CBC Digital Archives

Constitutional Debate: Quebec Oui, Ottawa Non

In its first hundred years, geography was Canada's most obvious tie that binds. On almost all other issues, there was disagreement. Politicians debated problems of leadership, division of responsibilities, colonialism, autonomy, taxation, and more. CBC covered the constitutional debate from 1944 to 1964 as Canada struggled to make sense of its past and came closer than ever to finally bringing the Constitution home.

Their message is simple: power to the provinces. Marching through the streets of Quebec City, student protesters carry signs and chant slogans. Arriving en masse at the Quebec legislature, the protesters congregate. Frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of provincial authority, they accuse Quebec Premier Jean Lesage of kowtowing to the establishment. This CBC Television clip features the protesters' march. Norman DePoe also catalogues the portfolios under debate at the conference.
. At the 1964 federal-provincial conference, Premier Jean Lesage in fact challenged the higher powers. He stunned the delegates when he indicated that Quebec preferred not to opt in to the proposed national pension plan and instead outlined the details of a plan specific to Quebec. Ottawa ultimately paralleled the federal plan with the Quebec plan and agreed to the right of all provinces to establish their own plans.
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Newsmagazine
Broadcast Date: April 7, 1964
Guest(s):
Host: Norman DePoe
Duration: 4:24

Last updated: November 9, 2012

Page consulted on May 21, 2013

All Clips from this Topic

Related Content

Sir John A. Macdonald: Architect of Modern Ca...

Sir John A. Macdonald has been described as a pragmatic statesman, earning the title of Old Ch...

1970: FLQ kidnaps Pierre Laporte

Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte is kidnapped by the FLQ in the escalating October Crisis...

1991: Eric Lindros snubs the Quebec Nordiques

The NHL's top draft pick rejects Quebec and returns to the minors.

1988: Residents flee PCB fire near Montreal

A stockpile of toxic waste catches fire near Montreal, sending thousands running from a potent...

Quebec Elections, 1960-2007

Quebec elections are never dull because they are full of colourful characters, intrigue and mo...

The James Bay Project and the Cree

In 1971 northern Quebec became a political battleground as the provincial government and the J...