Yes or NO Oui ou Non Quebec Sovereignty

Rene Levesque Premier of Quebec Runs the PQ (Parti Quebecois) Wants to separate Quebec from Canada. Feels that Quebec is too distinct to be with Canada. Passes a language law in Quebec (Bill 101)

Bill 101 VS “Official Languages Act” NO ENGLISH IN QUEBEC! NO ENGLISH ON SIGNS! NO ENGLISH SPOKEN AT WORK! NO MANDATORY ENGLISH IN SCHOOLS! BILL 101 is against the Language Law FRENCH MUST BE EVERYWHERE IN CANADA! FRENCH ON SIGNS! FRENCH SPOKEN AT GOVERNMENT WORK! MANDATORY FRENCH IN SCHOOLS! Canadians are mad with the Quebecois. Bill 101 Official Languages Act

Trudeau VS Levesque Quebec must go! “We must be MASTERS in our own house! Quebec must stay! “I’ll change the constitution to give more power to Quebec.”

Referendum #1 (1980)

60 % Vote to stay in Canada 40% Vote to leave Canada

Referendum #1 (1980) Rene Levesque is defeated and Bourassa takes his place as premier. He wants Quebec to Stay in Canada. Is this the end of Quebec sovereignty?

Patriate (make it Canadian) the Constitution The amending formula established to change it LETS look at the Constitution AGAIN!

“The Kitchen Accord” Levesque does not like the new Constitution. It will make Bill 101 illegal. The provinces finally agree to a new constitution (Only if they include a notwithstanding clause) They sign the new constitution without Quebec present. Because they only need 9 provinces to make the deal. Levesque wakes up to hear the news. He calls the action night of the long knives and starts a large protest march.

Separatism is stronger than ever! New Prime Minister Brian Mulroney tries to repair the damage with… An AMMENDED CONSTITUTION! Needs 7 provinces to agree and a 50% of Canadians

Meech Lake Accord Meeting between the provinces to agree to an amended constitution. Bourassa is in power so it is hopeful. Quebec makes a lot of demands to the constitution. Recognition as a distinct society, control its own social programs. Etc. It fails because the provinces vote no. 1. Why No? Trudeau comes out of retirement to oppose it 2. First Nations use it as opportunity to promote their own power and distinct society and need for more control. 3. Western provinces tired of hearing about Quebec. “Western Alienation” 4. Quebec began using Meech Lake as a threat. Quebec is mad again because they would have agreed to this new constitution!

1990 Bloc Quebecois Starts Up Parti Quebecois provincial separation parti. (went back and forth between Levesque and Bourassa) Bloc Quebecois federal seperation parti (led by Lucien Bouchard a former member of Mulroney conservatives)

Try Again Charlottetown Accord Solve the problem by amending the constitution This time instead of asking premiers they will ask Canadians. (Referendum) Mulroney knew “the people” liked it. Western Canadians do not like how it caters to Quebec Quebecers don’t like think it is good enough. Everyone is ANGRY! ProvinceYesNo Alberta40%60% BC31%69% Manitoba38%62% Quebec43%47%

Whoops!

Sovereignty Referendum #2 (1995) Quebec is now certain Canada is not going to help them be masters in their own house. What will they decide?

NON % OUI %

Is Sovereignty Over? Quebec still remains unhappy with Canada’s constitution. Quebec is still distinct from the rest of Canada. Though this is not legally recognized. Quebec still enforces Bill 101. Quebec’s provincial government is still the PQ. But Quebec’s youth feel they are Canadian as well as Quebecois. Bloc Quebecois has lost power since 2011