Canada in the Post-War Era An Era of Social and Economic Change

Immigration Two million people immigrated to Canada between 1945 and 1960 Canada’s booming economy required workers, so the Canadian government encouraged immigration

After the War Canada began to accept more refugees, people who were fleeing conditions in their home country many immigrants were refugees, people left homeless as a result of the war, Holocaust survivors, or war brides (who married Canadian veterans overseas)

The 1950s Most immigrants came to Canada because they were seeking a better life The government still preferred European immigrants and limited Caribbean and Asian immigrants

Immigration to Canada

Veterans One million veterans returned from the war and were given special privileges from the Canadian government: – Previous jobs back with years at war counted as years of service on the job – Hiring preference for government jobs – Government help to purchase farms – Unemployed veterans given government allowances

The Baby Boom Refers to the rapid increase in births between 1946 and 1965 Almost 9 million children born in Canada during these years

Expanding Population At the same time, the death rate dropped – people were living longer due to a better economy and improved health care

Canada’s Economic Boom The 1950s and 1960s saw tremendous economic growth, fuelled mainly by consumer demand prosperity was not evenly spread throughout the country – Ontario, the West, and Quebec grew immensely – The Atlantic provinces grew more poor – Native Canadians did not equally share in the new wealth

Natural Resources Iron and steel, uranium, aluminum, gas and oil, forestry products, wheat, minerals

Industrial Growth Canadian companies built many factories, providing good jobs for many men and women Canada signed the Auto Pact with the United States in 1965, strengthening cross-border industrial trade

American Investment American companies opened factories in Canada and sold their goods to Canadian consumers