Canadian Society and Canadian Society and Culture:Culture:

Times of ChangeTimes of ChangeI remember! I remember!

His name is His name is

Paul Anka!Paul Anka!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY4uxdAt4-M

Massey CommissionMassey Commission

Formed in 1951Formed in 1951

Goal: investigate the state of Canadian cultureGoal: investigate the state of Canadian culture

Results: suggested that Canadian culture needed protection Results: suggested that Canadian culture needed protection from US influencefrom US influence Strengthen National Film BoardStrengthen National Film Board Fund universities and the artsFund universities and the arts Establish Canada Council for the ArtsEstablish Canada Council for the Arts

Awarded grants to writers, artists, and theatersAwarded grants to writers, artists, and theaters CBC put in charge of development of Canadian televisionCBC put in charge of development of Canadian television

1952 – opened first two stations in Toronto and Montreal1952 – opened first two stations in Toronto and Montreal By 1960, 90% of Canadian homes had a TV and access to the CBCBy 1960, 90% of Canadian homes had a TV and access to the CBC

CRTCCRTC

Canadian Radio-Television and Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission established Telecommunications Commission established in 1968in 1968

Regulates foreign content in Canadian mediaRegulates foreign content in Canadian media

Each of these measures encouraged the growthEach of these measures encouraged the growth

of the arts and culture in Canadaof the arts and culture in Canada

Newcomers to CanadaNewcomers to Canada

Since 1905, Canada’s immigration policy was Since 1905, Canada’s immigration policy was quite restrictive, wanting only people of British or quite restrictive, wanting only people of British or European originEuropean origin

After WW II, millions of displaced persons, or After WW II, millions of displaced persons, or refugees, were looking for a homerefugees, were looking for a home

165 000 came to Canada165 000 came to Canada 1956 – A violent Hungarian revolution – Canada 1956 – A violent Hungarian revolution – Canada

relaxed entry requirements and accepted 37 000 relaxed entry requirements and accepted 37 000 immigrants who wanted to escape communismimmigrants who wanted to escape communism

First NationsFirst Nations After returning from the War, Aboriginal soldiers After returning from the War, Aboriginal soldiers

were denied benefits other veterans receivedwere denied benefits other veterans received Residential schools grew (76 in operation during Residential schools grew (76 in operation during

the 1950s)the 1950s) 1951 changes to the Indian Act – women allowed 1951 changes to the Indian Act – women allowed

to vote in band elections; potlatches were now to vote in band elections; potlatches were now legallegal

1953-1955 Relocation of Inuit families from 1953-1955 Relocation of Inuit families from Northern Quebec and Pond Inlet in Nunavut to Northern Quebec and Pond Inlet in Nunavut to Grise Fjord and Resolute Bay (2000 km away).Grise Fjord and Resolute Bay (2000 km away).

This move to the High Arctic was voluntary because This move to the High Arctic was voluntary because hinting in their previous area was poor, but they were not hinting in their previous area was poor, but they were not told about conditions in the Arctic or about how difficult told about conditions in the Arctic or about how difficult it would be to return to Quebec if they wished to do so.it would be to return to Quebec if they wished to do so.

They were dropped off without firewood or housing at They were dropped off without firewood or housing at the onset of the Arctic’s four-month winter darknessthe onset of the Arctic’s four-month winter darkness

Law suits later would argue that this was a move by the Law suits later would argue that this was a move by the government to assert sovereignty in the Far North for government to assert sovereignty in the Far North for Canada and not done with the interest of the Inuit in mindCanada and not done with the interest of the Inuit in mind

New Times, New New Times, New LeadershipLeadership

Canadian Politics of the 1950sCanadian Politics of the 1950s

Mackenzie KingMackenzie King

1948 King retires; longest serving Prime 1948 King retires; longest serving Prime MinisterMinister

Replaced by Louis St. Laurent; known as Replaced by Louis St. Laurent; known as “Uncle Louis”“Uncle Louis”

St. Laurent as PMSt. Laurent as PM Expanded federal social welfare programsExpanded federal social welfare programs Brought in hospital insuranceBrought in hospital insurance

An important step towards universal health careAn important step towards universal health care Brought Newfoundland into ConfederationBrought Newfoundland into Confederation Appointed first Canadian-born Governor General (Vincent Appointed first Canadian-born Governor General (Vincent

Massey)Massey) Made Supreme Court of Canada the highest courtMade Supreme Court of Canada the highest court Changes to the BNA Act, now Canadian Parliament could Changes to the BNA Act, now Canadian Parliament could

make amendments to its own constitution without appealing to make amendments to its own constitution without appealing to British ParliamentBritish Parliament

Initiated mega-projects (Trans-Canada Hwy)Initiated mega-projects (Trans-Canada Hwy)

1957 election1957 election Conservative John Diefenbaker Conservative John Diefenbaker

elected “Dief”elected “Dief” Populist (someone who appeals Populist (someone who appeals

to concerns of ordinary people) to concerns of ordinary people) leader from Saskatchewan leader from Saskatchewan

A witty oratorA witty orator ““I saw people kneel and kiss his I saw people kneel and kiss his

coat. Not one, but many. People coat. Not one, but many. People were in tears. People were were in tears. People were delirious.”delirious.”

Arrival of NewfoundlandArrival of Newfoundland Newfoundland was a British colony that was growing in Newfoundland was a British colony that was growing in

its own independenceits own independence Great Depression hit it very hard; declared bankruptcy; Great Depression hit it very hard; declared bankruptcy;

governed by Great Britaingoverned by Great Britain GB sets up a special commission to governGB sets up a special commission to govern

1948 referendum (3 choices)1948 referendum (3 choices) Governed by special commission (no change)Governed by special commission (no change) Self-governed dominion within British Empire Self-governed dominion within British Empire Join Canada (pushed by Joey Smallwood)Join Canada (pushed by Joey Smallwood)

Smallwood elected premier of province – hold position for more than Smallwood elected premier of province – hold position for more than two decadestwo decades

Quebec and NationalismQuebec and Nationalism

1944-1959 premier Maurice Duplessis 1944-1959 premier Maurice Duplessis Believed in Quebec as a distinct culture, a Believed in Quebec as a distinct culture, a

“nation” rather than a province“nation” rather than a province Roman Catholic Church became defender of Roman Catholic Church became defender of

Quebec cultureQuebec culture Rural farming lifestyle vs English materialismRural farming lifestyle vs English materialism Emphasize languages, philosophy vs Science and Emphasize languages, philosophy vs Science and

industryindustry

Great DarknessGreat Darkness

Duplessis encouraged foreign investment but not Duplessis encouraged foreign investment but not cultural influencescultural influences Labour was cheap (discouraged/banned union activity), Labour was cheap (discouraged/banned union activity),

taxes were lowtaxes were low Companies were expected to contribute to the Union Companies were expected to contribute to the Union

Nationale in return for these favorable business Nationale in return for these favorable business conditionsconditions

Bribery and corruption were rampantBribery and corruption were rampant Duplessis Orphans Duplessis Orphans Time was known as “La Grande Noirceur” Time was known as “La Grande Noirceur”