Cultural Transformations in Montreal Since 1970

Abstract

Montreal is the cultural and economic capital of Quebec's French-speaking population. It is also the place where the vast majority of Anglo-Quebecois live and, moreover, the nearly exclusive destination for immigrants from abroad. The city is Quebec's only true multicultural community and, most assuredly, the site of the province's strongest and most rapid cultural changes. Politics, either directly or indirectly, have had a tremendous impact upon the city. Among the most significant events have been linguistic legislation, restructuration of public schools, election of the independentist Parti Quebecois in 1976 and the referendum on sovereignty-association in 1980. Further, the very fabric of Montreal has been altered through the introduction of housing renovation programs and the construction of new dwellings. To describe briefly and accurately all the transformations in the urban cultural landscape is impossible. Nevertheless, an attempt is made here to identify several of the main features of change occurring in Montreal since 1970.