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Topic spans: 1960 - 2007
Quebec Elections, 1960-2007
Quebec elections are never dull because they are full of colourful characters, intrigue and more than a few surprises. Whether it's the Liberals ushering in the Quiet Revolution with their 1960 win, or the emotional 1976 election of René Lévesque and his separatist Parti Québécois, the voting habits of our belle province guarantee to fascinate.
10 television clips
3 radio clips
Four political candidates duke it out
Broadcast Date: Oct. 2, 1973
In one corner, is the reigning champ, pro-federalist Robert Bourassa, leading with 45 per cent of the popular vote. In the opposite corner is his foe and pro-separatist René "looking-for-his-first-win" Lévesque with 23 per cent of the popular vote. Waiting in the wings are the Union Nationale's Gabriel Loubier, a serious contender with 20 per cent and Yvon "boom boom" Dupuis. The leader of the Parti Créditiste, rings in with 11 per cent of the popular vote.As described by CBC Radio's Bob MacGregor, the 1973 campaign shenanigans are compared to a wrestling match. In this blow-by-blow coverage, he describes how the election is being hijacked by a single issue: federalism versus separatism. Name-calling, dirty tricks and mudslinging intensify as all four candidates fight for the top job. Dupuis, a relative newcomer to the political scene has given the Créditistes a renewed energy with his anti-separatist, social-measures-over-social-government mandate.
But the election results stun everyone. What was supposed to be close match ends in an astonishing landslide for the Liberals. Thanks to what the Parti Québécois calls anti-separatist scare tactics, the Liberal party wins the largest majority in Quebec history nabbing 102 out of 110 seats in the province's legislature.
Four political candidates duke it out
• Federalists hoped the Liberal sweep would end talks of separatism but the Parti Québécois actually increased its popular support. Despite winning just six seats, the PQ received 30 per cent of the popular vote.• The Union Nationale was shut out while the Parti Créditiste walked away with two seats.
Four political candidates duke it out
Medium: Radio
Program: Quebec Now
Broadcast Date: Oct. 2, 1973
Guest(s):
Host: Bob Harding
Reporter: Bob McGregor
Duration: 4:47
Last updated:
July 17, 2009
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On a cross-Canada train journey in 1967, Jacques Parizeau became an impassioned believer in sovereignty for Quebec. Trained at the London School of Economics, he was working for the Quebec government when he...
Four political candidates duke it out .
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: July 17, 2009.
[Page consulted on Feb. 15, 2012.]