Economic Slowdown – 1970s 1973: Oil prices (↑) Industry NEEDS oil!!! Prices rise Economy suffers Jobs lost

Liberal Government responds - creates jobs Roads & Public Buildings James Bay Hydroelectric dams in Northern Quebec create jobs

Aboriginal Response Inuit and Cree protest the James Bay Project (on their land – they weren’t consulted) Take government to court (1973). More awareness of Native Rights. They sign an agreement giving them –Compensation –Rights to the land –Participation in future decisions.

Social Reforms 1970s FREE HEALTH INSURANCE (1970) CLSC community clinis created (1972) Unions Improve Women’s Issues –Maternity leave –Daycare –Movement to legalize abortion

Politics, Sovereignty and Language 1974 – French becomes official language of Quebec. Parti Quebecois beat Liberals in Réné Levesque is Premier of Quebec. Many important reforms are passed. Sovereignty a possibility

1977 – Bill 101 “Charter of the French Language” Immigrants -> French Schools French signs mandatory Divides Anglophones and Francophones

1980 – Referendum on Sovereignty The question: "The Government of Quebec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; any change in political status resulting from these negotiations will only be implemented with popular approval through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada?" 59% vote against Quebec sovereignty. "If I've understood you well, you're telling me 'until next time'.“: Réné Levesque.