Social 20-2Social 20-2Social 20-2Social 20-2Chapter 13Chapter 13

Visions of CanadaVisions of Canada

Reviewing Related Issue #4

• Review page 286, and the Unit’s contents

• Volunteer to read page 287

Key Terms• Responsible government

Chapter Issue• How have visions of Canadian

identity evolved?• Volunteer to read page 291• Complete handout 4.13.4

“Analyzing Posters”

What is Canada?• Read page 292-293• Nationalism and national identity are

almost always linked• If a national identity is strong, it may

inspire nationalistic feelings – vice versa as well

• National identity involves a sense of belonging to a collective or community

• When a nation has a clearly defined identity, it will appeal to many different individuals and groups

Stories and National Identity

• In a country as large and diverse as Canada, finding a single, strong national identity may be difficult

• Central to national identity are the stories about people – how they live, their values, their humour, and their shared concerns.

Changing Visions of Canada

• Read page 294-295• Canadians have been trying to define Canada’s

identity since before Confederation.• Some common factors:

– Beliefs, values, and traditions– Identity begins with the country’s Aboriginal, French, and

British roots– Includes many identities– Often define themselves by what they are not– Is a frame of mind which enables people to imagine

themselves in someone elses shoes– Grab handout 4.13.5 “Differing Visions of Canada” and

start recording information

Canadian Identity and Geography

• “ survival” is the essence of Canadian identity

• Canadians are defined by Canada’s vast open spaces, its northern climate, and its small scattered population

• Winter

One Canada• Canadians want to live together as

a civic nations, regardless of their ethnic, cultural, language, and regional differences

• This civic nation is the nation-state that began at confederation

Pluralistic and Multicultural

• Federal government describes one element of Canada’s identity as ‘bilingual within a multicultural context”

• Some people believe that diversity is our identity• Canadians are free to maintain their traditional

culture and language – because Canada is a mosaic of identities

• In 2006 – Stephan Harper proclaimed that the Quebecois constitute a ‘nation within a united Canada’. Harpers statement acknowledged that Quebecois have collective identity that is different from that of other people of Canada

Vision of Responsible Government

• Read page 296-297• A government that would answer to the

people of Canada, not to the colony’s British governor.

• Make sure that the language and culture of Canada’s Francophone’s were to survive

Confederation• British North America Act – 1867• Two levels of representative and

responsible government• Federal level was to look after national

affairs• Provincial would manage their own

affairs• ‘ ensured Quebec could affirm and

promote the language and culture of its Francophone citizens’

Evolving Visions of Canada

• Please read page 299• Read page 299 and complete

handout 4.13.7 “Evolving Visions of Canada”

Challenges and Opportunities for Francophone's

• Read page 300• Immigration (early) – most

immigrants spoke and learned English in French areas therefore reducing the influence of Francophone's

• French soon came to believe they had three options:– Accept their new position in

Canada– Promote a vision of Quebec

as a strong, self-governing province within Canada

– Promote a vision of a sovereign Quebec

Growth of French-Canadian Nationalism

• Decades after confederation many Quebecois were suspicious of government policies that encouraged immigration

• Henri Bourassa was a Quebec leader who believed that Francophone culture must keep its equal status in Canada

• This meant he wanted control of their own affairs

• World War One – felt people whose heritage was French should not be required to fight Britain’s battles and also opposed conscription

Quiet Revolution• Read page 301• Maurice Duplessis / Renee Levesque• Fought for a more independent Quebec focussing on the

traditional values of church and community• Wanted to modernize Quebec by improving social programs

and the educational system• Wanted to affirm and promote Francophone culture in

Quebec• Wanted to take control of immigration, industry, language

laws, and some aspects of foreign policy• Pierre Trudeau vision of a United Canada led him to pass

the Official Languages Act in 1969 which protected the language rights of all Francophones in Canada

• Quebec still fights for distinct identity status

Not wanted in Canada• Please read pages 302-303• Chinese immigrants were welcomed to Canada to help build the railroad• In 1885, federal government introduced the Chinese Immigration Act

which imposed a head tax of $50 on every Chinese person who wanted to come to Canada

• By 1904 the tax had risen to $500 per person• By 1923 the government banned nearly all immigration from China• Black immigration from the United States experienced similar

discrimination• Wilfred Laurie banned the immigration of Blacks to Canada for one

whole year• Jews were denied immigration to Canada at the beginning of World War

Two• In 1962 the Immigration Act was Changed

– Canada open its doors to people from all over the world and finally in 1971 the federal government adopted a policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework

Ukrainian Experience• Read pages 304-305

Metis Self-government• Read page 306• Manitoba Act – created the province of Manitoba• Act recognized the French and English languages as

equal and upheld Aboriginal Rights and provided 566 500 hectares of land for the Metis people

• Disagreement over how to distribute the land caused delays

• As it delayed, immigrants flooded the region and soon the Metis were outnumbered

• Metis felt cheated and disagreements about self government continued

• 1885 – Louis Riel led an uprising and was later executed for leading the uprising and the Metis dream of self-determination was shattered

Treaties, the Indian Act, and Self-determination

• Read page 307• 1867 – parliament passed the Indian Act• Gave federal government complete control over the

lives of First Nations people• Defined who was and Indian or not• First Nations people were allowed to become full

citizens only if they gave up their treaty rights• Policy was designed to encourage assimilation• Over the years the Indian Act was changed several

times• Tribes are still settling land claims today• Tribes and groups still want self government especially

on reserves

Founding Nations Debate

• Read page 308-309• Complete handout 4.13.10 “ Some debates

about visions of Canada today”• Aboriginal view was ignored – only French and

English culture taught as founding cultures• “ Three founding culture” – new trend• This also ignores the contributions of

immigrants from countries other than France or Britain

Chapter 13 QUIZChapter 13 QUIZChapter 13 QUIZChapter 13 QUIZ