Quebec Nationalism “The Quiet Revolution”

Jean Lesage – “Time for a Change”  Stamp out corruption  Wages and pensions raised  Modernization across the sectors  Decline in influence of Catholic Church

Separatism and the FLQ  Extremist group that committed acts of terror

October Crisis 1970  James Cross and Pierre Laporte kidnapped by FLQ  Trudeau passes the War Measures Act  Hundreds of FLQ associated arrested  Laporte found dead in trunk of car  James Cross released in exchange for FLQ demands

Bi and Bi Commission  Pearson’s committee to investigate solutions to rising French discontent

Official Languages Act  Trudeau makes French and English the 2 official languages in Canada

Parti Quebecois  Separatist party, led by Rene Levesque  Won the 1976 provincial election

Bill 101  In Quebec French would be the only official language  Commercial signs in French only  Immigrants required to attend French schools

Patriating the Constitution  Canadian gov’t would have sold authority to make changes

Amending Formula 7 out of 10 provinces representing 50% of population

“Kitchen Accord”  Chretien met with 2 justice ministers, creating changes to the deal  Provincial premiers were asked to approve. Levesque refused.

Notwithstanding Clause allows Parliament or provincial legislatures to override certain portions of the Charter

Meech Lake Accord  Proposed to recognize Quebec as a “distinct society”  Manitoba and Nfld withheld their support

Multiculturalism Act  Passed in 1988  Reinforced cultural and racial equality

Charlottetown Accord  National referendum was rejected, especially by BC

Referendum of 1995  Quebec Premier Parizeau called for a referendum on the issue of Quebec sovereignty 50.6% 49.4%