1970 1976 THE BOURASSA GOVERNMENT TIMELINE OF IMPORTANT

1970 -1976: THE BOURASSA GOVERNMENT

TIMELINE OF IMPORTANT EVENTS 1972 1970 Health Insurance Act 1974 Creation of the Common Front October Crisis 1970 1975 Bill 22 1971 Constitution al Negotiations Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1973 1975 Oil Crisis James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement

1970 HEALTH INSURANCE ACT In 1970, Bourassa’s Liberal Party adopted the Health Insurance Act: Health care coverage increased through this Medicare system (not only hospitals were covered) and CLSC’s were created (in 1974) CLSC’s are clinics where citizens can go see a doctor, get vaccinations or services for the elderly, free of charge.

1970: OCTOBER CRISIS The FLQ (Front de Libération du Québec) was a radical neo-nationalist group that believed Quebec would only gain its independance through violent revolution. They attacked symbols of British imperialism: planted bombs in the mailboxes of Anglophones On October 5 1970, they kidnapped British diplomat (James Richard Cross) and a Liberal minister (Pierre Laporte)

OCTOBER CRISIS In response to the territorist group’s attacks, Prime Minister Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, which gave the federal government power to send in the army and arrest any suspected FLQ supporters, without evidence. (Just like during times of war)

OCTOBER CRISIS On October 17, 1970, Pierre Laporte was found dead In December 1970, the abductors were arrested. The kidnappers released the British diplomat in exchange for safe passage to Cuba.

THE OCTOBER CRISIS: TERRORISM IN CANADA DID TRUREAU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION? ? http: //www. cbc. ca/player/play/2672182695

1971: CONSTITUTIONAL NEGOTIATIONS IN B. C. Prime Minister Trudeau wanted to patriate the Canadian constitution: transfer the constitution (BNA Act) from Britain to Canada. He wanted Canada to develop an amending formula to be able to amend (change) the constitution The provinces had to agree, but Quebec was worried that they would lose autonomy. The constitutional negotiations therefore ended in failure.

CREATION OF THE COMMON FRONT Relations between the government and unions became very tense. Unions of public sector workers (people who worked for the government) demanded better working conditions. Many strikes occured and in 1972, the three major labour unions united to create a common front. By working together, the unions believed they would have more power and influence over the government. They represented over 200 000 workers and declared an unlimited strike.

REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What organization resorted to radical means to achieve Quebec sovereignty? 2. Which federal law was implemented for the third time in Canadian history in October 1970? 3. Why did Trudeau want to patriate the Canadian constitution? 4. Why did the conference in Victoria end in failure? 5. Why was the Common Front created?

1973: OIL CRISIS In 1973, war broke out in the Middle East. During the war, OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) decreased production and increased the price of oil. This marked the end of the period of economic growth, and created financial instability in Western countries who were dependent on oil and could no longer afford it.

BILL 22: PROTECTING THE FRENCH LANGUAGE Many new immigrants to Canada and Quebec chose to send their children to English schools. This posed a threat to the loss of the French language. In 1974, Bourassa passed Bill 22: French became the only official language in the province Limited access to English school: only children with good knowledge of English could attend English schools

QUEBEC CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS In 1975, Quebec adopted the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms: All people are equal under the law Discrimination is illegal. Cases of discrimination could be taken to the Quebec Human Rights Commission

THE JAMES BAY AND NORTHERN QUEBEC AGREEMENT Bourassa wanted to develop Quebec’s hydro- electric potential by creating the largest hydro -electric project in the Baie-James area. This project would have a huge impact on the environment (flooding) and on Indigenous communities (loss of land, disruption of traditional lifestyle)

Why would this project impact the environment and Indigenous communities? ?

THE JAMES BAY AND NORTHERN QUEBEC AGREEMENT The Quebec government did not consult with the nearby Indigenous communities (Cree and Inuit), so these communities asked the Superior Court of Quebec to order the government to stop construction. In 1973, a work stoppage was ordered. So, the government decided to enter into negotiations with the Cree and Inuit. In 1975, the James Bay and Norther Quebec Agreement was signed.

THE JAMES BAY AND NORTHERN QUEBEC AGREEMENT Main Agreements: Protection of the culture and traditional way of life of the Inuit and the Cree Creation of two school boards Exclusive fishing and hunting rights to Indigenous peoples in certain parts of the territory Recognition of Indigenous rights to self-governance through autonomous political institutions Recognition of the role of Indigenous communities in managing the natural resources in the North 225 million$ to Indigenous peoples Resumption of hydroelectric construction Opportunity for the government to exploit mining and hydroelectric and forest resources

INDIGENOUS GOVERNANCE

INDIGENOUS GOVERNANCE During the 1970 s, the movement for Indigenous self-determination intensified. Nations wanted more autonomy. New organizations were established: Native Council of Canada, Quebec Native Women’s Association, Native Alliance of Quebec Nations took the government to court over ancestral rights and land claims. The government established a policy to address these claims.

REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What were the main measures in the Official Language Act (Bill 22)? 2. In what region was the largest hydroelectric project in Quebec’s history launched? 3. What gains did the Quebec government make as a result of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement? 4. What strategies do Indigenous peoples use to defend their rights?

QUEBEC UNDER RENÉ LÉVESQUE’S GOVERNMENT 1976 -1980

IMMIGRATION 1976: New Immigration Act: promoted family reunification (immigrants whose family was already established in Canada) and refugees (Vietnam, Haiti, etc). 1978: Quebec can have more control over immigration: preference is giving to immigrants from French speaking countries

BILL 101 In 1977 the Parti Quebecois adopted the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) in order to protect the French language and reverse the Anglicization of Montreal. The Charter of the French Language: All children of immigrants must attend French school French must be used on all public and commercial signs In reaction, many Anglophones left Quebec (exodus)– 90, 000 left in 5 years

NEW REFORMS Labour Reforms: 1977: The Rand Formula was adopted: employers collected union dues (fees) from employee wages, and gives them to the unions. 1979: The Act Respecting Labour Standards: employers had to respect certain working conditions (ex: maternity leave, minimum wage, vacation days, etc), even if the workers were not unionized. Political Reforms: 1977: Act to Govern the Financing of Political Parties: only citizens could contribute a maximum amount of money to a political party.

PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL LANDS Urban expansion threatened Quebec farmland (in the St-Lawrence Valley) and many farmers sold their land In 1978, the Act Respecting the Preservation of Agricultural Land was passed. Agricultural zones were created: the land in those areas must be used for agriculture

REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What measure responded to feminists’ demands for maternity leave? 2. What power did Ottawa grant Quebec, in terms of immigration? 3. Why was Bill 101 passed? 4. What are 2 consequences of the passing of Bill 101.