Canada and Quebec
We have ten provinces and one of them doesn’t have their signature on the constitution (a document that shows what a nation stands for)
Quebec doesn’t have their signature on the constitution
Some Background of Quebec and Canada
Canada was a french speaking colony
1763 Canada gets taken over by Britain, 7 year war
What has remained of that colony? - Quebec
Why we have a portion of Canada that speaks french they are a reminiscence
Long Standing Tension
Impact of different cultures living in the same country?
Disagreements over schooling, conscription, and immigration (wanted more french speakers)
1945 after WWII 30% of people in Quebec wanted to separate from Canada
What were the problems?
Quebec had the highest unemployment rate in the country
The English speaker minority in Quebec had better paying jobs
Positions in the Canadian Government were held by English speaking Canadians.
1960 birth rate was dropping in Quebec
People who were coming into Canada wanted to speak English, not french.
Led by Premier Jean Lesage
Dramatic political social and economic changes in Quebec
Revolution was led by Mantra “Masters in Our own House”, the French was be the major language not the English
Span of 10 years, half of Quebec turns their back on the Church, with a quarter wanting independence from Canada
In some rural areas electricity is 3x the cost of what it was in Montreal
The government finds itself spearheaded by a quiet revolution
Since the first days of new france, the catholic church has always educated the young yet most people drop out at the age of 15 - highest drop out rate in the country
A lot of people complained about the new taxes
CHANGES MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT .
Nationalization of private electric companies (it would allow them to choose more french speaking people to go in the companies)
Educational reform
Catholic Church was removed from having control over education and the dropout rate raised to 16
Establishment of new social programs (Quebec Pension Plan)
DEMANDS OF THE Q.R.?
More control over programs like health care and education
Greater consultation on any matter that affected the province (ex. Canadian law)
Immigration Control
OTTAWA RESPONDS TO THE Q.R.
Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism formed in 1963. This leads to the following:
The Great flag debate in 1965
1969 - Pierre Trudeau passes official languages act that makes English and French the official languages
1971 - Canada adopts multiculturalism as official policy
Increase in French Speakers in the Canadian Government
Robert Courassa (1970)
Has to deal with the front de Liberation Quebecois (a terrorist organization dedicated to Quebec Independence)
During the October Crisis, PM Pierre Trudeau suspended basic civil liberties for the FIRST time ever in peacetime until 2022 when civil liberties were suspended again. Why?
They kidnap British diplomat and Quebec politician
Fl.Q kidnaps James Cross from his house in Montreal. Demanding to relate “political prisoners”
5 days later, they kidnap Pierre Laporte
The FLQ has support, 3000 people crowd into a FLQ rally
Pierre Trudeau issues the War Measures Act at 4:00 am
It allowed searches without warrants
Tommy Douglas and his Democratic Party opposed the War Measures Act (WMA) openly
Pierre Laporte was assassinated after the issuing of the WMA
James Cross does get released
Politicians now go around with more protection
1968 birth of the Parti Quebecois
Led by Rene Levesque (1976)
He passes a new law - Bill 101
Elements of the Bill
Makes French the only working language in Quebec ]
Bill says all business in the Quebec government will only be french
French is the only official language in this province
Bill says people in quebec have the right to speak french at work, have the right to be taught in french and they have the right to be served in french at stores or restaurants
Basically speak french or get out
Impact
English speaker quebeckers felt that their rights were being deprived as Canadians in a bilingual country
In 1980, he held a referendum on sovereignty-association
Meaning you're voting on independence for Quebec while maintaining a close economic relationship with Canada
Their goal was to separate from Canada
A referendum on sovereignty-association
Meaning to vote independence for Quebec, while maintaining a close economic independence with Canada
Feminist Minister messes up, causing more support for the Non side
They say women are on the non side of the submissive
Prime Minister gives promise of change if Quebec stays
Pierre Trudeau suggests that Quebeckers vote no, he would rewrite the constitution meaning he would cut ties with britain forever.
The Non side wins with 60% of the vote
WHAT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE?
Pierre Trudeau follows through and immediately starts Constitutional reform
1981, Pierre Trudeau was at the height of his political career
Followed with victory of french referendum
Turns his focus on bringing home a revised Canadian Constitution so they won’t need Britain's approval to change it
He also wants Canadians to have their own Charter of Rights
To change constitution, the supreme court suggests that he gets the approval of all 10 provinces even if it’s not needed because of national initiative
Provinces resisted the Charter
An organization called gang of eights, a group of provincial leaders. they want financial compensation for provinces but they had to get patriotion first
Premiers opposed the charter of rights because they were scared they were going to lose their power and the power would be handed over to judges.
The Night of the Long Knives refers to the night when the agreement was reached behind Quebec’s back.
April 17, 1982
Charter of Rights will change the History of Canada
The New Constitution is signed
The Quebec flag is to be flown on half staff
Trudeau gets his Charter of Rights and freedoms which protects Canadians in all Government levels
Notwithstanding Clause
But to get this deal Trudeau had to sign the notwithstanding clause which allows provinces to pass any law they want that violates your(citizens) Charter of Rights
Quebec was the only province that wasn’t on the constitution
Brian Mulroney (1984-93)
New elected prime minister
Wants the country united
So he promises that he will get Quebec to sign the constitution
Meech Lake accord - was an agreement in 1987 by all 10 provinces to change the constitution
On the shores of Meech lake, they revise Canada’s Constitution
Constitution has agreed upon all provinces, Quebec receives District society/immigration control
Indigenous complaints
Closed door negotiations
Did not succeed
Manitoba and Newfoundland rejected
Consequences?
A new FEDERAL party dedicated to Quebec’s interest is formed
1991
Lucien Bouchard was the founder
Malroney Tries Again: The Charlottetown Accord 1992
Second attempt to get Quebec’s signature
Some promises included:
“Distinct Society”
Aboriginal self government
The accord went to a national vote. Did it pass? - NO it did not pass it was rejected by Canadians
Why? - Malrouney wasn’t popular while he was prime minister and people were tired of this subject of the Canadian Constitution, there are more important issues
1993, Block Quebecois had the second most seats in the House of Commons
Independence was rejected in 1995 by just the slimmest of margins 50.6% vote no and 49.4% voted yes
Consequences
Government passes The Clarity Act
If you want to separate, your referendum needs at least 60% who say they want to separate or else they won’t acknowledge it
Leads to the Decline of the sovereignty Movement
Problems Associated with Quebec Separation?
Economic effects
Effects on the English minority in Quebec (will they all immigrate to Canadian Provinces?)
What kind of international ties would be established?
2018: Why doesn’t Pierre trudeau try and get Quebec’s signature on the constitution?
Trudeau said “ there are bigger issues that Canadians are worrend about than Quebec for example the environment, economy, etc”
Basically trying to say they don’t care
Is Separatism Dead?
35% support for independence because of the youth who are focused on other issues
Today
Quebec recognized as distinct in 2006
They do have some control over immigration
Bill 96 (2022): Reinforces French as the exclusive languge for all businesses
2024: Tuition increase for all out of province university students (12000 a year)
Quebec’s Signature Remains off of the Constitution