Book Description

This collection of papers seeks to bridge the divide between English and French Canada by bringing to light the distinctive viewpoints of those two sides regarding historical events. It chronicles 34 events that have marked political relations between the two linguistic communities from the arrival of the British in 1759 through to the 1995 Quebec referendum. Each event is summarized from the viewpoint of both Anglophones and Francophones. Chapter 1 covers early events including the British conquest, the 1830s rebellions, Confederation, and the hanging of Louis Riel. Chapter 2 covers the making of the welfare state, including unemployment insurance, tax rental agreements, pension plans, and health insurance. Chapter 3 covers Canadian identity events such as creation of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, adoption of a new flag, and bilingualism & multiculturalism policies. Chapter 4 covers events in Quebec since the Quiet Revolution, including the DeGaulle visit in 1967, the October 1970 crisis, Quebec language laws, and the 1982 patriation of the Constitution. Chapter 5 covers economic debates, including the Churchill Falls power contract and the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement. The final chapter is entitled "Failed reconciliation" and includes papers on the Meech Lake Accord, the 1990 crisis at Oka, and the Charlottetown accord of 1992. Includes index.