1960’s Quebec: Separatism1960’s Quebec: Separatismresentment towards English-resentment towards English-speaking Canada grewspeaking Canada grewas francophone Quebeckers became as francophone Quebeckers became proud of their achievements – proud of their achievements – became angrier at what they became angrier at what they perceived as injustices by English-perceived as injustices by English-speaking Canadians – i.e.speaking Canadians – i.e. federal government federal government

overwhelmingly English; overwhelmingly English; French rarely held Cabinet posts; French rarely held Cabinet posts;

no French schools in the rest of no French schools in the rest of

Canada; Canada; Francophones expected to speak Francophones expected to speak

English in stores and at workEnglish in stores and at workfor some – only solution was for for some – only solution was for Quebec to be entirely controlled by Quebec to be entirely controlled by Quebeckers – in separation from Quebeckers – in separation from CanadaCanada

Name given to the events which Name given to the events which occurred in Quebec in 1970occurred in Quebec in 1970

Included kidnapping of Canadian Included kidnapping of Canadian diplomats by members of the FLQdiplomats by members of the FLQ

“We are going to win because there are more boys ready to shoot members of Parliament than there are policemen”

~Michel Chartrand, Radical Separtist and FLQ supporter

Separatism - FLQSeparatism - FLQsome young radicals – joined some young radicals – joined terrorist groups like the terrorist groups like the FLQ FLQ ((front de liberation du front de liberation du QuébecQuébec) and fought in the ) and fought in the name of name of ““Québec libreQuébec libre”” – a – a ““freefree”” Québec QuébecReady to rely on violence to Ready to rely on violence to achieve their goals:used achieve their goals:used firebombs and explosives to firebombs and explosives to attack symbols of English-attack symbols of English-Canadian power in QuébecCanadian power in Québecmost notably – March 7, 1963 – most notably – March 7, 1963 – 3 Canadian army buildings in 3 Canadian army buildings in Montreal were bombed with Montreal were bombed with Molotov cocktails (homemade Molotov cocktails (homemade firebombs) firebombs) FLQ claimed responsibilityFLQ claimed responsibility

The organization of the FLQ was in The organization of the FLQ was in cellscells

Members only concerned with their Members only concerned with their individual cells individual cells

If a member was caught they didnIf a member was caught they didn’’t t know the whole story know the whole story

Each cell specialized in different Each cell specialized in different taskstasks

How did Quebeckers react?How did Quebeckers react?

Most Quebec Nationalists Most Quebec Nationalists disagreed with disagreed with the violent methods of the FLQ. the violent methods of the FLQ. Instead, Instead, they wanted to achieve results through they wanted to achieve results through peaceful ways.peaceful ways.

However, many still agreed with the ideas However, many still agreed with the ideas in the FLQ manifesto: namely, in the FLQ manifesto: namely, that the that the English minority held all positions of power English minority held all positions of power in Quebec and that the French majority in Quebec and that the French majority was disadvantaged.was disadvantaged.

British Trade CommissionerBritish Trade Commissioner

Kidnapped on October 5, 1970 Kidnapped on October 5, 1970 by the by the ““Liberation CellLiberation Cell”” of the of the FLQFLQ

Kidnapping left police with list Kidnapping left police with list of demandsof demands

              Publication of the Publication of the FLQ manifestoFLQ manifesto Liberation of all political prisoners Liberation of all political prisoners

(23 FLQ members)(23 FLQ members)         Denunciation of the informer who had Denunciation of the informer who had led led

the police to the capture of a cell of the police to the capture of a cell of the the

FLQ in June of 1970FLQ in June of 1970           $500 000 in gold$500 000 in gold Safe-escort out of the countrySafe-escort out of the country

The Government’s Response…The Government’s Response…

allows the Manifesto to be broadcast to allows the Manifesto to be broadcast to the public BUTthe public BUT

Announced Announced it would not it would not release any release any prisonersprisoners

Offered to allow kidnappers safe passage Offered to allow kidnappers safe passage to another country only if they released to another country only if they released CrossCross

Kidnapping of Pierre Kidnapping of Pierre LaporteLaporte

Minister of Labour and Vice Premier of Minister of Labour and Vice Premier of QuebecQuebecKidnapped on October 10, 1970 by the Kidnapped on October 10, 1970 by the ““Chenier CellChenier Cell”” of the FLQ of the FLQWrote letter to Quebec Premier, Robert Wrote letter to Quebec Premier, Robert Bourassa, pleading for his lifeBourassa, pleading for his lifeExecuted October 17 - strangled to Executed October 17 - strangled to death and dumped in the trunk of death and dumped in the trunk of

an abandoned caran abandoned car

Trudeau did not want to negotiate with terrorists. He Trudeau did not want to negotiate with terrorists. He did not want to show any weaknesses from his did not want to show any weaknesses from his government’s inability to deal with the problem. He government’s inability to deal with the problem. He declared Quebec was in a state of “apprehended declared Quebec was in a state of “apprehended insurrection”insurrection”aand enforced tnd enforced thehe Act on October 16 Act on October 16thth 1970. 1970.Invoked to find and stop FLQ membersInvoked to find and stop FLQ membersEmplaced throughout all of Canada, but took action in Emplaced throughout all of Canada, but took action in QuebecQuebec

Police were to arrest those who were suspected of Police were to arrest those who were suspected of belonging to the FLQ or supported the FLQ through belonging to the FLQ or supported the FLQ through literature, posters, stickers, or pamphlets.literature, posters, stickers, or pamphlets.

Outlawed FLQOutlawed FLQ

Suspended Civil Liberties Suspended Civil Liberties

497 persons arrested, of whom 435 would be released, 497 persons arrested, of whom 435 would be released, the other 62 were chargedthe other 62 were charged

Controversy Controversy

of the War Measures Actof the War Measures Act Jeopardized the civil rights of Jeopardized the civil rights of Canadian citizensCanadian citizens

Police had power to arrest and put in Police had power to arrest and put in detention on suspicion alonedetention on suspicion alone

Despite controversy 85% of Despite controversy 85% of Canadians agreed with invoking actCanadians agreed with invoking act

3 days before the act was invoked 3 days before the act was invoked Trudeau was asked how far he was Trudeau was asked how far he was willing to go to stop the FLQ, he willing to go to stop the FLQ, he responded with:responded with:

““JUST WATCH MEJUST WATCH ME””