SECTION

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Evidence 7.18 Evidence 7.19
The October Crisis, 1970
TWO
Justification for suspending
civil liberties for anyone
Proclamation of the suspected of terrorist
activities was given in the
OCT 5   At 8:15 a.m., two armed men kidnapped British Trade Commissioner
James Cross. By 3 p.m., ransom notes were received from the Liberation

The October Crisis, 1970

cell of the FLQ, listing demands for his safe release: the release of 23 “political prisoners,”
War Measures Act, preamble to the order-in- payment of $500 000 in gold, the broadcast and publication of an FLQ manifesto, publication
October 16,1970 council proclaiming the Act. of the names of the police informants of terrorist activities, an aircraft to take the kidnappers
to a safe haven in Cuba or Algeria, and cessation of all police search activities.

… And whereas there is in con

temporary OCT 6   Prime Minister Trudeau declared that any decisions regarding the

WORDS TO KNOW
terrorists’ demands would be made jointly by the federal and Quebec

BEFORE READING
1. In small groups, discuss what you know about terrorism. Speculate why elem ent or gro up known as Le governments. Further threats to Cross were received. Several newspapers published the
Canadian society an
who advocate and
Front de Libération du Québec
terrorist events are remembered. Identify some different examples of FLQ’s manifesto.
cell inflamatory the commission of
resort to the use of force and
terrorism throughout history. Why do people become terrorists?
invoking
apprehended
trepidation
seditious
2. Discuss with a partner the question: Is one person’s terrorist another
person’s freedom fighter? Who decides who is a terrorist?
criminal offences, including mu
murder and kidnapping, as a
rder, threats of
means of or as an aid OCT 7   Police raids started at dawn, ending with 30 arrests. Radio stations
received more threats against Cross’s life. The FLQ’s manifesto was read
on radio station CKAC.
tal change within
insurrection 3. How much power should a government have to deal with possible in accomplishing a governmen
e given rise to a
Canada and whose activities hav
escalation Evidence 7.17
terrorism? What rights are you willing to give up to fight terrorism?
(You will revisit this topic in Chapter Nine, Section Three.) state of apprehended insurrectio
province of Quebec , …
n within the
OCT 8   In an attempt to lessen tensions, Radio-Canada, the French-language
counterpart of the CBC TV network, broadcast the FLQ’s manifesto.
Governor
What is the message of this cartoon? How do you
In the 1970s, most French-speaking Quebeckers believed
Therefore, His Excellency the
General-in-Council, on the rec omm end ation of the
ct that a
OCT 10  Early in the evening, two masked men from the FLQ’s Chenier cell
kidnapped Pierre Laporte, provincial minister of labour.
know? What is a “homegrown” terrorist? Has Canada prime minister, is pleased to dire
experienced “homegrown” terrorism? Explain. that francophones living in Quebec had fewer opportunities
than anglophones. Some Quebeckers believed that the only
proclamation be issu
apprehended insurre
ed
ctio
pro
n
clai
exis
min
ts
g that
and has existed OCT 11  Police conducted several raids. Communiqués were issued threatening
death for Laporte if all FLQ demands were not met.
solution to their difficulties was to separate peacefully of October, one
as and from the fifteenth day
from Canada. Some separatists felt that violent measures
would better promote their cause.
thousand nine hun dre d and sev enty.
OCT 12  Trudeau dispatched soldiers to Ottawa
to protect individuals and sites.
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was a Quebec
nationalist group dedicated to achieving change through
revolutionary means. By 1970, the FLQ had committed doz-
Excerpt from the preamble to the order-in-council
invoking the War Measures Act. OCT 15  Premier Bourassa asked federal authorities to send Canadian Forces
into Quebec to assist the civil authorities in ensuring “the safety of the
people and public buildings.” In less than an hour, about 1000 troops from the Royal 22nd
ens of robberies to obtain money, explosives, and weapons. What were the government’s reasons for Regiment arrived in Montreal to occupy key positions in the city. In the evening, about 3000
Five people had been killed, many others wounded, and 23 invoking the Act? What can you infer about how Quebeckers held a rally at a Montreal Arena, urging both governments to negotiate with the
FLQ members were in jail. seriously the government viewed the threat? kidnappers (Evidence 7.21).
The FLQ was divided into small groups known as cells.
Each cell operated largely independently of the others. In
October 1970, two cells took actions that led to the Octo-
ber Crisis: on October 5, 1970, members of the Liberation
1. As you examine Evidence 7.19, keep track of the intensity— OCT 16  In the early dawn, Prime Minister Trudeau
announced the imposition of the War Measures Act.
the escalation of violence and tension—of the crisis. Create
cell of the FLQ abducted British Trade Commissioner James
Cross; five days later, the Chenier cell kidnapped Quebec’s
a Living Graph similar to the one started below in your note-
book. If an event increased intensity, plot a point for it above OCT 16–18  Within 48 hours of the proclamation of the War Measures
Act, over 250 people were arrested. Many had nationalist
sympathies but no connection with the FLQ. Among those arrested were labour leaders,
Minister of Labour, Pierre Laporte. the neutral line. If it lessened the crisis, plot a point below
entertainers, and writers. Thirty-six detainees were members of the Parti Québécois. It is
the neutral line. Be sure to date each event you locate on the reported that police made 1628 raids by October 20. By the end of the year, 468 were
scale. As well, be ready to explain why you located the event arrested. Eventually, 408 would be released without charges being laid. Only two people
Until the kidnappings, as you did. What was the most intense period of the crisis? were sentenced.
the FLQ’s targets had been
2. Compare your scale to a classmate’s. Using your Living

DURING READING
OCT 18 
inanimate objects, such as mailboxes. How do you The murdered body of Pierre Laporte was found in
Graph, retell the sequence of events and explain their signifi-
think the kidnapping of political figures would affect the trunk of a car, shocking the country.
cance to your partner.
Source: public opinion? What do these actions reveal about
John Fewings,
June 2006.
Quebec at this time? Looking at events through the
eyes of a Quebecker living in the 1970s, how might
you have felt about the FLQ threat? Why?
Timeline of October Crisis—Living Graph NOV 2   The governments of Canada and Quebec jointly offered a reward of
$150 000 for information leading to the arrest of the kidnappers. The
War Measures Act was replaced by a new Public Order Temporary Measures Act, 1970. The
+ (MORE INTENSE)
new Act outlawed the FLQ, specifying jail terms of up to five years for membership in it and
Kidnapping Cross
for anyone assisting the kidnappers.
On October 16—at

NOV 16  Police raided the hiding place of members of the Chenier cell,
DURING READING

As you examine the evidence, decide The government was justified in invoking the request of Quebec
the War Measures Act to deal with the October Crisis. Premier Robert arresting Bernard Lortie, but most cell members escaped.
whether the government was justified
in invoking the War Measures Act. Use Bourassa, Montreal
an organizer like the one here to keep
track of the evidence. Then, decide: Was
Evidence that supports Evidence that does not support Mayor Jean Drapeau,
and Director of Mon-
DEC 3   James Cross was freed by routine police action in return for his
kidnappers’ receiving safe conduct to Cuba.
OCT 5 OCT 6 OCT 7

DEC 23 
the government justified in its actions? treal Police Maurice
Prime Minister Trudeau announced that all troops would be
Be ready to explain your conclusions. Decision: St. Pierre—Prime Min- withdrawn from Quebec by January 4, 1971.
Find a classmate who took an opposing ister Trudeau
Reasons: imposed the War – (LESS INTENSE)
view and discuss your responses. Source: Adapted from the page “Chronology of the October
Measures Act. Crisis, 1970, and its Aftermath” of Claude Bélanger’s Quebec
History website at Marianopolis College

174 CANADIAN SOURCES: INVESTIGATED CHAPTER SEVEN 1970–1979 SECTION TWO HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE THE OCTOBER CRISIS, 1970 175
 Evidence 7.20
continued
As you examine the evidence in the rest of Section Two, consider the parties involved and their responses to the crisis,

During Reading
using an organizer like the one below. What do the parties’ responses reveal about their attitudes and the attitudes of the
time? Did they respond as you would have expected? What would you have done? A few examples have been provided. Q: You said earlier that you would protect them in this way but Q: At any cost? How far would you go with that? How far would
you have said before that this kind of violence, what you’re you extend that?
Individual/ Is this what What does this response fighting here, the kind of violence of the FLQ, can lead to a A: Well, just watch me.
group Event/situation Response (role in the crisis) you expected? reveal to you about the crisis? police state.
Q: At reducing civil liberties? To what extent?
Pierre Trudeau Interview after calling in soldiers to Ottawa Did not seem worried about soldiers… A: Sure. That’s what you’re complaining about, isn’t it?
A: To what extent?
Q: Well yes, but surely that decision is yours, not the FLQ’s. …
Peter Reilly Interview with Trudeau Was concerned about people’s rights… Q: Well, if you extend this and you say, ok, you’re going to do
A: Sure, but this isn’t my choice, obviously. You know, I think it anything to protect them, does this include wire-tapping,
is more important to get rid of those who are committing reducing other civil liberties in some way?
violence against the total society and those who are trying
to run the government through a parallel power by estab-
A: Yes, I think the society must take every means at its disposal
to defend itself against the emergence of a parallel power
On October 12, 1970, in response to growing tensions in Quebec, Prime lishing their authority by kidnapping and blackmail. And I
which defies the elected power in this country and I think
Minister Trudeau had soldiers assume key positions in Ottawa. Public In reading Evidence 7.20, comment think it is our duty as a government to protect government
that goes to any distance. So long as there is a power in here
reaction to the presence of the troops was mixed. The following day, on Trudeau’s justification for calling officials and important people in our society against being
which is challenging the elected representative of the
Trudeau’s response to critics was recorded in an impromptu interview on in the military, his view of the FLQ, used as tools in this blackmail. …
people, I think that power must be stopped and I think it’s
the steps of Parliament with CBC news reporter Tim Ralfe and CJON-TV and his view on the use of force. Q: … I still go back to the choice that you have to make in the only, I repeat, weak-kneed bleeding hearts who are afraid to
reporter Peter Reilly, who stopped Trudeau as he was leaving the building. kind of society that you live in. take these measures. …
A: Yes, well, there are a lot of bleeding hearts around who just
Evidence 7.20 don’t like to see people with helmets and guns. All I can say Read Trudeau’s last answer. How far do you believe
Impromptu Interview with Prime Minister Trudeau (A), October 13, is, go on and bleed, but it is more important to keep law and governments should be allowed to go to protect you?
1970, by Tim Ralfe of the CBC and Peter Reilly of CJON-TV (Q) order in the society than to be worried about weak-kneed What rights would you give up? Speculate why this
people who don’t like the looks of— interview is considered to be one of Trudeau’s most
Q: Sir, what is it with all these men with guns around here? significant.
A: Haven’t you noticed? Turn to a partner and explain what Trudeau just said
Q: Yes, I’ve noticed them. I wondered why you people decided in your own words. Do you agree with his stance?
Discuss your feelings with a partner. Source: John Saywell, Quebec 70: A Documentary Narrative
to have them. (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1971), pp. 71–74.
A: What’s your worry? … (Originally published in the Canadian Annual Review, 1970.)
Q: I’m worried about living in a town that’s full of people with
guns running around.
Following Quebec Premier Bourassa’s call to bring in the Canadian Forces,
A: Why? Have they done anything to you? Have they pushed Evidence 7.21
a rally was held at the Montreal Arena. Over 3000 Quebeckers attended,
you around or anything?
including many students. Many expressed sympathy with the FLQ and
demanded that both governments negotiate with the kidnappers.
How would you describe the prime minister’s tone so How might this rally affect the government’s perception of the threat
far? Does he seem to be taking the situation seriously? to public security? What further actions might the government take?
Consider Trudeau’s interview in Evidence 7.20.
Q: They’ve pushed around friends of mine.
Q: Doesn’t it worry you, having a town that you’ve got to resort
to this kind of thing?
not political prisoners, they’re outlaws. They’re criminal pris-
A: It doesn’t worry me. I think it’s natural that if people are
oners, they’re not political prisoners, and they’re bandits.
being abducted that they be protected against such abduc-
That’s why they’re in jail.
tions. What would you do if a Quebec minister—another
Quebec minister—were abducted, or a federal minister? … Q: But with your army troops you seem to be combatting them
almost as though it is a war, and if it is a war does anything
that they say have validity?
What is the journalist implying with his questions? A: Don’t be silly. We’re not combatting them as if it’s war but
How does the prime minister feel about his decision? we’re using some of the army as peace agents in order that
the police be more free to do their job as policemen and not
Q: … [P]erhaps it would be wise to use less inflammatory spend their time guarding your friends against some form
terms than “bandits” when you talk about a bunch of people of kidnapping.
who have the lives of two men in their hands? …
A: Well, first of all, I didn’t call them bandits. I called the people What do the journalists seem most concerned about?
who were in jail now bandits, who had been tried before the Do you agree with the journalist that by taking action,
law and condemned to a prison term and I said that you the government is giving some credibility to the FLQ’s
people should stop calling them political prisoners. They’re cause? What is Trudeau’s view of the FLQ?

176 Canadian Sources: Investigated  Chapter Seven 1970–1979 Section two  Historical Significance  The October Crisis, 1970 177
 Evidence 7.25 Evidence 7.26 What were Douglas’s reservations?
On what grounds does he criticize
Support for Invoking the War Measures Act the government? What does
Douglas suggest should be done?
As you read the following evidence, remember to add ment’s tough stand. Polls taken shortly after implementa- Claude Ryan, editor of Le Devoir, also expressed
details to the organizer you began on page 176. tion of the War Measures Act showed that there was as reservations about invoking the War Measures Act: In Parliament, one of the few voices speaking out
The majority of Canadians, both within Quebec and much as 92 percent approval for the action taken by the against the War Measures Act was NDP leader T.C.
throughout the rest of Canada, approved of the govern- federal government. (Tommy) Douglas. In an interview on national

“ It is the first time in the history of Confedera- television on October 16, 1970, Douglas said:
Evidence 7.22 Evidence 7.23
tion that a government dares to invoke such an
What might the Ontario pre-

“
mier’s concern be about the Act? extreme law for the purposes of internal peace. The
… As a matter of fact, the government
gravity of this Act calls on us to raise some funda-

Ontario Supports Ottawa Move

hasn’t been using all the powers it has now.
Canada’s media were
almost unanimous in mental questions … [the Act] far exceeds the scope
Under the Criminal Code it has very sweeping

”
accepting the imposit
s
“with Trepidation,” Robarts Say
ion of the [War Mea- of the problem that the authorities faced.
sures Act]. The Halifa powers to deal with treason and conspiracy and
x Chronicle–Herald,
which had earlier ask seditious intent. But the government feels that
ed for martial law (“a Source: Editorial, Le Devoir, October 17, 1973.
military court does
ted “with some not have to concern police need more power.
Pr em ier Jo hn Robarts today suppor with the niceties and itself
On tar io e War Measures the mores and moral
pid ati on ” Ot taw a’s decision to invoke th of capital punishmen s This is the first time in the history of Canada
tre t, or the channels or Ryan would later become leader of the Quebec
ec terrorists. this [invoking the War Measures Act] has been
Act to deal with Queb barts stated:
frustrations of crimi
nal law”), was delighte
to the Legislature, Ro d. Liberal Party in opposition to Lévesque and the PQ.
In a brief statem t en
feel the federal
The Vancouver Sun
declared: “At last, go done in peace time. Few people realize what’s
ur in wh at has been done. … We ment has armed itself ve rn- How similar or dissimilar would you consider
“W e co nc to ensure that we to fight fire with fire involved in proclaiming this Act. This means that
me nt mu st do what it needs to do and match ruthlessne Ryan’s and Lévesque’s views on the invocation
go ve rn not intimidated ss with ruthlessness.
ou r de mo cr atic process and are ” of the War Measures Act? How might you
the Constitution of Canada is suspended, that all
ma int ain personal violence.”
bla ck ma il an d by terrorist threats of account for any differences? legislation is set aside, that the government now,
by
Source: Morris Wolfe,   “ The October Crisis: ­Deference by order-in-council, can do anything that it
to Authority,” Saturday Night, October 1980.

Aftermath
Source: Toronto Star, October 16, 1970. chooses to do—can levy taxes, spend money, can
deport people, can intern people, close

Reservations about Invoking the War Measures Act The October Crisis ended radical separatism, with most separat-
ists turning to peaceful, political means to achieve their goals (see
newspapers, can impose censorship. …
… What they [the federal government] have to
Chapter Eight, Section One). Two surveys in March 2012 revealed do is to look very carefully at the cause of all
1. As you read the following evidence, add the following individuals/groups to the chart you started on page 176. very different results about Quebeckers’ attitudes toward separa-

During Reading
tion. A Leger Marketing survey found that “44.5 per cent of Que-
this discontent. Revolutionary troublemakers can
What does this response becers would support separating from Canada if the Constitution only succeed if they are able to get support from
Individual/group Event/situation Response Is this what you expected? reveal to you about the crisis? could not be changed enough to satisfy the majority of the prov- people. Where do they get that support? … We
ince.” A poll by Montreal-based CROP Inc. done at the same time must not deal just with symptoms. We must deal
René Lévesque reported support for “sovereignty at 28 per cent—a spectacular
drop from the historic levels of the early 1990s.”
with root causes.
Claude Ryan
In September 2013, the Liberal government of Jean Charest, More police powers, more soldiers, these
Tommy Douglas which had been in office for years, was defeated by the PQ under alone will not guarantee peace and security. We
new leader Pauline Marois. Despite its minority government, the must remove the social discontent and the
2. What do you notice about people’s concerns regarding the government’s actions PQ announced setting up a campaign to promote “sovereignty
(similarities/differences)? What might explain the varying views on the War Measures Act? frustration that is beating at the hearts of four
Evidence 7.24 goals.” This plan was intended to remind Quebeckers of the

”
advantages of sovereignty by identifying the shortcomings in the or five million Canadians tonight.
Constitution and their effect on daily life in Quebec.
On a national level, the implementation of the War Measures Source: Canadian News Facts, Vol. 4, No. 19
René Lévesque, leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ), said the following about the invocation of the Act, and later revelations that the Act had only limited impact on (October 16 – October 31, 1970), p. 531.
War Measures Act: the outcome of the crisis, caused people to question the
government’s invasion of civil liberties. This debate has recently
Excerpts from been revived with legislation enacted to deal with

“
Lévesque’s reaction events following the terrorist attacks in the United
Until we receive proof to the contrary—and every responsible citizen should
to the implementa- States on September 11, 2001 (see Chapter Nine, 1. Conduct a tag-team debate on the following proposition:
tion of the War demand this proof and be given it as soon as possible if it exists or else drop out from a Section Three).

After Reading
Governments should be able to suspend civil liberties in the event
Measures Act. self-respecting society—until we receive proof to the contrary we will believe that such of an “apprehended” state of crisis.
What is the proof a minute, numerically unimportant fraction is involved, that rushing into the enforce- 2. In a structured-opinion paragraph, defend or criticize the
Are there government’s actions during the October Crisis. Use evidence

”
that Lévesque is ment of the War Measures Act was a panicky and altogether excessive reaction. …
asking for? Is he lessons Canadians from the organizer you began at the beginning of Section Two.
supporting the can learn from the October Crisis as 3. Select the top three turning-points in the October Crisis from your
Source: John Saywell, Quebec 70: A Documentary Narrative (Toronto: University of they consider how to deal with potential
FLQ? Explain. Living Graph from page 175 and turn them into a photographic
Toronto Press, 1971), pp. 96–97. (Originally published in the Canadian Annual Review, 1970.) terrorism in the 21st century? timeline, using relevant images to illustrate the October Crisis.
Justify your selection using the criteria for Historical Significance.

178 Canadian Sources: Investigated  Chapter Seven 1970–1979 Section two  Historical Significance  The October Crisis, 1970 179