Madeleine Parent was the undisputed nemesis of Premier Maurice Duplessis. As a populist conservative, a Catholic, and a defender of traditional values, the Premier favoured paternalism in labour relations. Retroactive labour laws reflected his distrust of unions and his fear of communists. During his last two terms in office, opposition grew in the unions, as well as in cultural and political circles. By the time of his sudden death in 1959, the Liberals were ready to take over and usher in an era of reform, which soon came to be known as the Quiet Revolution.
