Post on 26-Aug-2021
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