The Political Scene In Canada Of The 1970's

The political scene in Canada of the 1970s was a rather tense one. In Quebec, citizens felt they were not considered in federal decision-making. They had a culture influenced by the French while the majority of Canada had an English influence. This angered a group of Quebecois so it was decided they would try to be heard by the federal government in Ottawa. This did not work by peaceful means. The Front de Liberation du Quebec , here on after known as the FLQ, followed what most terrorist organizations did when they weren’t heard, they screamed. The FLQ used bombing campaigns to send their screams to Ottawa. They demanded to be heard and to send a message. To understand how these acts are classified as terrorism, it is important to note the
original definition of terrorism, not the one where it is only terrorism if you are not white that is used by today’s media. Terrorism is defined as the use of violence and/or the threat of violence against civilians to achieve a political purpose and produce a psychological effect. The FLQ used one particular strain of terrorism, non state terror. Non state terror is defined as the use of violence and/or threat of violence against the state and is designed to provoke change within a state. These definitions give the context as to which the FLQ was declared as a terrorist organization. The FLQ was formed in the 1960’s. Canada was shocked by the actions of the FLQ based on the fact that Canada had only experienced international war not terrorism at home . They started out as a group of Quebecois who wanted to fight for their rights as French-Canadians but were extremely frustrated with the situation in Ottawa as even 80 years after confederation the English-Canadians were still in charge of running the country. Between 1963 and 1970, six people were killed by actions of the FLQ. Four of these deaths were from bombs, one of which was in the hands of the person who was planting said bomb , while the other two were shot during a raid (one of which were done by a police officer in error)) . As of 1969, the FLQ was declared a terrorist organization in the media due to their actions . Reflecting on the original meaning of terrorism the classification was correct. Their past and future actions would prove what type of organization the FLQ was. Non-State terror does specify that one of the actions that can be used is kidnapping. The FLQ kidnapped two government officials, Pierre LaPorte, who was deputy Premier and Minister of Labour for the province of Quebec, and James Cross who was a British diplomat in Canada. The FLQ returned both officials, but James Cross was the only one returned alive as LaPorte had been strangled to death. Cross was only freed after eight weeks of being held captive by the FLQ . LaPorte’s body was found in the trunk of car at St.Hubert airport a week after his kidnapping . In Francis Simard’s autobiography, he stated that LaPorte’s death was no accident . Prior to this, Pierre Trudeau had enacted the War Measures Act, which allowed for mass arrests to be carried out by the police. During these arrests approximately 300 citizens had been arrested under suspicion they were working with the FLQ. This was the largest police operation in Canadian history, at least to that point . The FLQ had aimed to be heard by the English majority in Canada, but actually worked against themselves. The English feared them and created a larger separation from the rest of Canada making them more ignored. The separation also affected how children interacted with each other. At one point, French children were told by their parents that they could no longer speak to their English speaking classmates or have interactions with them. Those who could speak to the English when playing games made the games English versus French children .

October 5 1970 James Cross is Kidnapped. The FLQ claims responsibility. Demands the release of their 23 political prisoners from jail
October 7 1970 One demand is met, the FLQ manifesto is read on the radio CKAC
October 10 1970 Quebec government announces no more FLQ demands will be met. Pierre LaPorte is kidnapped in response.
October 16 1970 War Measures Act is enacted. The FLQ and membership to the group is made illegal
October 17 1970 Pierre Laporte is strangled to death and his body is discovered at St. Herbert Airport in the trunk of a car.
November 6 1970 Bernard Lotie , one of LaPorte’s kidnappers, is arrested.
December 3 1970 James Cross is released. Five of his captors; James Lancot and his family, Marc Carbonneau, Jacques Cossette-Trudel, Louise Cossette-Trudel, and Yves Langlois are flown to Cuba
December 27 1970 Laporte’s three remaining kidnappers, Jacques Rose, Paul Rose and Francis Simard, are arrested near St. Luc, 30 kilometres southeast of Montreal. The FLQ was a terrorist organization that existed in the 1960’s and 1970’s. They played a part in the death of quite a few people. They also attacked the government. To understand the classification of the FLQ being declared terrorists, it is important to look at the original meaning of terrorism and non-state terror. Terrorism is defined as the use of violence and/or the threat of violence against civilians to achieve a political purpose and produce a psychological effect. The FLQ used one particular strain of terrorism, non-state terror. Non-state terror is defined as the use of violence and/or threat of violence against the state and is designed to provoke change within a state. The FLQ followed both definitions if their actions are looked at. The FLQ are an example of the feelings of French Canadians and the extremities of which people were willing to go to in order to be heard. While their actions were not justified, it was a means to an
end.