The PQ Has Benefitted Francophones in Quebec

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The PQ was formed on 1968 as a result of the merger of Mouvement Souveraineté-Association and the Ralliement national (Columbia Encyclopedia). The goal of the PQ was to obtain political, economic and social autonomy for the province of Quebec. From René Lévesque, to today’s party leader, Pauline Marois, the Parti Québécois has been in power five times, once a minority, and four times a majority government (Columbia Encyclopedia). The PQ has done a lot for Quebec over the little time they have been in power. They’ve helped Quebec rely less on the Canadian government, becoming more independent. The PQ, and future members, helped Quebec’s economy by urbanizing Quebec and starting an era of megaprojects. The PQ introduced policies like Bill 22 and Bill 101 to help make the French-speaking populous in Quebec feel less alienated in their own province. It is for these three reasons that this essay will argue that PQ helped Quebec become a better place for francophone’s.

“Vive le Quebec libre!” -Charles de Gaulle. The French President shouts while giving a speech at expo 67. De Gaulle’s speech gave the Quebec Independence Movement further public credibility, and gave the citizens of Quebec the impression that independence isn’t that ridiculous (Canadian Encyclopedia). In 1969, the FLQ stepped up its’ violent efforts and claimed responsibility for the bombing of the Montréal stock exchange, kidnapping the British trade commissioner, and killing the Quebec Labor Minister (Harold Waller). Jacques Parizeau or Rene Levesque never resorted to violence when trying to win Quebec’s independence; they strived to become independent using only diplomatic ways (Fraser, Graham). The Parti Québécois has led Quebecers through unsuccessful referendums t...

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...f Quebec Is Forced Radier A New Slice]." CBC Radio (2009): Canadian Reference Centre . Web.January 1 2014.

"De Gaulle and "Vive le Québec Libre"."Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014. .

Fraser, Graham, and Ivon Owen. René Lévesque & the Parti québécois in power. Montreal [Ont.: McGill-Queen's University Press, 20011984. Print.

Lévesque, René. Memoirs. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1986. Print.

Godin, Pierre. René Lévesque. Montréal: Boréal, 19942005. Print.

Duclos, Louis . "globeandmail.com - Pierre Elliott Trudeau." globeandmail.com - Pierre Elliott Trudeau. N.p., 4 Feb. 2006. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.

Bain, Colin M.. Making history: the story of Canada in the twentieth century. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2000. Print.

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