincial election. The PQ was a non-violent separatist party that was dedicated to winning independence for Quebec by folling the rules of Canada's poltical proess. -
Bill 101 introduced by Parti Quebecois, Rene Levesque
Rene Levesque, the leader of the Parti Quebecois proposed Bill 101 to replace Bill 22. Bill 101 became the Charter of French Languge bill. Bill 101 required the French to be the language used by governments, courts, and businesses in QUebec, and that commercial signs be displayed in French only. Restrictions to attending English schools. -
Immigration policy moves to ‘sponsorship program’
This new Immigration policy came under the Trudeau administration. It brought a new perspective on Canadian immigration which was to promote Canada's demographic, social, and economic needs. It helped promote family reunion and made a distinctive refugee group. This Act also allowed groups such as churches and private organizations to sponsor immigrant individuals or families. 5 types of immigrants were established: Independent, Economic, Family, Assisted Relatives, and Humanitarian. -
Bill 101 Passed
in 1988, a Montreal store owner was charged with violating section 58 of bill 101, which required outdoor commercial signs to be in French only. Bill 101 caused huge backlash within Quebec and across the country. Resulted in many English businesses leaving Quebec for other parts of Canada. After a new law Bill 178 was passed. It still required outdoor signs to be in French, but allowed indoor commercial signs to be bilingual, providing French is given priority. -
Referendum on Sovereignty Association
A referendum is when a political issue is submitted to a direct vote of all the citizens. In 1980, Quebec held its first referendum on the problem of sovereignty vs. association with the rest of Canada. The proposal regarded that Quebec would be an independent state, with control over its own taxes, social policies, citizenship and immigration. The results were over 90% of the people in Quebec cast their ballots, resilted in 60% voting "non." Quebec would remain a part of Canada. -
Patriation of the Constitution.
The people who had campaigned for a "non" vote in the 1980 Quebec referendum had promised the Quebec citizens a new constitutional arrangement if the referendum had failed. Pierre Trudeau kept his promise by patriating the Consittuion in April 1982 -
Constitution Act
Originally, Canada's constitution was the British North America Act of 1867, was an act of British Parliament. Trudeau wanted Canada's constitution to belong to Canada, and so he proposed the Constitution Act of 1982. Under the Constitution Act, Canada's constitution would be reworked. Under the Constitution Act, Canada would be a truly sovereign nation. Canada would have its own constitution. New constitution had amending formula, that gave Canadians ability to make changes to the constitution. -
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Brian Mulroney becomes Prime Minister
As the 18th prime minister of Canada, he came from Quebec and served from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993. He was the leader of the progressive conservatives and is famous for seeking closer cooperation with the US. While his term was filled with controversy, he was notable for beginning the Meech Accord talks and bringing the FTA (Free trade Agreement) with the US. He helped protect the environment fighting against acid rain. He was strongly opposed to the apartheid in South Africa. -
Meech Lake Accord
Prime Minister Mulroney and all ten primiers met at Meech Lake to change the constitution so that it included Quebec. The Meech Lake initiative was Prime Minister Mulroney's attempt to create constitutional harmony by including a Quqbec. All ten premiers reached an non-fixed agreement at Meech Lake. -
Reform Party Created
The Reform party was a political party that represented and pushed for western agenda to be met in Ottawa. They supported decentralizing and limiting the federal government's power. They wanted free-trade and direct democracies. The Reform Party became a regionalized party that, along with Bloc Quebecois, defeated the Progressive Conservatives. But with this regional battle, they simply could not hold the interest of all of Canada for long. The Reform Party became the Canadian Alliance in 2000. -
Bloc Quebecois Formed
The Bloc Quebecois formed as a result of the failure of the Meech lake Accord. They beleived that Quebec should become an independent state and separate from the rest of Canada. -
Department of Multiculturalism formed
During 1988, the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney passed the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, which forces to enhance multiculturalism in Canada. -
Meech Lake Accord
Jun 22, 1990 would be the last possible day for the Accord to be passed however, The Meech Lake Accord did not pass and failed. -
Charlottetown Accord
Quebec was still not included in Canada's constitution. All leaders met in Charlottetown to try to come to a new agreement. The Charlottetown Accord made provisions for Indigenous self-government, Senate reform, universal healthcare, workers' rights, and environmental protection. Proposed accord included clause that related to a distinct society clause for Quebec. In the end, only four of the ten provincies approved. -
Parti Quebecois returned to power
In 1994, Parti Quebecois defeated Liberals in the Quebec provincial election, Jacques Parizeau became the Premier of Quebec. -
2nd Referendum on Sovereignty Association
The failure of the Charlottetown Referendum had made many French Canadians feel angered. In 1995, Jacques Parizeau held a referendum on Quebec's sovereignty. The topic was whether Quebec should actually separate from Canada or not. the referendum was unsuccessful and the "non" side won with 50.6% of votes. Parizeau resigned later and Lucien Bouchard took over. The problem was left unsolved in the end and the question remained whether Quebec could legally separate from Canada. -
Clarity Bill and the Supreme Court decision
In 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that Quebec did not have the right to separate from Canada by its own decisions. For them to achieve independence, Quebec would have to negotiate with the federal government, as well as the other provinces. Negotiations could only begin after a referendum in which a majority is voted yes.
