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Conscription Crisis (1917)
When the Military Service Act was introduced in 1917, allowing the conscription of men for service, almost all French or French speaking MPs opposed it, and almost all English or English speaking M -
Union Nationale in Power
The Union Nationale was a French Canadian Nationalist and conservative political party in Quebec, led by Maurice Duplessis, who was Premier of Quebec from 1936 to 1939 and again in 1944-1959. The party, being a very nationalist one, identified heavily with the idea of Quebec autonomy, and capitalized on the increasing desire of the French Canadian population to run their own affairs. Duplessis was so significant to the political scene in Quebec, that the term 'the Duplessis era' was created. -
Conscription Crisis (1942)
In the previous year, more and more people, mostly English-speaking, were in favour of conscription, which had not yet been enacted. This support drove Prime Minister Mackenzie to hold a referendum on the topic. All provinces but Quebec experienced a sweeping "Yes" victory, which experienced a "No" majority. While not as bad as the first crisis on conscriptions, this event still served to worsen relations and increase tensions between anglophones and francophones. -
Beginning of the Quiet Revolution
The Quiet Revolution is the name for a period in which Quebec experienced very rapid change and modernization. Jean Lesage, the new Premier of Quebec, is known as the father of the Quiet Revolution, started by the defeat of the Union National. During this time, the province's economy, culture, politics, and education all experienced modernization. In the 1962 election, the Liberals won again, with their aim being economic nationalism, with the controversial slogan, "Maîtres chez nous". -
Lesage's Quebec Liberal Party win the Quebec Provincial Election
In 1960, Jean Lesage, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, defeated the long ruling Union Nationale, which was seen as corrupt and "isolationist". The party was advertised as progressive and modern, with the slogan, "C’est le temps que ça change". Lesage and his party delivered, leading Quebec into a new era of profound political, social, and cultural change. This period of change was so impactful that it is often referenced as the 'Quiet Revolution'. -
Donald Gordon CNR Controversy
Donald Gordon, a Canadian businessman, became president and chairman of Canadian National Railway (CNR) in 1950, remaining until 1967. The CNR experienced several labour troubles during the time of his presidency, and faced many demands to appoint more French Canadians. This lead up to a controversy, in which he said that no French Canadian was competent enough to be a chairman or vice-president of the CNR, and that this was all he could do. In response, an effigy of him was burned in Montreal. -
Nationalization of Private Electricity Companies
One of the biggest accomplishments during the period of the Quiet Revolution was the nationalization of private electricity companies. When the Liberal Party ran, and won, in the 1962 general election, their platform included the nationalization of power, and in 1963, all private hydroelectric companies were nationalized. -
Front de liberation du Quebec Founded
The Front de liberation du Quebec was a radical nationalist terrorist movement in the name of a "free" Quebec. Notably, in 1963, FLQ activists planted bombs in mailboxes in "three federal armories and in Westmount, a wealthy upper-middle-class anglophone area of Montréal". They were attacking symbols of English Canadian power and colonialism. The FLQ would later be responsible for the October Crisis, one of the worst terrorist threats within Canada. -
Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism ('63-'69)
The Royal Commision on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was a commision started in 1963, lasting to 1969. It was a response to French Canadians wanting more acknowledgment of their culture and more power in politics and descion-making. The commision's findings led to several significant changes to the way Canada treats French as a language. Most notably, the creation of the Official Languages Act of 1969, the Department of Multiculturalism, and several changes to French educatuon across Canada. -
Creation of the New Canadian Flag
In response to the complaint that Canada's flag was "too British", one supported by many Quebecois, Prime Minister Lester Pearson opened the debate on a new flag design (in 1964). The debate was quite controversial. Many English Canadians demanded that the flag represent the "founding races" whereas others, such as the French Canadians felt it should be it's own separate design, free of colonial association. After the was forced to a close, in Feburary of 1965, the flag was offically unveiled. -
Charles De Gaulle "Incites" the Separatist Movement
At Expo '67 in Montreal, French President Charles DeGaulle said in his speech, "Vive le Québec libre!" or "Long live a free Quebec!". This boosted and encouraged the separatist movement and French Canadian nationalism, whilst also angering many English Canadians. Image: CBC.ca -
Pierre Trudeau Becomes Prime Minister of Canada
In 1968, Pierre Elliott Trudeau became prime minister of Canada. During his time in office, Trudeau brought about many changes regarding the relations between French and English in Canada. Trudeau created several policies supporting Bilingualism and Biculturalism, such as the Official Languages Act, and being a strong federalist, he sought to centralize and nationalize Canada, denying Quebec and French Canadians an special status, but also granting them equality amongst English Canadians. -
Official Languages of New Brunswick Act
New Brunswick adopted the Official Languages of New Brunswick Act, just before the federal goverment encated it's own. This enactment was a bold move in support of bilingualism, as they were the only province to have created such an act. Becuase of the first report of the Royal Commision on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (issued in 1967) and several student demonstrations held in Moncton in 1968, the Premier of New Brunswick, Louis Roubichaud recognized French as an official language. -
Bill 63 Enacted
Bill 63 was a law enacted in Quebec in 1969. Also known as the 'Loi pour promouvoir la langue française au Québec', the Act required students learning in English to also learn a sufficient amount of French. The Act also ensured that immigrants arriving in Quebec were also to learn a working knowledge of French upon arrival. The Bill received a lot of opposition, not only from Anglophones, but also from Francophones, who thought that it was "too weak of a measure". -
Official Languages Act
The Official Languages Act is a federal act which made French an official language of Canada. It created as a result of the Royal Commision on Bilingualism and Biculturalsm. In 1969, the Act was signed by PM Trudeau. Making French one of Canada's official languages also means that all federal instutions are required provide services in both English and French. The Act was also in support of French Immersion, which some embraced, but others opposed, feeling French was being forced upon them. -
October Crisis
In October, members of the FLQ kidnapped James Cross, a British trade commisioner in Montreal. Events rapidly escalated from there, with the kidnapping and eventual murder of Pierre Laporte, Minister of Immigration and Labour. Bourassa, Premier at the time, called upon the federal government for, resulting in them invoking the War Measures Act, sending federal troops out to the streets of Montreal. The October Crisis was one of the most serious terrorist threats and in-country turmoil in Canada. -
Bourassa's Liberal Party win the Quebec Provincial Election
The Liberals won a majority victory, and Robert Bourassa became Quebec's Premier, staying in power for 6 years until finally losing to the seperatist PQ. During his time in office, the Liberal government worked projects such as the James Bay project and Bill 22. Bourassa was also faced with the 1970 October Crisis FLQ kidnappings. In 1976, the Liberal government appeared tired and corrupt to the public, and lost the election to the PQ, angering many. Some called him the most hated man in Quebec. -
Bill 22 Passed
Bill 22, or 'la Loi sur la langue officielle' was passed in 1974 and made French Quebec's "main" language. It was sponsored by Bourassa's Liberal Party, and was created in response to the repeal of Bill 63. The Bill meant that coporations had to have French names, advertise primarily in French (in Quebec), and obtain a certificate of francization. It also restricted access to English schools to those with a working knowledge of French. The bill was quite opposed by both the English and French. -
Parti Quebecois win the General Election
Led by Rene Levesque, the PQ was a nationalist political party in Quebec with goals of sovereignty-association. The PQ won in the 1976 Quebec provincial election. In their platform, they included a statement that they would hold a referendum on sovereignty-association during their first term. The PQ were responsible for many pieces of legislation, such as Bill 101, the 1980 Referendum and the 1995 Referendum. The PQ were heavily involved in many Québec nationalist movements and associations. -
Bill 101 Passed
Bill 101 or the 'Charte de la langue française' made French the official language of Quebec. It declared that French was the only language allowed on commercial banners and signs within Quebec. Like Bill 22, it also imposed restrictions on English education within Quebec and forced French education upon immigrants. The Bill upset many retailers and corporations along with a lot of the public in Quebec. The Bill was later significantly modified and tamed down. -
Quebec Referendum on Sovereignty Association
This was a province-wide referendum in Quebec, and was to decide if Quebec should become independent from Canada but maintain a close and formal association with Canada. It was initiated by the Parti Quebecois. Led by Rene Levesque, the PQ ran for the 1976 Quebec provincial election, and won. In their platform, they included a statement that they would hold a referendum on "sovereignty-association" during their first term. When it eventually happened, the "No" side won, defeating the proposal. -
Constitution Act
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Brian Mulroney elected Prime Minister
Brian Mulroney was the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993. Throughout his time in office, Mulroney made several efforts to get Quebec to sign the Constitution, such as the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlettown Accord, which failed. -
Meech Lake Accord Proposed
The Meech Lake Accord was one of Mulroney's attempts to get Quebec's constent to the Constitution, after their government failed to accept it. The Accord was an agreement between federal and provincial governments to strengthen provincial powers and declare Quebec a "distinct society". Originally the Accord was popular, but soon opposition against it started forming, and even Trudeau was opposed. To work, "the Accord had to receive unanimous provincial ratification on or before June 23,1990." -
Bill 178 Adopted
The Quebec government, specifically Bourassa, enacted Bill 178 after the Supreme Court found that Bill 101 had violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Bourassa then used the notwithstanding clause to introduce Bill 178. Like Bill 101, Bill 178 declared that only French could be used on exterior signs, but it also declared that English is allowed on interior signs. This declaration served to anger many, including nationalists, as they now felt that the French language wasn't being protected. -
"Death" of the Meech Lake Accord (Deadline)
In June, all of the Premiers agreed to the ratify the Accord. But on the last day, in Manitoba, one member of legislature, Elijah Harper didn't consent, resulting in the Accord not being voted for in Manitoba. The federal government saw this, and suggested extending the deadline by three months. This notion made Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador take back his agreement, ensuring it's failure. This failure resulted in several MPs leaving their parties in Quebec, and forming the BLoc Quebecois. -
Bloc Quebecois Political Party Created
The Bloc Quebecois was a political party mainly formed by Quebec MPs who left their party after the failure of the Meech Lake Accord. Like the PQ, the Bloc Quebecois was dedicated to Quebec sovereignty and protecting Quebec's interests in the House of Commons. The party helped influence the outcome of the Charlettown Accord and later, played a very important role in changing the 1995 Referendum question to include that a partnership offer would be made to the rest of Canada. -
Charlottetown Accord Referenda
On the same day of 1992, two referenda, a federal one and a separate one for Quebec, asked the question: "Do you agree that the Constitution of Canada should be renewed on the basis of the agreement reached on August 28, 1992?". The result was a majority opposing the Charlettown Accord, and like the Meech Lake Accord, it failed. -
Charlottetown Accord Unveiled
The Charlettown Accord was primarily another attempt to get Quebec to consent to the Constitution. The Accord also dealt with Parliamentary reform, recognition of Quebec as a distinct society, aboriginal representation in Parliament, federal spending, and the divsion of legislative powers. Although the Accord had support from federal government and 10 provincial government, PM Brian Mulroney submitted the Accord to a referendum. The result was two referenda, a federal one and one in Quebec. -
Parti Quebecois win an overall Majority
Jacques Parizeau, leader of the PQ, was elected Premier of Quebec with a promise of holding another referendum on Quebec sovereignty in the year.following his election. Later, Jacques announced the referendum, being leader of the "Yes" campaign. Though later, after his campaign was met with dwindling support, he allowing Lucien Bouchard to take over the "Yes" campaign. The day after the night of the referendum, Jacques resigned, taking on the role of the leader of the sovereigntist movement. -
2nd Quebec Referendum on Sovereignty Association
In October of 1995, the "Yes" side had achieved 49% of the vote, just falling short of a victory. Like last time, the outcome was a majority "No" vote, although this time the margins were far closer. During the end of the campaign, some federal politicians declared that they still had intention of meeting some of Quebec's interests.
image:montrealgazette.com -
Supreme Court decision on unilaterally seceding
The Supreme Court of Canda ruled Quebec doesn't have the right to decide if it wants to separate from Canada by itself (unilaterally seceding). Instead, Quebec must negotiate with the federal government and the other 9 provinces, and before that they must hold a referendum on the commencement of negotiations. -
Quebecois Nation Motion
The Quebecois Nation Motion was a motion "tabeled" by Prime Minister Stephen Harper which was approved the House of Commons of Canada. The Motion read: "That this House recognize that the Québécois form a nation within a united Canada." The motion was apparently introduced as a response to a similar motion by the Bloc Quebecois. Despite the motion, the government also stated that they have no intention to amend the Constitution of Canada to recognize Quebec's national status.
Image: youtube
