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French English Relations 1968 - 2000. A Long Long Time Ago …. 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.
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A Long Long Time Ago… • 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.
The Quiet Revolution – 1960's • A period of modernization in Quebec • The provincial state replaced the church at the heart of Quebec’s political life • Linguistic division of labour – Hydro-Quebec • Quebec’s provincial government became more assertive about Quebec’s place in Canada and federalism. • Quebecois, not French Canadian, nationalism.
What Did Quebec Want? • Full control over provincial jurisdiction • The federal government to remove itself from provincial jurisdiction • Greater provincial power • Increased say over federal institutions • Recognition of “special status”
Where We Begin • 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
However several people believed that it didn’t go far enough. • Quebec’s response was Bill 22 • Quebec Nationalism Grows – Turns into separatism
The FLQ • The Front de Liberation du Quebec • A socialist extremist group that committed over 200 violent acts between 1963 – 1970. • October Crisis
The Parti Quebecois • Parti Quebecois (PQ) founded by dissidents who left the provincial Liberal party • Led by Rene Levesque • PQ grew steadily in support • Won the 1976 provincial election with 41% of the vote and a majority government
Taking It One Step At A Time PQ settled on a step by step approach to sovereignty • Govern well (Bill 101) • Call a referendum to get a mandate to negotiate with Ottawa • Negotiate with Ottawa • Have the outcome of the negotiations ratified in another referendum
1980 - Referendum! • A soft question: asked for a mandate to negotiate sovereignty association • Bitter, divisive campaign • 60% “Non” – 40% “Oui” • Economic fears loomed large in the vote • PQ may have miscalculated in its referendum strategy, Trudeau promised new Constitution. • PQ re-elected in 1981
Constitutional Negotiation • 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
Constitution Act, 1982 • 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
A New Sheriff In Town • 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
They Are… • Recognition as a “distinct society” • Limitation on federal government intrusion in provincial jurisdiction • Role in appointing justices to the Supreme Court of Canada • Increased power over immigration • A veto over any constitutional change
Meech Lake Accord - 1987 • 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
Why Did It Fail • 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.
The Charlottetown Accord - 1992 • Much anger in Quebec • Sovereigntist sentiment on the rise • Again, 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 well • Most felt their issues were not dealt with.
The Bloc Quebecois • 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 1995 • Narrow victory for the federalists: 50.6% Non, 49.4% Oui • Federal government weak in referendum
What Is It Like Today? • Sovereigntist sentiment is currently in decline • Parti Quebecois lost the 2003 provincial election quite badly • Bloc Quebecois’ support is in decline • Demographic change in Quebec • Evidence that Quebeckers have grown tired of the debate over sovereignty • 55% (63% of those under 45) do not identify themselves as sovereigntist or federalist (CRIC)