French English Relations 1968 - 2000
The Plains of Abraham 1759– The British defeated the French army at Quebec City. France gives up all their land claims in present day Canada.
However the French culture does not disappear.
Many schools and hospitals are run by French priests and nuns.
A Long Long Time Ago…
A period of modernization in QuebecThe provincial state replaced the church
at the heart of Quebec’s political lifeLinguistic division of labour – Hydro-
QuebecQuebec’s provincial government became
more assertive about Quebec’s place in Canada and federalism.
Quebecois, not French Canadian, nationalism.
The Quiet Revolution – 1960's
Full control over provincial jurisdictionThe federal government to remove itself from
provincial jurisdictionGreater provincial powerIncreased say over federal institutionsRecognition of “special status”
What Did Quebec Want?
1969 – Trudeau and his government passes the Official Languages Act . We are now officially Bilingual.
It was Trudeau’s attempt at creating better English – French relations.
Promoting linguistic minorities and personal bilingualism
A rejection of any special recognition of Quebec
Where We Begin
However several people believed that it didn’t go far enough.
Quebec’s response was Bill 22
Quebec Nationalism Grows – Turns into separatism
The Front de Liberation du Quebec
A socialist extremist group that committed over 200 violent acts between 1963 – 1970.
October Crisis
The FLQ
Parti Quebecois (PQ) founded by dissidents who left the provincial Liberal party
Led by Rene LevesquePQ grew steadily in supportWon the 1976 provincial election with 41% of the vote and a majority government
The Parti Quebecois
PQ settled on a step by step approach to sovereignty
1. Govern well (Bill 101)2. Call a referendum to get a mandate to
negotiate with Ottawa3. Negotiate with Ottawa4. Have the outcome of the negotiations ratified
in another referendum
Taking It One Step At A Time
A soft question: asked for a mandate to negotiate sovereignty association
Bitter, divisive campaign60% “Non” – 40% “Oui”Economic fears loomed large in the votePQ may have miscalculated in its referendum
strategy, Trudeau promised new Constitution.PQ re-elected in 1981
1980 - Referendum!
Canada did not control the amendment of its own constitution
Trudeau wanted to replace the constitution with a Charter of Rights
8 provincial governments, including Quebec’s opposed Trudeau
Compromise reached, but Quebec did not agree
Constitutional Negotiation
Applies to all of Canada, including Quebec, even though Quebec did not agree
Charter of Rights stats both English and French are equal.
Enhanced the idea of provincial equality: Quebec did not achieve recognition of special status or increased power
Constitution Act, 1982
Brian Mulroney takes over as Prime Minister in 1984: wants to bring Quebec into the constitution
Now a Liberal provincial government, led by Robert Bourassa
Bourassa outlines five conditions for Quebec to sign the constitution
A New Sheriff In Town
Recognition as a “distinct society”Limitation on federal government intrusion in
provincial jurisdictionRole in appointing justices to the Supreme
Court of CanadaIncreased power over immigrationA veto over any constitutional change
They Are…
Mulroney wins agreement of all ten premiers to change the constitution
Enshrines Quebec’s five conditions in the constitution
Ten provincial governments and the federal government have to ratify the agreement within three years
Manitoba fail to do so by 1990: the Accord dies
Meech Lake Accord - 1987
Trudeau spoke out against it. No one province should get special treatment.
Hardcore separatists didn’t think Quebec got enough power.
Federalists thought Quebec got to much power.
Aboriginal groups didn’t think their rights had been addressed.
Elijah Harper, an aboriginal member of the Manitoba legislature voted against the accord.
Why Did It Fail
Much anger in QuebecSovereigntist sentiment on the riseAgain, federal government and provinces
agree on constitution package, called the Charlottetown Accord
Defeated in a national referendum: 55% No, 45% Yes
Defeated in Quebec as wellMost felt their issues were not dealt with.
The Charlottetown Accord - 1992
Bloc Quebecois forms as a national political party in 1990, wins 54 of Quebec’s 75 seats in Parliament in 1993
Parti Quebecois wins the 1994 provincial election
Announces a referendum in 1995Narrow victory for the federalists: 50.6%
Non, 49.4% OuiFederal government weak in referendum
The Bloc Quebecois
Sovereigntist sentiment is currently in decline
Parti Quebecois lost the 2003 provincial election quite badly
Bloc Quebecois’ support is in declineDemographic change in QuebecEvidence that Quebeckers have grown
tired of the debate over sovereignty55% (63% of those under 45) do not
identify themselves as sovereigntist or federalist (CRIC)
What Is It Like Today?