• In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) kidnapped James Cross and Pierre Laporte, triggering a national crisis.

• The kidnappers demanded their political demands be met or Laporte would be killed.

• The federal government declared a state of "apprehended insurrection" and invoked the War Measures Act, suspending civil liberties and calling in the army to take control of the situation.

• Laporte was found dead on October 17, and his murder forever changed Canadians' views of themselves, their country, and their government.

• The October Crisis marked the end of Canada's innocence and shocked Canadians that such events could happen in their country.

• Millions of ordinary Quebecers demanded political and economic change, leading to the "Quiet Revolution."

• Before the 1960s, Quebec was dominated by the Quebec Catholic Church and its philosophy of clerico-nationalism.

• Quebec's history before the 1960s is often referred to as la grand noirceur, or the great darkness, reflecting the view that Quebec was held back in its own dark ages.

History

Quebec's Quiet Revolution

• Maurice Duplessis, known as “le Chef,” dominated provincial politics with the Union Nationale party that was staunchly anti-union, pro big business, and largely corrupt.

• The Quiet Revolution was set off by the death of Duplessis in 1959 and other social and economic factors.

• Urbanization accelerated in the twentieth century, accompanied by a significant decline in birth rates and the decline of the Catholic Church's power.

• The emerging, university-educated, francophone middle class became frustrated by the lack of opportunity and supported Jean Lesage’s Liberal Party to oust the Union Nationale in 1960.

• The Liberals transformed the Quebec government and had an impact on nearly every facet of Quebec society, aiming to modernize the province to the benefit of French-speaking Quebecers.

• The educational system was largely secularized, and the province took over the operation of hospitals, welfare, and support services, establishing a welfare state in Quebec.

• The role of the state was extended dramatically, creating provincially owned corporations and allowing for powerful unions.

• The most important economic step taken by the Lesage Liberals was the nationalization of hydroelectric companies in Quebec.

• Quebec's minority status within Canada was seen as untenable by René Lévesque and others, who believed that they would always receive the short end of the stick due to historical events.

• Quebec's changing demography, combined with the awakening to decolonization movements, resulted in the view of Quebec as a former colony that needed to gain independence.

• Inspired by Algeria's independence movement, the FLQ began bombing colonial symbols and carrying out over 200 attacks between 1963 and 1970, causing terror and several deaths.

• Frustrated by a lack of success and the defeat of the separatist Parti Québécois, the FLQ began kidnapping people in October 1970.

• On October 5, the FLQ's Libération cell kidnapped James Cross, British trade commissioner in Quebec. Five days later, the Chénier cell kidnapped Pierre Laporte, one of the leading members of the Quebec government and a friend of Pierre Trudeau's.

History

• Quebec was paralyzed by fear for the next two days, with negotiations between the FLQ and the government taking place through the media.

Legacy of October 1970

• Legal changes: War Measures Act replaced with Emergencies Act in 1988, allowing more flexibility in dealing with crises and addressing criticism over civil liberties suspension during the crisis.

• End of domestic terrorism: No serious terrorist attacks in favor of Quebec separatism since 1970, avoiding long-standing campaigns of violence seen in other separatist efforts around the world.

• Debate over effectiveness: Unclear whether the renouncing of violence was due to Quebecers turning away from FLQ or the War Measures Act breaking the terrorist organization.

• Continuing separatist movement: Some argue that the War Measures Act benefited the separatists, discrediting violent separatism and potentially increasing support for peaceful political separatism.

• Separatist Parti Québécois: A force in Quebec politics, gaining electoral victory in 1976 but never winning a referendum in support of separation. There have been two referendums on the issue, with the separatist side coming close to winning in 1995.

• FLQ's aims still present: If separatists do manage to win, it will be a victory for the idea that Quebec should be its own country, even if not for the FLQ's tactics which were denounced by most members years ago.