3. E. CANADA, 1982 TO THE PRESENTE Social, Economic, and Political Context Learning Goals: 1. We will describe some key political developments and/or government policies in Canada since 1982? 2. We will assess impact on the lives of different people in Canada?

4. Success Criteria: Using Historical Significance & Historical Perspective, we will describe what the following was and its impact on different Canadians: -the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement -the North American Free Trade Agreement -new political parties such as the Reform Party -New political parties such as the Green Party -the Goods and Services Tax -the Harmonized Sales Tax -Aboriginal rights in section 25 of the Constitution Act -fishing moratoria -the Montreal Protocol -the Kyoto Accord -the Civil Marriage Act

5. What was the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement? How did it affect the lives of different people in Canada? In 1987 under P.M. Brian Mulroney, Canada and the United States agreed to eliminate import tariffs on most products. Mulroney noted this would create more trade and result in productivity growth and higher incomes for Canadians. However, many Canadians lost their jobs when factories closed. They blamed profit-hungry companies who closed plants in Canada and then opened up new plants in United States where labour costs were cheaper.

6. What is the North American Free Trade Agreement? (NAFTA) How was its impact on different people? In 1993 NAFTA eliminated barriers to trade and investment between the U.S., Canada and Mexico by getting rid of tariffs on most exports between the three countries. Most of Canada and U.S. trade was already duty-free. Being able to compete in an ever- more-globalized world has benefited many Canadians. However, many Canadians loose their jobs when Canadian companies move to Mexico because labour costs are cheaper.

7. What did the Reform Party of Canada represent? What was the impact of this new political party on different people? The Reform Party was founded in 1987 by Preston Manning. It reflected Western Canada’s discontent with P.M. Muloney’s Progressive Conservative government. In 1993 and 1997, it replaced the Conservative Party as the leading right-wing party in Canada. The party campaigned on tax cuts, an end to the federal gun registration program, and traditional family values. Stephen Harper defeated Stockwell Day at the Canadian Alliance leadership election. The party was dissolved in 2000.

8. What did the Green Party represent? What was the impact of this new party? This Canadian federal political party started in 1983. Elizabeth May has led the party since 2006. In the 2011, federal election the party’s popular vote dropped below 4%. Its key principles include: ecological wisdom, non-violence, social justice, sustainability, participatory democracy, respect for diversity.

9. What was the Goods and Services Tax? What was the impact of the introduction of this tax? The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in 1991, by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney who claimed the GST would help the manufacturing industry export more competitively. The GST replaced the hidden 13.5% Manufacturers' Sales Tax (MST). This was very controversial because by 2008, Canadians had to pay 5% taxes on most goods and services.

10. What is the Harmonized Sales Tax? What was the impact of the introduction of this new tax? The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is a tax on goods and services in 5 provinces where both the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) have been combined into a single sales tax. Canadians in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edwards Island, Newfoundland and Labrador pay HST.

11. What were the Aboriginal rights listed in section 25 of the Constitution Act? What was the impact of these rights on different people? “The guarantee in this Charter of certain rights and freedoms shall not be construed as to abrogate or derogate from any aboriginal, treaty or other rights or freedoms that pertain to the aboriginal peoples of Canada including (a) any rights or freedoms that have been recognized by the Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763; and (b) any rights or freedoms that now exist by way of land claims agreements or may be so acquired.”

12. What was the fishing moratoria? What was the impact on different people? In 1992, the Canadian government imposed a moratorium on the Northern Cod fishery. After 500 years of fishing by Newfoundland & Labrador, as well as international fishing fleets, cod fish were almost extinct. Approximately 30,000 people lost their jobs and way of life.

13. What was the Montreal Protocol for Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer ? What was its impact on different people? In 1989, it was ratified by 197 countries and the European Union. It was the first universally ratified treaty. If this international treaty meets its goal, it is believed that the ozone layer will recover by 2050.

14. What was the Kyoto Accord? What was its impact on different people? This international agreement is associated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Canada was one of 37 countries who agreed to emission reduction targets starting from 2008 and ending in 2012. United States and China, the world’s largest emitters are not part of Kyoto. In 2010, Canada withdrew from Kyoto in order to avoid the $14 billion in penalties for not achieving its goal.

15. What was the Civil Marriage Act? What was its impact on different people? In 2005, under Prime Minister Paul Martin, the Civil Marriage Act enacted legislation which legalized same-sex marriage across Canada. When Bill C-36 became law, court decisions had already legalized same-sex marriage most provinces.