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World War Two
Canada enters war in September 10, 1939. -
Women's Sffrage
QuWomen's Suffrage passed under the administration of Abelard Godbout. Women now can vote in elections and run for office. -
Mayor of Montéal arrested
Popular Montéal mayor Camillien Houde is arrested for his public countenancing of the men of Quebec to ignore the government's National Registration Act. He is interned until 1944. -
Canadian conscription plebiscite
Québec strongly disagrees against conscription. Public referendum is given to the government opposing conscription.
All provinces except Québec says "no", with 73.1% of the population. -
USA agrees on Assimilation of French Canadians
Franklin D. Roosevelt, writes a private letter to Mackenzie King, Proposing that the USA and Canada agree on an unwritten plan aiming to disperse French Canadians in order to assimilate them more quickly. -
Québec Conference
Canada, Britain, and USA meets in secret military meeting to discuss about further allied plans for WWII. From this meeting, the Allies planned an invasion of France in a codename "Overlord". -
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Québec Conference of 1943
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Hydro Québec founded
Eastablished by government of Québec as a part of the nationalization movement. -
D-Day: Canadian Forces land on Juno Beach
Canadian forces land on Juno Beach, Normandy, France, as a part of allied forces' push back on Nazi forces. This marks the beginning of the liberation of France. -
Québec General Election
More infoQuébec's General Election. Women vote for the first time in Canada. Union Nationale wins. -
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Duplessis Era
Duplessis Era was an era of Québec's nationalism. Duplessis era is characterized by the strong sense of nationalism of Canadiens, conservative thinking, and support for Roman Catholicism. -
Igor Gouzenko's defect
Soviet spy Igor Gouzenko defects to Canada and exposes that there is a Soviet spy ring in Canada. -
Creation of UN
UN is created. Canada is one of the Security Council. -
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Cold War
Two superpowers, United States of America and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, participates in the biggest arms race yet on earth. Canada acts as a middle power, plays an important role in mediating the tension between USA and USSR. -
Spy Ring Investigation
with the help of Igor Gouzenko, the Canadian Royal Commision finally investigates a soviet spy ring. -
First female candidate in Québec
However she is unsuccessful in election. -
Adoption of Flag of Québec
Québec adopts "Flag of Québec". Before, Union Flag was hung in government buildings. -
Newfoundland joins Canada
The Dominion of Newfoundland decides to join Dominion of Canada via a questionable referendum: 52% agreed, while 48% disagreed. Was it beneficial? That is even more questionable. Newfoundland will officially be the 10th province of Canada in April 1, 1949. -
Québec General Election
Union Nationale led by Maurice Duplessis wins again by 51.24% vote. This actualizes the strong sense of Duplessis era in Québec. -
Louis Saint Laurent replaces Mackenzie King
Louis Saint, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, wins the federal election, replaces Mackenzie King's wartime rule. -
NATO ratification
Canada joins NATO as one of the first members. NATO acts to counterbalance the Warsaw Pact by the USSR. Iron curtain is formed in Eastern Europe. -
Creation of British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations created; Canada becomes one of the first members. -
Albert Guay Affair
A plane on a route from Québec City to Baie-Comeau is bombed by Joseph-Albert Guay, a resident of Québec City. He planned the bombing to kill his wife, and collect insurance pay. The bombing killed all passengers on board, total of 23. Both Guay and Marguerite Pitre, who helped the bombing, was tried and hanged. -
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Korean War
Canada participates in Korean war as a part of UN forces. Korean war marks one of the Communist-Capitalist conflicts during the Cold war.
The Korean war has still not ended yet; it is at ceasefire. -
Canada joins Korean war
Canada joins UN to help South Korea against North Korea in Korean war. First Canadian troops land in Korea in December 18, 1950. Korean war is one of the major conflict during the Cold war. -
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Suez Crisis
Canada's ambassador, Lester Pearson, helps alleviate tensions in Suez crisis and brings peaceful resolution to the conflict, demonstrating Canada's commitment and ability to keep peace in the world as a strong part of UN's peacekeeping forces. -
Canada joins Colombo Plan
Canada joins Colombo Plan, to embody the concept of collective inter-governmental effort to strengthen economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The first meeting was held in January 1950, Colombo, Sri Lanka -
Massey Report released
Massey Commission releases its findings in 1951, concluding that Canada was indeed culturally threatened by the United States. Massey report recommended creation of cultural institutions in Canada. Massey Commission was first formed in 1945. -
Vincent Massey appointed first Canada-born Governor-General
Vincent Massey, leader of the Massey Commission, becomes the first Canada-born Governor-General of Canada. He filed the Massey report in effort to shield Canadian culture from American influence.
He would bring a great cooperation between Governor-General and the Prime Minister of Canada. -
Elizabeth II becomes Queen of Canada
Her father, George VI, died of lung cancer from heavy smoking and stress from World War II. Queen Elizabeth II would officially be crowned in June 2, 1953 -
Québec General Election
Union Nationale, lead by Maurice Duplessis, wins again for the fourth time, with 50,50%. -
Radio-Canada begins broadcasting
Although CBC existed in various parts of Canada, CBC was seperated into French and English parts. Now, CBC is dissolved into a whole organization.
CBC first broadcasted CBC Television, marking the start of Canadian Broadcasting Company. -
Lester B. Pearson elected President of the UNGA
Lester B. Pearson is elected as the President of the United Nations General Assembly. He would play a very important role in Suez Crisis, and would become the Prime Minister of Canada in near future. -
Richard Riot
Maruice Richard is an Ice hockey player for the Montréal Canadiens of the NHL. As a star player of the Montréal Canadiens, he was frequently yelled at with ethnic slurs and was often hooked or slashed during the game. When in 1954, one of Richard's teammate, Bernie Geoffrion was suspended for the suspected anti-Francophone move, Richard called the League president, Campbell, who suspended Bernie, a "dictator" on a newsprint. Soon, a riot occured during the game between Boston and Montréal. -
Québec General Election
Maruice Duplessis, leader of the Union Nationale, wins again for the fifth time with 51.80%. This a record-breaking win streak. -
Peaceful resolution to the Suez Crisis
Lester B. Pearson, secretary general of UNGA, proposes a peaceful resolution to the Suez Crisis. He would win Nobel Prize a year later. -
Padlock Law ruled unconcstitutional
Québec's Padlock Law, which was intended to prevent the dissemination of communist propaganda, is ruled unconstitutional by the federal government, and is struck down in the Supreme Court of Canada as unconstitutional. This law was frequently exploited to arrest individual activists, regardless of their political belief. -
John Diefenbaker wins a minority in Federal Election
John Diefenbaker, leader of Progressive Conservative, wins Liberal led by Louis St. Laurent with 38.5%, earning him the minority government. -
DEW Line Operation Begins
DEW Line is Distant Early Warning Line. This series of Radar was constructed around the artic circle, in a cooperation between Canada and United States in an effort to construct a warning system if nuclear missiles or bombers were to invade North America. -
Avro Arrow presented to the media
Avro Arrow is presented to Canada and USA as a solution to the nuclear missile threat from the USSR. However the plan is unsuccessful is scrapped due to financial and political reasons. -
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Avro Arrow Project
Avro Arrow was first presented to the NORAD as a solution to the nuclear missile threat from USSR during the Cold War. However, the project is terminated due to political and financial reasons. The Bomarc missile was instead used as a counter to the nuclear warhead-ICBMs of the USSR. -
Canada and United States sign NORAD agreement
NORAD, North American Air Defense, is a pact agreement between Canada and USA to keep North American air space without threat of nuclear attack from the USSR. -
Maurice Duplessis dies in office
Maurice Duplessis, Premier of Québec, dies in office while in power. With his death Duplessis era in Québec ends as well. But his influence still remains strong in Québec. 4 days later, Paul Sauvé becomes the Premier of Québec. -
Paul Suavé dies in Office
Without much achievements, Paul Suavé, leader of the Union Nationale, dies in office while in power, in less than a year.
Suavé planned to bring some radical changes to Québec, especially in educational reforms.
He is regarded by many as the founder of the Quiet Revolution that would bring great changes to Québec. -
Jean Lesage becomes Premier of Québec
jean Lesage replaces Antonio Barrette, finally ending long lasting Union Nationale's rule. A leader of Liberal Party, Jean Lesage's rule in Québec would bring a great change to Québec, and his time as a Premier is considered a Quiet Revolution of Québec. -
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Quiet Revolution
A Quiet Revolution is characterized by economic reforms, nationalism, and secularization. Hydro-Québec is formed, new labour code was adopted, compulsory schooling was raised to 11th grade, and many more legal and financial changes were brought upon. This period changed Québec's conservative characters to something more progressive, which was somewhat an accord with not only Canada's characteristic, but also that of world at the time. -
Québec finally agrees to the National Health Act
Québec becomes the last province to agree to the National Health Act. This is the first change brought in the Quiet Revolution. -
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Cuban Missile Crisis
Canada plays an important role in the Cuban Missile Crisis: by stationing almost all of the navy force on the Northern Altantic Ocean, Canada allowed USA to blockade Cuba and prevent nuclear missiles from entering Cuba and threaten USA and Canada. The conflict ends with a peaceful agreement between USA and USSR of de-armament and lifting naval blockade. -
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FLQ Terrorism
FLQ is an organization was planned to create an independent Marxist-Leninist Québec state. FLQ would commence multiple waves of terrorism, and would bring great influence on Canada's tactics to fight terrorism from inside-out. FLQ left scar on both Canada's image and Québec's image. The most renowned attack is the October Crisis, in which the FLQ kidnapped two government officials. After October Crisis, RCMP formed a special unit, and arrested or deported all members of FLQ. -
Diefenbaker falls; Pearson takes PM
After rejecting the adoption of nuclear missiles from the US, Diefenbaker's government is shaken with criticisms from Lester Pearson. In the following election called by the parties, Lester Pearson wins Diefenbaker and forms a minority party. -
FLQ members sets off first bombs in Québec
FLQ commences their first attack, bombing the railways which the Prime minister John Diefenbaker had arranged to travel within the week. In June 1, 1963, the original members of FLQ group were arrested, after they had attempted to bomb Recruitment centre, English-owned businesses, banks, McGill Universities, college, and an armoury. More attacks would follow after this incident. -
Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism announced
Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism is formed to mediate the differences between Francophonies and Anglophonies. This commission would change Canada's identity to a Bilingual and Bicultural nation. -
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Cyprus Peacekeeping
In 1964, when Turkish and Greek populations of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus broke out in hostilities, Turkish government threatened to invade the island. In march 4th, Secretary General of UN asked Canada, and 4 other countries to help Cyprus. Only Canada responded. Cyprus rarely remembered among Canadians, but is one of Canada's proudest moments in history. Although Canada left Cyprus in 1993, UN's UNFICYP mission is still ongoing, and Cyprus isn't completely peaceful yet. -
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Vietnam War
Vietnam war is criticized by many as a form of corruption of government of USA. The war was caused from the greed, corruption, and mismanagement. Originally started between the French and the independent state of Vietnam, USA intervened by supporting French troops and in 1965, USA's troops landed in Vietnam. Canada was not invovled in the fight as it was rather a Communist-Capitalist fight, not a peacemaking mission. -
Canada's New Flag
Since March, 1964, much controversy was developed over the new Canadian flag. Will it be Franco-friendly? Will it still have the Union Jack? Will it be created by Anglo-Canadian or Franco-Canadian? After much heated debate and development, the "Flag Committee" chose the Maple Leaf Flag as the official flag of Canada. -
Prison Break in Montréal
Lucien Rivard. a criminal in Québec, had been engaged in robbery and drug smuggling since the 40's. In 65', when he was in a prison in Montréal, he used a water hose to climb a wall and escape. He wrote to the Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson while he was out of prison:
"Life is short, you know. I don't intend to be in jail for the rest of my life."
He was later caught and extradited to the United States four months later. -
Québec General Election
Liberal lead by Jean Lesage wins the election with 47.29%, -
End of Quiet Revolution
Daniel Johnson, Sr, leader of Union Nationale, becomes premier of Québec, replacing Jean Lesage thus ending the Quiet Revolution. -
Montréal inaugurates its metro system
Soon, there would be metro system in Montréal that would provide another method of transportation in the city. -
Canada's 1000 year celebration
People everywhere in Canada celebrates the centennial of Canada. Streets are filled with bliss and excitement. Fireworks fill the city with explosions and lights. -
"Vive le Québec libre"
French President Charles de Gaulle gave Montréal citizens a speech that gave a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism to Francophonies. This patriotism was towards France not Canada, however, which angered Canadian federal government very mad. Angered by this speech, Canadian PM Lester B. Pearson cancelled meeting with the French President. -
Pierre Trudeau wins a majority
Pierre Trudeau's Liberals win a majority, replacing Lester B.Pearson. Lester B.Pearson was losing grip of the populus since last year while Trudeau was gaining more, earning him the win in the election -
Premier of Québec dies in office
Daniel Johnson, Sr, Premier of Québec, dies in office. Jean-Jacques Bertrand follows up after, taking Johnson's place. -
Creation of Parti Québécois
as a merger of René Lévesque's Souveraineté-Association and the Ralliement national. This party would push Québec's sovereigntist movement. -
National Assembly formed
Québec's Legislative Assembly is renamed as the National Assembly. National Assembly is also the name for Assembly in France. -
FLQ bombs Montréal Stock Exchange
The bombing injured 27 people but did not kill anyone. However it did cause a massive destruction to the building. This was one of 95 bombs FLQ detonated. -
Official Languages Act
with the help of BB commission, Canada makes French and English official languages of Canada. -
Robert Bourassa takes the seat; Union Nationale falls
Robert Bourassa wins with 45.50%. In this election, PQ was in the election for the first time as well, although showing little success. -
October Crisis
October Crisis lasted from October 5 to December 28. British Trade Commissioner James Cross is kidnapped by the FLQ in October 5th; Québec Minister of Labour Pierre Laporte is kidnapped in October 10th, Pieere Trudeau introduces the War Measures Act to deal with the situation; in 17th, Pierre Laporte is found dead in the trunk of a car. In December 3, James Cross is released unharmed, and in 28th, FLQ kidnappers of Pierre Laporte are caught. -
Québec General Election
Liberal led by Robert Bourassa wins a majority with 54.65%. -
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Montréal Summer Olympic Games
Games of the XXI Olympiad is held in Montréal, Québec. This is the first olympics held in Canada. -
Parti Québécois comes into power
For the first time, René Lévesque's Parti Québécois wins the election with 41.37%. Sovereigntist government is on the horizon. -
Lévesque's reputation goes down
After killing a homeless man in a car accident, René was found driving in a car with a woman who was not his wife. Him and his party is embroiled in scandal and cost him reputation which may have heavily affected upcoming referendum of 1980. -
Charter of the French Language becomes Law
Following the Canada's Official Languages Act, which made French official in Canada, Québec announces its own, making French solely official. This greatly angered Trudeau and Western Canada. Officially started as the Charter of the French Language as Bill 22, Charter of the French Language, or Bill 101 made French only official language of Québec. This was enacted by the Liberal Premier Robert Bourassa and passed as a law in 26th August of 1977. -
Pierre Trudeau Quits Politics?
After defeated in 1979 election, Pierre Trudeau leaves the politics. However he changes his mind and returns to politics by the next election. -
Québec provincial legislatures considered unconstitutional
Supreme Court declares, because of the usage of only one language, provincial legislatures of Québec and Manitoba is unconstitutional and therefore require immediate reforms. Québec is persistent on changing the legislature for it already passed Bill 101. -
Return of Trudeau
Pierre returns to politics, and wins his election with 44.34% against Joe Clark's Progressive Conservative. -
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Terry Fox Run
Terry Fox united the nation during such an era when Québec was never apart from Canada than before. His run will be remembered worldwide, for ever. -
Québec rejects sovereignty-association
with 60% of the population saying "no", Québec rejects PQ's sovereignty-association in the referendum. -
Québec General Election
PQ wins again with 41.37% against Liberal's 46.07%. -
"Night of the Long Knives"
known as the "Kitchen Accord", all of Canada's premiers except that of Québec meet, discussed and agreed for the Constitutional package including Patration, Amending Formula, "Charter of RIghts", "Untoucable", and "Less Certain". René was not informed of the meeting. This ammendment will arrive in Canada several years later. -
First Female Supreme Court Judge
Nominated by Pierre Trudeau, Bertha Wernham becomes the first female Supreme Court judge. She received MA in philosophy. Bertha had immigrated to Canada in 1949, and she served in office until January 4, 1991. -
Constitution Act comes into effect
With the Elizabeth II's signature, Constitution Act comes into effect. This act contained many aspects, such as "Bringing the constitution home", and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canada Act, which allowed Canada to ammend its own constitution, came into effect when it was passed by the British House of Commons in March 8, 1982. Now Canada would freely make constitution without Britain's intervention. -
Access to Information Act passed
This is the first Act passed without British intervention. Canada passed this Act on her own. Access to Information Act contained people's rights to seek for government information which has not been altered or terminated. It is an offense to change information or hide from the public, although it is clear that many government organizations hide a huge chunk of information from the public, as seen from the recent Edward Snow's NSA exposé and Bradley E. Manning's biggest leak files. -
Canada Day
Dominion Day, which is on the same date as Canada day, is renamed as "Canada Day", showing Canada's strong goal of complete autonomy. However Canada still manages to keep its close ties with Britain. -
Metric System now official
Metric System is now official in Canada, although Imperial Units are still used. This seperates Canada from USA, which still uses Imperial system in weather broadcasts, speed limits, etc. -
Bill 101 rulled unconstitutional
Bill 101 is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada. -
Gunman in Québec National Assembly
Denis Lortie, a former Canadian army corporal, entered the Parliament Building in Québec through the sidedoor with submachine guns and a pistol. he killed 3 people, injured 13 and held hostage of many. He had planned to kill all members of PQ.
Rene Jalbert persudaded Lortie to put down his gun, release the hostages, and give up.
Jalbert later received Cross of Valour.
Interetingly, many consider both as heroes, Jalbert as a savior of life, and Lortie as an effective demonstrator against PQ. -
Trudeau quits for the last time
After a walk in the snow, Pierre Trudeau retires, and John Turner takes over. -
Mulroney takes the PM
After 1984 federal election, Brian Mulroney, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, wins the largest parliamentary majority in Canadian history against the Liberal Party leader John Turner. -
End of PQ rule
Québec General Election: Robert Bourassa's Liberals gets a majority in Québec, ending PQ's win streak. In December 12, Roubert Bourassa replaces Pierre-Marc Johnson, and is sworn in for the second time as a comeback. -
Biggest Plane Crash in Canada
Arrow Air Flight 1285 crashes as it took off from the Gander International Airport. 256 people are killed, marking the crash as Canada's worst air disaster. -
Meech Lake Accord
Provincial Premiers agree to Meech Lake Accord; Meech Lake Accord was to recognize Québec as a "distinct society". Ironically, PQ opposed agreement of the Meech Lake accord.
In Manitoba, many First Nations Protesters outside did not approve. Elijah Harper, member of the legislative assembly, raised the famous eagle feather to mark his dissension. He prevents Manitoba from accepting the Meech Lake Accord. Meech Lake Accord ultimately fails in June 23, 1990 -
A Dollar is a Loonie
Canada introduces Loonie--equivalent of one dollar. Unlike the dollar in USA, Loonie is a coin. All dollar bills are withdrawn in 1989 and therefore are out of market. -
Québec City now UNESCO heritage
Québec City becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a first in North America. -
Montréal Hit by Flood
Montréal is hit by a surprise flood. sewer systems were overwhelmed, city was paralyzed, and some 350,000 houses lost electricity. 2 people died. -
New Leader of PQ
New leader of PQ emergies; Jacques Parizeau receives the PQ after Daniel Johnson, Jr. -
Blackout in Québec
A solar coronal mass ejection causes a blackout across Québec, affecting 6 million people for more than 9 hours. Financial loss is immense; it is unclear how many people were injured or killed during the period. -
Québec General Election
Robert Bourassa's Liberal party reelected with a large Liberal majority. -
Québec's clever dodge
After the Supreme Court of Canada rules the Bill 101 as unconstitutional (for 4th time), Québec government uses notwithstanding clause to reinstate the language law. Since using notwinthstanding clause is constitutional, Supreme Court could not do anything to block it; Bill 101 is still ongoing in Québec. -
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Oka Crisis
Oka Crisis was a crisis between group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka. Oka Crisis is one of the most well-known conflict between First Nations and the Canadian Government. The conflict started when the township planned to build a golf course on a land which had been used by the Mohawk, which incldued burial ground and tombstones of their ancestors. When the claim was rejected in 1986, armed conflict arised. The conflict ended with when the course plan was cancelled by the mayor of Oka. -
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Gulf War
A.K.A. Persian Gulf War, First Gulf War, First Iraq War. When Iraq invaded Kuwait for extra demand of oil (out of greed), US got an approval from UN when Iraq ignored UNSC and launched BM's to Israel. When the war ended with 100,000 deaths of Iraqi military and only 300 of Coalition force, Iraq complied to the terms of the armistice, thus ending the "Video Game War". -
New Year Starts with an Extra Burden
1991 starts with a new tax: GST. This tax will apply to every sales item. This was very unpopular, as expected. -
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Somali Civil War
Canada intervened in Somalia by the call from the UN to help. However, in March 4, 1993, Canadian soldiers shoot and kill a Somali man accused of stealing food; in March 16, Canadian soldiers beat Shidane Arone, a Somali teenager. He was later found dead and stirred an international scandal. This incident greatly undermined Canada's image and Canada had to pull back from Somalia, leaving the torned country without any help. Somali Civil War is still ongoing as of now, 2013. -
Bloc Québécois
BQ was formed by Lucien Bouchard. Bouchard was angery after the collapse of the Meech Lake Accord, so he resigned from the member of Parliament and formed BQ, a party with similar goals to PQ of Québec. -
Professor Gunman in Montréal
Dr. Valery I. Fabrikant, professor of mechanical engineering at Concordia Univeristy in Montréal, killed 4 and injured one with revolver and pistols, the attack was not from political or religious reasons. -
Charlottetown Accord rejected in a nationwide referendum
The Charlottetown Accord attempted to resolve long-standing disputes around the division of powers between federal and provincial jurisdiction. It provided for exclusive provincial jurisdiction over forestry, mining, and other natural resources, and cultural policy. PQ and BQ both opposed strongly, as they believed such accord would weaken Québec. With 54.3% of the population saying "no", the Accord was rejected. -
Québec General Election
PQ defeats Liberals, which had been in power for nine years. In September 26, Jacques Parizeau, the new leader of PQ, is sworn in as premier of Québec. -
1995 Québec Referendum
The 1995 Québec Referendum was to decide whether Québec should be independent from Canada or not. With 50.58% of the population saying no, Québec dangerously came close to being independent. -
Lucien takes Québec's seat
Lucien Bouchard replaces Jacques Parizeau, after the 1995 referendum that downplayed Jacques Parizeau's popularity. -
Québe Riot
Riot in Québec City causes million dollars of damage. The riot was inspired by the Québec nationalism and seperationism movement. -
Queébec Flood
Flood in Québec kills ten, leaves huge financial losses. -
New BQ leader
Gilles Duceppe is elected as the leader of BQ, the federal Québécois. he received the seat from Lucien Bouchard, the precedessor of BQ. -
Québec locked in Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada states Québec cannot legally secede from Canada without the federal government's approval. This angers both BQ and PQ, along with nationalism and seperationism movement organizations in Québec.
