Social Studies 11French-English Relations

1960s-1970s

The Liberals and Quebec

Review/discuss: Consider the Quiet Revolution era and discuss what you would do if you were PM of Canada to address the issue of “a frustrated people protesting against its fate.”

1967 – Canada’s 100th birthdayPresident Charles de Gaulle of France is invited

to Montreal in 1967 to attend Expo ‘67, and he makes a speech in front of city hall where he states, ”Vive le Quebec Libre!” (Long Live an Independent Quebec!) P.M. Pearson is furious.

Lester Pearson, PM 1963-68

• Pearson appointed a Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism with the purpose to "inquire into and report upon the existing state of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada and to recommend what steps should be taken to develop the Canadian Confederation on the basis of an equal partnership between the two founding races…”

Pierre Trudeau, PM 1968-79, ’80-’84

• The Bi and Bi commission was not completed until Trudeau had come to power. It recommended the following:

• That Ontario and New Brunswick become officially bilingual.

• That Bilingual districts be created in regions of Canada where French speakers made up more than 10% of the population.

• That parents be able to have their children attend schools in the language of their choice in regions where there is sufficient demand.

• That Ottawa become a bilingual city.• That English and French be declared official languages

of Canada.What would Trudeau do? Let’s return to our handout…