By: Melyssa Barakat and Nigel Mathanda.

 Due to the large amount of English speaking provinces (which have joined confederation) the power and influence of Quebecois began to decline  As a result of their status as a shrinking minority, many Quebec Francophones came to believe that they had 3 options: ~ Accept their new position within Canada ~ Promote a vision of Quebec as a strong, autonomous province within Canada ~ Promote a vision of sovereign Quebec. Languages in Canada: French: % % % English: % % % Other: % % %

 Many Francophones believed that if most immigrants were integrating into the Anglophone society that they would be outnumbered, in many cases they probably thought that it would threaten their position as equal partners in confederation  Henri Bourassa (member of Parliament, ) that equality between Francophone and Anglophone cultures in Canada was essential if Francophones were to continue to support the confederation.  Francophones were strongly against conscription (Forced military service). This started to strain the relationship between Canada and Quebec itself. Many Francophones believed that their interests were being ignored.

 Quebec nationalism is rooted in the desire of Francophone Quebecois to affirm and promote their French Identity  Maurice Duplessis (Quebec Premier) focused Quebecois on the traditional values of the church and community, by the time he died many Quebecois were ready to embrace the Quiet Revolution  Francophones wanted to promote the French language and culture  To achieve their goal, they believed they must control immigration, social programs, industry, job creation, and foreign policy  Although in 1968, Trudeau was elected Prime Minister and he believed in “two official languages and a pluralist society” and passed a language act as well.

 Until the 1960s, Canadian politics favored immigrants from Northern Europe and the United States  Many Immigrants felt that they were excluded from visions of Canada and were not regarded as Canadians, even when they had been born in Canada or had lived in Canada for many years 

 The perspective of 3 students: ~Harley, Kainai Nation “ My Grandmother tells me how her culture and language were stolen when the government forced her to go to residential school. Canada hasn’t always served the needs of the Kanai- or even taken the needs of my people into consideration.” ~Rick, Fort McMurray “ One thing I like about the states is that nearly everyone wants to be part of a nation, this isn't true of Canada. So many groups want to have their own identity or to separate that its hard to keep the county together.” ~Jane, Calgary “ People talk about Canada as a multicultural country, but this vision doesn’t match the reality- and the reality sure doesn’t serve my needs.”  Every individual has different views towards Canada and meeting the needs of its people, but within those quotes it is clear that most of the time they are not met.

 Chinese immigrants were welcomed to Canada to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway  Although in 1885 the federal government introduced the Chinese Immigration Act which imposed a head tax of 50$ on Chinese people who want to come to Canada, the tax kept on increasing throughout the years, and finally the government banned immigration from China  Chinese Canadians, as well as immigrants from other Asian Countries, were not allowed to vote or to hold certain jobs until after world war II  Chinese people also suffered discrimination, which helped them become closer because they turned to each other for support  Black Immigrants also suffered discrimination, Prime Minister Laurier, even banned immigrations for a year  Discriminating went on for many years, but finally in 1962 changes to the immigration act opened doors for people all over the world  Despite this policy many Canadians continue to believe that their needs are not being met.

 Aboriginal nationalism revolves around the rights to self- determination, to self-government, to their relationship with the land and to traditional ways of life  Many Aboriginals have argued that the treaties give them the right to govern themselves  John A. Macdonald had a vision to expand Canada because of the purchase of Rupert's Land From Hudson Bay company, which ignored the views of the Métis people  Macdonald pushed the Manitoba Act through parliament, which recognized the French and English languages as equal, upheld, Aboriginal rights and provided land specifically for Métis people  Métis were outnumbered by people of European Heritage because settlers started arriving, The Métis felt cheated and disagreements began  Today the Constitution recognizes the Métis as an Aboriginal people with a common history and that they have re-emerged as a nation that desires self-determination 

 The Indian Act was passed in 1876, which gave the government control over every aspect of the lives of First Nations  This act defined who was an “Indian” and denied full citizenship rights to “Indians”. First Nations were allowed to become citizens, if they gave up their treaty rights  Treaties had also encouraged assimilation  Now a days everything is changing, Many first nations are in the process of settling land claims which often involve asserting their rights to traditional land and to govern themselves  Nisagas challenged the government in court. This action went to Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled in 1973 that Aboriginal rights and title to land exist even if the government does not recognize them.

There is not a particular answer regarding whether or not Canada meets people’s needs, because every individual has a different perspective towards their thoughts on Canada. Throughout the power points, we have shown various examples, past experiences of Canadians, treaties, self-determination, immigration of Canadians, and other cultures, which have all helped us understand more on whether Canada did meet the needs of the people. ~ Thank you ~