Women’s right to vote

On April 25, 1940, the Godbout Bill was adopted, granting women the right to vote and to be candidates in Quebec provincial elections.

The following year, inspired by the activism of Thérèse Casgrain, some 40 women took part in a political party congress, that of the Quebec Liberal Party, a first in Quebec.

« Thanks to progress in modern times, women have become men’s equals. »

- Adélard Godbout

Mandatory education

In 1943, having made education one of its priorities, the Godbout government tabled a bill making school mandatory for children aged six to 14 years.

«We will not backtrack on our duty to insist that parents, whether they grasp it or not, have an obligation to fulfill their responsibilities to their children.»

- Adélard Godbout

Quiet Revolution

With the swearing in of Jean Lesage’s “équipe du tonnerre” in July 1960, the most important economic, social and cultural transformation in Quebec history, the Quiet Revolution, began.

First woman elected Member of the National Assembly and then named a cabinet minister

Elected with a significant majority on December 14, 1961, Claire Kirkland-Casgrain became not only the first female Member of the National Assembly, but also the first to hold the position of cabinet minister, beginning in 1962.

It was thanks to her efforts that Bill 16 establishing the legal status of married women was adopted in 1964.

«Nationalization of hydro-electric power»

In the midst of the Quiet Revolution, Jean Lesage’s team proposed nationalizing hydro-electric power in Quebec. On April 14, 1944, the adoption of Bill 17 permitted the creation of Hydro-Quebec.

A manifesto, “Maintenant ou jamais! - Maître chez nous” (Now or never! Masters in our own home) was published by the Liberals, and in September 1962 an election was called on this issue.

« There is no doubt in my mind: it’s now or never that we must act to become masters in our own home. »

- Jean Lesage

Creation of the Ministry of Education

The creation of the Ministry of Education by the Lesage government in 1964 is one of the powerful symbols of the Quiet Revolution. It set in motion the modernization of the Quebec educational system.

« The Ministry of Education will be the basic instrument of what I call the new vocation of progress and creation.  »

- Paul Gérin-Lajoie

Creation of the Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec

July 15, 1965

The Liberal government of Jean Lesage had a bill adopted by the National Assembly establishing the Caisse de dépôt et de placement, responsible for managing the funds taken in by the Quebec Pension Plan. By January 16, 1970, its assets were in the billions.

Health insurance

Instituted by the Bourassa government, the Quebec health insurance program, with the goal of making free health care accessible to all Quebecers, came into effect on November 1, 1970.

In December of that same year, the Quebec Ministry of Social Affairs led by Claude Castonguay was created, making it possible to coordinate all health and social services.

Development of Quebec’s hydro-electric potential

On June 27, 1975, under Robert Bourassa’s Liberal government, the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms was adopted. By including economic and social rights in such a fundamental text, the government carved itself a unique place in North America.

« The development of James Bay is the key to economic progress in Quebec; it is also key to its social progress and its political stability: it is the future of Quebec. »

- Robert Bourassa

French, Quebec’s official language

July 19, 1974 :

Robert Bourassa had the Loi de la langue officielle or Bill 22, the first law with the goal of strengthening the place of French in Quebec, adopted. It was sanctioned by the National Assembly on July 31.

Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms

On June 27, 1975, under Robert Bourassa’s Liberal government, the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms was adopted. By including economic and social rights in such a fundamental text, the government carved itself a unique place in North America.

« These acquisitions are part of our democratic heritage.  »

- Jérôme Choquette

Civil Code

The adoption of a new civil code in 1991, coming into effect on January 1, 1994, brought the Code into the modern age. The chapters most affected were those addressing human rights, integrity of the person, civil status, private life, contracts, obligations and guarantees.

« The most important aspect is harmonizing our rights with charter principles. »

- Gil Rémillard

Council of the Federation

On December 5, 2003, the Council of the Federation was established, thanks to Quebec’s leadership. The Council paves the way for a new era of cooperation among the provinces and territories in the Canadian federation.

« By providing themselves with a tool for discussion and understanding, the provincial and territorial premiers personally commit to cooperating, knowing that cooperation requires more effort than division, but with the conviction that the end results will create prosperity. »

- Jean Charest

Quebec Parental Insurance Plan

Thanks to the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan, which took effect on January 1, 2006, Quebec has become a paradise for families. Today, Quebec has the most generous, flexible and accessible parental leave plan in Canada and North America. For the first time, the role of fathers is recognized, and self-employed workers are covered by insurance protection.

« This is a historic day for Quebec families. They can at last benefit from a plan that is clearly more advantageous, that responds to their concerns, and that much more closely corresponds with their reality. »

- Michelle Courchesne, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity

Generations Fund

Firmly determined not to leave future generations with the responsibility of having to repay a huge public debt, in March 2006, the government of Jean Charest established the Generations Fund for the purpose of managing Quebec’s accumulated debt.

This budgetary discipline has allowed great strides to be made in stabilizing public finances. Thus, in 20 years, more than $32 billion will have been devoted to repaying the debt.

« Addressing the debt now is the most responsible option. This is crucial to ensuring the long-term survival of our social services. It is also essential for fairness to future generations.   »

- Jean Charest

Towards a new economic space for Quebec

When he launched our plan for a new economic space a little over a year ago, Jean Charest provided Quebecers with a vision for the future. Just as previous Liberal governments had done, that of Jean Charest took a different approach to transform challenges into new opportunities for growth and development. This is the most important economic repositioning of Quebec since free trade, 20 years ago.

« We are working on a major modern and unifying plan: to provide Quebec with a new economic space that opens our horizons on an international scale. This is a plan to ensure Quebec’s success in an ever-changing world. »

- Jean Charest

$30-billion investment in infrastructure

In October 2007, the Charest government announced investments of $30 billion in public infrastructure, launching one of the most far-reaching economic initiatives in Quebec history.

« We are acting in a responsible manner, providing the legacy of a solid foundation for the success of future generations. As well as being a source of pride, quality infrastructure is an essential condition to support economic development in Quebec. »

- Jean Charest

Equity between men and women

In 2007, for the first time, the Quebec Cabinet was composed of an equal number of men and women. A year earlier, thanks to the Charest government, Quebec became the first government in the world to guarantee male-female parity on the boards of directors of its crown corporations, and to sign a historic agreement with its employees confirming pay equity between women and men.

« This is the first government in our history with as many women as men. As I formed this new egalitarian government, I did so thinking of Quebec’s future, and also thinking of my wife Michèle and my daughters, Amélie and Alexandra. I want it to be clear to them, and to all girls and young women in Quebec, that no summit is beyond their grasp.. »

- Jean Charest