Forces of Unity and Disunity in Canada Class Notes

Minority Groups in Canada

Exclusion and Discontent in the Land of Plenty  Black Canadians often faced the most openly racist discrimination. In 1961, the city of Halifax decided to demolish Africville. In some sections of Ontario, segregated education and services existed until the 1960s.

Exclusion and Discontent in the Land of Plenty  Chinese and South Asian Canadians, who often lived in segregated communities in larger cities, also endured discrimination. Chinatowns (segregated communities) were broken up by renewal projects in major cities in the 1960s. South Asians from Pakistan and India endured discrimination. South Asians who received advanced degrees in their native countries were forced to work as unskilled labourers in Canada; they often lived in ghetto-like conditions.  South Asian (e.g., from Pakistan or India)

Exclusion and Discontent in the Land of Plenty  Aboriginal Canadians did not benefit from post-war prosperity in Canada. They usually lived in small reserves or in larger cities. Statistic trends: high unemployment, low income, low lifespan, high suicide

The Effects of the Development of the North on the Inuit  Advantages Government money led to more schools, hospitals, and airports and to better transportation Improvement of health care and education  more health care professionals  new schools were built  access to school: 18% in 1957 to 66% in 1963  Disadvantages The Inuit moved to permanent settlements (despite nomadic lifestyle) The Inuit gave up their traditional lifestyles and had little say over the planning and building of their homeland Education was provided in English and textbooks were written for city kids

French-English Relations

French Canadians  Traditional beliefs of French Canadians: “la survivance”: survival of French language, Roman Catholic church, and traditional values Traditions formed by life in rural areas (e.g., obedience to authority)  Reasons for questioning traditional beliefs: Businesses were owned by English- speaking men Employment in cities (industries) benefited those who spoke English English-speaking employees earned more than French Canadians

The Quiet Revolution in Quebec  In the 1930s-1950s, the Union nationale governed in Quebec. The party was linked to scandals and widespread corruption  After the dark years of the Union nationale in Quebec (leader: Maurice Duplessis), the Quebec Liberals won in  The Quebec Liberals started a rapid but non-violent process of reform and modernization Jean Lesage’s party modernized the education system and took it away from the Roman Catholic Church The party also asked for more provincial rights (such as using federal money for their own programs)

The Quiet Revolution in Quebec  The slogan of the Quiet Revolution was “Maitres chez nous.”  The provincial government took over English-speaking companies and formed Hydro-Quebec in  In the late 1960s, a radical separatist group, the Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ) used terrorist tactics to bring attention to their demands.

The FLQ Crisis  In October of 1970, members of the FLQ kidnapped the British trade commissioner, James Cross, and then the Quebec cabinet minister, Pierre Laporte.  Pierre Laporte was murdered by the FLQ; public opinion in Quebec was against this violent act.  The Quebec premier, Robert Bourassa, broadcasted the FLQ manifesto but refused to release FLQ terrorists from prisons.

The FLQ Crisis  Pierre Trudeau sent Canadian troops to Quebec and evoked the War Measures Act.  The act restricted civil liberties. For example, police arrested, questioned, and detained suspects, without charging them, for up to 90 days.  More than 400 arrests were made.  James Cross was exchanged for captors safe passage to Cuba.  23 people were sentenced to prison for terrorist acts.

After Separatist Terrorism  Birth rates were declining in Quebec, and many English-speaking newcomers were coming to the province.  Quebec people were worried about the survival of the language.  Bill 22 was passed in 1974 and sparked a big language controversy.

The Parti Quebecois  The newly formed Parti Quebecois replaced the Liberals in  The PQ was a non-violent separatist party headed by Rene Levesque.  The PQ passed Bill 101 in It put new restrictions on the English language.

Bill 22 versus Bill 101  French is the official language of Quebec.  More French in the workplace  Limitations on parents’ rights to choose language for children’s education  Commercial signs in French only.  Immigrants denied education in English  Only children with a parent educated in an English school could receive English education

Referendum on Quebec Sovereignty  In 1980, a referendum in Quebec asked voters whether or not the PQ could pursue sovereignty-association. 60% of voters said no.  In 1994, a second referendum was held in Quebec. The no side won by getting 50.6 percent of the vote.

Constitution Crisis  Pierre Trudeau attempted to repatriate the constitution and add a Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  All provinces, except for Quebec, signed on.  In 1987, PM Brian Mulroney attempted to alter the constitution to have Quebec signed on. The Meech Lake Accord, however, failed because other groups, such as Aboriginal Canadians and small provinces, felt they were being ignored.

Constitutional Crisis  A new round of negotiations started with the Charlottetown Proposal in However, after a national referendum, the proposal was defeated.  This marked the end of constitutional talks and negotiations.

Western Canada

Western Alienation  Western provinces often felt as though federal parties focussed on central Canada at the expense of the west.  As a result, regional protest parties such as the Social Credit Party, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and, later, the Reform Party were very popular.  During the constitutional talks of 1980s and early 1990s, Western provinces felt that too many concessions to Quebec were being made.  The Reform Party eventually merged with the Progressive Conservatives in the late 1990s as the Liberals dominated the federal government.  The Conservative Party was led by Stephen Harper, who eventually became the prime minister.

Notable Highlights in Unity

Notable Highlights for Building Unity  John Diefenbaker (Conservative prime minister) appointed an Aboriginal person to the Senate and brought the first women into the cabinet (Ellen Fairclough)  Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) protected freedom of speech and religion and assured equal protection before the law.  Lester B. Pearson’s minority government ( ) built a social safety net: Canada Pension Plan Affordable loans for post-secondary students Canada Assistance Plan Medicare More public-housing for low-income families

Notable Highlights for Building Unity  New Canadian flags: Red Ensign and red-white maple leaf flag (1965)  Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963)  The Official Languages Act (1969)  The repatriation of the constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)