Assignment 10 - Challenges to Canadian Unity

Maurice Duplessis and the Great Darkness

Period: Jun 27, 1944 to Apr 28, 1959

Maurice Duplessis had encouraged foreign investment in Quebec although he had tried to keep out of the influence of foreign culture. In the end, the new investment benefited Duplessis and Bribery as well corruption took over the Duplessis regime.

Ban of the Potlatch repealed

Apr 27, 1951

Potlatches were ceremonies that were significant and were recorded by the oral tradition. The government viewed potlatch as an obstacle to the path of assimilation. This ban was strictly enforced and provincial government had arrested the chiefs responsible and were sentenced to jail terms

Aboriginals gain voting rights

Mar 31, 1960

Prime Minister John Diefenbaker began drafting the Canadian Bill of Rights, and had emphasized on equal rights for all Canadians. Portions of Section 14(2) of the Canada Elections Act were repealed in order to grant federal vote to status Indians.

Jean Lesage and the Quiet Revolution

Jun 22, 1960

The Quiet Revolution was a period of rapid change and reform that had modernized Quebec's society during the Liberal Government of Jean Lesage. This revolution had taken control of social services and the education system.

Bilingualism and Biculturalism Commission Formed

Apr 27, 1963

Lester Pearson was the Prime Minister during Quebec's quiet revolution and had been convinced that Canada would face a crisis unless French Canadians felt more at home in Canada. To solve this problem, he appointed the Royal Bi and Bi commission which called to become bilingual with English and French being its official languages.