Chapter to our times: Societal Choices in Contemporary Quebec. Section 1: Political Choices in Contemporary Quebec Part 1

Transcription

1 Chapter to our times: Societal Choices in Contemporary Quebec Section 1: Political Choices in Contemporary Quebec Part 1

2 Pages that correspond to this presentation Political choices in contemporary Quebec: Pages

3 How does chapter 4 work? 1980 until now Thematic approach 4 themes Part 1: Political from 1980 until NOW Part 2: Economic from 1980 until NOW Part 3: Social from 1980 until NOW Part 4: Cultural from 1980 until NOW Part 5: Environmental from 1980 until NOW

4 Review from the end of Chapter Canadian constitutional discussions to allow Quebec to have more autonomy did not work in Quebec s favor 1976 election of the Parti Quebecois (PQ) The PQ will use the failed discussions (and other issues) to push Quebec towards sovereignty-association The PQ would eventually use a REFERENDUM to consult the population would they vote YES for sovereignty-association?

5 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 As promised- René Lévesque and the PQ governed Quebec for a few year (4 years to be exact) before consulting the Quebec population using a referendum The PQ asked the Quebec population to vote on sovereignty-association Sovereignty-association = politically separating Quebec from the rest of Canada while maintaining economic ties with Canada

6 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 To see a video on news reports after the announcement of the 1980 Quebec referendum click HERE

7 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 Two sides: Yes side in favour of Quebec sovereignty No side not in favour of Quebec separating from Canada Campaigning on both sides to showcase their points Pierre Elliott Trudeau the Prime Minister of Canada promised renewed federalism this is the idea that Canada would review and reconsider some of the demands made by Quebec more autonomy WITHIN Canada

8 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 What people saw on the ballot when they went to vote in the 1980 Quebec Referendum Source:

9 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 The referendum was held on May 20 th, 1980 The results: The No side 59.6% of the vote The Yes side 40.4% of the vote This referendum pushed the federal government to react Pierre Elliott Trudeau now had to consider how to create a scenario that includes more autonomy for Quebec within Canada

10 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 Yes Rally during the 1980 Quebec Referendum campaign Source: The Globe and Mail. <

11 The First Quebec Referendum in triplex housing units with different views on the referendum in 1980 Source:<

12 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 OUI buttons from the 1980 referendum

13 The First Quebec Referendum in 1980 NON buttons from the 1980 referendum

14 The Constitutional Act of Pierre Elliott Trudeau made another attempt to patriate the Canadian Constitution Trudeau wanted to take away any control the British Parliament had over the Canadian Constitution Trudeau organized several meetings with the premiers of the provinces to negotiate a deal The negotiations dealt with federal versus provincial responsibilities/powers After several meetings Trudeau organized a final conference to meet with the provinces to negotiate in November 1981

15 The Constitutional Act of 1982 The negotiations during the last meeting were not going well until November 4 th 9 out the 10 provinces signed a deal that would accept the new patriated constitution The 10 th province Quebec René Lévesque was left out he felt betrayed Lévesque dubbed this night: The Night of Long Knives Quebec did not sign the new agreement

16 The Constitutional Act of 1982 Trudeau and Lévesque during Constitutional Negotiations Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 289

17 The Constitutional Act of 1982 The federal government moved forward despite Quebec not signing the agreement April 17 th, 1982 the Constitutional Act 1982 was signed Canada s constitution was now patriated without Quebec s permission The Constitutional Act 1982 did not define Quebec s status and distinct character within Canada

18 The Constitutional Act of 1982 Signing of the Constitutional Act- April 17 th, 1982 Source: Montreal Gazette. <

19 The Constitutional Act of 1982 Source: Parliament of Canada. <

20 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 290

21 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Source: Parliament of Canada. <

22 The Meech Lake Accord 1987 Brian Mulroney as Canadian Prime Minister in 1984 proposed to resume negotiations with Quebec to pursue reconciliation with Quebec after the Night of Long Knives and Constitutional Act without Quebec s endorsement 1985 Robert Bourassa (same guy from the early 1970s) is Premier of Quebec Bourassa agrees to negotiate with the federal government to bring Quebec into the Canadian Constitution

23 The Meech Lake Accord 1987 Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 292

24 The Meech Lake Accord 1987 Bourassa only agreed to negotiate if: Quebec was recognized as a distinct society Quebec could have the right to veto (block) any change to the Canadian Constitution if it affected Quebec in a negative way Quebec had the right to withdraw from federal programs (like childcare allowances) Quebec held more power to elect judges within the federal government Quebec held MORE power to Quebec in the area of immigration

25 The Meech Lake Accord An agreement in Meech Lake was reached that satisfied Quebec Every Legislative Assembly in the other 9 provinces had to unanimously agree in order to ratify the agreement By June 23 rd, 1990 Ratify = to make official Manitoba DID NOT agree a member of Manitoba Legislative Assembly, Elijah Harper, voted NO

26 The Meech Lake Accord 1987 Signing of the Meech Lake Accord before it failed Source: The National Post.<

27 The Meech Lake Accord 1987 Why did Elijah Harper vote NO? Elijah Harper was an Indigenous politician in Manitoba and he felt the new agreement from Meech Lake did not recognize Indigenous rights Harper was not alone many Indigenous leaders across Canada felt the same way Because the vote needed to be unanimous the Meech Lake Accord agreement failed

28 The Meech Lake Accord 1987 Elijah Harper in 2008 Elijah Harper the day he said No to ratifying the Meech Lake Accord Source: The Globe and Mail. < Source: The Toronto Star. <

29 The Bélanger-Campeau Commission Robert Bourassa set up the Bélanger-Campeau Commission to look at Quebec s status within Canada and to look at Quebec s future within Canada 1991 the commission suggested that another referendum on Quebec sovereignty be held

30 The Allaire Report 1991 In addition to the Bélanger- Campeau Commission a separate committee was set up to look at options for Quebec moving forward after the failure of the Meech Lake Accord This committee was lead by a man named Jean Allaire a report was released called Quebec Free to Choose The report indicated that Canada should grant Quebec more political autonomy and a new referendum on Quebec sovereignty was needed due to the failure of the Meech Lake Accord Jean Allaire in 1994 Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 292

31 The Charlottetown Accord 1992 Again The Mulroney federal government attempted to find a common ground which would grant Quebec distinct society status while recognizing others such as Indigenous groups An agreement was made and signed on August 28 th, 1992 The Charlottetown Accord However All Canadians were consulted on the accord and almost 57% of all Quebeckers and 54% of Canadians rejected it All of the failed accords would lead Quebec towards another referendum in 1995

32 The 1995 Quebec Referendum Early 1980s to the early 1990s Multiple failed accords to include Quebec in the Canadian Constitution and grant Quebec more political autonomy Sovereignist ideas began to surface in Quebec by the early 1990s 1993 The Parti Quebecois was elected lead by a man named Jacques Parizeau

33 The 1995 Quebec Referendum 1995 Parizeau and the PQ organized a 2 nd Quebec referendum on sovereignty Many debates and rallies on both sides ( YES and NO ) Heated debates on territory, economic issues and language were had leading up to the referendum October 30 th, 1995 date of the referendum Results: NO 50.58% YES 49.42% Quebec society was extremely divided Jacques Parizeau s controversial speech after the results: HERE

34 The 1995 Quebec Referendum Signs used during the 1995 Quebec referendum campaign Source: Humber News.< Source: La Presse. <

35 The 1995 Quebec Referendum Crowd at the 1995 Unity Rally - Downtown Montreal October 27 th, 1995 (see CBC footage HERE) Source: CBC.<

36 The 1995 Quebec Referendum 1995 Quebec Referendum Results Source: Wikipedia.<

37 Connections to the Precisions of Learning