Essay Topics, Final Essay CHC2D
After you have chosen one of the following topics (approved by the teacher), you
will write a 500 – 750 word essay in MLA format on the topic. This is an
EXPOSITORY essay – in other words, you are giving information about your topic.
You should also explain WHY this was an important event in the history of Canada,
or why this person was an important figure to Canadians.
1. The Quiet Revolution in Quebec (p. 229)
2. The October Crisis (p. 231, 253)
3. Resurgence of Aboriginal Art (Bill Reid, Norval Morrisseau, Cape Dorset
printers) – p. 232, 234
4. George Manuel: Champion of Aboriginal Rights – p. 233
5. Creation of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women – 237
6. Marshall McLuhan: Communications Pioneer – p. 238
7. The Official Languages Act (Canada becomes Bilingual) – p. 248
8. Bill 101 in Quebec – Prohibiting Use of English – p. 249
9. Women and Social Justice – p. 255
10. Jeanne Sauvé – p. 257
11. The Just Society (Trudeau) – p. 255 etc.
12. The Unjust Society – p. 258 (First Nations answer to the White Paper)
13. The James Bay Power Project – p. 260
14. The Summit Series – p. 267 (hockey)
15. The Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and the Berger Report, p. 274
16. Referendums in Quebec (Separation) p. 282, 364
17. Bringing Home the Constitution – p. 285
18. The Sinking of the Ocean Ranger – p. 293
19. Canadians in Space – p. 298
20. Arctic Sovereignty – p. 305 (and see also the 50s, when Inuit were relocated)
21. Free Trade (or what brought down John Turner) – p. 319
22. The Collapse of the Soviet Union (and how it relates to Canada) p 328
23. Canada in the Gulf War - p. 329
24. Canada in Somalia – p. 330
25. Canada in Yugoslavia – p. 331
26. The Changing Role of Canada’s peacekeepers (various articles, including the
ones above)
27. The Collapse of the Fishery in NL – p. 336
28. The Oka Crisis – 341
29. Air India – p. 343
30. The Exxon Valdez – p. 343
31. The Montreal Massacre – 345
32. Meech Lake Accord – p. 349
33. Charlottetown Accord – p. 350
34. Canadian Musicians who made a difference (various) (Gordon Lightfoot, Joni
Mitchell, Neil Young, The Band, Bryan Adams, Shania, Celine Dion…)
35. Canadian Sports Heroes who made a difference (various) (Bobby Orr,
Donovan Bailey, Sydney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Big Ben (a horse??), Elvis
Stojko, Sandra Schmirler…)
36. Land Claims – 375
37. Residential Schools - 379
38. Pierre Trudeau (use index)
39. Brian Mulroney “ “
40. Jean Chretien “ “
41. Stephen Harper “ “
42. Ovide Mercredi “ “
43. In addition to the topics and people noted above, you may choose something,
or someone else to research. There are any number of Canadian artists,
musicians, human rights activists, environmentalists, political activists, who
may interest you.
Your essay will:
 be 500 – 750 words
 be in MLA format (MLA style headers, double-spaced, 12 point font, AND
ESPECIALLY IN-TEXT CITATIONS AND A WORKS CITED PAGE)
 have a solid thesis (check with me if you aren’t sure)
 use at least two sources
You will hand in:
 the essay
 two research notes
 a rough copy if you made one
You will have some lab time during the last week of
school before the holidays.
The essay is due: January 8
but I suggest you have it finished for January 6, so you
can concentrate on your culminating timeline activity!!
Hoorah!