What people, ideas, and events have helped build our nation?
Economy
- After the Second World war the population started consuming at a faster pace than in the 1920s
-People were purchasing entertainment goods like televisions, radios, automobiles etc.
- The United States started building some factories and industries to branch out their businesses
- The money went to the "parent company" which was in the United States. Canada benefitted from this because they also sold products and goods in these factories as well
This is significant because Canada is building a better bond with the United States. The United States is also one of Canada's trading partners.
Minority Group
Gay rights movement
In the late 1960's the LGBTQ community have been gaining rights
Women's Movement
Women created campaigns to show support equality, peace, women's representation and overall end violence against women
Women formed the National Action Committee in 1971. NAC's key victories was the inclusion of a clause guaranteeing the equality of women in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Many unions joined to fight for women's rights as well.
First Nation
Multiculturalism in Canada- Jan.1 1971
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau declared the principle of Multiculturalism in 1988 which included promoting diversity, recognizing rights for the First Nations, allowing French and English as Canada's two official languages.
On July 21,1988 the Conservatives passed the Canadian Multiculturalism Act which meant that as Canadian everyone would respect the culture, language, customs and religion.
The aim was to reinforce racial and cultural equality but with legal authority. Federal government established the Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship. This helped strengthen our national unity and bring Canadians together.
This is significant because multiculturalism can help our society grow culturally and economically. Multiculturalism in a country can help reduce racism because most ethnic groups will be working and living in the same area, they will eventually feel more connected to on another. Living with different cultures and religion they will benefits from it because they can learn about different cultures.
Immigration
There was four levels of government that are responsible for the immigration policy
The Department of Manpower and Immigration
1966-77
The Department of Citizenship and Immigration
1950-66 & 1977 to present
Ministry of Mines and Resources
1936-1949
The Canada Employment and Immigration Commission
Established in 1977
In 1968, Quebec was trying to get more French-speaking immigrants to come to their province
Quebec was the first province to have a special immigration agreement with the federal government
By 2017, all provinces and most territories have agreements that allows them to take in more immigrants to support their economic and social needs
After the Second World War, the immigration policy became more eased because of the change of social attitudes
In 1946, they have finally stopped banning the Chinese immigrants from immigrating to Canada
A new Immigration Act came up in 1952 that discriminated against non-Europeans and non-Americans
But in 1962 Ottawa ended the racial discrimination in the immigration system
In 1967, they introduced a point system that did not include race, colour or nationality as a factor but instead had skill abilities, education level and language skills etc.
By the 1980, they had a few factors for immigration which included the independent people that are applying on their own, refugees or displaced people,the people that already have immediate family in Canada,having a person sponsor you over to Canada, people with high employment skills, or people that are willing to start a business to help the economy
This is significant because immigrants help boost ties between Canada and the rest of the world. Having immigrants also help increase cultural diversity. Population growth is also good for maintaining labor forces and innovation and entrepreneurship which is what we need for a successful economy.
Technology
This is significant because all these events that happen led to Canada became the 4th country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005. It is now the 21 century and I think people have gain a better understanding about equality and rights.
Before this, homosexuality was illegal and the punishment was death. In 1957,Wolfenden report which recommended decriminalization. In 1967, the recommendations were took into consideration. Pierre Trudeau's government passed the Bill C-150 in May 1969. This help decriminalize gay sex.
During June 28, 1969 to July 1,1969 there were several Stonewall Riots that took place in New York. The LGBTQ community demonstrated violence towards a police raids. These acts of violence lead to the gay liberation movement and cause the United States to start to fight for the LGBTQ rights.
In the late 1970's, they removed the banning of gay men from immigrating and the Human Rights Code was established to stop discrimination towards sexual orientation.
Although rights were being given to the LGBTQ community, there were still police harassment occurring which became the Canada's Stonewall.
In the present day, women are protected for discrimination by the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
This is significant because the women in the late 1900 were still not satisfied with their rights and they decided to form a group to fight for what they want which was equality and social justice. This shows how Canadians are couragous and brave and they do not stop until they get what they want.
St. Lawrence Seaway
The St. Lawrence Seaway includes canals and channels that connect the Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean, St. Lawrence River all together. Allowed bulk goods to travel from continents to the Atlantic Ocean
This seaway puts a great impact for Canada and the United States because it helps provide a freight route for bulk commodities and it help turn Canada from an importer to an exporter for iron ore
This is significant because this seaway was built so cargo ships were able to have easy access to each country. This allowed importing and exporting goods in a more efficient way.The Seaway develops $34.6 billion economic activities and 227,000 jobs in both Canada and the United States.
Transportation
Thermoelectric stations
Thermoelectric stations were created to calm the demands in industries and growing cities for new hydroelectric projects.
Thermoelectric stations were built in the prairies area. But they continued to explore natural gas in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Trans-Canada Highway
The road was opened on July 30,1962. This road allowed Canadians to drive from St. John's, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia.
It is known as the longest national highway in the world.
This is significant because this highway is a good representation of what Canada has accomplished as a country. Also, Canada is known for building and having the longest national highway in the world.
Toronto Subway
This transportation system opened on March 30, 1954 and was the first subway to open in Canada.
This subway went from 12 stations and 7.4 km to 75 stations and over 76.9 km
This is significant because this subway is a big development for public transportation and is the first subway to be successfully built and is opened in Canada.