By: Melyssa Barakat and
Nigel Mathanda.
Due to the large amount of English speaking provinces (which
have joined confederation) the power and influence of
Quebecois began to decline
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As a result of their status as a shrinking minority, many Quebec
Francophones came to believe that they had 3 options:
~ Accept their new position within Canada
~ Promote a vision of Quebec as a strong,
autonomous province within Canada
~ Promote a vision of sovereign Quebec.
Languages in Canada:
French: 1867- 31% 1931- 27% 2001- 23%
English: 1867- 61% 1931- 56% 2001- 60%
Other: 1967- 8% 1931- 17% 2001- 18%
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Many Francophones believed that if most immigrants were
integrating into the Anglophone society that they would be
outnumbered, in many cases they probably thought that it
would threaten their position as equal partners in confederation
Henri Bourassa (member of Parliament, 1896-1932) that equality
between Francophone and Anglophone cultures in Canada was
essential if Francophones were to continue to support the
confederation.
Francophones were strongly against conscription (Forced
military service) . This started to strain the relationship between
Canada and Quebec itself. Many Francophones believed that
their interests were being ignored.
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Quebec nationalism is rooted in the desire of Francophone
Quebecois to affirm and promote their French Identity
Maurice Duplessis (Quebec Premier) focused Quebecois on the
traditional values of the church and community, by the time he
died many Quebecois were ready to embrace the Quiet
Revolution
Francophones wanted to promote the French language and
culture
To achieve their goal, they believed they must control
immigration, social programs, industry, job creation, and foreign
policy
Although in 1968, Trudeau was elected Prime Minister and he
believed in “two official languages and a pluralist society” and
passed a language act as well.
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Until the 1960s, Canadian politics favored immigrants from
Northern Europe and the United States
Many Immigrants felt that they were excluded from visions of
Canada and were not regarded as Canadians, even when they
had been born in Canada or had lived in Canada for many years
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The perspective of 3 students:
~Harley, Kainai Nation
“My Grandmother tells me how her culture and language were stolen when the
government forced her to go to residential school. Canada hasn’t always served the needs of
the Kanai- or even taken the needs of my people into consideration.”
~Rick, Fort McMurray
“One thing I like about the states is that nearly everyone wants to be part of a
nation, this isn't true of Canada. So many groups want to have their own identity or to
separate that its hard to keep the county together.”
~Jane, Calgary
“People talk about Canada as a multicultural country, but this vision doesn’t match
the reality- and the reality sure doesn’t serve my needs.”
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Every individual has different views towards Canada and meeting the
needs of its people, but within those quotes it is clear that most of the
time they are not met.
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Chinese immigrants were welcomed to Canada to help build the
Canadian Pacific Railway
Although in 1885 the federal government introduced the Chinese
Immigration Act which imposed a head tax of 50$ on Chinese people
who want to come to Canada, the tax kept on increasing throughout the
years, and finally the government banned immigration from China
Chinese Canadians, as well as immigrants from other Asian Countries,
were not allowed to vote or to hold certain jobs until after world war II
Chinese people also suffered discrimination, which helped them
become closer because they turned to each other for support
Black Immigrants also suffered discrimination, Prime Minister Laurier,
even banned immigrations for a year
Discriminating went on for many years, but finally in 1962 changes to
the immigration act opened doors for people all over the world
Despite this policy many Canadians continue to believe that their
needs are not being met.
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Aboriginal nationalism revolves around the rights to selfdetermination, to self-government, to their relationship with the land
and to traditional ways of life
Many Aboriginals have argued that the treaties give them the right to
govern themselves
John A. Macdonald had a vision to expand Canada because of the
purchase of Rupert's Land From Hudson Bay company, which ignored
the views of the Métis people
Macdonald pushed the Manitoba Act through parliament, which
recognized the French and English languages as equal, upheld,
Aboriginal rights and provided land specifically for Métis people
Métis were outnumbered by people of European Heritage because
settlers started arriving, The Métis felt cheated and disagreements
began
Today the Constitution recognizes the Métis as an Aboriginal people
with a common history and that they have re-emerged as a nation that
desires self-determination
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The Indian Act was passed in 1876, which gave the government control
over every aspect of the lives of First Nations
This act defined who was an “Indian” and denied full citizenship
rights to “Indians”. First Nations were allowed to become citizens, if
they gave up their treaty rights
Treaties had also encouraged assimilation
Now a days everything is changing, Many first nations are in the
process of settling land claims which often involve asserting their
rights to traditional land and to govern themselves
Nisagas challenged the government in court. This action went to
Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled in 1973 that Aboriginal rights
and title to land exist even if the government does not recognize them .
There is not a particular answer regarding whether or not Canada meets
people’s needs, because every individual has a different perspective
towards their thoughts on Canada.
Throughout the power points, we have shown various examples, past
experiences of Canadians, treaties, self-determination, immigration of
Canadians, and other cultures, which have all helped us understand more
on whether Canada did meet the needs of the people.
~ Thank you ~