Maurice Duplessis was the leader of the Union Nationale, the political party that governed Québec from 1936 to 1960. A conservative, Duplessis emphasized religious values and thought union activity prevented investment and economic growth. On several occasions, he used the Québec provincial police to break up union demonstrations or to act as strike breakers.
Duplessis was also attacked for corrupt political practices. His critics pointed out that stuffed ballot boxes, police intervention in favour of government candidates, and voting under false identities were commonplace in Québec elections. Duplessis also openly attempted to discredit opposition parties by attempting to link them with communism. Taking advantage of of anti-Soviet sentiment in the post-war period, Duplessis brought in a "padlock law" that allowed the police to lock up premises where alleged communist activities took place.
