Social Issues in Quebec Units 6 and 7

Industrialization

OIndustrialization is the development of industry on a grand scale in a country or region.

OBecause of mechanization, production of goods and refining of raw materials could occur on a large scale.

IndustrializationOFactories set themselves up along

city centres (usually close to waterway or railway systems). Unskilled labour was needed and people responded. People moved to find work.

OThe first phase (1867-1896 )and second phase (c.1901-1929) of industrialization led to growth of cities, known as Urbanization.

What is Urbanization?O Urbanization is the movement of

people from the rural areas or countryside to urban centres or cities.

O Social Consequences of Rapid Urbanization inadequate and overcrowded housing, illiteracy, poverty, pollution, and poor sanitation, disease and high childhood mortality rates .

Modernization of Quebec

(Unit 6)

How did the role of the state change between 1929 and 1980?

O State: of or pertaining to the central civil government or authority.

AFTER WW I:O 1920’s: industrial overproduction (optimistic

boom overflow from the end of WWI).O Businesses left with a surplus of goods they

could not sell.- People panicked! Stockholders tried to sell

company shares and values of stock plummeted.

O Oct. 24th, 1929 “The Crash”

How did the role of the state change between 1929 and 1980?

THE GREAT DEPRESSION (1930’s)- Major economic crisis.- Felt throughout North America.- Many businesses forced to close = high unemployment.

Destitute family returning to Saskatoon from the north during Great Depression (courtesy Glenbow Archives).

How did the role of the state change between 1929 and 1980?

OCanada’s politicians at first believed in economic liberalism: leave the economy alone and it will regain its balance.

THEY WERE WRONG.

O The Government had to intervene and institute emergency measures such as:

ORelief vouchers: exchange for food, clothing, wood/coal for heating.

OLaunched Public Works: all levels of gov’t created jobs like construction and maintenance for roads, bridges, etc.

OColonization Programs: Encouraged those out of work to move to far-reaching destinations within Canada to settle and cultivate the land through farming

OReduced Trade Tariffs: Canada agreed with Britain, other commonwealth nations and the US to not pay such high tariffs to help the economies recover.

Should the State Be Involved?O These measures cost the gov’t a lot of money,

they went into debt. O They had to raise personal and property taxes.

O Major debates arose on what level of involvement the government should have.O Some believed strongly in government

intervention (parties created out West, which later became NDP) others did not.

1935: Bennet’s “New Deal”O Bank of Canada was created to regulate credit

O Unemployment insurance was created

O Minimum wage, old age pension was created.

O Measures to prevent business monopolies

O Quebec nationalists, advocated for decentralization of powers; wanted to move away from federal powers to provincial. They did not believe the federal government should have a role in social services.

Why might this be the case?

Q: How did the role of the state change between 1929

and 1980?

OA: The state intervened more and more in economic and

social affairs.

What Changes Took Place in Quebec between 1960 and 1980?

1960-1966: “Quiet Revolution”O Youth Movement: divorce was legalized

(1968)O Feminist Movement: “equal pay for equal

work” plus protection from discrimination (pregnancy in workplace, harassment, etc.)

1960: Quebec Government would take over social services, health and education from the

Church.O Economic, Social, Educational and Political Changes occurred. See P.191-193 in text book

Modernization of Quebec: Women’s Rights

O What motivated feminist demands during the period from

1929 to 1980?OFeminist: advocating social,

political, legal, and economic rights for women equal to those of men.

What motivated feminist demands? (1929 to 1980)

First and Second World War changed the face of Canada’s workforce.-WW I`s conscription crisis as well as the labour shortage during WWII brought women out of the home and into the work force.

Women working at the General Engineering Company (Canada) munitions factory, [ca. 1943]

What motivated feminist demands during the period

from 1929 to 1980?O A: Women wanted to

have equal rights as men.

This was especially important when they

became a key part of the workforce and economy

in Canada.

Gains made by women in QuébecO1929 Legal recognition of women as

“persons” (could run for federal office)

O1940 Québec women win the right to vote in provincial elections (one of the last provinces)

O1961 First woman elected to the National Assembly

O1964 Recognition of the legal rights of married women under the regime of separation of property

O1969 Decriminalization of contraception

Modernization of Quebec

OFrom 1929 to 1980, Québec society underwent major changes:O Technological Developments: Hydro

PowerO Secularization : The move away from the

Church. Separation from Church and State.O Union movements: Fighting for rights of

workers- fair wages, safer work conditionsO Affirmation of Québec’s national

identity: To Separate or Not to Separate? Being acknowledged as a nation within Canada.

Issues in Quebec Since 1980

(Unit 7)

Issues in Quebec Since 1980

Québec government at the time of the 1980 referendum.

O Referendum: a poll or submission of an issue of public importance to the direct vote of the electorate, or to a club, union, or other group to determine their views on some matter, a vote is then conducted.

O In Quebec`s case: A referendum was held in 1980 on whether or not Quebec should separate from the rest of Canada and manage its own affairs away from the federal government.

Issues in Quebec Since 1980

O Québec government at the time of the 1980 referendum.

Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau (1968-1979; 1980-1984)- From Montreal. - Liberal party leader - Believed strongly in

Quebec staying a part of Canada.

- Made promise to look at the Constitution and make changes if the Quebec population voted `NO`.

Constitution Act, 1982Canada becomes a sovereign nation that can

make changes to Act without Britain`s consent.

STILL A DEBATE: Québec’s political status within Canada

OThe Québec government did not sign the Constitution Act of 1982. Wanted a few amendments.OQuebec wanted special status as a unique

province apart from the rest of Canada.OWanted compensation if they pulled out of

federal programs such as educational scholarships.

OTrudeau and the other 10 Premiers ignored this request, and met without Quebec’s Premier.

The Debate from 1982 on…

OQueen Elizabeth II and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau sign the new Constitution Act, 1982.

OThe Meech Lake Accord (Mulroney , 1987) – tried to make amendments with Quebec. Provinces voted and it was unsuccessful.

OQuebec Referendum of 1995 (Parizeau, Bouchard and Dumont)- narrow margin to stay united.

OHarper publicly acknowledges the Quebecois people forms a nation within Canada, 2011.