BLACKMAIL ON CANADA - Michel Héroux

Julie Lewis, a brilliant young woman in her early thirties, did not expect the research for her doctoral dissertation in history would embroil her into a 75-year-old plot, whose twists and turns would still be felt in the 21st century. She did not know that the same research would bring her to meet two young Germans from Berlin searching for their past, ignorant of the risks inherent in such a quest. With the help of her boyfriend Marc Leblond, a Quebec provincial police investigator, and of a Quebec City archivist, Julie gradually brings to light for the first time a complex story featuring former Premier Maurice Duplessis, who reigned over the Province of Quebec from 1944 to 1959.

While often vilified, Duplessis did more than most premiers before or after him to solidify the identity of the French-Canadian nation. By implementing a provincial income tax system and making the Fleur-de-lis the official symbol of the province, he established the foundations of a modern state and instilled a most powerful sense identity among those belonging to the "French-Canadian race," as was commonly said at the time. Duplessis achieved these political exploits while Canada was led by one of the most able prime ministers in his history, Mackenzie King. How did Maurice Duplessis, without a civil service to speak of and devoid of the resources the Canadian government had in abundance after the Second World War, succeed?

The official story does not say, but the Quebec Premier had a secret advantage, sent from abroad soon after the war ended, allowing him to push back, when necessary, on the Canadian Prime Minister. This leverage, which Duplessis has never exploited unfairly, is such that it could still, if made public, have an impact on Canadian and Quebec public opinion today. This discovery by Julie Lewis leads to a complex and dangerous entanglement whose result could possibly affect the fate of Quebec and Canada. She finds herself caught between a nationalist movement in decline, ready to do anything to revive the dying sovereigntist dream, and a Canadian government suspicious and anxious to preserve its secrets. Amid a series of disturbing events, Julie Lewis, intelligent and tenacious, is determined to bring to light this obscure part of the history of our province and our country. Will she succeed?