The Massey Report & the policies of Trudeau

• Is having a distinctive Canadian culture important? Why or why not?
• Brainstorm as many Canadian singers, writers, actors, and visual artists, past or present, as you can.
– Do you know if any of them were active in the 1950s?
– Who were based in Canada for most or all of their career?

Royal Commission on the National
Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences:
The Massey Report
• Chaired by Vincent Massey
• Is our cultural sovereignty threatened?
• In 1951, concluded that Canada was threatened culturally by the USA
• Recommended the creation of cultural institutions such as the
National Library of Canada and other grant-giving government agencies.

1. Speculate about the impact on Canadian culture today if the CBC had not been established in the
1950s with a mandate to promote Canadian artists.
2. What other recommendations would you like to see in the Massey report?

Some benefit from the
Massey Report…

If you were to base your judgment only on these 1991 data, how successful would you think the Massey Report has been?
OK Trudeau we’re threatened now make us distinct

On October 8 th , 1971, the Federal government adopts a policy of Multiculturalism under Trudeau…
1. Advocate that society should consist of or at least allow and include, distinct cultural groups, with equal status
2. Federal funds $$$ given to distinct ethnic groups to help them preserve their cultures
The Result…
• 2007 University of Toronto study found that many non-white immigrants do not identify themselves as being Canadian

Here’s to you Canada,
Here’s to your hockey hair, your long underwear, and to multicouloured money.
Here’s to sayin’ please, your ducks and geese and to always bein’ funny.
Here’s to your open spaces away from the rat races, and a beer that quences the thirst.
Here’s to bein’ proud and sayin’ it out loud, even when you don’t come first.
Here’s to your pretty girls, your black coloured squirrels and a flag that stands so free.
Here’s to different races from different places
Who love this country like me.
But most of all, here’s to standing tall and sayin’ like a true Acadian,
I love this land, I love this country, and
I AM CANADIAN

1. Immigrants are good for Canada
2. Only French and English speaking immigrants should be allowed into Canada
3. Immigrants should be told where to live
4. Immigrants with money should be let into Canada
5. Applicants who have family in Canada should be allowed to immigrate but can’t go on welfare for 2 years
6. Melting pots are better than mosaics
7. All immigrants should be made to do time in the military