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The Conquest (Battle of the Plains of Abraham)
The Conquest represents the British military conquering New France during the Seven Years War, that ended with the Treaty of Paris. Effective by the treaty, France had to give up its territories in mainland North America (New France); this ended any foreign military threat that France had from Britain. Tensions between anglophone and francophone have continued to this day. -
Royal Proclomation
Issued by King George III, following Great Britain's acquisition of French territory after the 7 years war. Aim was to establish a basis of government administrations over territories. Additionally, the proclamation established a constitutional framework for the negotiation of treaties with the Aboriginals. The Royal Proclamation explicitly states that Aboriginal title has existed and continues to exist, and that all land would be considered Aboriginal land until ceded by treaty. -
Indian Act First Created
The Indian Act was presented as a way to protect First Nations, who had been guaranteed treaties, but it was also developed to encourage the assimilation of First Nations. The act defined who was a status "Indian" and denied full citizenship rights to those who qualified as status "Indians'; "Indians" could only become full citizens if they gave up their treaty rights. This act gave the Canadian government control over every aspect of First nations people (ex. their education). -
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Indian Act
Repealed in 1951, and replaced with the act we have today, though it has been amended several times. -
Chinese Head Tax Start
Many Chinese were welcomed into Canada since Navvies were needed to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1885, to discourage the Chinese from coming, the federal government introduced the Chinese Immigration Act. This act started with imposing a $50 fee, to $100 in 1900, and eventually reached 500 by 1904. Finally, in 1923, the government banned nearly all Chinese immigration to Canada (with exceptions such as diplomats for example). Steven Harper has since apologized for it in 2006. -
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Chinese Head Tax
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Conscription Crisis During WWI
The conscription crisis of WWI was a political and military crisis, mainly caused by disagreement over whether Canadian men should be conscripted to fight. English Canadians supported the war effort the most as they had stronger ties to the British empire than some anglophones and allophones had. Led by Henri Bourassa, Francaphones Quebecois had the strongest opposition, and felt their only loyalty was to Canada. This crisis has brought about many issues between Francophones and Anglophones. -
Canada Adopt Official Multiculturalism
Developed because the charter of the government was changing as immigration policies were starting to welcome immigrants from all parts of the world in the second half of the 1900s and to counter the Quebec separatist movement. Canada became the first country to adopt multiculturalism as official government policy. Initiated under the government of Pierre Trudeau, it was affirmed through the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) and enhanced in the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1988). -
Bill 101 is Passed into Law in Quebec
Proposed by Camille Laurin who was the Minister of Cultural Development under the Parti Quebecois government. Defined French, which was the language of the majority at the time, as the official language of government and of the courts in the province of Quebec. Additionally, the bill made French the normal and habitual language in Quebec's workplace. Since 1977, it has been amended more than six times and aroused controversy over issues like the use of French on commercial signs. -
The NEP is Implemented
By 1980 the cost of oil had risen to $34 a barrel from $14, making inflation a threat again. Canadian manufacturers, as well as consumers across the country faced high energy bills. In response, Trudeau issued the National Energy Program, which was designed to make Canada self-sufficient for energy, reduce foreign ownership, and protect Canadians from high energy costs. Alberta was outraged and said the NEP would prevent Alberta from benefiting, and seriously harm the oil and gas industry. -
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NEP
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Quebec Refuses to Sign Constitution
Quebec refused to sign the constitution for multiple reasons. One of the main reasons, was that with the new amending formula, Quebec would lose its veto over constitutional changes it doesn't agree with. Secondly, a clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms would have meant the end of Quebec's Bill 101, by protecting English language rights in Quebec. The Meech Lake Accord, in 1992, was Mulroney's attempt at bringing Quebec into constitution by basically assuaging Quebecois critiques. -
Supreme Court Determines that Turbans can be Worn with the RCMP Uniform
Baltej Dillhon was accepted into the RCMP program, however, the force wanted him to cut his hair, shave his beard, and remove his turban so he could wear the Stetson which had been apart of the Mountie uniform since 1873. Many Canadians turned against him, exclaiming that traditional Mountie uniform was more important than religious requirements. He argued that wearing a turban was his religious duty, and under reasonable accommodation, the government allowed all Sikh officers to wear a turbans. -
The Second Referendum is Held to Decide if Quebec Should Separate from Canada
Quebecois have a long history with contending nationalist loyalties in Canada, with the second referendum forcing them to choose between their loyalty to Quebec and their loyalty to Canada. Sovereignists believe that Quebec should take control of their own "destiny", while federalists believe Quebecois identity is inseparable from Canadian identity. The turnout of 93.5% at the referendum was exceptionally high and the vote ended up being extremely close;the federalists won with 50.2% to 49.2%. -
Canada Apologizes for Residential Schools
Standing in the house of commons, on behalf of the government of Canada, with residential school survivors and indigenous leaders there, Stephen Harper issued the apology. To take a part from his speech, "The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the Aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. We are sorry." This followed by remarks of Stephane Dion, then the liberal leader, who acknowledged his party's complicity in residential schools.
