Since Christmas, Canadians have been reminded of the tragic events of the 1960 and 1970 when Québec separatists launched a string of violent attacks on federal institutions and symbols culminating the kidnapping of a British diplomat and murder of Québec cabinet minister. Letters received by officials in Canada and France threaten renewed violent attacks and send shivers down the spines of those of us who recall the domestic bombings and deaths and travelled the streets patrolled with “armed men with guns” (to quote then Prime Minister Trudeau) – more specifically, machine gun armed army troops ready to shoot to kill Canadians perceived a threat to national security. I sat in the reception area of the federal minister of urban affairs (yes, there was such a thing) waiting for a meeting with the minister’s officials in October 1970 and know what it is like to look at the barrel of a machine gun pointed at me. I know how frightened we were, and all of this, long before terrorism became daily event. Many, if not most, of today’s reporters only recall the FLQ bombings and terrorism from their feeble Canadian history classes.
Almost all Québec nationalists accept that violence would do nothing to enhance their cause, but the situation was not all that different in the 1960s – still the bombings happened, the deaths occurred and the nation was destabilised. Are there still misguided individuals or groups harbouring the belief that violence is the only way to secure their dream of a Quebec nation in control of its destiny?
While hoping the threatening letters are a hoax, or the product of a mentally ill individual incapable of acting on them, and being cautious that they may be genuine, I anxiously await news that the security services have arrested those responsible and contained the threat. And I hope all Québecers and Canadians are being vigilant.
Almost all Québec nationalists accept that violence would do nothing to enhance their cause, but the situation was not all that different in the 1960s – still the bombings happened, the deaths occurred and the nation was destabilised. Are there still misguided individuals or groups harbouring the belief that violence is the only way to secure their dream of a Quebec nation in control of its destiny?
While hoping the threatening letters are a hoax, or the product of a mentally ill individual incapable of acting on them, and being cautious that they may be genuine, I anxiously await news that the security services have arrested those responsible and contained the threat. And I hope all Québecers and Canadians are being vigilant.
