Lévesque, René, << lay VEHK, reh NAY >> (1922-1987), served as premier of the Canadian province of Quebec from 1976 to 1985. In addition, he founded the Parti Québécois, a political party that aims to make Quebec an independent French-speaking nation. But in 1985, Lévesque’s government made economic development, instead of separatism, its main goal for Quebec.
Lévesque was born in New Carlisle, Quebec, on Aug. 24, 1922. He volunteered as a news correspondent during World War II (1939-1945) and covered the Korean War (1950-1953) for the Canadian media. From 1956 to 1959, Lévesque hosted “Point de Mire” (Point of View), a popular public affairs television program.
From 1960 to 1970, Lévesque served as a member of Quebec’s legislature. He held several cabinet posts in the Liberal government of 1960 to 1966. In 1967, Lévesque founded a group to promote Quebec independence. In 1968, the group merged with a similar organization to form the Parti Québécois. Lévesque believed that independence alone could give Quebec control of its own economy and end discrimination against French-speaking Quebecers. English-speaking Canadians and Americans exercised great control over the economy, and many desirable jobs required knowledge of English.
In 1976, the Parti Québécois won control of Quebec’s legislature, and Lévesque became premier. He promised to hold a direct vote on the party goal of independence for Quebec. But in 1980, Quebecers voted against a proposal that would have authorized his government to negotiate with the Canadian government for independence. In the early 1980’s, Lévesque’s decision to put independence on hold and seek a renewal of Canadian federalism divided his party. He resigned as party leader in 1985 and died on Nov. 1, 1987.
See also Canada, History of (The separatist threat) ; Parti Québécois .
