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aupapers?tf=RT/fullstory.html&cf=RT/config-neutral&vg=BigAdVariableGenerator& slug=wtrudeaupapers&date=20010423&archive=RTGAM&site=Front& ad_page_name=breakingnews 1970 cabinet feared Quebec's collapse: documents Canadian Press Ottawa — In the fateful hours before it proclaimed the War Measures Act in October 1970, the federal cabinet feared the Quebec government was about to collapse under the strain of the FLQ crisis. Newly released cabinet documents show there was deep concern and even talk of "civil war" around the cabinet table as then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau and his ministers discussed the growing troubles in Quebec. The cabinet proclaimed the draconian War Measures Act on Oct. 16 to counter an "apprehended insurrection" sparked by the terrorist group Front de Liberation du Quebec. Members of two Front de libération du Québec cells had earlier kidnapped James Cross, a British trade commissioner, and Pierre Laporte, the Quebec labour minister. Jean Chrétien, then the minister of Indian and northern affairs, said that if the threat was serious, the government should "act and explain things later." The government did act. Hundreds of people were jailed without warrant or charges. Shortly after that, the FLQ murdered Mr. Laporte. The fledgling Quebec Liberal government of Robert Bourassa — elected the previous April — was thought to be tottering under the stress of the moment, the documents show. Mr. Bourassa told Ottawa he wanted to pass a medicare bill, then adjourn the National Assembly before the War Measures Act came in. He feared his government might collapse if the legislature stayed in session. "Mr. Bourassa did not want his backbenchers to sit around too long," the cabinet minutes say. "They were falling apart rapidly. "The prime minister said that he had tried to convince Mr. Bourassa to keep the forum that he had, the Quebec Assembly, in session and use it in explaining and controlling the situation. "But Mr. Bourassa had felt that he could not keep the house or his cabinet together if action were not taken quickly. Mr. Bourassa had further said that he could very well have resignations on his hand shortly." The cabinet was looking at either the War Measures Act — which would allow arrest without warrant and suspend habeas corpus — or amendments to the Criminal Code that would allow the arrest of suspected FLQ members. Mr. Trudeau said he wasn't committed either way, but in his opinion, "Mr. Bourassa so far had been a pillar of fortitude, but he desperately needed to be helped." Bryce Mackassey, then a Montreal MP and labour minister, said the Quebec government had to be supported. "The minister of labour said that if by not helping the Quebec government we were to destroy it, civil war would follow," the minutes say. "He said it was much more than just a question of Mr. Cross's and Mr. Laporte's lives." The cabinet had already heard scare stories. Jean Marchand, Mr. Trudeau's Quebec lieutenant, said police sources had told him the FLQ had two tonnes of dynamite and was ready to start a bombing campaign in Montreal. Mr. Marchand said as many as 1,200 people might have to be arrested to contain the unrest. Other ministers were less eager to crack down. John Turner, then the minister of justice, counselled caution. "Mr. Turner added that in interfering with civil liberties and admitting that insurrection was apprehended, the government might 'over-kill' and if it had not got Parliament and the people behind it, the government might well receive a black eye. "He further stated that he was worried about premature police action." The day after Mr. Laporte was found strangled and stuffed in the trunk of a car, the cabinet met again. The meeting focused on a statement to be made by Mr. Trudeau reacting to the death. Among the points covered in the discussion: • "The extent of the threat of the FLQ to national institutions should be exposed." • "The murder of Mr. Laporte was definitely evidence of the danger apprehended." • "The Quebec government was on the brink of disaster through its own weakness and the economic situation." • "Unless the prime minister could rally the country's support and sympathy for Quebec, there was not much hope." In the end, Mr. Cross was released and his kidnappers flew to exile in Cuba. Mr. Laporte's killers were tried and convicted. |
