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Canadian IdentityOne, Two or Many Nations?
REBELLATE 1960s ~1980s
Little Rock, Arkansas
Prague Spring
Black Panthers
Soweto Uprising, SA
Katherine SwitzerBoston Marathon, 1968
How had the other Prime Minister’s BEGUN to address
these issues?
Setting the Scene… 1960: Canadian BILL OF RIGHTS
1960- Aboriginals can vote in federal elections
1962- MOST racial discrimination is eliminated from Canada’s immigration policies
1967- Medicare and Canada Pension Plan
1967- Royal Commission on the Status of Women.. Get right to abortion and access to contraception
Then, in comes Trudeau..
TRUDEAU’S CHALLENGES
The 1960 & 1970s were an awakening for human rights in Canada, and around the world
Trudeau had great aspiration of a ‘just society’ – but many people had issues they wanted resolvedWOMENS MOVEMENTENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTLGBTQ+ COMMUNITYMULTICULTURALISM & INCLUSIONABORIGINAL ISSUESFRENCH CANADIANS NATIONALISM
ScenarioPeople have suggested at different points in
history that British Columbia would be better off joining with Washington, Oregon and Northern California to form their own country ~ based on the Pacific Northwest.
Why would they believe that BC would do better off in this alliance than the nation of Canada?
Why QuebecWhy have some Quebecois believed that they
would be better off on their own?
It’s not because they believe that it would benefit them economically… or trigger employment growth… so why would they take such a giant risk?
Separatist Issues1. History of discrimination
and oppression of French Canadians by English
Discrimination of jobs, etc Lack of recognition of the
French role in developing Canada
2. Rise in the movement called separatism – people fighting for an independent nation for French people living in Canada
3. Desire to be recognized as a “distinct society”
History of Separatist Rebellion
Duplessis Era1936-1959
Quiet Revolution•1960-1962
FLQ & Parti Quebecois•1967
October Crisis •1970
Levesque & Referendums
Duplessis Era – 1936-59 Union Nationale party led by Maurice Duplessis
Strong Quebec nationalist who was devoted to the idea of Quebec as a distinct society
Introduced a new flag – “fleur-de-lis” & was linked to the idea of “Je me souviens”
Linked very closely to the Catholic church – seen as the defender of French culture – religion was a part of all authority including education, etc
‘La Grande Noiresse’ – orphanages scandal
Bribery and corruption was rampant – businesses were expected to give “kick-backs”
Famous for the Padlock Law – banning newspapers, publications he didn’t like
The Quiet Revolution~1960s
“Time for Change” – the Liberal party came to power
Lesage (leader) tried to eliminate corruption, wages and pensions were removed, unions embraced
Province became much more modern – education, culture, etc – push to become citizens of the 20th century
“Maitres chez nous” – “Masters in OUR own house” French nationalism increased and standards of living improved greatly
Quebec economy was greatly strengthened as they nationalized businesses and corporations – Hydro Quebec - $$$$
Anger and ResentmentDuring the 1960s, massive resentment and
anger grew amongst the French populationHow come everyone in Ottawa was English
speaking?How come French Canadians were rarely chosen
for Cabinet positions?How come French-Canadians didn’t have schools
and hospitals in other parts of Canada while English speaking Canadians had them in Quebec
How come Quebec’s French majority was forced to speak English in stores and at work in Quebec?
NOTE: Quebec makes up 30% of Canada’s population
Rise of Radicalism - FLQFLQ – Front de liberation du Quebec – fought for
a Quebec Libre! (Free Quebec)
Used firebombs, explosives and other extremist tactics to raise awareness of their cause – bombing mailboxes
Canada’s ResponseLester Pearson –
appointed a commission on Bilingualism – recommended that Canada should become officially bilingual
Changed the flag to make it less British; ironically the French still hang on to the fleur-de-lis
Trudeau –
Acted on the recommendation of the commission and made Canada officially bilingual – 1969; Official Languages Act
Called on young people to increase their knowledge of French culture – ex. French immersion
October CrisisOctober 5, 1970 – FLQ kidnapped James Cross, a
British diplomat, from his Montreal home
FLQ demanded that in return for his release, FLQ prisoners be released from jail – federal and Quebec authorities refused to listen
FLQ then kidnapped Pierre Laporte – Quebec Labour Minister – Trudeau decided to take action
Laporte found dead in a trunk - Trudeau instigates War Measures Act and curfew, police put in place
Terrorists negotiated release of Cross, escape to Cuba
Laporte is found..
Bill 101: Strengthening French Language
1976 – Rene Levesque formed the Parti Quebecois (PQ) – believed that Quebec and Canada should ‘divorce’ ~ very popular leader
He developed the welfare state system in Quebec Social Services – daycare, left-wing ideology
2. Strengthening the status of French language Major fear that French culture will die out – lowest birth
rate in Canada Law made French the only official language of Quebec – all
employees must speak French in order to work, all signs in French,
Main use of not-withstanding clause – ability to break the Charter in certain specific cases
Rene Levesque
To separate or not to separate?
Quebecois politicians have tried to convince the people to separate on two different occasions 1980 Referendum – Sovereignty-Association “maitres chez
nous” Pierre Trudeau made strong speeches against Results – 40% yes, 60% no
1982 – Canada patriates the Constitution (gives total control to Canada)– many controversies regarding the amending formula – how do we change the constitution in future? Kitchen Compromise – 7/10 provinces required to make changes –
50% of the population – Quebec furious, wanted revenge MULRONEY ~Meech Lake Accord – Is Quebec a “distinct
society” in Canada, or are there many distinct societies? Accord is rejected by Canada – major protest from First Nations
Referendum #2 – 1994 – 49% Yes; 51% No
What Now?After the two referendums, new legislation was put
forward that says that any province would need a clear majority to leave the country
After losing a lot of popularity, the Parti Quebecois got a recent resurgence of popularity in the last 2 years in Quebec
Recently had an election a few months ago – PQ leader raised issue of referendum and Charter of Values (religious symbols banned)Strong vote against PQ – kicked out of power, Liberals
now have majority gov’t – sovereignty issue is dead