Changing society in Canada

corlo blind

people from all racial backgrounds and all countries were allowed to immigrate.

Social Norms

1. A respect for the land, the vast often uninhabited area that makes up our country. 2. A rejection of the need to carry guns as a means of self protection. 3.An appreciation of the role hockey plays in our country. 4.Our western settlement was largely peaceful because of the role played by our national institution, the NWMP, later the RCMP. 5.Recognition of the need for government to play a role in developing the country. 6. Admiration for national heroes; artists, singers, writers, activists, politicians, and sports stars.

Values

1. The desire to maintain a quality publicly-funded health care system, Medicare. 2. The desire to maintain a distinctly northern lifestyle in our country. 3. The desire to maintain the dignity of elderly people by providing pension benefits. 4.The desire to keep to keep Canadians connected to one another through national institutions like the CBC. 5. The importance of order and authority whether it is national or local.

What were three major recommendations of the Massey Commission?

1. To strengthen the national film board 2. To provide government funding for arts programs in Universities 3.To protect Canadian Culture from USA

Immigration 1960-1990

1960- most came from EURO, 1990- Most came from Asia.

The Attributes of Canadian Culture

A reasonable question for a young person to ask is: What exactly is Canadian culture? It's a difficult question because we don't think about it very often, nor are we actually taught it very carefully. Therefore, the purpose of this lesson is to try to figure out just what are the cultural values that we as Canadians share. Culture is probably not the thing that you as a young person spend a lot of time thinking about. Generally when you ask Canadians what our culture is they respond by saying it's different from American culture. While that may be true, there must be more to it than that. There must be some positive attributes or characteristics that make up Canadian culture. In general terms culture can be defined as a shared approach to life based on common social norms, beliefs, and values. If you apply that definition to Canada it suggests that because we share certain social norms, beliefs and values we have a Canadian culture. Read through the Canadian cultural characteristics in those three categories and think about what they actually mean. Think about whether you agree that each one is a cultural characteristic.

Refugees in Canada

A refugee is a person who has left their home country or been forced to leave their country based on persecution (war), racism, ethnicity or political opinion and is trying to relocate to a safe place. Canada has always had a policy of accepting refugees, however this policy has evolved over time due to the world situation and its domestic policies. Economic migrants, on the other hand, are those who leave their country for a higher standard of living. Many Mexican immigrants do this, making their way to El Norte - Canada or the United States in search of a better economic life. Canada is especially sought after because of its healthcare options. Canada has a tradition of support for refugees. It is very important, however, to discern the difference between asylum seekers (or refugees) and economic immigrants. Canada's official policy on immigration has evolved over the years on the basis of: United Nations Convention on Refugees The Immigration Act of 1976 Changes to the Canadian Refugee Law 1989 The Immigration Act involved in order to strengthen opportunities for those who were genuine refugees and minimize fraudulent refugee claims. Canada was seen as a desirable place for individuals because of its solid social welfare system. With an influx of new cultures and refugees, comes the bureaucratic challenge of ensuring that no criminals, contraband or illegal immigrants enter but at the same time showing compassion to those with genuine need.

What potential problem would medicare solve.

people having to use their life saving to care for a serious illness.

The Post-War Boom

After the war along with new technology, there was a construction boom. This revolution was fueled by ample supplies of: a. technology b. power sources ( oil, coal, electricity) and c. manpower. Oil was readily available to power the cars and machines. The men returning from the war provided the labor and the technology was improving rapidly as the assembly lines lowered the cost of producing goods for consumers. Canada also became involved in nuclear energy NOT to create weapons but to create power. Nuclear power is an efficient method of harnessing a chain reaction to create ongoing power with no release of carbon dioxide. The CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactor is a pressurized Heavy Water Power Reactor (PHWR) designed and built by Atomic Energy Canada Ltd. since the 1950s. All nuclear power plants in Canada are powered by CANDU reactors.

The Massey Commission

As early as 1949, the federal government established the Massey Commission to investigate the state of Canadian culture. Reporting in 1951, the Commission suggested that Canadian culture needed to be protected from U.S. influences. It recommended that the National Film Board, established in 1939, be strengthened and that the federal government become involved in funding universities and the arts. As a result, the Canada Council was established in 1957 to award tax-funded grants to writers, artists, and theatres. New institutions such as the the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the National Ballet were soon winning international acclaim and making Canadians proud. Canadian literature, which was not well known before the war, could now boast authors such as Robertson Davies, Margaret Laurence, and W.O.Mitchell. The Massey Commission also worried about television, which had come to the United States by 1951, but had not yet spread to Canada. In the United States, television was designed for entertainment. It was a commercial enterprise, operated to create profit for station owners and advertisers. The Commission recommended that TV in Canada be used instead for national communication and for cultural education in drama and music. The CBC, which had already created a national radio network, was put in charge of the development of television. It opened the first two stations in Toronto and Montreal in 1952. Two years later, four more cities were included. By 1960, 90 percent of Canadian homes had television - more than had telephones. It soon became clear, however that the concerns of the Massey Commission were well-founded. U.S. programs topped the list of Canadian television favourites. Kids tuned in to Howdy Doody, Roy Rogers, Lassie, and the Mickey Mouse Club. Families chuckled at I Love Lucy and first saw Elvis and the Beatles on the Sunday evening Ed Sullivan Show. As the years passed, Canadian children grew up knowing more about U.S. culture and values than any generation before them. In 1968, the federal government established the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) which would regulate the amount of foreign material broadcast over the airwaves and impose rules requiring Canadian content.

Multiculturalism in British Columbia

As new cultures took root in British Columbia, other issues were raised. For example, traditional Canadian holidays such as Easter and Christmas are rooted in the Christian faith and culture. These holidays presented a challenge for schools with large, multicultural populations. One solution was to highlight the festivals of groups represented in sufficient numbers in the school. For example, Chinese New Year, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and the Sikh holy days such as Baisakhi were celebrated in some schools. These festivals offered students a better understanding of the beliefs and customs of Canada's multicultural society.

The Baby Boomers

Canadian society changed dramatically in the years following World War II. The population grew tremendously, and the baby boomers, the children of the new post-war generation, created a new counterculture movement that hadn't been seen before. Flowers and free love, along with antiwar marches and drug experimentation, became the icons many young people followed during the 1960s. Youth across North America began to "turn on, tune in and drop out." The hippie movement in the US also had a huge impact on Canada. Fed up with the establishment—parents, schools, police—young people went looking for a new way of life. To Toronto's Yorkville and Vancouver's Kitsilano district they went, preaching peace, love, and non-conformity.

What is the basis for point system to select new immigrants?

Education level and employment prospects.

What was the most important part of National Medical Care Act

Federal and provincial governments would share the cost together.

Canada's immigration

From the end of World War I until the 1960's, Canada had a somewhat restrictive policy. Immigrants of British and European origins, especially northern Europeans, were preferred because it was thought that they would adapt most easily to the Canadian way of life. Immigrants of other origins did arrive, but the government limited their numbers in various ways. By the 1960s, Canadians had a more open attitude towards people of other cultures and countries. In 1962, new regulations removed most limits on immigrants of Asian, African, and other origins. In 1967, legislation made Canada's immigration policy officially "colour-blind." Since the Canadian economy required people with training and specific skills, immigrants were to be chosen according to a point system based on education and employment prospects. National and racial origins were no longer factors.

Mediacare

In 1966, Pearson also introduced Medicare and the Medical Care Act, which meant that federal and provincial governments would share the cost of medical care. At the time, Canadians who became ill could see all their life savings wiped out on medical care. Saskatchewan already had a medicare program and the Liberals, fearing that the NDP might capture votes with a campaign for national medicare, added health care to their party platform.

Multiculturalism

In 1971, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau introduced an official policy of multiculturalism. Trudeau claimed that the policy would: ...support and encourage the various cultures and ethnic groups that give structure and vitality to our society. They will be encouraged to share their cultural expressions and values with other Canadians and so contribute to a richer life for us all. The policy of multiculturalism encouraged the country's different ethnic groups to express their cultures. Multicultural activities were organized across the country. For example, heritage language classes were provided to help children learn the language of their parents. Festivals were held for cultural communities to share their music, dances, food, games, arts, crafts and stories. Various programs were designed to make all residents feel at home i Canada, regardless of their origins. These programs were also intended to prevent racism by promoting respect for all cultures.

Immigration

In 1971, Prime Minister Trudeau announced to the house that the government had accepted the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism which would ensure the cultural freedom of Canadians.

Immigration change

In 1976, immigration regulations changed again, this time to allow immigration of family members with relatives already in Canada. From the late 1960s on, more allowance was also made for refugees fleeing persecution in their homelands. For example, some 11 000 refugees came to Canada in 1968, after the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia. In 1972, about 7000 people of Asian background, many of them highly trained, came from Uganda, after their country's dictator, Idi Amin, singled them out for ill treatment. During the 1980s, immigration policy especially encouraged immigrants having money and business skills to create jobs by investing in existing companies or starting new ones. The biggest increase during this period was in immigration from Asian countries. Canada's cities also continued to draw most of the new immigrants and to develop as lively multicultural centres.

There are those who believe that the policy benefits Canada. They feel multiculturalism plays a positive role in the nation's development and that it helps create national unity, as Pierre Trudeau claimed in 1971. They also feel that multiculturalism gives Canadians an awareness of other cultures, which is beneficial when dealing with problems in various communities, and helps promote values such as tolerance, equality, and support for diversity.

Opponents claim that it is NOT good for the country to promote differences in cultures since it weakens the unity of the country. Some critics feel that ethnic groups should maintain their own cultures if they wish, but that the government should not provide financial support to these groups. Critics also point to countries such as Rwanda and Yugoslavia, where ethnic diversity has ripped communities apart.

which prime minister introduced the pension plan?

Pearson

The Canada Pension Plan

Pearson's government built on the social welfare programs started by MacKenzie King. [During the war, King was looking for a way to keep the support of voters who remembered the hardships of the Depression and, as a result, he introduced Unemployment Insurance in 1940 and, the Family Allowance, or "baby bonus", in 1944.] In 1966, Pearson's government began the Canada Pension Plan, which improved on existing pension schemes. It also introduced the Canada Assistance Plan to help the provinces finance social assistance programs for all needy people.

First with medicare

Saskatchewan

Describe the rapid advance of television across Canada and explain how that made it such a powerful force in the country.

Televison grew from two stations in 1952 to 90% of Canadian homes having TVs sets by 1960.

Explain what the CRTC did to promote Canadian culture.

The CRTC sets rules for Canadian radio and television shows to promote Canadian culture as well as give Canadians a chance to have their work viewed.

The Government's Response

The Government's Response While young people embraced these new trends, older people and the government became concerned about the impact the United States was having on Canadian institutions and culture. The Massey Commission, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the National Film Board (NFB), the Canada Council, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) were some of the many initiatives and organizations introduced by the federal government to protect and promote Canadian culture. It should be clear from all these measures that the federal government saw its role as that of guardian of culture for Canadians. The questions are: Is there a Canadian culture? and What is the nature of that culture?

What was the major concern of the Massey Commission?

The canadian culture would not have a chance to flourish next to the dominating culture of USA

How did the Massey Commission see television being used in Canada?

The commission believed that TV should be used as a mean of national communication and culture education.

Multiculturalism Becomes an Issue

The federal government recognized the growth of Canada's multicultural communities by establishing the Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship in 1988. This department continued to promote multiculturalism in all areas of government policy. Despite its initiatives, however, Canadian attitudes towards multiculturalism were complex. Many Canadians believed that the policy benefited Canada. It allowed people of all ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds to feel welcome here, and to play a positive role in the development of the nation. Supporters say the policy also helped strengthen national unity by drawing all Canadians closer together in mutual respect. But, through the 1980s and 1990s, it became clear that not everyone agreed with this position. Some Canadians argued that the policy of multiculturalism was preventing Canada's communities from developing a common Canadian identity. Canada's model of multiculturalism was like a mosaic, where groups maintained their own identity. It would be better, they said, to follow the "melting pot" model of the United States, where cultural groups were encouraged to assimilate -- that is, to give up their identities and take on the mainstream culture to a greater extent.

What was the political reason for liberals to provide medical system?

The new leader of NDP was campaigning to provide a national Medicare system.

What was the purpose of the Canada Council?

The purpose was to promote Canadian culture by giving grants to artists, performers.

Major purpose of multinationalism policy?

To encourage different ethics group to expire their culture.

The Canada Pension Plan and Medicare

Two things that Canadians value very much are our programs to care for the elderly and the sick. The Canada Pension Plan and Medicare have become national institutions that Canadians generally hold in high regard. If you look at any poll taken in the last ten years it will show Canadian support for Medicare is very high.

Argument against Multinationalism

Unity- Made it difficult to create a common Canadian identity.

Argument in favor of multinationalism

Welcome all the ethics group to make positive contribution to Canada.

Consumerism

With the boom of the economy came extra money, for the middle class, and an increase in consumer goods. Smoking, for example, was an activity associated with the affluence and class.