The Beginning of a New Era - The Election of 1960: the Expression of a Will to Change

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• Introduction
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  • The Long Reign of the Union nationale
  • Henceforth
  • A Precursor of the Quiet Revolution
• Education
  • Brother Anonymous
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  • The Parent Report
  • CEGEPs and the Université du Québec
  • Greater Access of Women to Education
• The New Role of the State
  • The Advent of the Welfare State
  • Election of the First Woman to the Legislative Assembly
  • The Tiger Team
  • Return to Power of the Union nationale
  • A Real Civil Service
• Reclaiming the Economy
  • The Nationalization of Electricity
  • The Société générale de financement
  • The Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and the Régie des rentes
• The Affirmation of Quebec
  • The Sovereignty Movement
  • Vive le Quebec libre
  • Relations between Quebec and Ottawa
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  • Bill 63
• Culture
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• Social Realities
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  • Expo 67
  • Demanding Unionism
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  • The Advent of the Pill
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  • The Femmes d'aujourd'hui Show
  • Women Storm the Labour Market
  • The Bird Commission
• Epilogue

Home > Events > The New Role of the State > The Election of 1960: the Expression of a Will to Change

As depicted in this caricature featuring Union nationale leader Antonio Barrette and Liberal Party leader Jean Lesage in a street fight, the elections of 1960 give every appearance of a bitter feud

Liberal Party advertising deploring the plight of farmers under the government of the Union nationale during the election campaign of 1960. The sign reads as follows: Farmers in Quebec… The forgotten ones! 76 million strong!

Liberal Party advertising deploring the plight of the impoverished members of Quebec society during the election campaign of 1960. The ad reads: The privincial government abandons 332 071 people to their fate! A cheque would break their chains! (translation)

Liberal Party advertising condemning unemployment in Quebec during the election campaign of 1960. The dad reads: Let us rid Quebec of its infamous reputation as the champion of unemployment! There are 236 000 jobless in Quebec! (translation)

Liberal Party advertising for healthcare during the election campaign of 1960. The poster states: Hospitalization… Quebec allocates $40 million to provide healthcare… To others! (translation)

Liberal Party advertising for education during the election campaign of 1960. The ad reads: Sad state of government… Too little… Too late! 93% of our children will never attend university. (translation)

After 16 years spent as the opposition party, the Liberal Party comes to power in 1960. The photo features new Premier Jean Lesage and his two star candidates, René Lévesque and Paul Gérin-Lajoie

The Elections of 1960: the Expression of a Will to Change

"It is the duty of the government of this province to assess what we possess... in order to develop it so that Quebec may benefit from it on a permanent basis and flourish in the direction of its traditions, spirit and culture" (translation).

Jean Lesage in1960 and the political program of the Liberal Party of Quebec, p. 5.

"It's time for change!" (translation). Such was the slogan of the Liberal Party during the 1960 campaign. First, it expressed the exasperation felt towards the authoritarian government of the Union nationale, in power for the last 15 years. Secondly, it bore witness to the need for change and renewal, words to which the highly conservative leader of the Union nationale, Maurice Duplessis, was allergic. Even during the 1950s, when society in Quebec had been in the throes of industrialization and urbanization for several decades, Duplessis continued to state that agriculture was the keystone to Quebec's economy.

A Bold and Forward-thinking Electoral Program

The program that Jean Lesage, Liberal Party leader, and his tiger team proposed to electors was bold and forward-thinking. Among other things, he advocated the creation of a Ministry of Cultural Affairs, free education from elementary school to university, the establishment of an Economic Advisory Council and different measures to ensure the wellbeing of the population. The Union nationale and its new leader, Antonio Barrette, on the other hand, asked electors to allow his party to proceed with its sound management of Quebec, the best road to progress as indicated by the party's slogan, "To the pinnacle with Barette and the Union nationale" (translation).

The Union nationale Beaten!

After a bitter fight, the Liberal Party won the elections on June 22, 1960. The victory was ambivalent, however, since 46.6% of the electorate voted for the Union nationale versus 51.3% for the Liberal Party. The Liberals held 51 seats in the Legislative Assembly and the Union nationale, 36. But in the words of Jean Lesage, what mattered most was that the Liberal Party had beaten the infernal Union nationale machine. The victory marked a turning page in the history of Quebec.

Related events

• The Long Reign of the Union nationale
• The Creation of the Ministry of Education
• CEGEPs and the Université du Québec
• The Advent of the Welfare State
• The Nationalization of Electricity
• Relations between Quebec and Ottawa

Related characters

• Georges-Émile Lapalme
• Jean Lesage
• Maurice Duplessis
• Paul Gérin-Lajoie
• René Lévesque

Related years

• 1960