The October Crisis and its affect on our

culturally divided country.

• “The Front De Liberation Du Quebec.”• They were a Terrorist group in Canada• Separatists – believed in Quebec as a nation separate from Canada• Responsible for

• More than 200 bombings • Death of at least 5 people

• October, 1970 = October Crisis

1960 – 1966 1960 – 1966 Led by Jean Lesage Premier of Quebec—wanted to Led by Jean Lesage Premier of Quebec—wanted to

modernize Quebecmodernize Quebec Hydro QuebecHydro Quebec Programs to fund French Canada businessPrograms to fund French Canada business Took control of education from Catholic ChurchTook control of education from Catholic Church

Lesage fed the desires of Quebecers to gain special status Lesage fed the desires of Quebecers to gain special status within Confederationwithin Confederation Could opt out of federal gov't programs but still receive $Could opt out of federal gov't programs but still receive $

Views of Quebecers became more nationalistic and Views of Quebecers became more nationalistic and secularsecular

French Canadians became QuebecersFrench Canadians became Quebecers Beginning of the Separatist movementBeginning of the Separatist movement Contributed to FLQ CrisisContributed to FLQ Crisis

Name given to the events which Name given to the events which occurred in Quebec in 1970occurred in Quebec in 1970

Included kidnapping of Canadian Included kidnapping of Canadian diplomats by members of the FLQdiplomats by members of the FLQ

British Trade CommissionerBritish Trade Commissioner Kidnapped on October 5, 1970 Kidnapped on October 5, 1970

by the by the “Liberation Cell”“Liberation Cell” of the of the FLQFLQ

Kidnapping left police with list Kidnapping left police with list of demandsof demands

1.1.              End of police searchEnd of police search 2.2.              Publication of an FLQ manifestoPublication of an FLQ manifesto 3.3.              Liberation of all political prisoners Liberation of all political prisoners (23 FLQ members)(23 FLQ members) 4.4.            Denunciation of the informer who had led Denunciation of the informer who had led the police to the capture of a cell of the the police to the capture of a cell of the FLQ in June of 1970FLQ in June of 1970 5.5.            $500 000 in gold$500 000 in gold 6. Safe-conducts out of the country.6. Safe-conducts out of the country.

Kidnapping of Pierre Kidnapping of Pierre LaporteLaporte Minister of Labour and Vice Minister of Labour and Vice

Premier of QuebecPremier of Quebec Kidnapped on October 10, 1970 by Kidnapped on October 10, 1970 by

the the “Chenier Cell”“Chenier Cell” of the FLQ of the FLQ Wrote letter to Quebec Premier, Wrote letter to Quebec Premier,

Robert Bourassa, pleading for his Robert Bourassa, pleading for his lifelife

The Canadian government The Canadian government broadcasted the FLQ manifesto on broadcasted the FLQ manifesto on October 8October 8thth, 1970, 1970

Policemen lined the streets of Quebec Policemen lined the streets of Quebec citiescities

On October 15On October 15thth, Quebec government , Quebec government invited the Canadian Armed Forces to invited the Canadian Armed Forces to Quebec to assist the local policeQuebec to assist the local police

The police search did not end and The police search did not end and political prisoners were never releasedpolitical prisoners were never released

Enforced on October 16Enforced on October 16thth 1970. 1970. Invoked to find and stop FLQ membersInvoked to find and stop FLQ members Emplaced throughout all of Canada, but took Emplaced throughout all of Canada, but took

action in Quebecaction in Quebec Police were to arrest those who were Police were to arrest those who were

suspected of belonging to the FLQ or suspected of belonging to the FLQ or supported the FLQ through literature, supported the FLQ through literature, posters, stickers, or pamphlets.posters, stickers, or pamphlets.

Outlawed FLQOutlawed FLQ Suspended Civil Liberties Suspended Civil Liberties 497 persons arrested, of whom 435 would be 497 persons arrested, of whom 435 would be

released, the other 62 were chargedreleased, the other 62 were charged

Controversy Controversy of the War Measures Actof the War Measures Act

Jeopardized the civil rights of Jeopardized the civil rights of Canadian citizensCanadian citizens

Police had power to arrest and put in Police had power to arrest and put in detention on suspicion alonedetention on suspicion alone

Despite controversy 85% of Despite controversy 85% of Canadians agreed with invoking actCanadians agreed with invoking act

3 days before the act was invoked 3 days before the act was invoked Trudeau was asked how far he was Trudeau was asked how far he was willing to go to stop the FLQ, he willing to go to stop the FLQ, he responded with:responded with:

““JUST WATCH ME”JUST WATCH ME”

Response of FLQ?Response of FLQ? Executed Pierre Executed Pierre

LaPorte October LaPorte October 17 - strangled to 17 - strangled to death and dumped death and dumped in the trunk of in the trunk of

an abandoned caran abandoned car

Meeting the Demands After Meeting the Demands After Laporte’s DeathLaporte’s Death

After the execution of Pierre After the execution of Pierre Laporte, negotiations were reached Laporte, negotiations were reached between police and the FLQ between police and the FLQ

James Cross was released and 5 James Cross was released and 5 known members of the FLQ were known members of the FLQ were flown to Cuba by Canadian Forcesflown to Cuba by Canadian Forces

The Capturing of the The Capturing of the FLQFLQ• All 4 members of the FLQ’s Chénier cell were captured and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte• This included Paul Rose, Jacques Rose, Frances Simard, and Bernard Lortie

“We are going to win because there are more boys ready to shoot members of Parliament than there are policemen”

~Michel Chartrand, Radical Separtist and FLQ supporter

“The Army occupies Quebec. It is unpleasant but undoubtedly necessary in times of crisis.”

~ René Lévesque, Future Premier of Quebec