October Crisis/War Measures Act
From the early 1960s to the mid 1970s, Quebec was going through a very rough political era. Rising feelings of Quebec inhabitants was leading to disruption in political events, and many places of work for both French, and English Canadians. The feelings of inequality by the Francophones were obvious, through the outbreak of two legal and one underground separatist, political parties, though the act of terrorism and crime is never excused. The government of Quebec knew this, and for that reason issued the War Measures Act. These historical occurrences led to mounting frustration by French Quebeckers, actions by two legal parties and violent outbursts by a third party, and finally the need for the institution of the War Measures Act to regain control of the province.
With the political issues of independent nationhood present in Quebec, the pressure and frustration of separatism, had already began to mount. (Ben, 759) This appeared as the formation of, “independatiste” groups and parties. (Ben, 759) Their mission was to see an independent French nation within Quebec. Their were many causes for this frustration. The French Quebeckers viewed the English as in total control of the province, and saw them as the cause for the loss of so many French job positions. One stereotypical view was when a French worker would get fired, it was an English who laid them off. The inequality the French felt is an example of the emotions that sparked the separatist movement. The largest of the groups was the, “Rasserablement pour l’independence nationale (R.I.N.)”. Marcel Chaput and Pierre Bourgault formed this group in the Septeraber of 1960. They rallied significant nurabers of mainly middle class Francophone students and professionals. (Ben, 759) In 1962 a split occurred within the R.I.N. over the prominence given to socialism in its independence program. (Ben, 759) Marcel Chaput and his followers organized their own separatist party, “the Parti Republican du Quebec”. (Ben, 759) The group of separatists, “Creditistes” and Gilles Gregoire joined with the Parti Republican du Quebec in 1966 to form, “Rasserablement nationale (R.N.)”. (Ben, 759) The R.I.N. held separatist activities including marches and protests, none of which contained violent means. (Ben , 759) These separatist parties tried many legal ways, to try to get their point across. In 1967 and 1968 Rene Levesque had bolted the Liberals to form the, “Movement Souverainete Association (M.S.A.)”. (Ben, 759) They then merged with the R.I.N. to form the, “Parti Quebecois (P.Q.)”. (Ben, 759) Merabers of the P.Q. were not prepared to wait for democratic change. Their feelings were very strong, and they felt if they waited patiently for their government, the government would delay them, or just put them, “aside”. There was no violence outbreaks however until both separatist parties were beat out of the 1962 Quebec provincial election. (Ben, 760) Thus began the violent separatist goals of the, “Front de Liberation du Quebec (F.L.Q.)”.
The F.L.Q. were a radical and violent fringe of the separatist movement. (Ben, 759) The group was founded by George Shoeters among Francophone students at the, “Universite de Montreal” in 1960. (Ben, 760) The first occurrence of violence by the group wasn’t until the March of 1963, when they adopted the strategy of, “retaliation”. (Ben, 760) This, “retaliation” is what they French thought was necessary to get back at the government who was, “hurting” their livelihood as French Quebeckers. A month after they developed this idea, they initiated a campaign of terrorism. (Ben, 760) This included mail borabs, borabing of political buildings, and attacks on, “English” places of work. (Ben, 760) The result was a shock of the nation, the government realized they had to do something before this went any further. Following the arrest of eighteen F.L.Q. sympathizers in June of 1963, for various acts of violence, the radical faction went underground. (Ben 760) As the violence of the F.L.Q. rose, so did the watch of the government. The only option the F.L.Q. had, was to act in secret. On the morning of October 5 1970, two armed men kidnapped the Senior British Trade Commissioner, James Richard Cross, from his home in Westmount, Montreal. (Des, 186) They soon identified themselves through communiques delivered to radio stations, as merabers of the F.L.Q. (Des, 186) Conditions for the release of James Cross included publicity for their political manifesto (a list of their party’s goals and political objectives), a, “voluntary tax” of $500 000 to be paid by the Quebec government, and release of some, “political prisoners”. (Des, 186) The F.L.Q. thought that kidnapping James Cross would prove to the government that they are serious, and will go to any costs to have their demanRAB met. They believed that they did what was necessary to fulfill their mission. Five days after the kidnapping, on October 10 1970, a second cell of the F.L.Q. kidnapped Pierre Laporte, the forty-nine-year-old Minister of Labour and Immigration in the Quebec Cabinet, and a contender for the leadership party the previous spring. (Des, 186) Their demanRAB also included the release of, “political prisoners” and an aircraft to take the kidnappers to Algeria or Cuba. (Des, 186) The demanRAB of the F.L.Q. were high, and they used terrorism. This was not only the wrong way of getting demanRAB met, but is not tolerated by any government. The War Measures Act was issued on October 16 1970, by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Pierre Laporte was murdered the following day. (Des, 187) His body was found in a car trunk near St. Hubert airport. (Oct, 1) The Quebec Union was upset and criticizing the government on the handling of the kidnapping issue. They believed, “the government should have been more flexible with negotiations”. (Des, 187) The death of Pierre Laporte, put an end to the F.L.Q. (Des, 186)
In October of 1969, before a group of liberals, Pierre Trudeau described, “the climate of terror…the climate of violence…in Quebec”. Terrorists were given prominence in the media, which is just what they wanted. (Des, 185) This created a situation in which the government had no alternative but to act. The issuing of the War Measures Act was believed to be necessary at the time, and it was very effective, during this time of crisis in Quebec. It was issued by Pierre Trudeau in order to stop the chaos the F.L.Q. had created. Among other things the War Measures Act, basically outlawed the F.L.Q. It took away some liberties of the people, and empowered the police to search without warrant or cause. Soldiers walked Quebec and guarded Federal buildings, Diplomatic Missions, and some politicians. (Des, 186) This may not have been just, but in times of need, suffering is sometimes required. After all the main goal was to preserve the life of James Cross, and it did. The Act also provided for arrest and detention without bail. This is a violation of our rights and freedoms, but in extreme times, extreme measures have to be taken. (Des, 187) Over 450 persons were detained in Quebec, most of whom were eventually released without laying or hearing of charges. (Oct, 1) On Deceraber 27 police found and arrested three men hiding in a farmhouse twenty miles southwest of Montreal. They were charged for the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte. (Des, 187) James Cross was freed on Deceraber 3 1970. Police located and surrounded the suburban Montreal duplex where he was being held. His abductors were flown to Cuba, in exchange for his release. (Des, 187) Only a tiny amount of the F.L.Q. actually got away, others were charged, and others still remain in Quebec. (Des, 187) In Deceraber of 1970, the War Measures Act was replaced with the Public Order (temporary measures) Act. This act continued until April 30, 1971. (Oct, 1) The War Measures Act was overall supported but widely criticized by Quebec nationalists, and by civil libertanians throughout the country. (Oct, 1) Three days before the issuing of the War Measures Act, Pierre Trudeau did an interview outside the House Of Commons. He talked generally about the, “emergence of a parallel power… one that would challenge the elected representatives of the people”. (Des, 187) The F.L.Q. was this power, and they did try to parallel the government, but failed miserably. The issuing of the W.M.A. also granted greater public relations for those who issued it. On October 25, Mayor Drapeau won 92% of his votes. He stated that, “the vote expressed the approval of the measure taken during this time of crisis”. (Des, 188) That is exactly what that time was in Quebec, a time of crisis.
A huge crisis emerged from something that began very small. Frustrations of the people, violent response to political actions, and then serious actions taken by the government all led to something that would not only go in Quebec history, but would be noticed around the world. Before this event, Canada was never known for having any major internal problems, after the, “October Crisis” the world realized that yes, Canada does have some problems of its own. (Oct, 1) For the most part the people agreed that the War Measures Act was the only response the government could have made. However they did not say that they liked it. In the end the F.L.Q. only managed to little, with the extreme actions of the government. The instituting of the W.M.A. ultimately put an end to terrorism in Quebec at that time. The, “October Crisis” was an experience of unprecedented intensity for all Canadians, especially for those near the centre of events. (Des, 187) The, “October Crisis” was an extreme way of showing how the emotions of people cannot be contained. The War Measures Act on the other hand shows how in society we will always need law to keep order, and to protect the people, even from themselves.
From the early 1960s to the mid 1970s, Quebec was going through a very rough political era. Rising feelings of Quebec inhabitants was leading to disruption in political events, and many places of work for both French, and English Canadians. The feelings of inequality by the Francophones were obvious, through the outbreak of two legal and one underground separatist, political parties, though the act of terrorism and crime is never excused. The government of Quebec knew this, and for that reason issued the War Measures Act. These historical occurrences led to mounting frustration by French Quebeckers, actions by two legal parties and violent outbursts by a third party, and finally the need for the institution of the War Measures Act to regain control of the province.
With the political issues of independent nationhood present in Quebec, the pressure and frustration of separatism, had already began to mount. (Ben, 759) This appeared as the formation of, “independatiste” groups and parties. (Ben, 759) Their mission was to see an independent French nation within Quebec. Their were many causes for this frustration. The French Quebeckers viewed the English as in total control of the province, and saw them as the cause for the loss of so many French job positions. One stereotypical view was when a French worker would get fired, it was an English who laid them off. The inequality the French felt is an example of the emotions that sparked the separatist movement. The largest of the groups was the, “Rasserablement pour l’independence nationale (R.I.N.)”. Marcel Chaput and Pierre Bourgault formed this group in the Septeraber of 1960. They rallied significant nurabers of mainly middle class Francophone students and professionals. (Ben, 759) In 1962 a split occurred within the R.I.N. over the prominence given to socialism in its independence program. (Ben, 759) Marcel Chaput and his followers organized their own separatist party, “the Parti Republican du Quebec”. (Ben, 759) The group of separatists, “Creditistes” and Gilles Gregoire joined with the Parti Republican du Quebec in 1966 to form, “Rasserablement nationale (R.N.)”. (Ben, 759) The R.I.N. held separatist activities including marches and protests, none of which contained violent means. (Ben , 759) These separatist parties tried many legal ways, to try to get their point across. In 1967 and 1968 Rene Levesque had bolted the Liberals to form the, “Movement Souverainete Association (M.S.A.)”. (Ben, 759) They then merged with the R.I.N. to form the, “Parti Quebecois (P.Q.)”. (Ben, 759) Merabers of the P.Q. were not prepared to wait for democratic change. Their feelings were very strong, and they felt if they waited patiently for their government, the government would delay them, or just put them, “aside”. There was no violence outbreaks however until both separatist parties were beat out of the 1962 Quebec provincial election. (Ben, 760) Thus began the violent separatist goals of the, “Front de Liberation du Quebec (F.L.Q.)”.
The F.L.Q. were a radical and violent fringe of the separatist movement. (Ben, 759) The group was founded by George Shoeters among Francophone students at the, “Universite de Montreal” in 1960. (Ben, 760) The first occurrence of violence by the group wasn’t until the March of 1963, when they adopted the strategy of, “retaliation”. (Ben, 760) This, “retaliation” is what they French thought was necessary to get back at the government who was, “hurting” their livelihood as French Quebeckers. A month after they developed this idea, they initiated a campaign of terrorism. (Ben, 760) This included mail borabs, borabing of political buildings, and attacks on, “English” places of work. (Ben, 760) The result was a shock of the nation, the government realized they had to do something before this went any further. Following the arrest of eighteen F.L.Q. sympathizers in June of 1963, for various acts of violence, the radical faction went underground. (Ben 760) As the violence of the F.L.Q. rose, so did the watch of the government. The only option the F.L.Q. had, was to act in secret. On the morning of October 5 1970, two armed men kidnapped the Senior British Trade Commissioner, James Richard Cross, from his home in Westmount, Montreal. (Des, 186) They soon identified themselves through communiques delivered to radio stations, as merabers of the F.L.Q. (Des, 186) Conditions for the release of James Cross included publicity for their political manifesto (a list of their party’s goals and political objectives), a, “voluntary tax” of $500 000 to be paid by the Quebec government, and release of some, “political prisoners”. (Des, 186) The F.L.Q. thought that kidnapping James Cross would prove to the government that they are serious, and will go to any costs to have their demanRAB met. They believed that they did what was necessary to fulfill their mission. Five days after the kidnapping, on October 10 1970, a second cell of the F.L.Q. kidnapped Pierre Laporte, the forty-nine-year-old Minister of Labour and Immigration in the Quebec Cabinet, and a contender for the leadership party the previous spring. (Des, 186) Their demanRAB also included the release of, “political prisoners” and an aircraft to take the kidnappers to Algeria or Cuba. (Des, 186) The demanRAB of the F.L.Q. were high, and they used terrorism. This was not only the wrong way of getting demanRAB met, but is not tolerated by any government. The War Measures Act was issued on October 16 1970, by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Pierre Laporte was murdered the following day. (Des, 187) His body was found in a car trunk near St. Hubert airport. (Oct, 1) The Quebec Union was upset and criticizing the government on the handling of the kidnapping issue. They believed, “the government should have been more flexible with negotiations”. (Des, 187) The death of Pierre Laporte, put an end to the F.L.Q. (Des, 186)
In October of 1969, before a group of liberals, Pierre Trudeau described, “the climate of terror…the climate of violence…in Quebec”. Terrorists were given prominence in the media, which is just what they wanted. (Des, 185) This created a situation in which the government had no alternative but to act. The issuing of the War Measures Act was believed to be necessary at the time, and it was very effective, during this time of crisis in Quebec. It was issued by Pierre Trudeau in order to stop the chaos the F.L.Q. had created. Among other things the War Measures Act, basically outlawed the F.L.Q. It took away some liberties of the people, and empowered the police to search without warrant or cause. Soldiers walked Quebec and guarded Federal buildings, Diplomatic Missions, and some politicians. (Des, 186) This may not have been just, but in times of need, suffering is sometimes required. After all the main goal was to preserve the life of James Cross, and it did. The Act also provided for arrest and detention without bail. This is a violation of our rights and freedoms, but in extreme times, extreme measures have to be taken. (Des, 187) Over 450 persons were detained in Quebec, most of whom were eventually released without laying or hearing of charges. (Oct, 1) On Deceraber 27 police found and arrested three men hiding in a farmhouse twenty miles southwest of Montreal. They were charged for the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte. (Des, 187) James Cross was freed on Deceraber 3 1970. Police located and surrounded the suburban Montreal duplex where he was being held. His abductors were flown to Cuba, in exchange for his release. (Des, 187) Only a tiny amount of the F.L.Q. actually got away, others were charged, and others still remain in Quebec. (Des, 187) In Deceraber of 1970, the War Measures Act was replaced with the Public Order (temporary measures) Act. This act continued until April 30, 1971. (Oct, 1) The War Measures Act was overall supported but widely criticized by Quebec nationalists, and by civil libertanians throughout the country. (Oct, 1) Three days before the issuing of the War Measures Act, Pierre Trudeau did an interview outside the House Of Commons. He talked generally about the, “emergence of a parallel power… one that would challenge the elected representatives of the people”. (Des, 187) The F.L.Q. was this power, and they did try to parallel the government, but failed miserably. The issuing of the W.M.A. also granted greater public relations for those who issued it. On October 25, Mayor Drapeau won 92% of his votes. He stated that, “the vote expressed the approval of the measure taken during this time of crisis”. (Des, 188) That is exactly what that time was in Quebec, a time of crisis.
A huge crisis emerged from something that began very small. Frustrations of the people, violent response to political actions, and then serious actions taken by the government all led to something that would not only go in Quebec history, but would be noticed around the world. Before this event, Canada was never known for having any major internal problems, after the, “October Crisis” the world realized that yes, Canada does have some problems of its own. (Oct, 1) For the most part the people agreed that the War Measures Act was the only response the government could have made. However they did not say that they liked it. In the end the F.L.Q. only managed to little, with the extreme actions of the government. The instituting of the W.M.A. ultimately put an end to terrorism in Quebec at that time. The, “October Crisis” was an experience of unprecedented intensity for all Canadians, especially for those near the centre of events. (Des, 187) The, “October Crisis” was an extreme way of showing how the emotions of people cannot be contained. The War Measures Act on the other hand shows how in society we will always need law to keep order, and to protect the people, even from themselves.