Related Issue 4 To What Extent Individuals and Groups in Canada embrace a National Identity? This is the last of the four overarching related issue questions that will help us understand the Key Issue of this course (remember - To What Extent Should We Embrace Nationalism?) This related issue question will cover chapters 13-16.

Chapter 13 – Visions of Canada Chapter Issue - To what extent have visions of Canadian Identity evolved? What is Canada? How and Why did early visions of Canada evolve? How is the evolution of visits of Canada reflected in the country today?

What is Canada? Canadians have been trying to define Canada since before confederation. Some say it is our history and traditions. Some say that it is our multiculturalism. Some say we don’t actually have a Canadian identity. What do you think?

WHO ARE WE???? Mike Myers (Austin Powers) once said that being Canadian is the essence of “not being” something else. We are not British or not American, etc.

Review We have already looked at Canada as a civic nation (what is this again?) We have already looked at Canadian pluralism and bilingualism and the unique differences, histories and values to be found within the vast array of Canadian Citizens But . . .

Canada’s Physical Features Many people believe that one thing that is important to not over look when defining Canada is the rugged terrain and extreme ranging climates. Our love of nature and the natural spirit/essence is believed to be a fundamental Canadian trait (stereotype or not  what do you think? Canada Tour Clip OR Wildlife Clip (from video resources)

Communities Another aspect when looking at Canada is that we are, as Joe Clark (former leader of the PC party) said in 1979, “fundamentally a community of communities” What does this mean?

Reflect and Respond Do the Reflect and Respond questions on page 301 in your daily log.

Early Visions of Canada When Canada was first formed it was the plan of British appointed governors of (Canada West) to assimilate the French speaking population. They planned to do this through uneven political power and language rights (even though Canada East had more people they didn’t get more votes and only English was allowed in parliament)

Cont’d In response, Lafontaine (a leader from Canada East) and Baldwin (from Canada West) joined forces to demand Responsible government Responsible government – a government that answers to the people rather than the British appointed governors.

Roots of Bilingualism This partnership accomplished its goal and set the stage for Canadian government systems and bilingualism. It spread responsible government to other North American British colonies like New Brunswick and restored French as an official language in parliament.

Canadian Timeline? Canadian Profile? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1203358.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1198865.stm Canadian Profile?

Confederation In 1861 there was a civil war in United States. Fenians (a militant Irish-American group) were conducting raids into Canada to try to hold British territory so that Britain would leave Ireland. BNA (British North America) was suffering because of unfair trade laws with the motherland

Cont’d In order to deal with these issues, a new coalition of government leaders, led by John A. Macdonald and George Cartier emerged to achieve independence and preserve Canada. They envisioned a union of BNA colonies and a new Canada was formed in 1867 with Confederation (composed of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick)

BNA act The act that created Canada was called the British North America Act (BNA Act) It created two levels of government: federal and provincial.

Evolving Visions of Canada Now that Canada was formed there were different views of what it meant to be Canadian and these began to constantly change. For example John A. Macdonald’s vision of sea to signing sea became reality when the CPR became reality.

Cont’d To pave the way to the west the federal government “negotiated” treaties with aboriginal groups. Traditional lands of the first nations became government property and many first nations peoples were moved to reserves.

Cont’d Even with the CPR finished the west wasn’t growing fast enough so Macdonald set up immigration offices to bring more people to Canada from European countries. As the west grew, new provinces were formed. Most of these non-English speaking immigrants chose to learn English and this made French a minority.

Reflect and Respond Do the reflect and respond questions on page 307 in your daily log.

French Canadian Nationalism Henri Bourassa was a member of parliament for Quebec and a strong supporter of equality between French and English. Fun Video Clip – French vs. English As immigration increased and Canada’s identity changed, Bourassa became increasingly anti British. Enough to say that French people should not have to fight in “Britain’s” war during WWI!

Contemporary Link Canada backs Quebecer nationhood: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6190162.stm

3 Choices French people believed they had three options as they became minorities within Canada. Accept their new position Promote Quebec as a a strong autonomous province within Canada Promote a vision of Quebec Sovereignty. Are these the only three options as people become minorities and how do you think Quebec has done?

Cont’d Quebec tried to increase its population to combat its’ minority status? What did this do? It increased the population but it also increased the wage gap as the majority of French families became relatively poor farming families (still rural – decision making power here?) Remember the Quiet Revolution? (Read page 309 to recap and read about Maurice Duplessis)

Immigration and the new Canada Need 3 readers for taking turns section on pg. 310 and then answer the “your turn” question in your daily log. Read about discrimination in Canada on pg. 311. Canada has a dark side to its history that it is important not to forget.

Aboriginal Rights It all comes down to self governance. How do we ensure that the treaties we made are actually honored and past injustices are righted? The Indian Act for example, was proposed to protect “Indian” rights as declared in the treaties but it was also designed for assimilation. The act labeled who was an “Indian” and protected their rights but they could not become full citizens unless they gave up their treaty rights. Also, the act was modified many times over the years and first nations people were rarely consulted about this.

Legacy of Canada's residential schools: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7438079.stm Residential Apology Video Clip Canada hears of native abuse pain: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7430270.stm

Founding Nations? Do the founding nations debate on page 316. Are there really only three founding nations (English, French, and First Nations)? First Nation Anthem first time: Akina Shirt Video

Chapter Review Do the think, participate, research , and communicate questions on page 318 & 319.