The Independence Movement in Quebec 1945-1980

Jean-Guy Quenneville is an associate professor of political studies at
the University of Saskatchewan.

If this book is to be seen as a general account of the independence movement in Quebec since World War II, then it would have to be severely faulted for failing to address the subject until the final chapter. Furthermore, the validity of the title is placed in doubt even by the preface (also reproduced on the back cover), which claims the book to be “a definite study of the independence coalition... in the aftermath of the so called Quiet Revolution.”

Examining the “definite study” for the period 1960-1980, it is dismaying to note that the index, indeed the entire book, is silent about the “Etats Généraux,” which were particularly active during the years 1966, 1967, and 1969. It would appear that the class conflict approaches used in the book so engrossed the author that the more traditional corporatist activities in Quebec were omitted from the analysis. This oversight represents a major flaw and disqualifies the work from being a “definite study” as claimed. The 1945-1960 period was dealt with scantily but in a more balanced fashion.

On pages 203-204 an important conclusion regarding Bill 63 contradicts itself. A revision of this work correcting the vices of the doctoral dissertation format and including alongside the class conflict approaches a study of the corporatist activities of the period surveyed might produce a text that could be used in introductory courses on Quebec’s Quiet Revolution. The title would also have to be reviewed, since the current one is presumptuous.