Social Changes: Baby Boomers With the return home of soldiers from Europe, families were reunited – couples decided that it was time for them to start a family… – No longer facing the uncertainty of service overseas, coupled with the financial stability of the growing economy Canada’s population “boomed” Canada’s population soared from 12 million in 1946, to 18 million in – Now we are faced with an aging population…

Social Changes: Changing Immigration Policy a)Displaced Persons: After the war, thousands of European displaced persons arrived in Canada – These were people forced from their homelands due to the war or Soviet Expansion b)Immigration Act of 1952: 1948, Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent set up the Department of Citizenship and Immigration – The subsequent immigration act gave extensive powers to the minister of immigration – Decided at this time the practice of barring immigrants from entering Canada based on their ethnic origin would continue c)Demand for Immigrants: this all changed as the 1950s Canada’s demand for immigrant labour was high – doors were then swung open

Social Changes: Social Welfare in CAN & Overseas a)Social Security: Unemployment Insurance Act passed in 1940, along with family allowances, or “baby bonuses” were introduced in – Canadian Government had begun to accept social security as a government responsibility – a result of the Great Depression b)The Colombo Plan: 1950s, CAN gov’t implemented a foreign aid initiative – Built factories and infrastructure in Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka (all Commonwealth companies)

Social Welfare in CAN & Overseas II c)La Francophonie: joined by CAN, this was a plan that gave development aid to West Africa – Was a link between former French colonies, facilitating social and cultural changes. Allowed for the establishment of political, economic, and social structures; was a bilateral aid program needed post WWII. ACCT: 1970, treaty signed by over 20 French-speaking countries. The Agency for Cultural and Technical Co- operation. – This was the first major organization developed by La Francophonie – Canada was a founding member of ACCT

Social Changes: Entertainment Following the end of the war, Canadians went on buying sprees and purchased consumer goods like televisions – By 1960s, watching TV became a favorite family past time The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a government owned Crown Corporation, bought American TV shows, and began to televise “Hockey Night in Canada”

Social Changes: The Era of Protest 1960s – the baby boomers had become “teenagers” Teen Culture developed which didn’t trust anyone over 30, and was looking to change established traditions – Canadian teens promoted a counterculture against the “Establishment”…aka “the man…” Students began to challenge authority in schools and universities – Protests arose over the rights of aboriginal nations and black Native Americans; demonstrations arose over nuclear arms; American interference in Canadian affairs, and the Vietnam War. – Civil rights movements – led by public figures such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X – led to anti-racist legislation and improved civil rights for African Americans… subsequently, black Canadians succeeded in lobbying for improved rights as well

Social Changes: Women’s Movement Similar to civil rights movements, baby boomers began to demand improved rights for women. Women’s Liberation Movement became popular in the 1960s – Included changes to employment practices, life choices, and politics. Post WWII many women were laid off from their wartime jobs; some of these women wanted to establish a balance between a career and responsibilities at home – Women in workforce went from 18% in 1921, to 39% in 1971

Social Changes: Changing Values Life in Canada was becoming more liberal in the 1960s Laws were passed in Parliament regarding abortion, homosexuality, and divorce – Their was more control granted to people in terms of their life choices People began to challenge “old” ideas and wonder about new things – Future of Canada, CAN USA relationship, and the environment

Social Changes: Expo ‘67 Expo ‘67 was a world fair held in Montreal, attracting visitors from around the world. Held in conjunction with Canada’s 100 th birthday, it was a means to show what we had accomplished in that time – Kings, queens, princesses presidents, and politicians from all around the world President of France, General de Gaulle, following a speech to the crowd, shouted “Vive le Quebec! Vive le Quebec libre!” – Long live Quebec! Long live a free Quebec! This did not go over well with PM Lester B. Pearson; fuelled the tensions between French & Canadian relations

Social Changes: Trudeaumania Along with the atmosphere of social change and rebellion of the 1960s, there was a wanting for political changes. – 1968, Pierre Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party, and also PM of Canada French-Canadian: thought he would address Quebec’s concerns Youthful, casual, and stylish: Drove fast cars, cool under pressure, and scholarly People swarmed around him: His political rallies were like rock concerts Trudeau, and Trudeaumania was as a result of his Charisma; he was Canada’s first PM who has this “elusive” quality