Canadian national identity Related Issue 4: To what extent should individuals and groups in Canada embrace a national identity?

Ideas that we will be exploring in this unit: Exploring perspectives on Canadian identity Promoting identity: The role of individuals, groups, and government Challenges and opportunities related to Canadian unity Future Visions of Canada

Exploring perspectives on Canadian identity Chapter 16: To what extent have perspectives on Canada as a nation contributed to the development of a national identity?

Views on Canada’s Identity What are various perspectives on national identity in Canada?

National identity & government policy Canada: pluralistic, democratic nation = wide range of perspectives on many issues (what national interests are and what a national identity might be) FNMI national interests may not support the same vision of national identity as those the Canadian nation-state Official Languages Act Created by PM Pierre Trudeau Aim was the reduce Francophone isolationism within Canada Guaranteed the Francophone that their language and culture would be protected by the law Multiculturalism Act Aimed at building an ‘inclusive’ Canada by supporting pluralism within a framework of individual rights Important aspect of our national identity Made ‘multiculturalism’ a legal government policy

Multiculturalism act It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to (a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges he freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage.” Due to increased immigration and changes to immigration patterns, there has been debate about the role of multiculturalism in Canada. How has the Multiculturalism Act shaped your identity? Do you think it is desirable and viable to continue promoting the Multiculturalism Act in Canada?

Voices: Canadian identity & political platforms Read pages 350-351 Respond to questions 1 and 2

The evolution of Canadian national identity What are historical perspectives of Canada as a nation?

Nationalism in upper & lower Canada Durham Report (1839) recommended that: Upper and Lower Canada be united into one colony Responsible government be granted French Canadians be assimilated *French in the Legislature was banned Municipal institutions be established in Canada

Responsible government Government that is accountable to its citizens for its actions The cornerstone of parliamentary democracy in Canada Became a rallying cry in Canada in the first half of the 1800s as citizens became disturbed by the power structures in Canada The push for RG was one of the motives behind the 1837 &’38 rebellions RG did not usher in a ‘golden age’ of cooperative politics in Canada, but quite the reverse The Legislature was divided: Reformers against Tories French against English Catholics against Protestants Upper Canadian against Lower Canadian

Baldwin & Lafontaine Emerged in the 1840s Mutual desire to unite English and French partnerships in Canada laFontaine was the reason that the French language was allowed to be spoken in the Assembly Act of Union, 1849 Created Responsible Government within Canada

Canada’s fathers of confederation: pre- & post-confederation Began among the Maritime colonies 1867: British colonies unite together New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario & Quebec, become provinces with a central government Not all were happy about Confederation Battles were fought in newspapers and Legislation!

Investigation: Louis Riel: Another Canadian Founding Father? Read pages 357-359 Answer questions 1 and 2

Building Canadian national identity How can differing perspectives build a national identity?

Sir Clifford Sifton “The Little Napoleon of the West” Minister of Interior from 1896-1905 Saw mass immigration to Canada He promoted recruitment of religious groups like Mennonites & Doukhobors This promoted a greater diversity of language, culture and religions to Canada

Voices: What is a Canadian? Read 361-362 Answer questions 1-3