Contemporary period1867-2010

Population

1. Demography: Characterise Quebec Today

predominantly Francophone (80%) in a population of about 8.4 million

low birth rate (1.7); natural increase peaked during baby boom, 1945-1960; decline since...

- many gov't measures aimed at increasing the birth rate (day cares, QPIP...)

aging population (concerns: paying for health care costs, pensions, replacing skilled workers...)

increased immigration (counter low birth rate & aging population) to replace retiring workers

pluricultural society; Quebec controls immigration and prefers those from Francophone countries to preserve its Francophone character

mainly urban (80%)

Population

2. Waves of migration

1870-1930: French-Canadians increasingly emigrated to New England (new railways) resulting in negative net migration

= government measure: colonization of new regions (Labelle): Mauricie, Ouatouais, Saguenay, Laurentides to slow the exodus

in the same period, Macdonald's National Policy: provided free farm land in the Prairies to new immigrants:

mainly from Britain, America & Europe (gov't policy: favoured those who "fit in" to Canada)

= 3 million came to Canada, 1885-1914; 700 000 stayed in Quebec (mostly in urban areas)

= increased diversity of the Canadian population

· 1976: Canadian gov't ended discriminatory immigration policies

=since: increased immigration from Asia, North Africa, South America & Middle East

Population

3. Cities and regions

(a) urban areas of Quebec:

mostly urban population, since 1921

early 20th century: urbanisation resulted in poor living conditions in working class neighborhoods

= gov't measures: hygiene and health services (sewers, aqueducts, vaccination)

urbanisation: electricity led to tramways which expanded city limits

after 1945, suburbs developed; promoted by the automobile and increased transportation networks (urban sprawl)

(b) remote regions of Quebec:

saw development during two periods: 2nd phase and the post-war period

exploited for their abundant natural resources

many people moved to these regions between 1900 and 1960

since 1960, populations in remote areas have steadily declined (lack of services, jobs...)

Population

4. Aboriginals

1870's-1960's: creation of reserves & policy of assimilation under the Indian

Act, 1876

since 1980's: population of natives across Canada has been on the rise

some still live in worst conditions in Canada, but some things are improving

Economy

1. Resources and opening of new regions

late 19th c: 1st phase of industrialization: steam (coal); Montreal, food, leather, textiles, tobacco, wood

early 20th c.: 2nd phase of industrialization - hydropower (Regions - mostly Cdn. Shield), Gaspé (copper)

resource towns developed in remote regions; connected by new roads, railways, and to ports

2. Agriculture

early 20th century: mechanization, cooperatives, rural electrification, market-oriented, dairy...

Economy

3. Industrial Development:

end 19th: 1st phase - division of labor, cheap labor (immigrants, children, women); suffered long hours, fines, lack of safety

early 20th: 2nd phase of industrialization - Hydropower (specialized labour; more sophisticated machinery)

World War II: increased industrial output to meet needs of war (food, munitions) in Europe

Post-war boom, 1945-1960: development of Nouveau Quebec (metals) in order to reconstruct Europe, to meet the needs of America's military growth, & to build Quebec's infrastructure

Quiet Revolution, 1960-1980: government intervention & nationalisation of industries (hydro, government corporations); goal: "rattrapage", modernisation, eliminate foreign control

1980-2015: neoliberalism, globalisation, decline in manufacturing, debt & deficit reduction

Economy

4. Urban expansion:

Industrialisation, 1867-1929: unhealthy working class neighborhoods near

factories, wealthy neighborhoods had services (sewage) and parks (rural

exodus, immigration)

government measures: sewers, aqueducts, tramways, department stores,

roads, Seaway St- Laurent

since 1950: concentration mainly in cities; urban sprawl and suburban

development (cars & transport infrastructure...)

Economy

5. Economic cycles:

Depression, 1870's (solution: National Policy)

Depression, 1930's: (solution: public works, direct relief, return to land)

Economic growth: Quiet Revolution, 1960-late-1970's: state intervention

(nationalization of hydro, crown corporations established)

Recession, 1970's: cause: oil crisis ended period of growth after WWII

Economic growth since the 1980's - cyclical and dependent on world

events

Economy

6. Economic policies:

end 19th: Macdonald's "National Policy" (protectionism, immigration, and

unifying railroad)

Great Depression, 1930's: public works, direct relief, back-to-the-land

Quiet Revolution: government intervention and nationalization of industries

1980's: neoliberal ideas... decrease in state intervention (privatization to

reduce expenditures, debt); liberalization of trade (free trade, eg. NAFTA),

affected by a globalized world, manufacturing in developing countries,

esp. Asian (competition)

Culture

1. Imperialism

form of nationalism among English-Canadians that saw England as a model; pride in connection to the Empire

2. Nationalism

pride in common characteristics, culture, language, & history of a nation

(1) Canadian nationalism: desire for more autonomy from the ex-mother country, Britain... (Henri Bourassa)

(2) French-Canadian nationalism: traditionalism... agriculture... rural... Catholicism... (Honoré Mercier, Lionel Groulx); defense of provincial autonomy against federal centralization (Mercier, Duplessis), Fleur-de-lys (Quebec flag) – Maurice Duplessis

(3) Quebecois nationalism: separation from Canada (since 1960's)

Culture

3. Capitalism

means of production are controlled by a private interests, not government

(factories, resources, labour); goal is for individual profit with the least

possible expenditures.

4. Socialism

some means of production (factories, utilities) are controlled by the State

to promote social justice and redistribute wealth

close the gap between rich and poor... these ideas became popular in

the 1930's...

Culture

5. Fascism

authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and

social organization; undemocratic system of government (Hitler & Nazis)

6. Agriculturalism

Rural life as an ideal ("close to nature, close to God")

Curé Labelle, Honoré Mercier

Culture

7. Secularism

removal of religion from public life (ie. State services, like education...)

the State has no particular religion.

8. Cooperatism

the idea that members pool resources together; each member is an part

owner (eg. Caisses Populaires Desjardins, agricultural coops...)

Culture

9. Feminism

recognition of the equality of men and women

Law 16, 1964: legal equality of married women

Pay Equity, 1997 (equivalent work = equivalent salary); women still earn about 20-30% less than men

fight against feminization of poverty

10. Americanism

desire for an American way of life

consumerism - TV, automobile, suburban lifestyle, fast food, personal wealth…

Culture

11. Neoliberalism

very little government intervention in the economy

eg. free trade (NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement)

12. Aboriginalism

promotion of Aboriginal culture in today's society

after years of assimilationist policies, promotion of their languages and &

culture

Power

1. Power relations: Church and State

Church controlled education & social services pre-1960; used its influence in government (Minister of Agriculture was Cure Labelle) to achieve its goals: eg. colonization of new regions, limits on women's rights

some clergy (Mgr. Charbonneau, Brother Untel) denounced this situation

During the Quiet Revolution (1960-1970's), Quebec became secular (separation of church and state); the state took control of social services; church lost its influence

2. Power relations between the financial community and the State

business community influenced governments (means: lobbying, providing funding for political parties) until laws were passed by the PQ, under Rene Levesque

Power

3. Power relations: Unions and the state

Industrialization, 1867-1929: unions (eg. Knights of Labour) demanded prohibition of child labor, increased wages, safe & hygienic working conditions, shorter work days and work weeks; means: strikes

Church established Catholic unions (CTCC) as a strategy to "control" from within; only attracted about 25% of unionized workers

pre-1960: governments used the police against striking workers (eg. Asbestos, 1949)

1944: unions legally recognized by the "Act on Labour Relations" (Labour Code)

1964: government employees obtained the right to organize.

1970's: means: organized the Common Front strikes (several large unions groups together)

Power

4. Power relations: Nationalist groups and the state

early 20th: autonomy from Britain

1940's & 50's: Duplessis fought for provincial autonomy (section 92, BNA Act)

since 1960's: Quebec's sovereignty or independence from Canada -

[who? FLQ, René Lévesque, Jacques Parizeau, Lucien Bouchard]; two

referenda: 1980 (sovereignty) and 1995 (distinct society)

Power

5. Power relations: Women's groups and the state

fight for recognition of women's rights, women's equality

gained vote in Quebec in 1940 (Therese Casgrain)

shift in focus since the 1960's: "feminism" = empowerment & equality (salary equity, child care) and fight against feminization of poverty (Bread & Roses)

6. Power relations: The media and the State

media has important role in the democratic process - reports, investigates, holds government accountable...

demands: obtain laws for "access to information"

Power

7. Power relations: Aboriginals and the State

late-19th c.: demands for recognition of land, culture, rights = Red River

Rebellion (Métis) & the North-West Rebellion [creation of Manitoba,

1870; hanging of Louis Riel, 1885]

since 1960: increasing recognition of Aboriginal rights

various agreements in Quebec have been signed between the gov't &

aboriginal groups (James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, 1975;

Paix des Braves, 2002)

2006: apology by Prime Minister Harper's government to aboriginals for the

Indian Residential Schools

Power

8. Power relations: Linguistic groups and the state

Société St -Jean-Baptiste and political parties demanded that the state protect and promote the French language (Charter of the French language = Law 101)

several aspects of Law 101 have been challenged in courts by English-rights activists as contrary to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms

9. Power relations: Environmental groups and the state

pressure to create protected areas and sustainable development (means: media)

protect flora and fauna

result of power relations: Quebec established a Ministry of the Environment

Power

10. Power relations: social justice movements and the state

petitions, events, development of groups who work to improve conditions for the poorest in society

want better redistribution of wealth (universal access to services, social assistance housing)

11. Power relations: the federal-provincial governments

Macdonald & federal government centralize power in Ottawa (encroached provincial matters)

Mercier, 1887, organized the first Interprovincial Conference to fight against federal power

sent complaints against Ottawa to the Privy Council (highest court before 1931) in London; were successful

Quebec has demanded provincial autonomy since the time of Honore Mercier, to Duplessis…

provinces want better equalization payments/formula