Excerpt from a speech given by Quebec Premier René Lévesque
Video
Transcript
Transcript for Excerpt of a speech given by Quebec Premier René Lévesque
This mandate for negotiation does not imply Quebec separation, but rather the eventual attainment of a new understanding, which would enable us to reach two objectives at the same time: on the one hand, to recover the power to enact all our own laws, to keep all our tax revenue and to directly establish, without begging, our relations with others – and that is sovereignty – and on the other hand, to maintain with the rest of Canada a close economic association, including the use of the same currency. This is the mandate for negotiation that we ask the population to grant us. And there is no other way we would interpret a yes vote.
Transcript
Transcript for Excerpt of a speech given by Quebec Premier René Lévesque
This mandate for negotiation does not imply Quebec separation, but rather the eventual attainment of a new understanding, which would enable us to reach two objectives at the same time: on the one hand, to recover the power to enact all our own laws, to keep all our tax revenue and to directly establish, without begging, our relations with others – and that is sovereignty – and on the other hand, to maintain with the rest of Canada a close economic association, including the use of the same currency. This is the mandate for negotiation that we ask the population to grant us. And there is no other way we would interpret a yes vote.
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
LOOK
Watch the video clip of Premier René Lévesque. What are his key points? In what major ways would a Yes vote affect Quebec and Canada, according to him?
THINK
Does this 45–second clip from a longer speech give us a complete story? Do we have enough information to draw any conclusions about the population of Quebec’s position on independence? Whose perspectives are missing?
THINK
Read the transcript of the speech and then watch the video clip. How is watching Lévesque’s speech different from reading it? What information do you get from the video that isn’t included in the transcript?
THINK
Would you consider Lévesque’s speech historically significant? Why or why not? Would you consider the 1980 referendum historically significant? Why or why not?
Tip: Moments in history and primary sources are considered historically significant if they result in change, reveal something important about history, or they occupy a meaningful place in the historical narrative.
Details
Date April 15, 1980 
Materials Transcript
This mandate for negotiation does not imply Quebec separation, but rather the eventual attainment of a new understanding, which would enable us to reach two objectives at the same time: on the one hand, to recover the power to enact all our own laws, to keep all our tax revenue and to directly establish, without begging, our relations with others – and that is sovereignty – and on the other hand, to maintain with the rest of Canada a close economic association, including the use of the same currency. This is the mandate for negotiation that we ask the population to grant us. And there is no other way we would interpret a yes vote.
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- In this clip from 1980, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech on the Quebec referendum.
- The Quebec referendum asked whether the Quebec government should start discussing independence from Canada.
- The debate around Quebec independence grew heated in the 1960s and 1970s but, in 1980, the people of Quebec voted to stay a part of Canada.
In this clip from April 1980, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech on the Quebec referendum.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the debate around Quebec independence grew heated. Those who supported independence often felt that Quebec’s needs and culture were ignored by the English majority in the rest of the country.
In 1980, the majority of Quebecers voted No to negotiating a new agreement with the rest of Canada. This meant that the province could not pursue independence.
In this clip from April 1980, before the Quebec referendum, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech to the Assemblée nationale in Quebec, explaining what a Yes vote would mean for the province.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the debate around Quebec independence grew heated. Those in favour of Quebec forming an independent state, separate from Canada, formed the Yes camp, while those opposed formed the No camp. Those who supported independence often felt that Quebec’s needs and culture were ignored by the English majority in the rest of the country.
Two dramatic referendums were held in 1980 and in 1995. In 1980, Quebecers were asked if they would allow the provincial government to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada. The No side won with almost 60% of the vote, meaning that Quebec could not legally pursue independence from Canada.
- In this clip from 1980, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech on the Quebec referendum.
- The Quebec referendum asked whether the Quebec government should start discussing independence from Canada.
- The debate around Quebec independence grew heated in the 1960s and 1970s but, in 1980, the people of Quebec voted to stay a part of Canada.
In this clip from April 1980, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech on the Quebec referendum.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the debate around Quebec independence grew heated. Those who supported independence often felt that Quebec’s needs and culture were ignored by the English majority in the rest of the country.
In 1980, the majority of Quebecers voted No to negotiating a new agreement with the rest of Canada. This meant that the province could not pursue independence.
In this clip from April 1980, before the Quebec referendum, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech to the Assemblée nationale in Quebec, explaining what a Yes vote would mean for the province.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the debate around Quebec independence grew heated. Those in favour of Quebec forming an independent state, separate from Canada, formed the Yes camp, while those opposed formed the No camp. Those who supported independence often felt that Quebec’s needs and culture were ignored by the English majority in the rest of the country.
Two dramatic referendums were held in 1980 and in 1995. In 1980, Quebecers were asked if they would allow the provincial government to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada. The No side won with almost 60% of the vote, meaning that Quebec could not legally pursue independence from Canada.
Summary
- In this clip from 1980, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech on the Quebec referendum.
- The Quebec referendum asked whether the Quebec government should start discussing independence from Canada.
- The debate around Quebec independence grew heated in the 1960s and 1970s but, in 1980, the people of Quebec voted to stay a part of Canada.
Essential
In this clip from April 1980, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech on the Quebec referendum.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the debate around Quebec independence grew heated. Those who supported independence often felt that Quebec’s needs and culture were ignored by the English majority in the rest of the country.
In 1980, the majority of Quebecers voted No to negotiating a new agreement with the rest of Canada. This meant that the province could not pursue independence.
In-Depth
In this clip from April 1980, before the Quebec referendum, Premier René Lévesque gives a speech to the Assemblée nationale in Quebec, explaining what a Yes vote would mean for the province.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the debate around Quebec independence grew heated. Those in favour of Quebec forming an independent state, separate from Canada, formed the Yes camp, while those opposed formed the No camp. Those who supported independence often felt that Quebec’s needs and culture were ignored by the English majority in the rest of the country.
Two dramatic referendums were held in 1980 and in 1995. In 1980, Quebecers were asked if they would allow the provincial government to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada. The No side won with almost 60% of the vote, meaning that Quebec could not legally pursue independence from Canada.