The Quiet Revolution

Along with the induction of Hydro-Quebec, Québec improved their financial state by starting new economic programs. The Quiet Revolution urged the development of the Régie des rentes du Québec and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in order to improve the province’s economic state. Initially, the Régie des rentes du Québec (Québec Pension Plan) was established alongside the Canadian Pension Plan in 1965. It provided a public insurance plan for workers whose annual salaries were more than $3 500. The Régie gave citizens and their families financial protection in the event of death, disability, or retirement. This breakthrough in the labour movement benefitted middle class workers because it guaranteeing them fallback money, allowing peace

The Parent Commission Report was created in 1964 to outline all of the issues about Québec’s education system. Changes were later made by the government to improve quality of education. One of these changes consisted of producing regional Catholic and Protestant school commissions to make the high school curriculum more comprehensive and subsequently, attendance nearly tripled. Numbers increased from 204 700 to 591 700 students within 10 years. In other words, the commission reforms encouraged students to stay in school, thereby creating a more informed and educated younger generation. As a result, more teens pursued post-secondary education and in turn, those that graduated were more likely to succeed in the workforce. Hence, the Parent Commission vastly improved Québec’s labour supply. Subsequently, in 1967, CEGEPs (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel) were created on recommendation of the Parent Commission. They served as free general and vocational colleges that offered 2 to 3 year programs to help students determine which career path they should follow. Students who attended CEGEPs found that they gained more self-direction, and were more prepared for the workforce. Moreover, a network of Francophone universities were developed, and named the Université du Québec (UQ) during the Quiet

Regardless of the part it played in creating the Québecois separatist movement and by default, other extremist groups, the Quiet Revolution brought forth invaluable progress to in Québec and therefore cannot be cited as a negative event. The Quiet Revolution serves as a constant reminder that resistance to change is the biggest hurdle in the way of progress. Ultimately, Québec would not have become the metropolis it is today had they not emphatically deviated from the Catholic church and started exploring their own path. One should always strive to take chances, make mistakes, and question the status quo because, as Jean Lesage said: “c’est le temps que ça change” (it’s time for a change) - Jean