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WWI Conscription Crisis
When Prime Minister Borden introduced the Military Service Act, many French Canadians objected for several reasons. They were not particularly patriotic, as they felt that they had little ties to Britain or France. Many were also farmers. Lastly, they were often treated as second-class citizens when they did volunteer, as few officers spoke French. As tensions increased, riots occurred, most notably the Montreal riots of 1918 that left 4 demonstrators dead and 10 wounded soldiers. -
Creation of the Union Nationale Party
The Union Nationale was a political party that supported Quebec Nationalism, and was founded by Maurice Duplessis. -
The Great Darkness
Maurice Duplessis was the Union Nationale premier of Quebec during this period. He was a devoted Roman Catholic and political conservative; due to his mannerisms, he was known as "the boss". his policies isolated Quebec from the rest of Canada, as he disliked English influence. As well, he also disliked unions and took actions to undermine them. -
WWII Conscription Crisis
When WWII began in 1940, Prime Minister Mackenzie King promised no conscription. However, it soon became clear that it would be needed to defeat the Nazis. He held a plebiscite to ask Canadians to release him from his promise. While conscription did pass, many Quebecois felt that PM King had lied to them, and were unhappy. However, thanks to the plebiscite, the relations were not as scarred as WWI. The relations were strained but not broken, so to speak. -
The Great Darkness II
Maurice Duplessis was the Union Nationale premier of Quebec during this period. He was a devoted Roman Catholic and political conservative; due to his mannerisms, he was known as "the boss". his policies isolated Quebec from the rest of Canada, as he disliked English influence. As well, he also disliked unions and took actions to undermine them. -
Quebec Separatist Movement
Many French-Canadians resented the overwhelming anglophone influence in Canada, so they sought to fight for the freedom of Quebec from Canada. This lead to the creation of the FLQ, as well as the Parti Quebecois. -
The Quiet Revolution
Under the leadership of Jean Lesage, Quebec underwent many quiet but important changes, hence the name. While Lesange didn't campaign for independence, he wanted to bring more control to how Quebec was run. This brought secularization, large investments in public education, unionization of the civil service, Hydro-Quebec, and the preservation of French language and culture. This also caused French Nationalism to rise, as French Canadians became Quebecois. -
The Formation of the FLQ
A terrorist group that tried to achieve independence for Quebec through violent means. -
Bilingualism and Biculturalism Committee Investigation
A commission created by the Canadian government to enhance and promote Canadian French-English history. It lead to the creation of the Official Languages Act. -
Canada's New Flag
Canada was in the process of creating a new flag; however, the Quebecois were unhappy as it did not contain the francophone elements they wanted (such as the fleur-de-lys) -
New Immigration Policy ("Colourblind")
Canada removed preferential treatment for immigrants from certain countries. The points system was implemented and fluency in French or English was accepted. -
Trudeau Becomes Prime Minister
A French-Canadian who wanted to better relations between Quebec and the rest of Canada. -
Official Languages Act Passed
This made French and English official languages of Canada, and protected minorities of each language. -
Policy of Multiculturalism
PM Trudeau announced to the House of Commons that multiculturalism would become an official government policy. -
The October Crisis (FLQ Crisis)
The Front de Liberation du Quebec was a group that wanted Quebec to separate from Canada, and supported violent means to attain their goals. However, they are most known for the kidnapping of Pierre Laporte, Quebec's Minister of Labour and Vice-Premier. They ended up killing Laporte, so the government was forced to broadcast the FLQ manifesto and release some FLQ prisoners. In response to the FLQ's actions, PM Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, which restricted civil rights. -
The War Measures Act
In response to the political kidnapping of the FLQ, PM Trudeau extended the power of the government to take away certain civil rights. During this time, many were searched, detained, and arrested. Membership in the FLQ was made illegal, and political rallies were also banned. -
Bill 22
Introduced by Robert Bourassa, premier of Quebec, Bill 22 was created to make French the official language of Quebec and strengthen French in the workplace. This was due to increasing immigration rates and falling birth rates, so French was at risk of disappearing. -
Parti Quebecois Wins Provincial Election in Quebec
This was significant, as this was non-violent separatist movement that wanted to have Quebec independent from Canada through political reform, not terrorism (like the FLQ). -
Immigration Policy Moves to "Sponsorship Program"
This act allowed family members to immigrate to Canada if they had relatives already. -
Bill 101 Proposed by Parti Quebecois
Rene Levesque proposed this bill to replace Bill 22. It required French to be the language used by businesses, governments, and courts in Quebec, and that commercial signs had to be in French only. It also required English schools to only accept children who had one or more parents who had attended English school. This bill was unpopular and many anglophone businesses moved away. -
Bill 101 Passed
Now, Quebec was under the rules of this bill. -
Referendum on the Sovereignty Association
Quebec held its first referendum on sovereignty vs association with the rest of Canada. Quebec was proposed to become an independent state, controlling its own taxes, social policies, citizenship, and immigration but would remain economically close with the rest of Canada. Of the 90% of Quebecois that voted, 60% voted to stay as part of Canada. Thus, Quebec remained as a province. -
Patriation of the Constitution
This was supposed to create a truly Canadian constitution, so Canada would be truly sovereign and have its "own" constitution. Ten premiers met to discuss the constitution;however, on the final night, Levesque was not invited to take part in the last minute revisions. Thus, Quebec was unhappy and Levesque did not sign the new constitution. -
1982 Constitution Act
All premiers agreed to the new constitution, except for Quebec's Levesque, who was not invited to the last minute revisions. -
Brian Mulroney Becomes Prime Minister
He attempted to create a unanimous constitution. -
Reform Party Created
Was founded by former Prime minister Stephen Harper out of discontent with PM of the time Mulroney. -
Meech Lake Accord
PM Mulroney wanted to change the constitution so it would be unanimous and include Quebec. It proposed that Quebec would be considered a "distinct society," so that the Quebecois identity would be distinct from that of a conventional Canadian. However, many English-Canadians did not like this, and many Aboriginals felt that they were never given such special consideration. Thus, the Meech Lake Accord's new constitution failed as 4 provinces would not sign it. -
The Formation of the Bloc Quebecois
Quebec's first federal separatist-oriented political party. They later on became the Official Opposition Party in 1993. -
Department of Multiculturalism Formed
Created to better understand and promote multiculturalism in Canada, including French-English history. -
Charlottetown Accord
This time, another attempt at including Quebec in the constitution was made, with further adjustments to include Aboriginals, women, universal healthcare, and a slew of other concerns. However, only 4/10 provinces approved, as they found these amendments to be too lengthy and vague. -
Parti Quebecois Returns to Power
In 1994, they defeated the Liberals and Jaques Parizeau became the Premier of Quebec. -
2nd Referendum on the Sovereignty Association
After two previous failed attempts to include Quebec in the Constitution, Premier of Quebec Jacques Parizeau held a referendum to determine if Quebec should separate from Canada. 50.6% of Quebecois voted no, so Quebec remained a part of Canada. -
Clarity Bill and the Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court ruled that Quebec could not seperate unilaterally (by deciding by itself) and had to negotiate with other provinces, the federal government, and aboriginals living in Quebec. The Clarity Act stated that in any future referendums, the question must be clear (yes or no) and win a clear majority.
