Canada and Quebec

Post-World War II saw a flourishing of French-Canadian society. In the 1960s, Quebec underwent swift changes in what was referred to as the “Quiet Revolution”. Large numbers of Quebeckers wanted independence from Canada. The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism in 1963 led to the Official Languages Act (1969), guaranteeing that federal government services throughout Canada will be available in French and English. Canada was a founding member, in 1970, of La Francophonie, a worldwide grouping of countries where French is spoken.

Pressure still kept up for an independent Quebec, but a referendum that was held in 1980 rejected the idea. In 1982, the Canadian Constitution underwent amendment without Quebec’s agreement. Another referendum was held in 1995 to debate Quebec’s independence, but it was again defeated; nevertheless, whether or not Quebec should be autonomous inside Canada is still a controversial topic with strong feelings on both sides.