Quebec vs. CanadaBilingualism, Quiet Revolution, Quebec Crisis

The Quiet RevolutionThe Quiet Revolutiono During the 1960s there was a period

of rapid change in Quebec. o The Quiet Revolution was

characterized by:o The rapid and effective secularization of

society;o The create of an Etat-Province (welfare

state)o A transformation of the national identity

among Francophone Quebecers

Jean Lesage (L) and René Lévesque (R) are drawn into a common Jean Lesage (L) and René Lévesque (R) are drawn into a common handshake by jovial Daniel Johnson Sr. (C). This picture was taken on handshake by jovial Daniel Johnson Sr. (C). This picture was taken on

the eve of Daniel Johnson's passing. All three are past Premiers of the eve of Daniel Johnson's passing. All three are past Premiers of Quebec and actors of the Quiet Revolution.Quebec and actors of the Quiet Revolution.

o Union Nationale Leader, Maurice Duplessis died in 1959

o Paul Sauve took over. o This put an end to the corrupt rule of the

Union Nationale which had been dominated by the Roman Catholic Church.

o The Church had openly campaigned for the Union National, as a result, allowing them to control French education institutions and hospitals.

o Duplessis’ death open the doors for the Liberal party to elect Jean Lesage.

o Under the Liberal party, later to be known as the National Assembly of Quebec, many changes occurred, including the following:o Investment in the public education system

Creation of a Ministry of Education;o Unionization of the civil service;o Provincial government measures meant to

increase Quebecers’ control over the province’s economy Nationalization of electricity production and distribution. (Hydro-Quebec)

o It is during the Quiet Revolution that the Canadien(ne)s-francais(es) (French Canadians) became Quebecoise(es), thus marking a distinct evolution from passive nationalism to a more active pursuit of political autonomy.

o The sovereignist Parti Quebecois was created in 1968, with Rene Levesque as its leader.

The October CrisisThe October Crisiso The October Crisis was a series of

dramatic events triggered by two terrorist kidnappings in Quebec, in October 1970.

o These events resulted in a Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau invoking the War Measures Act.o Allows the government to assume sweeping

emergency powers. Citizens could be arrested and imprisoned without the benefit of trial or even a stated explanation.

Military cordon in support of

police taking surrender of

terrorist Liberation cell, December 3,

1970.

October Crisis TimelineOctober Crisis Timelineo October 5, Montreal, QuebecOctober 5, Montreal, Quebec ~~ British Trade

Commissioner James Cross is kidnapped by members of the “Liberation Cell” of the FLQo CBC release of the FLQ Manifesto: The terms of the ransom

note were the same as those found in June for the planned kidnapping of the U.S. consul. At the time the police did not connect the two.

o Kidnapping demands:o The release of 23 “political prisoners”o $500,000 in goldo The broadcast and publication of the FLQ Manifestoo The publication of the names of the police informants

for terrorist activitieso An aircraft to take the Kidnappers to Cuba or Algeriao The rehiring of about 450 Lapelme postal workers who

had been laid offo The cessation of all police activities

o October 7October 7 ~~ Broadcast of FLQ Manifesto in all French and English speaking media outlets in Quebec.

o October 10, Montreal, QuebecOctober 10, Montreal, Quebec ~~ member of the Chenier Cell approach the home of Pierre Laporte while he was playing football with his family. Laporte, the Minister of Labour and Vice-Premier of Quebec is kidnapped by members of the “Chenier cell” of the FLQ

o October 11October 11 ~~ The CBC broadcasts a letter from Pierre Laport to the Quebec Premier, Robert Bourassa.

o October 13October 13 ~~ Prime Minister Trudeau is interviewed by the CBC in respect to the military presence.

o October 15 , Quebec CityOctober 15 , Quebec City ~~ The Government of Quebec formally requisitions the intervention of the Canadian army in “aid of the civil power”. On the same day about 3,000 students gather in a Montreal arena to show support for the FLQ.

o October 16 ~October 16 ~ Premier Bourassa formally requests that the Government of Canada grant the Government of Quebec “emergency powers” that allow them to “apprehend and keep in custody” individuals. This results in the War Measures Act.o At 4:00 am Prime Minister Trudeau made a

broadcast announcing the imposition of the War Measures Act.

Children gather and Children gather and stare at a sight they stare at a sight they

have never seen before have never seen before – armed Canadian – armed Canadian

soldiers on the streets soldiers on the streets of Montreal.of Montreal.

o October 17, Montreal, Quebec ~October 17, Montreal, Quebec ~ FLG announces hostage Pierre Laporte has been executed, and the cell holding James Cross declared that they will not release Cross until their demands are met and that he would be executed if the “fascist police” discover them and try to intervene.

o November 6 ~November 6 ~ Police raided the hiding place of the FLQ. Although three members escaped the raid, Bernard Lortie was arrested and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte.

o December 3, Montreal, Quebec ~December 3, Montreal, Quebec ~ British Trade Commissioner James Cross is released by the FLQ after negotiations with police.

o Marc Carbonneau, Yves Langlois, Jacques Lanctot, Jacques Cossette-Trudel and his wife Louise Lanctot are granted their request of safe passage to Cuba by the Government of Canada with approval by Fidel Castro.

o December 27, Saint-Luc, Quebec ~December 27, Saint-Luc, Quebec ~ The three remaining members of the Chenier Cell still at large, Paul Rose, Jacques Rose and Francis Simard, are arrested after being found hiding in a 6 m tunnel in the rural farming community.

Paul Rose Jacques RoseFrancis Simard

Bernard Lortie

The AftermathThe Aftermatho As a result of the events from October

1970 their was an increase of support for political means of attaining independence, including support for the secessionists Parti Quebecois, which went on to take power at the provincial level in 1976.

o Some say that Brian Mulroney’s 1990 attempt to quell separatist aspirations through constitutional reform was a by-product of the October Crisis.