Impact of Hte Quiet Revolution: The Business Environment of Smaller Cities and Regions of Quebec 1960-2000‪.‬

The Province of Quebec has changed significantly in the economic, social, and political areas since the advent of the Quiet Revolution. This paper is an analysis of the fundamental changes that have occurred in the Quebec business environment since the early sixties. This research looks in particular at changes in the business environment found in the smaller cities/regions of Quebec in order to understand more fully what is happening in the larger society.(1) Six separate research studies on these cities/regions form the basis of this analysis (see Works Cited).(2) We looked at Trois-Rivieres, St.-Hyacinthe, Drummondville, Sherbrooke, the Beauce Valley, and the Hull-Gatineau region adjacent to Ottawa.(3) A variety of changes have transformed the business community of the large cities and the smaller towns and region of Quebec. However, the traditional industries of agriculture, lumber, pulp and paper, and minerals have continued to be vital to the economy, albeit on a decreasing scale. High tech industries, including small and medium-sized firms as well as large multinational enterprises now producing both goods and services under the direction of French-speaking management teams, have become an important part of the business milieu. The psychological climate has moved from uncertainty and anxiety to one of greater self-confidence reinforced by successful accomplishments.