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Canadian French-English Relations

Canadian French-English Relations. World War One – 1914 -1918. At the outset of World War One – tremendous disagreement between English and French Canada on what role Canada should play in conflict French Canadians did not think we should get involved in a European / British war

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Canadian French-English Relations

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  1. CanadianFrench-English Relations

  2. World War One – 1914 -1918 • At the outset of World War One – tremendous disagreement between English and French Canada on what role Canada should play in conflict • French Canadians did not think we should get involved in a European / British war • Most English-Canadians still felt strong loyalty to Britain and wanted to lend support

  3. 1917 – Conscription Crisis of WWI • When PM Borden introduced Military Service act of 1917 – introduced conscription • Divided Canada along language lines • English Canada supportive of conscription, French Canada opposed • Henri Bourassa, the premier of Quebec, appealed to Quebecois by saying that the war involved no Canadian interests, and therefore Canadians should not be involved. • Québec City Riot (1918) protested conscription, led to 4 deaths

  4. World War Two 1939 - 1945 • Many women in both English & French Canada gained employment in munitions factories, etc. • 1942 – Conscription Crisis again • Not as severe as 1917, but there were still protests and tensions

  5. 1930s - Roots of Quebec Nationalism 1. Maurice Duplessis – Union Nationale • Premier of Québec from 1936-1939, and again from 1944-1959 • strong Québec nationalist who was devoted to the idea of Québec as a distinctive society – a “nation” rather than just another Canadian province • introduced flag for Québec bearing the French symbol, the fleur-de-lis – to emphasize province’s difference from English-speaking Canada • fiercely opposed growing powers of federal government in post-war years

  6. Duplessis – cont’ HOWEVER- • while tried to keep out the influence of foreign culture, he encouraged foreign investment • businesses and industries from Ontario and USA were attracted by what Québec had to offer: guaranteed cheap labour, since union activity was either discouraged or banned, and low taxes • in return for favourable business conditions, companies were expected to contribute generously to the Union Nationale – “kickbacks” / gifts • bribery and corruption trademarks of Duplessis regime

  7. Roman Catholic Church • Under Duplessis, the Roman Catholic Church was the main defender of Québec culture • priests urged people in Québec to turn their backs on the materialism of English-speaking North America • Church praised the old Québec traditions of farm, faith, and family • it ran Québec’s hospitals and schools • religion played a role in every part of the curriculum, and the schools taught children to accept authority • those few who attended high school and university received a fine education, but with an emphasis on traditional subjects and languages and philosophy • result – Québec produced many priests, lawyers, and politicians, but few scientists, engineers, or business people

  8. Quiet Revolution – 1960s • 1960 – Duplessis died – Jean Lesage and the Liberals came to power in Québec under the slogan, “Time for a Change” • Lesage – stamped out corruption • gov. jobs and contracts were now awarded according to merit • wages and pensions were raised • restrictions on trade unionism removed

  9. Quiet Revolution - Modernization • government began a peaceful but dramatic movement to modernize the province’s economy, politics, education, and culture • took control of social services and the education system • students – required to take more science and technology courses to prepare them for the new Québec • Quebeckers were encouraged to think of themselves as citizens of the 20th century • as new attitudes took hold, the influence of the church declined wave of change – known as the Quiet Revolution

  10. Quiet Revolution - “Maîtres Chez Nous” • after 1962 election – Liberals campaigned, and won, with the motto, “maîtres chez nous” – “ masters in our own house” • aim – to strengthen Québec’s control of its own economy • among other steps – gov. nationalized (bought out) several hydro companies and turned them into a large, provincially-owned power monopoly – Hydro-Québec

  11. Separatism • resentment towards English-speaking Canada grew • as francophone Quebeckers became proud of their achievements – became angrier at what they perceived as injustices by English-speaking Canadians – i.e. • federal government overwhelmingly English; • French rarely held Cabinet posts; • no French schools in the rest of Canada; • Francophones expected to speak English in stores and at work • for some – only solution was for Quebec to be entirely controlled by Quebeckers – in separation from Canada

  12. Separatism - FLQ • some young radicals – joined terrorist groups like the FLQ (front de liberation du Québec) and fought in the name of “Québec libre” – a “free” Québec • used firebombs and explosives to attack symbols of English-Canadian power in Québec • most notably – March 7, 1963 – 3 Canadian army buildings in Montreal were bombed with Molotov cocktails (homemade firebombs) • FLQ claimed responsibility

  13. Separatism - Lévesque and the PQ • 1967 – influential Québec cabinet minister René Lévesque left the Liberal Party and formed the Parti Québécois (PQ) • Lévesque believed that Québec and Canada would do better to “divorce peacefully” than to continue a marriage that seemed “no loner workable”

  14. Ottawa’s Response - Royal Commission • Lester Pearson – became PM in midst of Quiet Revolution • convinced that Canada would face a grave crisis unless the French were made to feel more at home in Canada • appointed the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (The “Bi and Bi Commission”) to investigate some solutions • Main recommendation: that Canada should become officially bilingual

  15. Ottawa’s Response - New Canadian Flag -1965 • 1964 – Pearson acted on long-standing complaint in Québec that Canada’s symbols were too British – suggested a new Canadian flag • Maple Leaf chosen as symbol for new flag because it seemed to represent all Canadians • instead – increased tensions in Canada • many English Canadians opposed the new flag because they felt Pearson was pandering to Québec • heated debate – split the country • now accepted by English-Canadians – Quebeckers tend to favour fleur-de-lis finally, on February 15, 1965 – Canada’s new flag was raised on Parliament Hill for the 1st time

  16. Trudeau and Québec Canada becomes Officially Bilingual in 1969 • 1968 – Trudeau succeeded Pearson as PM • determined that the federal gov. should do more to persuade people from Québec that their future lay with Canada • 1969 – acted n the advice of the “Bi and Bi Commission” and passed the Official Languages Act – making Canada an officially bilingual country • from this point on: all federal government agencies across Canada were required to provide services in both languages

  17. Official Languages Act - 1969 • met with mixed results – some embraced the idea – i.e. French Immersion classes; others felt French being forced on them • Westerners still felt ignored • Francophones not impressed – wanted “special status” for Québec in Confederation • Trudeau would not grant them this

  18. October Crisis - 1970 • On October 5, 1970 members of the FLQ kidnapped James Cross, a British diplomat, from this Montreal home • In exchange for Cross’s safe release – FLQ made several demands, including release of FLQ members serving prison sentences for previous criminal acts • Federal and Québec authorities agreed to most demands – but refused to release any FLQ prisoners from jail • then FLQ kidnapped Québec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte • Alarmed that the situation was out of control – Trudeau asked Parliament to impose the War Measures Act • civil rights suspended; • anyone could be arrested and detained without being charged with an offense; • membership in FLQ became a crime; James Cross Pierre Laporte

  19. October Crisis • When asked how far he would go to defeat the FLQ Trudeau said, “Just watch me.” • October 16th – federal troops were sent to patrol the streets of Ottawa and Montreal • Hundreds of pro-separatist Quebeckers were arrested and held without charge • October 17th – police found the body of Pierre Laporte in the trunk of a car – had been strangled • Two months later – Montreal tracked the group holding Cross in a Montreal house • In return for Cross’ safe release – kidnappers were permitted safe passage to Cuba, where they would be granted political asylum • Those detained under the War Measures Act – released • Of 450 people held in detention – only 25 ever charged Dec 3, 1970 - October Crisis Over Trudeau – Just Watch Me – (5:50) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfUq9b1XTa0

  20. PQ in Power - 1976 • 1976 – René Lévesque and Parti Québécois won provincial election • during campaign Lévesque assured voters that the PQ would not automatically mean separation - promised to hold a province-wide referendum on issue • top priority as new gov. – strengthening the status of French language • passed Bill 101 – “Charter of the French Language” - • law made French the only official language of the province • Québec gov. employees had to work in French • Commercial outdoor signs would have to be in French only • children of immigrants would be required to attend French rather than English schools • Francophone Quebeckers – welcomes the Lang. law to protect their culture and language • to non-Francophones – symbol of oppression • federal gov. had to find a way to preserve Canadian unity

  21. 1980 Referendum • 1980 – Lévesque gov. called a referendum – people asked to vote: • “YES” – to give his gov. a mandate to negotiate a new agreement with Canada based on sovereignty-association • proposed that Québec become politically independent, yet maintain a close economic association with Canada • Trudeau – made impassioned speeches urging the people of Quebec to remain part of a strong, united, and forward-looking Canada • Trudeau promised to negotiate a new Constitution should the “No” side win RESULT – 40% voted “YES” 60% voted “NO”

  22. Patriating the Constitution Trudeau’s intention: • BNA Act had been Canada’s constitution since 1867 – but fell under British jurisdiction – no changes could be made without the British Parliament’s approval • Trudeau wanted to patriate the Constitution (bring it home to Canada), where Canadian gov. would have the authority to make changes; also wanted to include a Charter of Rights and Freedoms – but needed approval of provinces

  23. Negotiations with Provinces • 1st step – needed to come up with an amending formula • BUT – difficult to get all provinces, with their differing opinions and interests, to agree • series of meetings – led to frustration • federal Justice Minister, Jean Chrétien, amid justice ministers from Ont. and Sask. created what became known as the “Kitchen Compromise” • 9/10 premiers awakened in their hotel rooms to approve the deal – because Lévesque was staying at a different hotel

  24. Negotiations with Provinces 7 out of • only would accept Charter if an escape clause was added – “notwithstanding clause” • allowed the federal gov. or provincial gov’s to opt out of some of the clauses of the Charter • meant that a provincial law that was contrary to a specific Charter guarantee would be passed, despite anything the Charter contains • amending formula reached– changes to the Constitution would be made only with the agreement of 7/10 provincial legislatures representing 50% of Canada’s population 10 + 50% of the population

  25. Negotiations with Provinces • afterwards – Lévesque argued against the deal but Trudeau went ahead – he maintained that the federal gov. had so many members from Québec that it would speak for that province • Lévesque and people of Québec felt betrayed • result – called it the “Night of the Long Knives” • Québec provincial government refused to sign the proposed new Constitution

  26. Constitution Act - 1982 • Trudeau went ahead anyway • On April 17, 1982 – the new Constitution Act was signed into law by Queen Elizabeth II and PM Trudeau outside the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa • last step to making Canada a completely independent nation • as the rest of the country celebrated – flags flew at half mast in Québec; Lévesque led angry demonstration in Québec City Unreconciled Provinces - Trudeau http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwqlft4DdY&feature=related.&fmt=18

  27. Constitution Debate - Mulroney PM Mulroney • 1984 - Mulroney became PM in part due to his promise to obtain Quebec’s consent to the Constitution “with honour and enthusiasm” • At same time, René Lévesque retired and pro-federalist Liberal Party, led by Robert Bourassa, took power in Quebec • Mulroney began negotiations with Bourassa – his plan - to reach an agreement Quebec would sign – but other provinces also had own demands Examples: Newfoundland (fisheries) and Alberta (oil) – wanted more control of their own resources & wanted reforms to Senate that would allow their provinces to have a stronger voice in Ottawa

  28. Western Alienation • came to a head again over a contract to repair air force jets – multibillion $ contract • awarded to the Bombardier company of Montreal, even though Bristol Aerospace of Winnipeg had made a better proposal • felt gov. wanted to “buy” Conservative votes in Quebec • RESPONSE – Reform Party formed in 1987 to be the voice of western Canada Preston Manning

  29. Meech Lake Accord - 1987 • 1987 – PM Mulroney called the premiers to a conference at Meech Lake • proposed a package of amendments to the Constitution • offered to recognize Quebec as a “distinct society” • proposed giving more power to the other provinces – ie. All would have power to veto Constitutional change Equality or Independence? Trudeau http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeSZyHiex5k&feature=related.&fmt=18 Special Status for PQ – Trudeau http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLkJbcW33rE&NR=1.&fmt=18

  30. Meech Lake Accord - 1987 • Response: • Quebec supported Accord • many critics – especially Trudeau – said that the designation of Quebec as a distinct society would create “two solitudes” in Canada – it would isolate the Francophones of Quebec • other people worried that the clause could be used for Quebec to override the Charter and deprive specific groups of their rights

  31. Meech Lake Accord - 1987 • Aboriginal peoples pointed out that they too had a distinct society that needed to be recognized and protected • many thought Canadian citizens had not been given the opportunity for input • Manitoba and Newfoundland – withheld their support – therefore, Meech Lake Accord disintegrated in June, 1990 • Quebeckers – saw rejection as a “humiliation” – by late 1990, support for separation rose to 64% Elijah Harper – MLA in Manitoba Legislature – withheld support for Meech Lake due to lack of provisions for Aboriginals

  32. Meech Lake Accord - 1987 • Lucien Bouchard – powerful Quebec member of Mulroney’s Cabinet • 1991 - resigned in protest and formed the Bloc Québécois– political party that would run in federal elections to support the aim of Quebec separation

  33. The Charlottetown Accord • PM Mulroney – continued with Constitution debate • to avoid past mistakes, appointed a special “Citizen’s Forum” – a committee that travelled across the nation to hear the views of Canadians • eventually – Mulroney & the premiers came up with another package of proposed Constitutional amendments – the Charlottetown Accord

  34. Charlottetown Accord 1. Proposed Senate Reform – making it elected with equal representation from all parts of the country (West wanted this) 2. answered Quebec’s concerns 3. supported Aboriginal self-government • put to a national referendum in October, 1992 • 54.5% of voters rejected it • problem: so many clauses, each designed to please a different group – easy to find fault • greatest opposition – BC – 68.3% voted “NO”

  35. Growing Feelings of Separatism • 1993 – Bloc Quebecois became the Official Opposition in Canadian federal government

  36. 1995 Referendum • second referendum to ask voters in Quebec whether Quebec should secede from Canada and become an independent state. • 1995 referendum differed from the 1980 referendum on Quebec's sovereignty in that the 1980 question proposed to negotiate "sovereignty-association" with the Canadian government • the 1995 question proposed "sovereignty", along with an optional partnership offer to the rest of Canada.

  37. 1995 Referendum • The referendum took place in Quebec on October 30, 1995, and the motion to decide whether Quebec should secede from Canada was defeated by an extremely small margin: 50.58% "No" 49.42% "Yes"

  38. First Nations in Quebec • In preparation for a "Yes" victory, aboriginal peoples in Quebec strongly affirmed their own right to self determination. • First Nations Chiefs articulated that forcing them to join an independent Quebec would violate international law. • In the final week of the referendum campaign, they would insist on being full participants in any new constitutional negotiations resulting from the referendum. • voted overwhelmingly against Quebec independence on the eve of the referendum.

  39. First Nations in Quebec • On October 24, 1995 they organized their own referendum asking the question: "Do you consent, as a people, that the Government of Quebec separate the James Bay Crees and Cree traditional territory from Canada in the event of a Yes vote in the Quebec referendum?" • 96.3% of the 77% of Crees who cast ballots voted to stay in Canada. • The Inuit of Nunavik held a similar local vote asking "Do you agree that Quebec should become sovereign?", with 96% voting No. • First Nations communities were an important contribution to the tense debate on a hypothetical partition of Quebec.

  40. 1998 Supreme Court Decision • Supreme Court Rules that Quebec did not have the right to separate unilaterally (to decide by itself) from Canada • Quebec would have to negotiate with the federal government, the 9 other provinces, and the Aboriginal peoples living in Quebec • Also – any referendums had to have a “clear majority” that voted “yes” to a “clear question”

  41. 1999 - 2000 – Clarity Act • Introduced in 1999 – passed in 2000 • Law that established the conditions under which the Government of Canada would enter into negotiations that might lead to secession following such a vote by one of the provinces. • Basically put Supreme Court ruling into law: said that in order to lead to separation negotiations, a referendum on independence in a given province would have to have "clearly" (according to the judgment of the Canadian House of Commons) framed its question to voters in terms of independence, and that the result would have to be a "clear majority" in favor, rather than merely, for instance, a 50%+1 majority.

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