6.3.3 Evolution of Canada's National Unity

In 1901, only about 37% of Canada’s population lived in urban areas. By 1956, this number had grown to 67%, and by 2001, the number had grown to more than 80%! Of the more than 1.8 million immigrants who came to Canada during the 1990s, about 73% settled in three large cities: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. In 2016, 35.5% of all Canadians lived in one of those three cities. In 2011, over 81% of Canadians lived in an urban centre. While this shift toward urbanization could be good for overall growth and infrastructure, the negative impact on smaller cities and towns can be significant.

As you view Canada's urbanization trends over the last 150 years according to the Statistics Canada 2016 Census, consider the ways urbanization could challenge Canada's national unity.

Increasing urbanization presents all sorts of challenges with ensuring sufficient housing and services for all. As well, residents of some larger cities in Canada feel that because of their city's size, they should have more say in decisions made by the provincial and federal governments. Some feel that increasing urbanization could unite Canadians while others feel that it could divide them.

In the 2016 census, more than one million people identified themselves as Aboriginal, which is the highest number since the federal governments started keeping records. Aboriginal peoples are also the fastest-growing segment of Canada’s population, growing at more than four times the rate of non-Aboriginal peoples, reaching nearly 1.7 million in 2016 (a 42.5 % increase since 2006).

As you view the brief overview of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada from a 2011 National Household Survey, consider how changes in these trends that Aboriginal peoples experience could impact Canada's national unity.  


In addition, Aboriginal peoples are becoming more urbanized (moving to cities and towns), and have increased life expectancies. These trends raise the following questions:

• How are the growing population and increasing urbanization of Aboriginal peoples likely to affect their sense of national identity?


• How will these trends among Aboriginal peoples strengthen or weaken Canadian unity?

The world’s economy has become increasingly globalized. There are roughly 420 regional trade agreements around the world (according to the World Trade Organization). The governments of most countries use these agreements to provide for their citizens. The image below highlights the major nations that trade exports and imports with Canada. As you can see, trading with the United States accounts for a large percentage of Canada's trade, but there are a variety of other nations who trade with Canada as well (ROW stands for "rest of the world").


The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the United States, and Mexico governs the imports and exports to and from these countries. NAFTA impacts Canada's employment rates, industries, and economic growth. However, nations trying to achieve prosperity and economic stability for themselves can face many challenges. Some Canadians feel that Canada’s industries and businesses should be protected from outside control or influence. For example, between the years 2004 and 2008, 322 000 manufacturing jobs were lost in Canada due to increased international trade and globalization (Statistics Canada, 2009).

Another perspective is that increased trade can provide citizens with more economic benefits. Ultimately, job loss or changes in economic stability upsets people, which can then cause disagreements between people or groups from various parts of the country and the many levels of government. Collectively, this can lead to challenges in maintaining Canadian unity.


All these trends have an impact on Canada's pursuit of national unity, but these trends can also be part of our national identity. Understanding that national identity and national unity are linked very closely is important.

• National unity is difficult without a national identity. A country’s citizens find it easier to be united as a people when they can identify with their nation.


• A national identity is difficult without national unity. A country’s citizens find it easier to have a national identity when they are united as a people.