FRENCH/ENGLISH RELATIONS 1950-70
1950s
Maurice Duplessis
 his Union Nationale party dominated Quebec from 1944 - 1959
 very corrupt, his party betrayed Quebec’s interests in exchange
for political support
1960s
The Quiet Revolution
After Duplessis died, Quebecers demanded modernization of their
province, protection of French culture, and control of their
economy.
Jean Lesage, the new Premier of Quebec, introduced a philosophy of “maitre chez nous”
(master in our own house) to guide his changes.
Changes in Quebec
 government controlled education, electricity, and health care
 modern school and hospitals built
 French language rights protected
 more social programs
 women and men became equal under law
Quebecers were divided on how to proceed after these changes.
There were 3 approaches.
1. Federalists – believed Quebec could best achieve their goals by having more influence in
federal government
2. Separatists – believed Quebec had different interests and goals than Canada and that they
could be best achieved by being independent from Canada
3. Militants – believed Quebec would only achieve their goals through violent revolution
1963 – Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
 created to find ways to improve French/English relations
1964 – Quebec is allowed to opt-out of federal government programs
 other provinces unhappy with Quebec’s special status
1963-70 – FLQ (Front de Liberation du Quebec) Forms
 FLQ detonated approximately 100 bombs, vandalized walls, and gathered weapons
THE OCTOBER CRISIS – 1970
October 5
Four men from the FLQ kidnap a British politician named James Cross.
Demanded $500,000 and to have a statement broadcast over the radio.
October 8
FLQ statement broadcasted.
October 10
FLQ kidnap Pierre Laporte, a minister in Quebec’s cabinet.
Premier Robert Bourassa is taken to a hotel by armed guards.
October 13
Trudeau tells a reporter “Just watch me” in response to a question about how far
he will go to stop the FLQ. Army and police begin a massive search for both men
October 16
Trudeau declares the War Measures Act, which suspended the civil rights of
Canadians at the request of Quebec’s provincial government.
465 people were arrested. 50 from the Parti Quebecois.
October 18
Pierre Laporte’s body was found in the trunk of a car
December 4
James Cross was released in exchange for asylum in Cuba for the kidnappers
December 28
Remaining FLQ members are captured and charged with the murder of Laporte.
After the crisis…
FLQ lost most of its support. Trudeau’s approval rating was at 88% Canada-wide.
FRENCH/ENGLISH RELATIONS 1970-95
1976
Parti Quebecois
 1976 – voted into power in Quebec, led by Rene Levesque
 goal  “to build the country of Quebec”
1977
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Bill 101
PQ not satisfied with Trudeau’s Language Act
Passed Charter of the French Language (Bill 101)  restricted English use in Quebec
French was the only language to be used in courts, government offices, and businesses
Limited access to English schools
Many English speakers and businesses left Quebec
1980
Referendum
 Levesque knew that a small minority wanted complete separation from Canada
 Proposed Referendum on Sovereignty-Association  Quebec would be an independent
country that controlled its own taxes and policies but would keep close economic ties with
Canada
 60% of Quebecers voted NO
1982
Constitutional Crisis
 Trudeau wanted to “repatriate” the BNA Act and bring it under Canadian control
 All the Premiers attended a meeting. 9 of them compromised and a deal was made, which
included the new Constitution and Charter
 Quebec felt betrayed by the rest of the provinces
1987
Meech Lake Accord
 Attempt by PM Mulroney to address Quebec’s needs by editing the constitution
Proposals
 Quebec was a “distinct society”
 3 of 9 supreme court judges would be from Quebec
 All changes to the Constitution required agreement of all ten provinces
 Provinces could refuse any federal program
 Quebec could control its own immigration
 All provinces accepted it but it was defeated in Parliament
1992
Charlottetown Accord
 Similar to Meech Lake but proposed self-government for natives
 Defeated because people believed it gave Quebec too much power and did not address the
needs of other groups
1995
Referendum
 NO 50.6%
YES 49.4%
CANADIAN/AMERICAN RELATIONS SINCE 1945
1960s
 Saint Lawrence Seaway – joint project to allow bigger ships to travel between both countries
 Auto Pact – Free trade on automobiles. Plants could be set up anywhere. For every car that
is sold in Canada, one must be built in Canada
 Branch Plant Economy – American businesses invested in Canada, which created many jobs
– Increasing US control of the economy
– Profits go back to USA
1970s
 Public disapproval of such a close relationship between US/Canada
 Trudeau upset the US by visiting Cuba and China
 Trudeau pressured into letting the US test missiles in Canada
1980s
 Mulroney and Reagan were friends and worked well together
 Return to close relationship
 FTA (Free Trade Agreement) – fear that American competition would kill the Canadian
economy
 Mulroney did not support SDI (Star Wars) missile defence system
1990s
 FTA expanded into NAFTA which included Mexico
 Canadians feared that cheap Mexican labour would kill Canadian jobs
2000s
 US resisted environmental policies (Kyoto accords, reduction of greenhouse gasses)
 increased military support of USA (Afghanistan)