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Canada from the 19th to the 21st century
Canada from the 19th to the 21st century
Chapter 3 Canada history 6
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Progression from the Past, Harmony over Time The differences and similarities within Canadian society fuels points of conversation in our day to day interactions. In these conversations, whether it be in distinct communities or ones that are ethnically uniform, agreements and tensions can exist both subliminally and visibly. The evolution of these perceptions exist in today’s society and have gradually progressed to become more inclusive. Such agreements are evident in Canada when groups of people with similar ideas form strong agreements and like opinions; this occurs both in communities with varying compositions. On the other hand, points of tension arise when there are disagreements about certain aspects of running a country, resulting …show more content…
in broken connections. As time progresses, these tensions have been mitigated and gradually eroded, to be replaced with constructive concepts, effectively mending the relationships of the past. It is noteworthy that, as E.B. White states, “There is nothing more likely to start disagreement among people or countries, than an agreement”. Agreements thrive in various communities as long as similar ideas or concepts are shared by the population. These relationships are often fostered in a homogenous environment where only a single train of thought is perceived. Clarkson explains that in Canadian society, like many others, there is an almost “religious quest to achieve a diverse, healthy society… [and to] form a sense of belonging within society” (140). This overarching theme and superordinate goal brings together different parts of our community and gets everyone to work toward one central concept: a better Canada. As a result of this agreement, our society functions and improves as Canadians would work toward this ideal and improve our diversity. This satisfies our appetite for viewing all citizens fairly and equally and provides everyone with equal opportunities, permitting the overall growth of the entire country; a chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Furthermore, such like-mindedness takes place in history not only with large groups of people with similar outlooks, but also with smaller groups of people despite their vastly different backgrounds. One prime example of this is in the passing of the bills and policies necessary for the establishment of the Immigration Acts of 1967 and 1976, which dealt with the treatment of potential immigrants–it put all immigrants on an even and level playing field. In the process that the House of Commons took to initiate these Acts, all the Members of Parliament collectively placed their faith in the Points System and encouraged cooperation between different levels of government and the provinces. Because of the House of Commons’ agreement in the need to ensure equality between immigrants and to limit the racism that took place when accepting immigrants, they were able to help Canada progress from the limited and narrow views of discrimination and racism, opening up to the newfound ideas of acceptance and openness. These agreements within the makeup and citizens of our country pushed for the advancement of Canadian values and positively impacts Canadian society. On the contrary, tensions in the fabric of Canada are clear, and in retrospect, have far-reaching consequences.
Tensions that exist between distinct groups of people or races break relationships and connections going on to create a rupture in Canada’s continuity. These cases are downplayed and the negative impacts of such tension on individuals are often subliminal. A recurring example of strain includes the Canadian government’s relationship with Aboriginals and the native peoples of Canada. Through the historical use of residential schools, cultural genocide, institutionalized and ongoing racism, and lack of support for Aboriginal communities, First Nations have been continually put at a disadvantage compared to other ethnic groups in Canada. The list of problems expands to encompass the lack of Aboriginal representation in the community and House of Commons, and the lack of input methods for those who voice their concerns. This is especially apparent for Aboriginal communities in Manitoba that have been on a boil water advisory for many years. These facets of our interaction with Aboriginals have slowly broken our connection with them. Throughout the years, the Canadian government repeated demonstrated a lack of respect and refusal to cooperate with Aboriginals. This lost voice in Canadian society has caused a divide in Canada. However, not all conflicts take place in such a large geographic area, but instead are centralized in certain places. In British Columbia and the West Coast of Canada in the early 1900’s, discrimination and racism was rampant against new Asian and Chinese immigrants. This led to the formation of the Asiatic Exclusion League which organized riots and reinforced the ideology that the Chinese were dirty, “bred like rats”, and took jobs away from the locals. As a result of their peculiar custom, habits, and ways of life, they were treated subpar to other Canadians and discriminated against by the local population. This led to the Chinese
fighting back against the Caucasian population, even going so far as to renaming Canada Day to “Humiliation Day”. The constantly reinforced negative connotations that became associated with Asian immigrants was the main source of tension and reason for stagnation between these two groups who otherwise would have been able to work together. It is evident that tensions in Canadian society can occur at multiple depths of Canada, from a national, governmental perspective to that of a single community. As time proceeds, these tensions must be solved to create a better Canada and a friendlier environment for all citizens, both new and old. Two separate streams are necessary for the revitalization of certain relationships with other groups in Canada: first, the realization of past actions and their effect on all parties, and second, the formulation of an action plan that secures a sound future. In terms of the anti-Asian sentiment in the West Coast of Canada, luckily, not much action needed to be taken by any of the parties as they gradually learned to coexist and live in the same community. Largely a phase of the past, such racism does not exist to the same extent today in mainstream society. However, our relationship with Aboriginals is a rather complicated issue that requires effort on all levels of government and society in Canada in order to be straightened. Through the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada, which incorporates the multiple perspectives of Aboriginals, history experts, and other Canadians, and the publishing of the Commission (TRC) by this committee, a first step has been taken in creating a better connection with Aboriginals in the future. The 95 recommendations in this document show the multiple ways and courses of action to take in order to improve our relationship with Aboriginals and correct prior wrongdoings. The content of this report enlightens both experts and the general public of the true reach of the government’s racism against Aboriginals by illuminating the past, and influences future actions and approaches toward rebuilding the past. Having thoroughly studied and recognized actions of the past, steps must be taken in securing a stronger bond in the future. In the Federal Election of 2015, all party leaders stressed the importance of improving our rapport with Aboriginals through the emphasis on funding and education for Aboriginals, murdered and missing Indigenous women, and greater community representation. Another step Justin Trudeau plans to take in implementing these resolutions involve creating a conference for First Nations congregations and chiefs to discuss the issues that are currently plaguing their communities. Upon completion of the recommendations in the TRC and continued consultation and partnership with Aboriginal communities, the future is bright. These would be some of the steps necessary to not just correct the wrongs of the past, but also look toward a future where agreements can occur between the government and Aboriginals. Martin Luther King understood the true significance of releasing the tensions of society by raising awareness: “We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive”. The agreements and tensions within Canadian society are plentiful and occur in a variety of settings. Through this, one can understand how our Canadian society is strained both on a personal and national level. On a lighter note, it is also important to notice the prevalence of mutual understanding, both small and large, in our society, especially compared to that of other countries with greater rifts in national identity, such as South Africa during the time of the Apartheid. Stepping back, the strains of Canada must be alleviated in order for Canada to function smoothly, and this can only be done as part of the two-step process of learning and improving. The mentalities and ideologies of agreements and conflict resolution can exist and be transferred to our own community where we should be focussing on developing our day to day relationships with your friends and family. References Clarkson, A. (n.d.). Belonging: The paradox of citizenship. Clibbon, J. (2013, January 10). Native voices on the pressure to fix Canada's oldest relationship. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/native-voices-on-the-pressure-to-fix-canada-s-oldest-relationship-1.1323980 Gagnon, E. (n.d.). Immigration Act, 1976. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.pier21.ca/research/immigration-history/immigration-act-1976 Government of Canada. (2006, July 1). ARCHIVED – Forging Our Legacy: Canadian Citizenship and Immigration, 1900–1977. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/legacy/chap-3a.asp IMMIGRATION ACT (CANADA) (1976). (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://immigrationtous.net/144-immigration-act-canada-1976.html Immigration Acts (1866 - 2001). (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2016, from https://web.archive.org/web/20150325130706/http://www.canadiana.ca/citm/specifique/immigration_e.html King, H. (2015, October 23). Can Trudeau deliver on his First Nations promises? - Aboriginal - CBC. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/can-trudeau-deliver-on-first-nations-promises-1.3284491 Mas, S. (2015, December 08). Trudeau lays out plan for new relationship with indigenous people. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-afn-indigenous-aboriginal-people-1.3354747 Museum of Vancouver. (n.d.). 1907 Anti-Asian Riots. Anti-Asian Violence. doi:10.1007/springerreference_300931 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (n.d.). TRC Findings. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=890
Fleras, Augie. “Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: Repairing the Relationship.” Chapter 7 of Unequal Relations: An Introduction to Race, Ethnic and Aboriginal Dynamics in Canada. 6th ed. Toronto: Pearson, 2010. 162-210. Print.
Although Quebec is in Canada, a majority of Quebecers do not identify with the national identity of Canada. Both societies create a sense of identity as well as nationalism (Hiller, 295). Hiller mentions two approaches to assessing Canadian identity; the unitary approach and the segmentalist approach (Hiller, 277). The unitary approach suggests that society consists of people who regardless of their ethnic back ground, identify as belonging to the national society, while the segmentalist approach concentrates on groups and communities that share racial, linguistic, occupational, or cultural similarities (Hiller, 28). While most Anglophones are more unitary or pan-Canadian, Quebec heavily identifies with the segmentalist approach. This dissimilarity of identity perspective may be problematic for the country, at the same time however, it can also be viewed as a struggle where contradictory parties find a way to compromise and reshape Canadian society together (Hiller, 277). Canada’s former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau made it his objective to unite Quebec with the rest of Canada. In 1969 Trudeau’s government implemented Bill C-120, otherwise known as the Official Language act, which made French an...
Do you know that despite Canada being called multicultural and accepting, Canada’s history reveals many secrets that contradicts this statement? Such an example are Canadian aboriginals, who have faced many struggles by Canadian society; losing their rights, freedoms and almost, their culture. However, Native people still made many contributions to Canadian society. Despite the efforts being made to recognize aboriginals in the present day; the attitudes of European Canadians, acts of discrimination from the government, and the effects caused by the past still seen today have proven that Canadians should not be proud of Canada’s history with respect to human rights since 1914. First, is because of the attitudes of European Canadians towards aboriginals, which were mostly cruel and inhumane.
Canada likes to paint an image of peace, justice and equality for all, when, in reality, the treatment of Aboriginal peoples in our country has been anything but. Laden with incomprehensible assimilation and destruction, the history of Canada is a shameful story of dismantlement of Indian rights, of blatant lies and mistrust, and of complete lack of interest in the well-being of First Nations peoples. Though some breakthroughs were made over the years, the overall arching story fits into Cardinal’s description exactly. “Clearly something must be done,” states Murray Sinclair (p. 184, 1994). And that ‘something’ he refers to is drastic change. It is evident, therefore, that Harold Cardinal’s statement is an accurate summarization of the Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationship in
... A successful strategy in the accommodation of national minorities within a liberal democracy could be founded upon mutual trust, recognition and sound financial arrangements. However, a certain degree of tension between central and regional institutions may remain as a constant threat in this complex relationship since they entertain opposing aims. The federal governments determination to protect its territorial integrity, and its will to foster a single national identity among its citizens clashes with Quebec’s wish to be recognized as a separate nation and decide upon its political destiny and to foster its distinct identity (Guibernau pg.72). Moreover, if the ROC and the federal government can come to an agreement on terms that satisfy the majority and an identity that encompasses the heart of a country; Canada will continue to exist with or without Quebec.
Living in Canada, there is a long past with the Indigenous people. The relationship between the white and First Nations community is one that is damaged because of our shameful actions in the 1800’s. Unnecessary measures were taken when the Canadian government planned to assimilate the Aboriginal people. Through the Indian Act and Residential schools the government attempted to take away their culture and “kill the Indian in the child.” The Indian Act allowed the government to take control over the people, the residential schools took away their culture and tore apart their families, and now we are left with not only a broken relationship between the First Nations people but they are trying to put back together their lives while still living with a harsh reality of their past.
According to conservative conflict theory, society is a struggle for dominance among competing social groups defined by class, race, and gender. Conflict occurs when groups compete over power and resources. (Tepperman, Albanese & Curtis 2012. pg. 167) The dominant group will exploit the minority by creating rules for success in their society, while denying the minority opportunities for such success, thereby ensuring that they continue to monopolize power and privilege. (Crossman.n.d) This paradigm was well presented throughout the film. The European settlers in Canada viewed the natives as obstacles in their quest of expansion by conquering resources and land. They feared that the aboriginal practices and beliefs will disrupt the cohesion of their own society. The Canadian government adopted the method of residential schools for aboriginal children for in an attempt to assimilate the future generations. The children were stripped of their native culture,...
But she wonders if there is something else other than the spirit of citizenship that could hold the Canadians together. Are there values commonly shared by the Canadians? Chong has found out solution for these questions, and she states, “What sets Canadian society apart from others is that ours is an inclusive society” (Chong, 2015. P. 8). Canadian immigration laws are forward-looking than many other countries, because the Canadian immigrants and the naturalized citizens enjoy status. Canadians understand the importance of “Unity in Diversity”. The inclusiveness is the bridge that connects the Canadians, and this bridge is tempered with the values like tolerance, fairness, understanding and
Canada is known by outsiders to be a very peaceful country. But if you ask any Canadian they well tell you that is unfortunately not the case. For there is a large ongoing conflict between Canadians. The conflict is between the French and the English, or more specifically between Quebec and the rest of Canada. As a result of this conflict, along with some wrongdoing and propaganda. Quebec has considered and has gone as far to hold referendums over Separatism (Surette,2014). Separatism is that the province of Quebec separates from the rest of Canada to form its own country. Which would have immense effects on indubitably Quebec but also the rest of Canada (Martin, 2014). This report will focus on the root causes and origin of Quebec Separatism, the current state of Quebec Separatism and finally how we as a society can act towards Quebec Separatism.
Systemic discrimination has been a part of Canada’s past. Women, racial and ethnic minorities as well as First Nations people have all faced discrimination in Canada. Policies such as, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provincial and federal Human Rights Codes, as well has various employment equity programs have been placed in Canada’s constitution to fight and address discrimination issues. Despite these key documents placed for universal rights and freedoms Aboriginal and other minority populations in Canada continue to be discriminated against. Many believe there is no discrimination in Canada, and suggest any lack of success of these groups is a result of personal decisions and not systemic discrimination. While others feel that the legislation and equality policies have yet resulted in an equal society for all minorities. Racism is immersed in Canadian society; this is clearly shown by stories of racial profiling in law enforcement.
The creation of the Residential Schools is now looked upon to be a regretful part of Canada’s past. The objective: to assimilate and to isolate First Nations and Aboriginal children so that they could be educated and integrated into Canadian society. However, under the image of morality, present day society views this assimilation as a deliberate form of cultural genocide. From the first school built in 1830 to the last one closed in 1996, Residential Schools were mandatory for First Nations or Aboriginal children and it was illegal for such children to attend any other educational institution. If there was any disobedience on the part of the parents, there would be monetary fines or in the worst case scenario, trouble with Indian Affairs.
In the 1970s, Pierre Elliott Trudeau decided to use multiculturalism as a “way of dealing with discontent over the report of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism1.”. According to some groups, this report dealt primarily with French and English linguistic issues and did not pay enough attention to issues referring to other groups within the Canadian population. In a more general extent, “multiculturalism policies in Canada have attempted to assist cultural group in overcoming barriers so as to allow them to integrate more fully in society.2”. However, the notion of multiculturalism itself was criticized by the Spicer Commission on National Unity. This commission was put forward by the Mulroney government, as a response to the popular perception that the country's unity was vuln...
Canada East and Canada west both wanted a more democratic form of government. One major issue that occurred was when the Union Canada East and West were formed. The French in Canada East had a larger population, so they were under represented in the assembly, yet as the population of Canada West grew, the rates developed. Canada West had more people, so they wanted more representation. Canada East, now with fewer people, wanted to keep equal representation. In 1867, the British North American act created a new nation called the Dominion of Canada.
Today in Canada it is not uncommon to see people of various races, ethnic backgrounds or cultural groups living within a mutual society; commonly known as multiculturalism. Multiculturalism refers to the presence of, or support for the presence of several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society. As the topic becomes more more popular due to news events and social media debates, multiculturalism gets twisted and misunderstood. In essence, multiculturalism is not about dwelling on about our differences, it is about emphasizing our commonality. Diversity of the human race has the power to unify society and make it stronger. Firstly, innovation
As Hedges touches on, conflict is a part of human nature in how it takes little to convince people to commit such heinous acts (25). He discusses how people fall into a group mindset that is geared towards violence that is not socially allowed to be unleashed up until this point. This general embrace of conflict by everyday individuals makes one reflect on why we are not seemingly embracing this side of ourselves. Group mentality regardless of the goal remains a group mentality. It is the same group mentality that empowers conflict also empowers peace. So why is it that we here today in Canada choose to label ourselves a peaceful society?