sign in sign up
<<
Home , Canadian Confederation, Charlottetown Accord, Fathers of Confederation

091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 91

Chapter 7 Update New Challenges

Government Takes Steps to Québec Votes: Protect Canadian IdentityOne Nation or Two?

Ottawa Must Settle Outstanding More Power for Aboriginal Land Claims Provincial Governments?

New Federal Laws to Protect Minority Rights Full Equality for Women Reflecting/Predicting and Men–’s Goal 1. What challenges do these headlines and photo suggest Confederation has faced since 1867? 2. What do you think is the greatest challenge Confederation faces today?

91 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 92

92 Unit 1: Confederation

A Changing Nation Canada today is not the Canada of 1867. Democratic government always grows and changes as we do. How has changed since 1900? Examine the following timeline.

1905 and become . 1912 , , and Québec are enlarged to their present- day boundaries.

January 1916 Manitoba is the first to grant its women citizens the vote.

24 May 1918 All women in Canada receive the right to vote in federal elec- tions. (see Chapter 21)

11 December 1931 Statute of Westminster gives Canada complete control over its own affairs. Until this time, some important decisions were still being made in Britain. Canada could not make treaties with other countries, for example.

31 March 1949 Newfoundland joins Confederation. 1960 Registered Indians are granted the right to vote in federal elections.

1965 Canada adopts a new flag—a single red maple leaf with red bars on a white back- ground.

1 July 1967 celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday. 1969 The Official Languages Act makes French and English the official . All federal government services will be avail- able in both French and English.

1970 The legal voting age for federal elections is lowered to 18 years.

1971 The federal government supports multicul- turalism. It encourages Canadians to take pride in the customs and traditions of varied ethnic backgrounds. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 93

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 93

1980 Parliament recognizes “” as the national anthem. April 1982 The Constitution Act 1982 gives us the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and a mechanism for amending (chang- ing) our constitution.

1985 The government changes the so that Indian women who lost their Indian status through marriage can regain it.

June 1987 The House of Commons approves the , a constitutional amendment that recognizes Québec as a . The agreement fails to pass in the legislatures of Manitoba and Newfoundland.

January 1, 1989 The Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the United States comes into effect.

August 1992 The Accord proposes constitutional amendments that would recognize Québec as a distinct society and set the groundwork for Aboriginal self-govern- ment and a reformed Senate, along with other proposals.

October 1992 In a national referendum, the is rejected by the people of Canada.

1993 In the federal election, two regional parties come second and third behind the Liberals. They are the Bloc Québécois which favours sovereignty for and the Reform Party which is an Alberta-based .

1994 The North American Free Trade Agreement is signed with the United States and Mexico.

1995 Québec voters narrowly defeat a referendum calling for independence for Québec. Parliament recognizes Québec’s unique language, culture, and civil law.

1996 Parliament grants 5 regions a veto over changes to the Constitution. The regions are , the Prairie Provinces, Ontario, Québec, and the Atlantic Provinces.

1998 The Nisga’a of British Columbia sign a land claims agreement. It gives them land, self-government, resource rights, and cash.

1999 The is divided into two parts. The eastern is called and has self- government. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 94

94 Unit 1: Confederation

Will Confederation enough seats in Parliament to become the Survive? Official Opposition. In the 1997 federal election, From the beginning, there were groups in the BQ was the third largest party in the House Canada who opposed Confederation. On the of Commons. first birthday of Confederation, the city of In 1995, Québec held another referendum Halifax draped its main street in black to show on independence. Once again the province its opposition to the union. If Macdonald’s voted to remain part of Canada, but by a very promise of a railway had not been kept, British narrow margin. The issue of Québec separatism Columbia may have left Canada. is still very much alive.

Separatism in Québec Regional Concerns Since the 1970s, many people feel the strongest Canada is a large and very diverse country. It threat to Confederation has come from has always faced the challenge of uniting separatism in Québec. On 15 November 1976, regions that have very different needs, geogra- the Parti Québécois won an overwhelming phies, peoples, and economies. At the time of victory in the Québec provincial election. Confederation, the various regions had their The Parti Québécois, under its leader René own concerns and interests that led some to Lévesque, believed that Québec should sepa- reject the union. Today, some regions of the rate from the rest of Canada. They believed it country still feel that their interests are often was the only way to preserve their French lan- neglected. They complain that they do not have guage and culture from being overwhelmed by enough real power. This sense of alienation the English majority surrounding them. In 1980, has been particularly strong in the Western and the people of Québec voted in a referendum on Atlantic provinces. They argue that the federal whether or not to leave Canada. Of those who government is controlled too much by central voted, 59.5% wanted Québec to remain a part of Canada. The Reform Party was formed in 1987 Canada. to better represent the concerns of Western In 1990, the Bloc Québécois (BQ) was citizens in the Canadian government. In the formed as a federal party. Its leader was Lucien 1997 federal election, Reform won the second Bouchard. The goal of the BQ was to give largest number of seats in the House of Québec a strong voice in the federal govern- Commons. It became the Official Opposition. ment. In the 1993 federal election, the BQ won

Regional Concerns These are some of the issues Canadians in var- ious regions are concerned about: • since most of the country’s population is in • great efforts have been made to keep Ontario and Québec, they elect more rep- Québec in Confederation and protect resentatives to the House of Commons French rights, but concerns in other and have more members in the Senate regions have often been neglected • most government projects seem to go to • Ottawa has done little to help western Ontario or Québec wheat farmers to survive and get a fair • more jobs are created in price for their crops than in the West or East • Ottawa has not done enough to create • the national budget and banks are con- new jobs in the Atlantic provinces where trolled in central Canada the fishery has been hard hit 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 95

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 95

Fast Forward Representatives of the federal and the ten Federal-Provincial Conferences provincial governments meet regularly. They discuss any problems that have arisen between the two levels of government. There are informal day-to-day contacts between offi- cials in Ottawa and the provinces. There are also regular meetings between ministers of the two levels of government. For example, the federal minister of agriculture meets reg- ularly with the agriculture ministers of each of the provinces. However, the most important meeting is the First Ministers’ Conference. It brings together the prime minister and the premiers of the ten provinces along with their advisors. These meetings usually focus on such topics as the constitution, national unity, economic policy, and job creation.

The Provinces Versus Ottawa French. They see themselves as “First Another major source of tension within Nations.” They believe they have a right Confederation has been the division of powers to self-government and a claim to their lands between the provinces and Ottawa. As we have as the first inhabitants. Many also believe seen, the believed that the Canadian government has broken that Canada should have a strong central gov- promises made in treaties with their ances- ernment. They thought the federal government tors. Aboriginal groups are challenging the should control important matters concerning Canadian government to honour their rights the whole country. The provincial governments and settle land claims. While some progress should be kept weak. has been made with agreements like the one But Canada has changed since 1867. It is no that gave the Inuit some self-government in longer a 19th-century country of farms and Nunavut, many other issues are still to be forests. It is a highly industrialized nation of resolved. skyscrapers and suburbs. Governments play a much bigger role in the lives of Canadians Women today. Provincial governments are expected to Since Confederation, women have gained the provide many more services such as health right to vote in Canada and to hold political care and education. Therefore, the provinces office. But in areas of business, , are demanding more power and a bigger share salaries, and politics, women are still battling of tax money to pay for these services. for equality with men. In many cases, women still have difficulty gaining top positions in Aboriginal Rights businesses and government. The issue of equal- Aboriginal peoples do not believe that Canada ity between men and women is still a challenge had only two founding nations: English and for the Canadian Confederation. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 96

96 Unit 1: Confederation

The The ministers also want to include a In 1867, the threat of an American takeover Charter of Rights to protect all Canadians. was a major factor in bringing the colonies But they can’t agree. Bitter words are hurled together. Today, Canadians still sometimes feel back and forth. threatened by our powerful neighbour to the At the last minute, a deal is made. Prime south. We no longer worry about Americans Minister Trudeau announces that nine of taking over Canadian territory. However, the ten provinces have reached an agree- Canadians are concerned that American eco- ment on the constitution. Only Québec has nomic and cultural influences will swamp us. refused. Québec wants the right to stop any The government has tried to protect cultural changes considered unacceptable to the industries such as publishing. These industries province. Prime Minister Trudeau does not are considered essential in helping to protect a feel any province should have special pow- Canadian identity. ers. Québec Premier René Lévesque stalks Another aspect of our Canadian identity is out of the meeting saying that Québec has our multiculturalism. Canadians celebrate the been betrayed. fact that Canada is a multicultural, multiracial The three main points of agreement are: country made up of people from all around the 1. The power to amend the constitution will world. Canadians are encouraged to take pride be brought home to Canada from Britain. in the customs and traditions of their ethnic 2. Changes to the constitution can be backgrounds. Most Canadians respect and try made if the federal government and seven to protect the rights of all minorities. provinces (representing 50% of the popula- tion) agree. Constitutional Changes 3. A Charter of Rights and Freedoms In the 1980s and 1990s, efforts were made to will be added to the constitution to protect change Canada’s constitution. The changes human rights in Canada. were to give Canada more control over its own affairs and to meet some of the challenges to Confederation.

Bringing Home the Constitution Time: November 1981 Events: For four days the first ministers have been debating. They are trying to make a plan to “bring home” the constitution from Britain and allow amendments (changes) to be made in Canada. Since At the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa on 17 April 1982, Queen Elizabeth signs the Constitution Act 1982. The Canadian flag 1867, Canada has had to ask is flying proudly. But in Québec, the government has ordered Britain for permission to that the Québec flag fly at half mast to protest what it calls the make any changes to the “insult done to Québecers by .” Canadian constitution. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 97

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 97

The Meech Lake Accord The Charlottetown Accord Time: June 1987 Time: August 1992 Events: The premiers of all the provinces are Events: Another conference is held at meeting at Meech Lake in Québec. They are Charlottetown. The site of the meeting is trying to work out a number of changes to symbolic because the Fathers of the constitution. One recommendation is to Confederation met here in 1864. This time recognize Québec as a “distinct society” the debate on the constitutional changes within Canada. It is hoped that Québec will has been opened up to the public and inter- then sign the constitution and not break est groups. Aboriginal peoples, women, and away from Canada. Other changes call for other concerned citizens across the country more power for the provinces. The pre- have had their say. The Charlottetown miers sign the agreement but it must be Accord includes these key points: approved by the parliaments of all ten • the distinctness of Québec should be provinces by June 1990. recognized There are a number of concerns. • the right of Aboriginal peoples to self- Women and Aboriginal peoples have been government is recognized left out of the discussions. Others feel that • federal and provincial governments vow Québec should not be given special status. to work together to develop all regions of The legislatures of Manitoba and New- the country foundland and do not pass the • the Senate should be reformed Accord by the deadline. The Meech Lake • the provinces should have power over Accord is defeated. their own immigration, culture, forestry, mining, tourism, housing, recreation, and municipal and urban affairs

Time: 26 October 1992 Events: Canadians vote in a national referen- dum on the Charlottetown proposal. Across the nation, 54.4% of voters say “No” and 44.6% say “Yes.” Many who vote against the Accord think it is giving too much to Québec and not enough to the other regions of Canada. The rejection of the Charlottetown Accord leaves many feel- ing that the rest of Canada is hostile towards them. The federal government decides to put constitutional reforms on the back burner for a while. The people of Canada have had enough. There are other more pressing issues for the country to deal with. The issue of constitutional change, however, still has to be dealt with in the future.

Manitoba MLA of the Cree First Nation stalled the debate on the Meech Lake Accord in the Manitoba legislature. He was protesting the failure of the Accord to recognize the rights and special status of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.The Accord was defeated in the Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador legislatures. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 98

98 Unit 1: Confederation

Contributions of the Regions to Canada Today

British Columbia The Prairie Region • third largest province in area • includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba • capital is Victoria;largest city is • capital cities are Edmonton,Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan;, Manitoba Economic strengths Economic strengths • forests provide 3/5 of Canada’s lumber Alberta: and wood products • diverse economy includes grain farming, sugar beet • mines yield copper, coal, gold, silver, industry, and cattle ranching gravel, zinc, and other minerals • oil and gas most important industry • natural gas and oil produced in north- • pulp and paper industry strong in the north east • tourism important, especially in the Rocky Mountain • important province for fishing areas • Canada’s leading producer of blue- Saskatchewan: berries, cranberries, and raspberries • one of largest wheat producers in the world, along with • attractive location for film and TV pro- other grains duction—25 000 people work in this • oil and potash for fertilizer important natural resources industry • mining of gold, copper, and uranium • tourists enjoy mountain and coastal scenery Manitoba: • Vancouver is an important west coast • manufacturing is largest industry; products include foods, port for Canadian trade transportation equipment, textiles, and machinery • agriculture second largest industry People strengths • actor Michael J. Fox People strengths • former Prime Minister • Aboriginal leaders and politicians Phil Fontaine, Elijah • film director Atom Egoyan Harper, and • Olympic snowboarding gold medalist • singer and harpist Loreena McKennitt Ross Rebagliati • skater Kurt Browning • Grammy winners Sarah McLachlan and • astronaut Dave Rhys-Williams Bryan Adams • novelist, playwright, and poet Carol Shields • Aboriginal artists Robert Davidson, Bill • Reform Party leader Reid, Roy Vickers, and many others • programmer and inventor of JAVA James Gosling • largest Asian community in Canada • actor Tom Jackson • Manitoba has one of largest French-Canadian communities Special challenges outside Québec • declining salmon stocks threaten the • originally settled by people from many different fishery countries and many communities retain these cultures • Aboriginal land claims still need to be settled Special challenges • environmentalists are challenging forest • costs of shipping grains and natural resources to industry over clear-cutting of forests markets are high • environmentalists are trying to protect natural environment from tourist boom • cuts to health care threaten standard of services • provinces are demanding increased powers 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 99

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 99

The North People strengths • includes Territory, Northwest • artists and Pitseolak Territories, and Nunavut Ashoona • capitals are Whitehorse,Yukon;Yellowknife, • singer Susan Aglukark Northwest Territories; Iqaluit, Nunavut • political leader Rosemarie Kuptana and pre- mier of Nunavut Paul Okalik Economic strengths • majority of people indigenous to the land • gold mining in Yukon and oil production (Aboriginals, Inuit, and Métis) • known deposits of copper, gold, silver, and diamonds Special challenges • fishery, as yet undeveloped • harsh environment makes development diffi- • Alaska Highway has opened unspoiled wilder- cult and expensive ness to tourism and other parts are accessible • need to protect traditional lifestyles and cul- by plane tures of Aboriginal peoples • some Aboriginal land claims still to be settled • most transportation must be by air because of the remoteness of the communities • cost of living is twice that of southern Canada • has highest rates of suicide and poverty in all of Canada

The North less than 1%

Prairie Region British 16% Columbia 12%

Atlantic Region Québec 24% 8%

Ontario 39%

PERCENTAGE OF CANADA'S TOTAL POPULATION 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 100

100 Unit 1: Confederation

Ontario Québec • most populated province in Canada • second most populated province after Ontario • capital and largest city is , also the • is Québec; Montréal is largest city largest city in Canada • 59% of population speak French only, 35% are bilingual, and 6% speak English only Economic strengths • heart of economy is manufacturing Economic strengths • steel and automobile production very • strong economy of primary (natural resources) important and secondary (manufacturing) industries • mines of Canadian Shield produce nickel, silver, • production of electric power a major industry gold, and iron ore • mining and/or refining of iron ore, copper, lead, • places like Niagara Falls,Toronto, Ottawa, zinc, and bauxite important Stratford, and the cottage areas of the north • forests cover about one half of province; attract tourists in all seasons forestry and pulp and paper major industries • Toronto produces more than half of country’s • aerospace industry fifth largest in the world manufactured goods • St. Lawrence Seaway and port of Montréal major shipping routes for ocean-going vessels People strengths • walled city of Québec, Montréal, the • writers Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Michael Laurentians, and the Gaspé attract tourists in all Ondaatje seasons • comedian and film star Jim Carey • ballerina Karen Kain People strengths • gold medal athlete • authors Roch Carrier and Anne Hébert; play- • astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar wright Michel Tremblay • world champion skater Elvis Stojko • astronauts Marc Garneau and • filmmakers Norman Jewison and David • author and songwriter Leonard Cohen Cronenberg • singers and entertainers Céline Dion and Roch • large multicultural population provides ethnic Voisine festivals, restaurants, heritage languages, and • Prime Ministers and Jean wide variety of cultural events in Toronto and Chrétien other urban centres • French-speaking majority feel strongly about • almost 50% of Ottawa’s population is bilingual preserving their unique French heritage Special challenges Special challenges • air pollution is problem in the industrial heart- • separatist movement: will Québecers decide to land stay within the Canadian Confederation or • pollution and toxic waste is problem in Great become a sovereign state? Lakes • difficult to maintain French-Canadian identity in • cuts to health care and education threaten the midst of a North American English majority standard of services • need to protect rights of non-French minorities • difficult to maintain Canadian identity when located so close to the United States heartland • need to protect cities from problems of vio- lence, racism, and drugs • traditional jobs being lost in changing labour market 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 101

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 101

British Columbia 9.5%

Atlantic Region 5.5% The North 39.2%

Ontario 10.7%

Québec 15.5% Prairie Region 19.6%

PERCENTAGE OF CANADA'S TOTAL LAND AREA

The Atlantic Region • includes , , People strengths , and Newfoundland and Labrador • singers Anne Murray, Rita MacNeil, Rankin • capital cities are Charlottetown, PEI; Family , NB; Halifax, NS; St. John’s, NF • fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Ashley MacIsaac • actor Gordon Pinsent Economic strengths • soldier and peacekeeper Lewis MacKenzie Prince Edward Island: • novelist Lucy Maud Montgomery • agriculture is dominant industry • astronaut Mjarni V.Tryggvason • tourists love the rolling landscape and sandy • 30% of population is bilingual beaches • Acadian language, literature, music, and crafts • strong cottage industries produce fine local strong in Prince Edward Island handicrafts for tourists • have lived in Halifax- New Brunswick: Dartmouth area of Nova Scotia for generations • largely dependent on forestry and forestry Special challenges products • depletion of cod stocks has destroyed • lobsters, crabs, and scallops important products, traditional way of life for thousands of fishers and fish farming becoming important and food processors • rich in minerals • whole communities dependent on government • telecommunications industry growing assistance because of the loss of the fishery Nova Scotia: • has some of the highest unemployment rates in • fishing always an important industry the country • coal mining also a primary industry • need to attract meaningful new jobs to the • tourism and film making are developing region industries Newfoundland and Labrador: • traditional fishing industry in decline because of depleted fish stocks • pulp and paper and mining important • many new companies manufacturing metal products for telecommunications equipment • offshore oil production provides resources for other regions of Canada 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 102

102 Unit 1: Confederation

Civics & Society Rights and Freedoms in Canada

n Canada, it is sometimes These rights, and many others, Ieasy to take our rights for are guaranteed in the Charter of granted. We have the right to Rights and Freedoms. speak out and criticize the gov- It is important to know that ernment. We have the right to in many countries of the world, hold lawful demonstrations and citizens do not have many of the ask for changes to existing laws rights Canadians enjoy. They that no longer meet our needs. look at our Canadian rights and We have the right to practise freedoms with respect and any religion, or none at all. admiration. Canadians have We are free to travel outside played an important part in sup- Canada whenever we wish. We porting more freedoms and have the right to move, live, and human rights for people in all work in any province in Canada. parts of the world.

In 1998 President Nelson Mandela of visited Ottawa and Toronto. He personally thanked Canadians for speaking out strongly for Black people in South Africa. Canada helped to per- suade the government of South Africa to grant more rights and free- doms for the Black population. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 103

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 103

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Highlights Under the Charter, all Canadians are guaranteed the following: 1. Fundamental Freedoms: a) Freedom of conscience and religion; b) Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including i) Freedom of the press, ii) Freedom of peaceful assembly, iii) Freedom of association. 2. Democratic Rights: a) The right to vote; b) The right to run for election. 3. Mobility Rights: a) The right to enter, remain in, and leave Canada; b) The right to live in, move to, and work in any province. 4. Legal Rights: a) The right to life, liberty, and security; b) Protection against unreasonable search and seizure or arbitrary detention or imprisonment; c) The right to be informed quickly about the charges; d) The right to hire a lawyer; e) The right to trial within a reasonable time; f) The right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. 5. Equality Rights: a) Protection from discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, or mental or physical disability. 6. Official Languages: a) The right to use English and French in the government and courts of Canada and of New Brunswick. 7. Minority Language Education Rights: a) The right to education in English or French where there are sufficient numbers of students. 8. Aboriginal Rights: a) Recognition of the existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the Native Peoples (Inuit, Indian, and Métis).

1. Look through the international news 2. What do you think you can do as a section in a national newspaper or news- concerned world citizen to make people magazine. Find examples of areas in the aware of human rights abuses? world where people do not enjoy the same rights as you do as Canadian citizens. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 104

104 Unit 1: Confederation

Skill Building: Conducting an Opinion Survey

An opinion survey is a method of finding out out whether people agree with your idea. A what a number of people think about an issue. structured survey is good because everyone is Suppose you and your classmates want to play asked the same questions.This makes it easier music in the school halls during your lunch hour. for you to compile the results. Your group approaches the principal and she or Your survey might look like this: he suggests that you conduct a survey to find

Date ______Class ______Sample Opinion Survey

Question #1 Should music be played in school when classes are not in session? Yes ____ No ____ No Preference ____

Question #2 What types of music should be played? In each case, circle your preference. Rock Always Occasionally Seldom Never Classical Always Occasionally Seldom Never Country Always Occasionally Seldom Never Rap Always Occasionally Seldom Never Other Always Occasionally Seldom Never

Question #3 Who should be responsible for selecting and playing the music? Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Agree Disagree Student council president 1 2 3 4 5 Class representatives 1 2 3 4 5 Vice-Principal 1 2 3 4 5 Teacher committee 1 2 3 4 5 Committee of teachers and students 1 2 3 4 5 Other 1 2 3 4 5 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 105

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 105

Format Try It! Notice that three different types of questions 1. Discover which rights in the Charter of are asked. Rights and Freedoms your classmates value the Question #1 is a simple question that calls most. First, think about your question. for a “yes,” “no,” or “no preference” answer. Remember to keep it specific. For example, your Question #2 gives the person the chance to question could be:“Which of these four human express several choices. rights do you consider to be the most impor- Question #3 allows the person to rank her tant: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or his choices in order of importance. freedom of movement, or freedom from fear?”

Audience 2. Next, decide on your audience.Who will you Decide who will be involved in the survey.Will survey? Do you want to survey students of dif- you include teachers, administrative assistants, ferent ages? Do you want to include teachers? and custodians? Will you ask an equal number of Do you want to broaden your survey and students from all grades? Will there be an equal include adults, such as your parents? number of males and females surveyed? 3. Now design your questionnaire. Remember Compiling the Results to leave spaces for people to write their age if Summarize the results that you have collected. you want to make age part of your results.Then Be sure your summary includes the following: develop your questions.You will want to list the • the purpose of the survey four rights and perhaps have people rank them. • who the audience was • how many people were surveyed out of the 4. Conduct your survey and compile the total group results.What did you find? Was there any con- • the results sensus? Can you draw any conclusions from your • your conclusions and recommendations. survey? Write a few statements to summarize For example, the music survey results could the results. indicate: • how many students responded to each question • recommendations based on the results of the survey.

001110010011110100011101000 100110101000111010011101011 001010110101001110001101010 010110111100101100001011010Netsurfer 001101101010101001101011010 o100101010010100100101010010 000010101100101001001010101 010111010100101111011100001Visit these web 100101001011010100101010101sites for more 101000011100100111101000111 010001001101010001110100111information on human 010110010101101010011100011rights 010100101101111001011000010www.hri.ca/ and 110100011011010101010011110 100011101000100110101000111www.citzine.ca. 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 106

106 Unit 1: Confederation

Activities Understanding Concepts

1. Add these new terms to your Factfile. Statute of Westminster separatism Charter of Rights and Official Languages Act Parti Québécois Freedoms Constitution Act 1982 Bloc Québécois opinion survey Meech Lake Accord alienation Charlottetown Accord . List the major challenges to Confederation Canada has faced since the 1970s. Briefly explain to a partner how each challenge could break up the country. 3. Why might provinces such as British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Québec choose to leave Confederation? 4. Why did conflicts between the central and provincial governments arise? How do the governments try to resolve these problems? Digging Deeper

5. THINK/SPEAK Divide into three groups. Each group discusses one question below and then chooses a spokesperson to report to the class. a) How would you feel if Québec or any other province/region of Canada did leave Confederation? Why? What would Canada lose? What might the province or region have to gain? b) Could the separation of any province or region lead to war with the rest of Canada? Explain the reasons for your answer. c) If one or more provinces left the union, would the rest of Canada fall apart? What do you think would happen to Canada?

6. RANKING The following is a list of rights set out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Rank these in the order of importance for you and give reasons for your choices. • Aboriginal rights (Native rights) • minority language • assembly • mobility • association • press • conscience • run for public office • equality • thought • language • vote • legal rights 091-107 120820 11/1/04 2:43 PM Page 107

Chapter 7: Confederation Update 107

7. WHO’S WHO A good review exercise is to prepare your own “Who’s Who.” List all the names you can remember discussing in this unit on Confederation. In a sentence or two, summarize the importance of each name.Then use your list to quiz other members of your class. Making New Connections

8. INVESTIGATE Some French-speaking students from Québec were talking with some English-speaking students from the Prairies.They said to each other,“We don’t know you! You don’t know us!” What do you think the students meant by this remark? Is it true? How much do you know about other regions of Canada and the people in them? Find out more about another region of Canada. Create a visual display with photos and facts.

9. THINK/WRITE To help you understand how difficult it is to write a constitu- tion, divide the class into two committees. One will write a constitution that governs the running of a classroom.The other committee will write a constitu- tion for a school team. Each constitution should cover the rights and responsi- bilities of both students and teachers.

10. CREATE Divide into groups and compose a “Student’s Bill of Rights” or a “Child’s Bill of Rights.”

Child's Bill Student's Bill of Rights of Rights

11. CURRENT EVENTS Collect information from newspapers and magazines on the question of Confederation today.Watch for references to conflict felt by regions of Canada with the Confederation agreement. a) Display the articles on a bulletin board. b) Discuss the current issues involving the provinces or regions and the federal government. c) Make a scrapbook on the theme “Confederation Today.”