The Canadian Popular Bloc ( fr. Bloc populaire canadien ), or simply the Popular Bloc ( fr. Bloc populaire ) is a Quebec and Canadian political party founded on September 8, 1942 . The party adhered to nationalist principles. Most of the party members were indigenous Quebec . The party aimed to prevent forced conscription to Canadian troops during World War II .
History
In wartime, a significant part of the French Canadians perceived the war as "alien", believed that the war was in the interests of Great Britain , not Canada, and did not want to fight and die "for the English king." The very fact that the federal government of Canada declared military service obligatory caused mass indignation and numerous protest actions. The “people's bloc” was created to counter the draft and, preferably, to abolish it completely.
The party nominated candidates in both provincial and federal elections: mainly in Quebec, but also in the north of Ontario . Two were elected to the federal parliament, and four deputies to Quebec .
It is noteworthy that then among the activists of the Popular Bloc was Pierre Elliot Trudeau , the future Prime Minister of Canada. At that time, he was a convinced Quebec nationalist, while in later political life he opposed any nationalistic manifestations of Quebec people.
Other well-known members of the Popular Bloc are Jean Drapaux ( fr. Jean Drapeau ) - the future mayor of the city of Montreal , and Andre Laurando ( fr. André Laurendeau ) - the future editor of the newspaper Le Devouard ( fr. Le Devoir ).
The party was dissolved on July 6, 1947 .