History of Canada – 1867 to Present Unit 14 Review: 1980s to Present

Key Events and Timeline

• Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) marked the end of the Cold War and a shift in global politics
• Oka Crisis (1990) involved a land dispute between the Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, highlighting ongoing tensions between Indigenous communities and the Canadian government
• Charlottetown Accord (1992) proposed constitutional amendments to recognize Quebec as a distinct society and reform the Senate, but was rejected in a nationwide referendum
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect (1994), creating a trilateral trade bloc between Canada, the United States, and Mexico
  • Aimed to eliminate trade barriers and promote economic integration
  • Replaced the earlier Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA)
• Quebec referendum on sovereignty (1995) narrowly defeated, with 50.58% voting "No" to Quebec independence
• Kyoto Protocol ratified by Canada (2002), committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of global efforts to combat climate change
• Same-sex marriage legalized nationwide (2005) through the Civil Marriage Act, making Canada the fourth country in the world to do so
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission established (2008) to document the history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system

Political Landscape

• Rise of the Reform Party in the late 1980s and early 1990s, advocating for fiscal conservatism, decentralization, and populist policies
  • Reform Party merged with the Progressive Conservative Party to form the Canadian Alliance (2000)
• Decline of the Progressive Conservative Party following the 1993 federal election, reduced to just two seats in Parliament
• Liberal Party dominance under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien (1993-2003), focusing on deficit reduction, economic growth, and social policy reforms
  • Chrétien's government balanced the federal budget for the first time in decades
• Sponsorship scandal (2004) involving the misuse of public funds in Quebec, damaging the Liberal Party's reputation and contributing to their electoral defeat in 2006
• Conservative Party of Canada formed (2003) through the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party
  • Stephen Harper became Prime Minister (2006-2015), leading a Conservative minority government
• Increased political engagement and representation of Indigenous peoples, with the creation of the Assembly of First Nations (1982) and the election of more Indigenous MPs
• Growing influence of social movements and advocacy groups, such as the environmental movement and LGBTQ+ rights organizations

Economic Developments

• Shift towards a knowledge-based economy, with increased focus on innovation, technology, and services
  • Growth of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, including companies like Research in Motion (BlackBerry) and Nortel Networks
• Free trade agreements, such as NAFTA (1994) and later the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (2017), aimed at expanding market access and promoting economic growth
• Fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar, with periods of appreciation and depreciation relative to the US dollar
  • The Canadian dollar reached parity with the US dollar in 2007 for the first time since 1976
• Resource-based economy continued to play a significant role, with the development of the Alberta oil sands and the expansion of mining and forestry industries
  • Debates over the environmental and social impacts of resource extraction projects
• Economic challenges, including the early 1990s recession, the dot-com bubble burst (2000), and the global financial crisis (2008-2009)
  • Government responses included stimulus spending, bailouts, and monetary policy adjustments
• Changing labor market dynamics, with a decline in manufacturing jobs and the rise of precarious work and the gig economy
• Widening income inequality and concerns about affordability, particularly in housing markets in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver

Foreign Policy Shifts

• Canada's role in the post-Cold War era, focusing on multilateralism, human rights, and international cooperation
  • Active participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions and humanitarian interventions (Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo)
• Strengthening of Canada-US relations through initiatives like the Smart Border Declaration (2001) and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (2005)
  • Collaboration on security, trade, and energy issues
  • Occasional tensions over issues like softwood lumber disputes and cultural protectionism
• Engagement with emerging economies and the Asia-Pacific region, seeking to diversify trade and investment partnerships
  • Joining the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum (1989)
  • Free trade agreements with countries like South Korea (2015) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations
• Support for international treaties and conventions, such as the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines (1997) and the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court (1998)
• Balancing commitments to NATO and other alliances with an independent foreign policy approach
  • Decisions to participate or abstain from military interventions (Gulf War, Iraq War, Libya)
• Promotion of Canadian values and interests abroad, including democracy, rule of law, and gender equality
  • Creation of the Office of Religious Freedom (2013) and the Feminist International Assistance Policy (2017)

Peacekeeping and Military Involvement

• Continued participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions, although with reduced troop contributions compared to earlier decades
  • Deployments to countries like Haiti, Mali, and South Sudan
• Involvement in NATO-led military operations, such as the Balkans (1990s), Afghanistan (2001-2014), and Libya (2011)
  • Canada's role in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, combating Taliban insurgency and supporting reconstruction efforts
• Disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, responding to crises like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake
• Defence policy reviews and military modernization efforts, such as the 1994 White Paper on Defence and the 2017 Strong, Secure, Engaged policy
  • Balancing domestic security needs with international commitments and budget constraints
• Controversies and public debates surrounding Canadian military involvement, such as the Somalia Affair (1993) and the treatment of Afghan detainees
• Remembrance and commemoration of Canadian veterans and fallen soldiers, with events like Remembrance Day and the creation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (2000)
• Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the Canadian Armed Forces, addressing issues like sexual misconduct and discrimination
• Contributions to international disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2017)

Social and Cultural Changes

• Demographic shifts, with increasing immigration from non-European countries and the growth of visible minority populations
  • Debates over multiculturalism, integration, and accommodation of cultural practices
• Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, acknowledging the legacy of residential schools and working towards addressing systemic inequalities
  • Apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (2008) and the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • Calls for action on issues like missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
• Advancements in LGBTQ+ rights, including the decriminalization of homosexuality (1969), the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act (1996), and the legalization of same-sex marriage (2005)
  • Ongoing efforts to address discrimination and promote equality for LGBTQ+ individuals
• Changing family structures and gender roles, with an increase in dual-income households, single-parent families, and stay-at-home fathers
  • Introduction of parental leave benefits and efforts to promote work-life balance
• Shifts in religious affiliation and practice, with a decline in traditional religious observance and the growth of secularism and spiritual diversity
• Cultural contributions and achievements, such as the success of Canadian musicians (Celine Dion, Drake), filmmakers (James Cameron, Denis Villeneuve), and writers (Margaret Atwood, Yann Martel)
  • Promotion of Canadian content and cultural industries through initiatives like the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the Canada Media Fund
• Linguistic and regional diversity, with efforts to promote both official languages (English and French) and support for Indigenous languages and heritage languages
• Debates over social issues and values, such as abortion rights, euthanasia, and the legalization of cannabis (2018)

Environmental Initiatives

• Kyoto Protocol ratification (2002) and subsequent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change
  • Implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms, such as the federal carbon tax and cap-and-trade systems in some provinces
  • Investment in renewable energy sources and clean technology innovation
• Participation in international environmental agreements and conferences, such as the Paris Agreement (2015) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Creation of protected areas and national parks, such as the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (1993) and the Torngat Mountains National Park (2005)
  • Efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species
• Environmental assessments and regulatory processes for resource development projects, balancing economic benefits with ecological concerns
  • Controversies over projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and the Site C dam
• Sustainable development initiatives, promoting eco-friendly practices in industries like forestry, fisheries, and agriculture
  • Adoption of certification schemes and environmental management systems
• Waste reduction and recycling programs, encouraging responsible consumption and disposal of materials
  • Bans on single-use plastics and initiatives to promote circular economy principles
• Water conservation and protection, addressing issues like water scarcity, pollution, and the impact of climate change on freshwater resources
  • Collaboration with the United States on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and other transboundary water management initiatives
• Indigenous environmental stewardship and traditional ecological knowledge, recognizing the role of Indigenous peoples in conserving and managing natural resources
  • Co-management agreements and the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives in environmental decision-making

Canada's International Reputation

• Perception as a peaceful, tolerant, and multicultural nation, often seen as a model for diversity and inclusion
  • Welcoming of refugees and immigrants, with notable examples like the resettlement of Syrian refugees (2015-2016)
• Reputation as an honest broker and mediator in international conflicts and disputes
  • Contributions to diplomatic efforts and peace processes in regions like the Middle East and Northern Ireland
• Commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation, through active participation in organizations like the United Nations, NATO, and the Commonwealth
  • Leadership roles in initiatives like the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine
• Promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, advocating for the protection of vulnerable populations and the advancement of gender equality
  • Support for international development and humanitarian assistance programs
• Economic stability and competitiveness, attracting foreign investment and maintaining a high standard of living
  • Membership in the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Cultural influence and soft power, with Canadian artists, athletes, and public figures gaining global recognition
  • Success in international sporting events like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup
• Environmental leadership, with efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development
  • Hosting of international conferences and events, such as the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987) and the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (2014)
• Occasional criticisms and controversies, such as Canada's historical treatment of Indigenous peoples, its arms exports to countries with human rights concerns, and its environmental record in relation to resource extraction industries
  • Efforts to address these issues and maintain a positive international image through diplomatic engagement and domestic reforms