Major Political Developments
 

René Lévesque

Charter of the French Language - Bill 101 French the only official language in Quebec Imposes unilingualism in the legislature, signs, work, commerce, and stated that all immigrants must go to French schools.  The only children who could go to English schools were those whose parents received an education in English in Quebec. Replaced Bill 22

Referendum of 1980 During the elections of 1976, Lévesque promised that he would hold a referendum on sovereignty-association. On May 20, 1980 the electorate of Quebec was asked the following question: The Government of Québec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Québec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and  establish  relations abroad  - in other words, sovereignty - and at the same time, to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; no change in political status resulting from these negotiations will be effected without approval by the people through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Québec the mandate to negotiate the proposed  agreement  between Québec and Canada?                          YES ____                NO ____   The Yes forces were led by René Lévesque and the No forces were led by Liberal leader, Claude Ryan. On referendum night, Lévesque's referendum on sovereignty-association was soundly defeated.   60 % of the electorate voted against sovereignty-association.  40 % voted in favour of negotiating sovereignty-association. Those who wanted Quebec to separate said they would continue to fight, as you will hear in this tape from the CBC News coverage of that night. René Lévesque led his followers in singing "Gen du Pays", the unofficial anthem of nationalists in Quebec and then said there would be another time. [85Kb]

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