-
Period: to
Timeline
-
Duplessis gains power
Quebec is controlled by Premier Maurice Duplessis and the Union Nationale. A strong nationalist, he wanted Quebec to be a seperate nation altogether, and opposed the federal government. His regime was known to be easily bribed, with an event known as the "Duplessis Orphans", where thousands of orphaned children were falsely certified as mentally ill and put into asylums. This would be the start of "the Great Darkness." -
Indian Act amendmants
With changes brought into the Indian Act, it allowed many things: firstly, women gained the right to vote in band electiosn. Potlatches and wearing traditional garb were no longer illegal. Although there were still many flaws, this was a first step in bringing Canada together. -
Death of Duplessis
Maurice Duplessis passes away after a series of strokes from visiting the Iron Ore Company in Shefferville. An end to the "Great Darkness." -
Canadian Bill of Rights
John Diefenbaker's Canadian Bill of Rights passed, giving various fundamental human rights. This also allowed Aboriginal peoples the right to vote. -
Jean Lesage takes over Quebec
After Duplessis' death in 1959, Jean Lesage and the Liberals took over Quebec. Their slogan was that it was "Time for Change." He rooted out corruption, raised wage and increased pensions, and jobs/contracts were now reliant on skill, rather than nepotism. He also began to modernize the various faces of the province, including the economy, policits, etc. With these new attitudes, the influences of the past began to decline. This was the so-called "Quiet Revolution." Quebec became part of Canada. -
Bilingualism and Bicultralism Commission
Prime Minister Lester Pearson, felt that Canada would be in danger if French Canadains did not feel at home. As a result, he called for the Royal Commission of Bilingualism and Bicultralism. The Commission recommended Canada become more bilingual, with adopting French and English as their languages, as well as adopting a strategy to promote languages across the nations. It revealed many truths. -
The Flag Debate
Some Canadians at the time found that the previous flag, the Red Ensign was too British for a modern Canada. As a result, Pearson decided to bring in a new flag, to represent Canada. After a fierce debate, the flag we know today was brought in. Although the French Canadians wanted a new flag, they still fly the Fleur-de-Lis, rather than the new one they brought up, a bit ironic. -
National Indian Brotherhood formed
Though the National Indian Council was created in 1961 to represent the indigenous people of Canada, it quickly collapsed as multiple parties within it refused to act together in 1967. As a result, the non-status and Metis groups formed the Native Council of Canada, and the other groups formed the National Indian Brotherhood. They would go to be a major player representing Native American politics. -
The "White Paper" proposal
In an effort to address several issues surrounding the segregation of the Aboriginal people, Pierre Trudeau proposed the "White Paper," something that would radically change how the First Nations wre treated. It would end their special status, and put them on equal footing with normal Canadians. This was met with intense rejection, and would bring in a quick rebuttal from the National Indian Brotherhood. -
Residential School system abandoned
In 1969, the Deparment of Indian Affairs took control of the system, removing church involvement. They also let Aboriginal children live with their families, and began hiring more qualified staff. Eventually, it would be phased out altogether, and students would begin attending public schools. A very strong step from abandoning segregation. -
Official Languages Act
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau felt that the citizens of Quebec needed stronger reasons to believe in Canada. As a result, he passed the Official Languages Act, making Canada bilingual. All federal government agencies were required to give services in both French and English, and more Francophones became members of the government. He would provide money to the youths to promote language diversity among the citizens. This was a good step forward in unifying Canada. -
The "Red Paper" is presented.
The National Indian Brotherhood had a different vision for the Aboriginals. They wanted a seperate government for Aboriginal affairs, and presented their paper known as "Citizens Plus", or the Red Paper. Trudeau would back down from his proposal. While not entirely helping unify Canada, it did settle down tensions at the time, and would lead to varying changes improving the situation of the Natives. -
The October Crisis
In October 1970, members of the FLQ kidnapped a British diplomat. In exchange for his release, they asked for the release of various FLQ members as well as reading the FLQ manifesto. The Quebec Premiere Robert Bourassa agreed, but refused to let out any prisoners. As a result, the FLQ kidnapped Pierre Laporte. Shocked, Prime Minster Trudeau imposed the War Measures Act, and went on to extreme measures to capture the FLQ. While it did root out seperatists, it would bring up some problems. -
Berger Commission
The Inuit, Metis, and Indian Brotherhood lobbied for the halt of construction of oil and natural gas pipelines that would have run through the land. Scared of the environmental consequences, they demanded a study to properly understand the issues it would bring up. This would lead to the Berger Commission, which would reccommend that construction be halted for 10 years to host an environmental study. This helped show that natives would be heard. -
Bill 101 passed in Quebec
With Parti Quebecois' victory during the election, Rene Levesque would bring in some radical changes. Bill 101, or the "Charter of the French Language", made it so French would be the only language of the province, with employees, commercial signs, and children all required to be learning, or in French. While many Francophones welcomed the law, others felt it was far too radical, too seperatist. This was a motion that threatened for seperation. -
Quebec Referendum
Rene Levesque would call for a referendum in 1980, on whether Quebec would stay as a part of Canada, or become a sovereignty-association. Prime Minister Trudeau would then promise that Quebec would become an equal partner in the Confederation, while being a distinct society in Canada. This vote would go 60-40, in favour of staying with Canada. This was an important step in creating a unique Canadian identity. -
National Energy Program introduced
In an effort to deal with the oil crisis and rising gas prices, the Liberals introduced a new National Energy program. It's goals were to reduce consumption of oil, protect Canadians from the rising oil prices, and make Canada self-sufficient for their oil. It began funding Canadian petroleum companies to find sites in the Arctic and Newfoundland. Alberta reacted badly, and though in 1984 the prices dropped, it would form a crack in the relations in the West. -
Assembly of First Nations formed
The successor to National Indian Council, the Assembly of First Nations was formed to represent Aboriginal peoples in discussions and dealings with the federal government. This would be an important step for the Aboriginal's self government, due to their unique status among Canada. This would help settle many conflicts that were an issue in the past, and help bring Canada together. -
The New Constitution
In an effort to further ensure Canada's independant identity, Pierre Trudeau wanted to patriate the Constitution so that only Canadians could change it. There were many arguements discussing the concerns the various provinces had, and Trudeau agreed to put in a notwithstanding clause. This clause allowed Quebec to be excluded from amendments, greatly angering many Quebecois. They would refuse to sign the new Constitution, but Trudeau would go on to push it, creating a rift between the French. -
Meech Lake Accord dies
Though many Canadians considered the issue over, the new leader of the Conservatives Brian Mulroney called for more debate. He would propose a series of amendments that put Quebec as a distinct society. However, there were many critics going against this, and eventually in June of 1990, it would die. Aboriginals also did not support this, as the amendments did not recognize the Natives as unique. This was seen as an insult to Quebec, and cause great seperatists feelings among various Quebecois. -
Oka Confrontation
When the town council of Oka, Quebec decided to expand a golf course into Mowhawk territory, things got violent. Aboriginals blockaded the land, prompting the mayor to call for a police response. Gunfire would break out, an officer killed. Volent confrontations among the Natives and the police ensued, until the Canadian Forces were brought in, where negotiations lasted until the Mowhawks were given their land back. This would serve as a reminder that today's citizens were not the only residents. -
Charlottetown Referendum
In an effort to revive the Meech Lake accord, Prime MInister Mulroney would form a small committee to change some of the amendments proposed in the Meech Lake accord. The Charlottetown Accord was put into national referendum, where it was struck down, albiet very narrowly, with a 54.3% vote for no. Various provinces had problems with it, from B.C, to Quebec. Still, people wondered what would be a proper solution to the issue of the new Constitution. -
Quebec Referendum
The Parti Quebecois were once again elected in 1994, bringing up more separatist debates. In 1995, Premiere Jacques Parizeau would call for another provincial referendum on sovereignty in Quebec. The vote was counted: 49.4% in favour of seperation. This close vote would lead to many of the future leaders of Canada putting extra effort to ensure that the idea of seperation would die down. Their future efforts would bring Canada together. -
Delgamuluukw Case
The Nisga'a claimed their land, and brought their dispute into court. What is important, is that the court ruled that Aborigianl groups could claim ownership of land if they oculd prove they occupied land before the Canadian government claimed soveignty. This placed weight on oral history, rather than written history, and would serve as a precedent for future cases. -
Creation of Nunavut
With self-government and land claims an issue, the largest negotiation made is Nunavut. The Inuit were given political control over this new territory, which covers more than 2 million square kilometers of land in the eastern Arctic. Land claims and self-government will continue to be important in our current times, and making peace with all the residents of Canada will continue to be critical.nunavnusdfsdfsdf -
Nisga'a Treaty recieves Royal Assent
After many negotiations, the Nisga'a treaty allows the NIsga'a residents in B.C to obtain nearly 2,000 square kilomeeters of land, and also various cash benefits. They are effectively taken out of the Indian Act, and are no longer exempt to paying taxes, as well as not allowed to change the treaty in the future. They are effectively just normal citizens of Canada, and free of their previous limitations. This is a good step in creating equality.
