November 1, 1987 - René Lévesque - a podcast by Stephen Hammond

Separatist and former Quebec Premier René Lévesque dies. For years, French-speaking Quebecers were treated like minorities in their own province. Then the “quiet revolution” of the 1960s fuelled the flames of separation, convincing Francophones that Canada would never give them the respect they deserved, and instilling in them a desire for their own country. In 1976, René Lévesque, a former reporter and popular television show host, became the first premier of any province to pledge separation from Canada. A former Liberal Quebec cabinet minister, Lévesque had joined forces with other separatists to create the Parti Québécois. He lost the 1980 referendum on separation but continued winning elections until his retirement in 1985. Quebec changed significantly under his leadership; Francophones finally became maitre chez nous (masters in their own house). On November 1, 1987, Levesque died in Montreal.

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