BATTLE OF ST.LEONARD EXHIBIT 6
In 1968 the Montreal district of St. Leonard had a large population of Italian immigrants. These people sent their children to English schools which was not unusual because most immigrants at that time wanted their children in English schools. The French speaking people in St Leonard were worried that their area was becoming too English so they demanded that the school board recognize French as the only language of education and on June 27, 1968 their school board adopted this resolution. This meant that all new elementary students had to register in French schools. This was not acceptable to this Italian community, and many started to teach the children at home. This issue erupted into protests by both the French and English and many say that this was the beginning of the language crisis in Quebec.