1. Visions of Canada
Theme 4 – SS 20-1

2. Contents: Early Visions of Canada Immigration leads to pluralism
Aboriginal Concerns

3. Early Visions of Canada
Historically, Canada evolved from a desire for independence, freedom and self- determination
Originally – Canada was a set of colonies controlled by Britain
Responsible government – an idea that a Canadian Government should be responsible to the people of Canada first, and Britain second – proposed by Louis LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin in the 1840’s

4. LaFontaine (French) and Baldwin (British) had to put aside their own cultural differences to develop this idea – provided the foundation for the Anglophone-Francophone model of cooperation that would later create the country of Canada
Responsible Gov’t achieved in 1848

6. Confederation 1867
Canada became a country of 4 provinces under the leadership of our first Prime Minister John A. Macdonald
Reasons for confederation – join together for defence (fear of an American invasion) and to share in each other’s wealth
British North America (BNA) Act of 1867 – Canada’s first constitution – divided governing power between the Federal (national) government and Provincial (regional) governments

7. Sir John A Macdonald

8. Canada expands!
Opportunities created – more territory for Canada as more provinces/territories are added both west and east – more wealth, resources, etc. – a united nation from sea to sea!
Challenges created – French in Quebec felt threatened by a larger British population and immigrants from other parts of the world – gave rise to Quebec nationalism and separatism – a threat to a united Canada!

9. A nation of nations
When British citizens did not show an interest to settle Western Canada in the early 1900’s, people from the Ukraine, Germany, Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe came over
Later, immigrants from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Central and South America would come to Canada
This diversity of cultures, languages and religions paved the way for Canada to adopt its policy of multiculturalism in the early 1970’s – a policy still in place today!

10. Aboriginal Concerns
Adding territory in the west for Canada meant opening it up for new settlers – land would be taken from Aboriginals for this
Aboriginals moved to reserves – this would later result in land claims disputes with the Federal government
Creation of “the Indian Act” – gave the gov’t full control over natives and prevented them from being full Canadian citizens – restricted to the reserves

11. The Struggle for Manitoba
Manitoba was created from lands purchased from the Hudson Bay Company
Most of this land was inhabited by Metis people – people of mixed native and French descent
These people were never asked if they wanted to join Canada – their land was simply sold to Canada
Result – rebellions lead by Louis Riel – fought against Canadian forces
Riel was eventually caught, tried and executed by the Canadian government
The French saw him as a hero who stood up against the English

12. Louis Riel and his trial

13. Asserting Aboriginal Rights
Natives today say that want to determine their own lives after being marginalized by Canadian governments throughout the years
Recognition of their unique place in Canada written into Canada’s modern Constitution of 1982 has empowered them to seek:
More autonomy (independence and self gov’t)
Resolutions to their land claims and treaties – many groups want control of their traditional lands back

15. Quebec Nationalism
Fears of the loss of French culture and language resulted in the “Quiet Revolution” in Quebec in the 1960’s – a non-violent awakening of French Nationalism
Quebecers became active promoters and defenders of their language and culture
Rise of separatism as a political movement occurred – lead to the election of separatist provincial gov’t in Quebec
Creation of French language laws (Bill 101, Bill 178) to ensure that French remain the dominant language in Quebec