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1755 - Acadians are exiled from their homes
Acadians are banished from their homelands in 1755.
Over 10,000 Acadians were forcibly evacuated from their homeland (present-day Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) by the British during what is known as the "Great Upheaval." -
1759- The Conquest (Battle on the Plains of Abraham)
A pivotal moment in Canadian history, this fight in Quebec during the Seven Years' War resulted in British control of New France. -
1763 - First Nations sovereignty is determined by the Royal Proclamation.
The Royal Proclamation, which acknowledged Indigenous lands and stated that only the Crown could negotiate land treaties with First Nations, was issued by the British government. -
1774 - The Quebec Act is passed
The act granted religious freedom and restored French civil law in Quebec, protecting the rights of Francophone Canadians under British rule. -
1839- Lord Durham's report promotes the Francophone colonists' assimilation
In order to integrate French Canadians into British culture, Lord Durham suggested combining Upper and Lower Canada into a single province. -
1867: The BNA Act is passed, establishing Canada as a nation-state.
After the passage of the British North America Act, which is now called the Constitution Act, 1867, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia were merged into the Dominion of Canada. The foundation for Canada's future growth and independence was built by this act, which also established the federal system of government. -
1876- The Indian Act is first drafted
With the creation of the Indian Act, Canada's legislation pertaining to Indigenous peoples were consolidated. It significantly curtailed their autonomy and rights. -
1885- Chinese immigration is discriminated against by the Chinese Head Tax
Following the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canadian government implemented a head tax on Chinese immigrants in an effort to deter immigration. -
1890s - Manitoba Schools Question becomes an issue in the federal election
The rights of French-speaking Catholics in Manitoba were challenged in a political and cultural struggle over funding for Catholic schools. -
1917: The World War One conscription crisis
Protests and a rift between English and French Canadians resulted from the federal government's introduction of mandatory military service. -
1927 - Law bans fundraising for First Nations land claims
The federal government amended the Indian Act, making it illegal for First Nations to raise funds for legal battles over land claims, restricting their ability to seek justice. -
1960- The Aboriginal Rights White Paper
After much criticism, the federal government's proposal to terminate the unique legal connection between Indigenous peoples and Canada was eventually rejected. -
1969 - Canada becomes officially bilingual
The Official Languages Act was passed, recognizing English and French as Canada’s two official languages, ensuring government services in both. -
1971- Canada formally embraces multiculturalism
Recognizing diversity as a national value, Canada became the first nation in the world to make multiculturalism an official policy. -
1977- Quebec's Bill 101 becomes law.
To encourage the use of French in the province and make it the official language, Quebec introduced the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101). -
1980- To determine whether Quebec should secede from Canada, the first referendum is held.
60% of voters in Quebec's first sovereignty referendum chose to stay in Canada. -
1982- The constitution is not signed by Quebec
Quebec refused to join the accord when Canada patriated its constitution because of worries about cultural identity and provincial authority. -
1982: Full sovereignty is granted with the signing of the Canada Act.
The Canada Act, which was signed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Trudeau, patriated the constitution and abolished British legislative power in Canada. -
1984- The National Energy Program (NEP) is put into effect
In an attempt to give Canadians more authority over their energy resources, the federal government launched the National Energy Program, which caused controversy, especially in Alberta. -
1990 - Métis Settlement Act provides land in Alberta
The Métis Settlement Act granted Métis communities in Alberta self-governance and ownership of over 1.25 million acres of land, recognizing their distinct identity and rights. -
1990- The Oka Crisis
Indigenous land rights issues were brought to light during a 78-day siege in Oka, Quebec, between Mohawk protesters, police, and the army over a land dispute. -
1990- The Supreme Court ruled that wearing turbans with the RCMP uniform is a reasonable accommodation.
The Supreme Court acknowledged religious freedom and diversity by upholding the RCMP's Sikh members' right to wear turbans. -
1995: To determine if Quebec should secede from Canada, a second referendum is held.
In a second referendum on sovereignty, Quebec narrowly defeated secession with 50.6% of the vote. -
2008- Canada issues an apology for the Residential Schools
For the mistreatment and cultural genocide that Indigenous peoples endured in the residential school system, the Canadian government issued an official apology.