Canadian Culture

1. Canadian Culture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1CwZgb_iAI

2. Protecting Canadian Culture • Massey Commission • National Film Board strengthened • CBC TV • Canada Council • CRTC • FIRA

3. 1. Massey Commission • 1949 - Because of large influence of Hollywood and US media in general, the Canadian government established the Massey Commissionto investigate the state of Canadian culture • 1951 – Commission reported that Canadian culture needed to be protected from US influences – recommended that the National Film Board (est. in 1939) be strengthened and that the federal government become involved in funding universities and the arts Massey Commission - 1949

4. 2. CBC TV • 1952 – CBC Television established (CBC Radio Established in 1936) 1st to appear on CBC TV – Percy Saltzman

5. 3. Canada Council • 1957 –based on the Massey Commission’s recommendations– Canada Council was established to award tax-funded grants to writers, artists, and theatres • National Ballet and Royal Winnipeg ballet – soon won international acclaim • well-known authors emerged – Robertson Davies, Margaret Lawrence and W.O. Mitchell Largest arts grant to an individual is $10,000 to Helen Creighton (here in Nova Scotia in 1955) to transcribe folk tunes on tape at the National Museum.

6. 4. CRTC • 1952 – CBC put in charge of development of television • 1968 – established the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) • agency that regulates the amount of foreign material broadcast over the airwaves and imposes rules requiring “Canadian Content” (Cancon) http://archives.cbc.ca/arts_entertainment/media/topics/1150/

7. 5. FIRA • 1973 – Trudeau established the Foreign Investment Review Agency (FIRA) • To approve the establishment of any new foreign companies in Canada • Intended to target American investment & protect Canadian industries Not For Sale

8. Developing Canadian Culture 1. PM Louis St Laurent (1948-1957) • Trans-Canada Highway, St Lawrence Seaway, and Trans-Canada Pipeline • All linked Canada in new ways geographically and economically • Newfoundland joined Confederation (1949) • Joey Smallwood (right) – 1st Premier of Nfld

9. 2. PM John Diefenbaker (1957-1963) • Raised pensions for elderly & disabled* (*Social Safety Net) • Gave financial aid to farmers • ***1960 – created the Canadian Bill of Rights – guaranteed all basic freedoms to Canadians • Freedom of speech, worship & assembly Dief with Bill of Rights

10. 3. PM Lester B. Pearson (1963-1968) • Before PM – Minister of External Affairs – won Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for UN Emergency Force suggestion in Suez Crisis • 1963 - Appointed Royal Commission on Bilingualism & Biculturalism (“Bi and Bi Commission”) to look into French-English Relations • Discovered that French-Canadians did not receive the same benefits as English-Canadians outside of Quebec (i.e. jobs in gov.) Bi and Bi Commission

11. Pearson – con’t • 1965 - Introduced the Canada Pension Plan* (*Social Safety Net) • 1966 – introduced Medicare* for all Canadians (*Social Safety Net) Tommy Douglas and the CCF 1st introduced Medicare in Saskatchewan PM Pearson

12. 1965 – Pearson introduced Canada’s new national flag (no longer with British ensign) • Flag hotly debated in 1964 – those who wanted to honour British heritage outraged • Flag became a declaration of both independence and unique identity

13. 4. PM Pierre Elliot Trudeau (1968-1979; 1980 -1984) • “Trudeaumania” –charismatic – treated like a rock star

14. Trudeau – cont’ • His vision: a “just society” – equality for all • also strong advocate of individual freedom – believed gov. should not interfere with personal liberties • 1969 – implemented Official Languages Act • made Canada truly Bilingual and Bicultural – hoped it would help Quebec feel more a part of Canada

15. Trudeau – cont’ • Emphasized increased independence from USA • militarily (i.e. cut back on NATO forces), • economically (i.e. FIRA), and • politically (established ties with communist China and Cuba despite US protests)

16. Trudeau – cont’ Focus: Foreign Aid to Developing Countries • While the Cold War politically split the world between the East and West, an economic gap separated the rich North from the poor South. • The Trudeau government aimed to promote world peace, he believed the North should be helping countries struck with poverty in the South to develop their economies and improve living conditions. • This became known as a policy of “Trade and Aid” of Trudeau’s foreign policy.

17. Foreign Aid - CIDA • In 1968 the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)was formed to boost foreign aid to less industrialized countries (countries receiving aid would agree to buy products from Canada, which is called “tied aid”)

18. Multiculturalism • With changes to immigration policy came changes to the composition of Canadian society • 1971 – Trudeau adopted a policy of multiculturalism • Helped schools set up new courses • Promoted multicultural events • Set up a council to study issues • Multiculturalism became law with the Multicultural Act of 1988 (PM Mulroney)

19. Canada Health Act - 1984 • Canada Health Act (1984) • Canada’s Health insurance legislation • Guidelines to ensure all citizens have euql access to services • Doctors and hospitals not allowed to charge user fees • Each province received $$ from the federal government through transfer payments • Pro of system – EVERYONE has Access • Con of system – VERY expensive to administer

20. 1982 - Repatriation of Constitution& Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Trudeau’s most valuable contribution to Canadian Society: Repatriation of Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Brought constitution home from Britain with Canada Act (1982) and Constitution Act (1982) Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth II signing Canada Act

21. Constitution & Charter • Repatriation of constitution occurred in part due to a promise Trudeau had made to Quebec during the 1980 referendum • Ironically, in the end, Quebec was the only province to not “sign off” on the new constitution and amending formula, thus leaving Quebec out of the constitutional process • Outcome opposite of what Trudeau intended: more tensions with French Canada

22. Trudeau – negative legacy • During the 1970s • High inflation - introduced price and wage controls – angered many • OPEC Crisis – 1972 • Raised price of oil from $6 a barrel to $16 • Unemployment high at same time • Led to unions demanding higher wages – gov. went into debt

23. OPEC Crisis http://archives.cbc.ca/science_technology/energy_production/clips/2139/

24. Trudeau – negative legacy • Western Alienation – NEP • In response to theOPEC Crisis – Trudeau implemented the National Energy Policy (NEP) - 1980 • Froze Alberta oil prices below world levels to keep the cost of oil down for Canadians • Also imposed a tariff on oil sold to the USA to make up for oil imported from OPEC countries • Elicited angry reactions from Alberta because were prevented from getting fair market value for their oil • Led to feelings of Western Alienation (Central government acting out of self-interest rather than region’s interests)

25. PM Brian Mulroney (1984-1993) • Developed very close relationship with USA economically and President Reagan personally • Led to Free Trade Agreement (1987) and North American Free Trade Agreement (1992; ratified in 1994)

26. Mulroney – Constitutional Accords • Focus of time in office: attempt to resolve the divisive issue of national unity • As Quebec was the only province that did not sign the new Canadian constitution = Mulroney wanted to include Quebec in a new agreement with the rest of Canada • 1987, he negotiated the Meech Lake Accord with the provincial premiers, a package of constitutional amendments designed to satisfy Quebec's demand for recognition as a "distinct society" within Canada, and to devolve some powers to the provinces • Unfortunately – Meech Lake did not pass

27. Mulroney – Constitutional Accords • outlined extensive changes to the constitution, including recognition of Quebec as a distinct society • agreement overwhelmingly defeated in a national referendum in October 1992 • Failure of Charlottetown sparked a revival of Quebec separatism and another Quebec Referendum in 1995 • 1991-92 Charlottetown Accord – next attempt

28. Mulroney – cont’ • 1992 - decline of cod stocks in Atlantic Canada led the Mulroney government to impose a moratorium on the cod fishery • Put an end to a large portion of the Newfoundland fishing industry, and caused serious economic hardship • Reinforced feelings of REGIONALISM, as many blamed the federal government for mishandling the issue http://archives.cbc.ca/science_technology/energy_production/clips/2139/ http://archives.cbc.ca/economy_business/natural_resources/topics/1595/ http://archives.cbc.ca/economy_business/natural_resources/topics/1595/