The Quiet Revolution in Quebec led to secularization, welfare state, and political realignment. It brought changes in healthcare, education, and economy, shaping Quebecois identity.
Hydro-Québec was established in 1944 and became a significant entity following the nationalization of private electricity companies in Quebec. It grew to become one of the largest Crown Corporations in North America.
The Quiet Revolution in Quebec started on March 1, 1955, marking a period of significant social and political change in the province.
During a hockey game between the Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings, a riot broke out as hundreds of Habs fans protested the suspension of Maurice Richard by Clarence Campbell, the English Manager. This event highlighted Quebec's nationalism.
In 1958, Jean Lesage became the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, adopting a new political platform that combined elements from both neonationalist and neoliberal platforms.
Maurice Duplessis, the conservative leader of the Union Nationale party, passed away in 1959. His death, followed by the sudden passing of his successor Paul Sauvé, played a significant role in triggering the Quiet Revolution in Quebec.
In this election, the Liberals broke the hold of the Union Nationale party in Quebec, marking the beginning of the Quiet Revolution. The Liberals under Jean Lesage had a reform platform focused on bringing change to the province.
In 1961, the government under Lesage made significant changes to the electoral system, including attacking political patronage, altering the electoral map for better urban representation, and lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.
In 1962, the government under René Lévesque nationalized private electricity companies in Quebec, leading to the nationalization of all private hydroelectric companies in 1963. This decision resulted in the establishment of Hydro-Québec as one of the largest Crown Corporations in North America.
Minister Lester B. Pearson established the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism to address language and cultural issues in Canada.
The concept of 'Maîtres chez nous' (Masters of our own house) represented Quebec's economic nationalism during the Quiet Revolution, emphasizing the desire for greater control over the province's economic resources and decision-making.
In 1965, the Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec was established to manage the assets of the Québec Pension Plan, which experienced significant growth to several billion dollars.
Jean Lesage and his allies faced defeat as they were no longer in power by this time, marking the end of their political influence.
On June 25, 1968, Pierre Trudeau was elected as the Prime Minister of Canada, playing a key role in shaping the country's political landscape.
On March 28, 1969, a significant street demonstration known as Operation McGill français took place in Montreal. The protest aimed to advocate for McGill University to become a French-speaking educational institution, reflecting the linguistic and cultural aspirations of Quebecois during the Quiet Revolution.
The Official Languages Act was passed on September 9, 1969, recognizing English and French as the official languages of Canada, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the country.
On April 30, 1970, the War Measures Act was invoked in response to the October Crisis, granting the government sweeping powers to maintain order and security.
On October 5, 1970, James Cross, a British Trade Commissioner, was kidnapped by the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ), highlighting the aggressive actions of the separatist group.
In March 1971, Premier Bourassa initiated Quebec's James Bay Hydro-Electro Project, showcasing the province's move towards self-sufficiency in hydro and electrical power generation.
In 1974, Bill 22 was enacted under Robert Bourassa's government, establishing French as the official language of Quebec and mandating that immigrants attend French language schools upon arrival.
The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedom was established on June 27, 1975, emphasizing the importance of human rights and freedoms in the province.
In the election held on November 15, 1976, the Parti Québécois, led by René Lévesque, won over the Quebec Liberal Party. This victory stirred debates and concerns about Quebec's separation from Canada.
In 1977, the Parti Québécois enacted the Charter of the French Language, also known as Bill 101, with the aim of protecting the French language in Québec by making it the language of business and restricting the use of English on signs. The bill also imposed restrictions on eligibility for English education based on parental and grandparental education history.
In 1978, the debates in the National Assembly of Quebec were televised for the first time, allowing the public to witness political discussions and decisions in real-time.
In 1979, the influential English newspaper 'The Montreal Star' stopped its production, impacting the media landscape in Quebec.
On May 20, 1980, the Parti Québécois initiated a referendum on Quebec sovereignty, leading to a significant political event in the province's history.
In 1981, the Parti Québécois was re-elected in Quebec, reflecting the ongoing political landscape and support for the party in the province.
The Canada Act of 1982, augmented by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provided Canada with a new constitution, renewing the federation.
The book 'Quiet Revolution Struggle for the Democratic Party & Shaping of Post-Reform Politics' by Byron Shafer was published in December 1983. It delves into the struggle within the Democratic Party and the shaping of politics after reforms.
In 1984, the Parti Québécois faced internal turmoil as René Lévesque shifted focus from sovereignty to governance, leading to his resignation and tensions within the party.
In June 1985, the Ministry of Social Affairs in Quebec was transformed into the Ministry of Health and Social Services. This ministry became responsible for the administration of health and social services in the province.
From 1981 to 1986, approximately 50,000 English-speaking Quebecers left the province, contributing to demographic changes and cultural dynamics in Quebec.
In 1987, the Meech Lake Accord was reached but not ratified, and the passing of René Lévesque marked a significant moment in Quebec's political history.
In 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on language laws in Quebec, emphasizing the predominance of French on public signs and highlighting linguistic tensions in the province.
In 1989, the Liberal Party was re-elected in the Quebec general election, shaping the political landscape and policies in the province.
The Bloc Québécois, a sovereigntist political party representing Quebec on the federal level, was founded in 1991 by Lucien Bouchard. It played a key role in advocating for Quebec's interests within the Canadian political landscape.
The Charlottetown Accord was rejected in Canada and Quebec in 1992, reflecting challenges in constitutional negotiations and differing views on national unity.
In 1993, Brian Mulroney resigned as Prime Minister, and Jean Chrétien succeeded him, marking a transition in Canadian federal politics.
In 1994, the Parti Québécois, led by Jacques Parizeau, was re-elected in Quebec, leading to continued debates on sovereignty and language policies.
The 1995 Quebec sovereignty referendum was another significant event in Quebec's history, where the province narrowly voted to remain part of Canada. It highlighted the continued debate and push for sovereignty within Quebec.
In 1996, Robert Bourassa passed away, and Lucien Bouchard became the Premier of Quebec, marking a transition in provincial leadership.
In 1997, an amendment to the Constitution permitted linguistic school boards in Quebec, reflecting efforts to accommodate diverse language communities in the province.
In 1998, Lucien Bouchard was reelected as the leader of Parti Québécois, pledging to promote Quebec's independence with renewed vigor.
In 2003, the Liberal Party and its leader Jean Charest ousted Parti Québécois and Bernard Landry from office, promising to restore the health care system and lower taxes.
In 2005, Bernard Landry resigned as leader of Parti Québécois, and Alliance Quebec disbanded, impacting the political landscape for English-speaking Quebecers.
In 2011, the Conservative Party formed a majority government in Canada under Stephen Harper's leadership, influencing federal policies and governance.
In 2012, Quebec experienced one of the greatest student mobilizations in the country's history in response to a major increase in university tuition fees proposed by the Liberal Party.
In 2013, the Parti Québécois proposed Bill 14, causing controversy by aiming to revoke bilingual status from businesses and municipalities with declining English-language populations, leading to protests and tensions in Quebec.
An article summarizing the Quiet Revolution was published in The Canadian Encyclopedia in plain language on July 7, 2021.