Québec Referendum of 1980
Figure 6
The Québec referendum of 1980 was the first referendum in Québec on the case of whether Québec should pursue a path of sovereignty from Canada. It was proposed by the Parti Québécois (see Subjective Factors) on May 20, 1980 and the Premier and leader of the PQ at the time was Réne Lévesque. After winning a majority government in the 1976 provincial elections, the party was confident that now was the time to being to push for sovereignty.
The question on the ballot card, translated into English, is: "The Government of Quebec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; any change in political status resulting from these negotiations will only be implemented with popular approval through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada?"
Early polls showed a potential victory for the "Yes" side (the "Yes" being yes to sovereignty).
But on May 14, 1980, just six days before the referendum, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, famous for his speaking skills, swooped in with a powerful, emotional yet logical speech which clawed mercilessly at the philosophy of the separatists. He said that if the Québecois voted "no" to the referendum, he would promise new ways to being Québec into Confederation and revise the Canadian Constitution.
On May 20, 1980, the referendum was defeated with a margin of 19%, with 59% voting "no" and 40% voting "yes". In his concession speech, premier René Lévesque famously said, "If I understood you correctly, you're telling me 'until next time'".
Figure 6 shows the fierce amount of indecisiveness over the subject of sovereignty. The banner is a photo of a rally for the "yes" side during the days leading up the referendum.
The question on the ballot card, translated into English, is: "The Government of Quebec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; any change in political status resulting from these negotiations will only be implemented with popular approval through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada?"
Early polls showed a potential victory for the "Yes" side (the "Yes" being yes to sovereignty).
But on May 14, 1980, just six days before the referendum, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, famous for his speaking skills, swooped in with a powerful, emotional yet logical speech which clawed mercilessly at the philosophy of the separatists. He said that if the Québecois voted "no" to the referendum, he would promise new ways to being Québec into Confederation and revise the Canadian Constitution.
On May 20, 1980, the referendum was defeated with a margin of 19%, with 59% voting "no" and 40% voting "yes". In his concession speech, premier René Lévesque famously said, "If I understood you correctly, you're telling me 'until next time'".
Figure 6 shows the fierce amount of indecisiveness over the subject of sovereignty. The banner is a photo of a rally for the "yes" side during the days leading up the referendum.
Both of these buttons were worn by people during the 1980 referendum and the days leading up to it to proclaim their stance on the issue. Some people were fiercely devoted to separating but others were equally fiery about their Canadian identity. Many rallies were staged by the two sides, an example of one of these of the Oui" side in the banner.
Regular citizens were also extremely divided over what side to throw their support behind. As seen in figure 6, a simple apartment complex was sliced in half by this topic. With each side having their arguments to support their ideology.
Although they lost the referendum, the Parti Quebecois came back to win the election the next year, and the second referendum, in 1995, would be defeated by a much smaller margin.
Regular citizens were also extremely divided over what side to throw their support behind. As seen in figure 6, a simple apartment complex was sliced in half by this topic. With each side having their arguments to support their ideology.
Although they lost the referendum, the Parti Quebecois came back to win the election the next year, and the second referendum, in 1995, would be defeated by a much smaller margin.