Paperboy for the Ottawa Journal announcing invocation of the War Measures Act
Photograph
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
LOOK
Look at this photograph and read the transcript below. What key message do you think the photographer was trying to convey?
THINK
1970 was the first (and last) time the War Measures Act was invoked in peacetime. Do you think this is historically significant? Explain why or why not.
THINK
The House of Commons ratified the War Measures Act by a massive majority of 190 to 16. Why do you think there was such intense support for the Act? To support your answer, use the information provided in this topic.
DO
Do you know anyone who was alive when the War Measures Act was invoked in 1970? Ask them if they can tell you what they remember about that time.
DO
Imagine living through the October Crisis — but with access to social media. What hashtags would you use to either support the War Measures Act or speak out against it?
Details
Date October 16, 1970
Materials - Photograph
Transcript
The Ottawa Journal
WAR MEASURES ACT INVOKED
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings.
- As a result, on October 16, 1970, the War Measures Act was invoked for the third time in Canadian history, and the first in peacetime.
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings — something never before seen in North America.
In response to written requests from authorities in the province of Quebec and the city of Montréal — who feared a violent FLQ anti-government uprising — the War Measures Act was invoked, taking effect at dawn on October 16, 1970.
“The War Measures Act gives sweeping powers to the Government. […] They are necessary, however, to permit the police to deal with persons who advocate or promote the violent overthrow of our democratic system.”
— Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, October 16, 1970
In response to the 1970 October Crisis, the War Measures Act was invoked for the third time in Canadian history, and the first in peacetime. The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings — something never before seen in North America.
The War Measures Act took effect at dawn on October 16, 1970. The House of Commons ratified it by a massive majority of 190 to 16.
The Act was invoked in response to written requests from authorities in the province of Quebec and the city of Montréal, who feared an “apprehended insurrection” — a violent anti-government uprising.
However, in Quebec and Ontario the military had already been deployed — at the request of the federal and Quebec governments — before the War Measures Act took effect.
- The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings.
- As a result, on October 16, 1970, the War Measures Act was invoked for the third time in Canadian history, and the first in peacetime.
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings — something never before seen in North America.
In response to written requests from authorities in the province of Quebec and the city of Montréal — who feared a violent FLQ anti-government uprising — the War Measures Act was invoked, taking effect at dawn on October 16, 1970.
“The War Measures Act gives sweeping powers to the Government. […] They are necessary, however, to permit the police to deal with persons who advocate or promote the violent overthrow of our democratic system.”
— Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, October 16, 1970
In response to the 1970 October Crisis, the War Measures Act was invoked for the third time in Canadian history, and the first in peacetime. The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings — something never before seen in North America.
The War Measures Act took effect at dawn on October 16, 1970. The House of Commons ratified it by a massive majority of 190 to 16.
The Act was invoked in response to written requests from authorities in the province of Quebec and the city of Montréal, who feared an “apprehended insurrection” — a violent anti-government uprising.
However, in Quebec and Ontario the military had already been deployed — at the request of the federal and Quebec governments — before the War Measures Act took effect.
Summary
- The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings.
- As a result, on October 16, 1970, the War Measures Act was invoked for the third time in Canadian history, and the first in peacetime.
Essential
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings — something never before seen in North America.
In response to written requests from authorities in the province of Quebec and the city of Montréal — who feared a violent FLQ anti-government uprising — the War Measures Act was invoked, taking effect at dawn on October 16, 1970.
In-Depth
“The War Measures Act gives sweeping powers to the Government. […] They are necessary, however, to permit the police to deal with persons who advocate or promote the violent overthrow of our democratic system.”
— Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, October 16, 1970
In response to the 1970 October Crisis, the War Measures Act was invoked for the third time in Canadian history, and the first in peacetime. The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary movement seeking Quebec independence and a socialist state, carried out two political kidnappings — something never before seen in North America.
The War Measures Act took effect at dawn on October 16, 1970. The House of Commons ratified it by a massive majority of 190 to 16.
The Act was invoked in response to written requests from authorities in the province of Quebec and the city of Montréal, who feared an “apprehended insurrection” — a violent anti-government uprising.
However, in Quebec and Ontario the military had already been deployed — at the request of the federal and Quebec governments — before the War Measures Act took effect.