Social Studies 20-1 Review (copy)

Visions of Canada

"Canadians have been trying to define Canada's identity since before Confederation.  Some, for example, argue that certain beliefs, values, and traditions make Canadians different from citizens of other countries.  Others say that Canada includes many identities.  Still others argue that there is no such thing as a Canadian identity.  Those who believe this say that Canada is so big and includes people from so many cultural backgrounds that Canadians have little in common.   Though they acknowledge the existence of a nation-state called Canada, they do not believe that a Canadian nation exists."

 Exploring Nationalism, Gardner et al. (2008). p300

The following are historical visions of Canada:

• Canadian identity and geography- Canada's rugged geography is fundamental to the Canadian spirit
• One Canada- circa the John Diefenbaker era starting in 1956
• Pluralistic and Multicultural- one element of Canada's identity
• Communities and Nations within a Nation- Joe Clark era starting in 1979

Promoting Canada's National Identity

Myths, institutions and government programs and initiatives have been used to promote a national identity, equally important individuals can promote a national identity, consider, for example, Terry Fox.

The Quest for Canadian Unity

The Canadian government must often face the challenging demand of meeting the various needs of all of the country's citizens.  Even when citizens share similar goals, they may not agree on the most effective way of achieving them.  

The nature of Canada affects national unity.  Consider the following:

• The geography of Canada- Canada is huge, it stretches from the Arctic and Pacific seacoasts, over tundra and mountains, across prairies, past the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence lowlands, to the Appalachian region and the Atlantic cost. 

• Western alienation- regional needs often dictate how the federal government allocates money for federally funded programs.  In addition, the federal government's objectives do not always match the goals of people in specific regions.  These realities can foster the belief that Confederation has not benefitted all Canadians equally.

• Quebec sovereignty and national unity- one of the greatest challenges to Canadian national unity has been the rise of Quebec nationalism. 

• Aboriginal self-determination and national unity- aboriginal peoples believe that self-determination is an inherent right- a right that exists because they occupied  their land and governed themselves for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans in North America.

Moving forward, visions of Canada must take into account that we are a pluralistic society that embraces an inclusive approach that is characterized by respect for diversity.  It assumes that diversity is beneficial and that cultural, religious, spiritual, ideological, gender, linguistic, environmental, and philosophic groups should enjoy autonomy.