Good Bye - Quiet Revolution
The Quiet Revolution (Révolution tranquille) was a time of rapid change experienced in Québec during the 1960s. This vivid yet paradoxical description of the period was first used by an anonymous writer in The Globe and Mail.
In the election of 22 June 1960, the Liberals broke the hold of the Union Nationale, taking 51 seats and 51.5% of the popular vote as compared to the latter's 43 seats and 46.6% of the vote. Under JEAN LESAGE, the Québec Liberal Party had developed a coherent and wide-ranging reform platform. The main issue of the election was indicated by the Liberal slogan, "It's time for a change." As a new middle class battled for greater control over Québec's economic resources, bitter and divisive attempts were made to redefine the role of francophone society in Canada.
Maîtres chez nous: Economic Nationalism
The government's main accomplishment in economics was the nationalization of private electricity companies, an idea that was promoted in 1962 by René LÉVESQUE, minister of natural resources. The government decided to go to the electorate on this issue. On 14 November 1962, the Liberals won on a platform for the nationalization of power with 56.6% of the vote and 63 seats. In 1963 all private hydroelectric companies were nationalized. As a result, HYDRO-QUÉBEC (established in 1944) became one of the largest CROWN CORPORATIONS in North America. Unlike in previous years, francophones were able to work entirely in French and to develop their technical, scientific, and managerial skills. Such francization also occurred in the fields of education, social welfare, and health services, as well as in all levels and departments of government bureaucracy.
The objectives of nationalization included standardizing rates across the province, co-ordinating investments, integrating the system, encouraging industrialization, guaranteeing economic benefits for the Québec economy through a buy-Québec policy, and making French the language of work in the sector. Hydro-Québec met most of these objectives and became a symbol of success and source of pride for the Québécois. Another major success was the creation in 1965 of the CAISSE DE DÉPOT ET PLACEMENT DU QUÉBEC. The Caisse was made responsible for administering the assets of the QUÉBEC PENSION PLAN, which rapidly grew to several billion dollars.
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quiet-revolution/
René Lévesque
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_L%C3%A9vesque
And now this! It is not principal anymore! It is naked power!
Media mogul Péladeau to run for Parti Québécois in election
Pierre-Karl Péladeau, controlling shareholder of the Quebecor media empire, on Sunday announced he will run for the Parti Québécois, saying his top motivation is to make Quebec independent.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/media-mogul-peladeau-to-run-for-parti-quebecois-in-quebec-election/article17384981/?cmpid=rss1
