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The Liberals hang on

Broadcast Date: Sept. 26, 1989

On Sept. 25, 1989, Quebecers give Robert Bourassa and his Liberals another solid majority. But the real news is the surprising success of the new Equality Party, reports CBC Television.
The upstart Equality Party was formed in 1989 in response to Bill 178, the controversial language law restricting English signs in Quebec.

Tapping into English Quebec's rage over Bill 178, the new party steals four seats from what has traditionally been Liberal heartland. The Equality Party wins big with its mandate of protecting civil rights of Quebecers of all ethnic and linguistic groups. The party's win sends a clear message to the Liberal party that the traditional support it has received from English Quebecers may be in jeopardy.

The Liberals hang on

• Writer Mordecai Richler, who was upset over Bill 178, was a vocal supporter of the Equality Party. "Montreal is my home," he told CBC Television, "I can't believe it's now illegal to speak my language."
• The 1989 win gave Robert Bourassa his fourth win, making him one of the most durable leaders in Quebec.
• Despite the Equality Party's strong showing in the 1989 election, it was shut out in subsequent elections.

The Liberals hang on

Medium: Television

Program: The National

Broadcast Date: Sept. 26, 1989

Guest(s): Alain Dubuc

Host: Peter Mansbridge
Reporter: Paul Workman

Duration: 2:56

Last updated:
July 17, 2009