The Sixties : A Decade of Sweepj-ng ChanEes
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revolution began in 1960.
During the 1960's Quebec sought a more equitable
partnership with the rest of Canada and far more
control over the social, economic/ and political
decisi-ons that af f ected Quebec.
The prot.ection of the French language and culture
in Quebec became a prJ-mary concern for
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felt that only through separati_on
from the rest of Canada coul-d Quebec's interests
Some Quebeckers
be protected.
In fgOg the different separatist groups joined
fooefher to create a new nol'itir:al narfrr knntnrn
t.he Parti Quebecois; Rene Levesque was elected
IeaCer.
During the 1960's the FLQ, a mil-itarist
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terrorism tc attack symbols of British power in
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Canada hosted EXPO
'61, the very successful
world' s fair held i-n Montreal
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In 1958 Pierre Trudeau was elected as Liberal
leader; he called a quick electj-on to capitalize
L..i - popularrty.
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Despite polltical differences during the 1960's
Canadian anC American economies beqan to move
closer together.
The Autopact of 1965 allowed automotive parts to
cross the border without taxation and protected
the jobs of Canadian workers.
Canadian women began to challenge the traditional
and limited roles assiqned. t,o t.hem and demanded
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sixt,ies as the cal1s for peace, disarmament, and
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CANADA - CREATING A *JUST SOCIETY''
From the end of WWfi to 1960, several provinces had passed bills atternpting to
limit Racial discrimination, and to encourage fair employment practices.
In 1960, The Diefenbaker goYernilnent passed a national Biil of Rights, and
several other provinces did the sarne shortly afterwards.
At the same time many Social Securify.Acts had been passed which ranged frorn
providing unemployment insurance in L940, to old age securif,y in 1951, to
hospital insurance (Medicare) in 1957, and a pension plan in 1965.
The government also gave equalization payments to the poorer provinces in
order to raise their standard of living.
il AII these measures were intended to create a safe, and equal society for all.
I These measures became especially important in the 1970 when inflation
(increases in the price of goods), and an Oil Crisis helped cause unemployment.
These and other attempts to naake Canada a better place to live ciulminated in
the creation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which becarne a
part of our constitution in 1982. This paved the way for a certain level of civil,
human, social, and political rights in Canada. This became escpecialiy
important with the increase in immigration, and helped protect the rights of
newconners from racist policies.
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WOMEN'S RIGI{TS
- in 1967 the Royal Commission on the Statuspf-Women, concluded in 1970 that
many things had to be done in order to promote equalify.
- Women's organizations were forrned. In L972 the NAC or ltlational Action
Committee pushed for equal pay, and helped introduce a child tax credit.
- 1975 was declare International Wornen's Year by the Ilnited Nations in order to
promote equality, women's participation in all areas, like politics, and general
education of people on the new status of women.
- Although rvomen were said to be equal, they often hit an invisible ceiliug which
stopped thern from reaching top ennployment positions.
- Downsizing of cornpanies meant that many wornen lost their jobs, and cuts to
social programs which employ teachers, and nurses also hurt women, who were
often employed in the civil service.
-Equal rights for women were built into the charter and in 1988 Abortion was
legalized, allowing wornen to make decisions about their own bodies.
- Women began getting more high paying and well respected jobs. Kim Campbell
was Prime Minister for a short period in 1993, and more women then ever were
elected to parliarnent in t997.