Introductory Page on Three Areas of Reporting

      Canada’s International Role

      In this section, discussions will center on some of the most prominent influences that Canada has made on the international relations between 1945 and 1970. This includes Canada’s important role in diffusing tension arose over the Suez Canal, its active involvement in the United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its recognition of the communist government of the People’s Republic of China. Discussions will also reflect upon the negative aspects during this time period, including Canada’s dehumanization of those who are suspected of having any forms of relation with the spread of communism, or the “red menace.” 

      

      Changing Canadian Society

      In this section, discussions will be made on the actions that the federal government took in order to deal with the drastic social changes. This includes the fate of the veterans who had gone off to war and came back facing financial difficulties, the protection of Canadian culture from U.S. influences, the introduction of the Canadian Bill of Rights, the improved social welfare system under the leadership of Lester Pearson and the addressing of concerns of unemployment and regional disparity during the Trudeau era. Some of the misconducts that Canada made during this time include the installation of V-8 engines that can cause serious atmospheric pollution, the dependence on U.S. companies that seemed to make Canada look as though it was losing control of its economy and the cutting of federal government spending in order to address the debt crisis

      

      Changing Canadian Identity

      In this section, discussion will be made with regards to the Quebeckers feeling of separation from Canada, the passing of the Official Languages Act by the Trudeau government, and the revision of Canada’s Constitution on April 17, 1982 that promised to recognize Quebec as an equal partner in Canada. Also, the negative approaches in which the government took concerning the Constitution debate will be evaluated. This includes the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord, packages of amendments to the constitution proposed by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Although his intentions were to resolve the growing tension between Quebec and the rest of Canada, his government failed to realize that by directly amending the Constitution in favor of those in discontentment, he was ultimately pleasing a certain group rather than improving the current situation.