6.3.3 Evolution of Canada's National Unity


Today, there are various trends both inside and outside Canada that impact Canadian unity. The effects of some of these trends (such as changing immigration patterns and economic globalization) are becoming more obvious. There are several factors detailed below that affect Canadian unity. Explore the following diagram (and the associated readings and videos) to understand how these factors affect Canada’s national unity.


Click on the following tabs to read and view the video excerpts regarding the emerging trends affecting Canadian unity.


In June 2007, Lawrence Martin, author and political columnist for The Globe and Mail, suggested that immigration is one of the most important issues facing Canadians. He wrote that immigration is redefining Canada and is the key to the country’s economy: "[i]mmigration will determine our population size, our post 9/11 security, our social cohesion, our multicultural fabric. It will determine the identity of the new Canada." The Statistics Canada census snapshot of immigration to Canada (below) shows the variety of Canada's immigration population.


Part of Canada's "new" face comes from Canada’s foreign population, which grew four times faster than the Canadian-born population. More than 7.7 million Canadians belong to a visible minority (22.3% of Canada's population in 2016). Nearly 93% of immigrants are able to conduct a conversation in English or French, while 72.5% of Canadians speak another language in addition to English or French.


Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read page 350. If you need a reminder on how to take notes, click here.


Take notes using the 6.3.3 Notebook Organizer (Word, PDF, Google Doc). When you are done, return here to continue.



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.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census:
150 years of urbanization in Canada,
Reproduced and distributed on an "as is" basis
with the permission of Statistics Canada.


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.



Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read page 351. If you need a reminder on how to take notes, click here.


Take notes using the 6.3.3 Notebook Organizer. When you are done, return here to continue.



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.  

Source: Statistics Canada, A brief portrait of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, 2011
National Household Survey, Published May 10, 2013
Reproduced and distributed on an "as is" basis with the permission of Statistics Canada.



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?


Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read page 351. If you need a reminder on how to take notes, click here.


Take notes using the 6.3.3 Notebook Organizer. When you are done, return here to continue.



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.


Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read pages 352 and 353. If you need a reminder on how to take notes, click here.

Take notes using the 6.3.3 Notebook Organizer. When you are done, return here to continue.


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.