The

“Just Society”

Continued…

Immigration & Minorities

The Changing Face of Canada’s Population

Immigration by 1950sPrior to 1960s• Despite a large wave of multi-

ethnic in the early 1900s, most immigrants to Canada were of British descent

• After WWI, immigration restrictions were tightened, making it very difficult for non-white, non-Christians to come to Canada

• Immigration from Asia was almost completely stopped

• There was a large influx of people after WWII, including “displaced persons” from Eastern European countries

1960s Onward…• A drain of skilled Canadians

moving to the US caused a shortage of skilled workers

• New, open attitudes, prompted partly by the Universal Declaration Human rights, caused the Canadian Gov’t to change its immigration criteria

• 1967: A “points system” rated immigrants based on education, skill demand, age, etc. was introduced – it did NOT assign points based on ethnicity or religion

• However, non-white immigrants could not “sponsor” family members in their home countries

• In 1978, Trudeau abolished all remaining discriminatory policies and based the immigration system on 3 tenets:– Humanitarian– Economic– Demographic

• These principles would guide selection of immigrants, NOT race/culture/religion

The Response….

• Many Canadians welcomed the changes and the new elements it brought to Canada

• The increase in immigration has helped Canada to counter its downward trending birth rate and maintain a stable population growth

• Some Canadians feared the influx of different cultures would erode our “British Heritage” and change Canada for the worse.

• Others feared that there would not be enough jobs for all the new people and that immigrants would either be unemployed or take jobs from “real Canadians”.

The Cultural Mosaic• In 1971, Trudeau’s government adopted “multiculturalism”

as an official policy.• This meant that the gov’t dedicated itself to:

– Promote understanding between cultural groups– Assist groups to maintain their cultural heritage and practices in

Canada– Remove barriers that discouraged cultural groups from

participating in Canadian society• Multiculturalism is the idea that Canadian society is made

up of many distinct cultures and that they can be maintained within our society (a sharp departure from the “melting pot” model favoured by the USA)

• Multicultural policy and ideals were the basis for the removal of many discriminatory policies in education, housing, and employment throughout the 1970s and 80s

Native Rights

The Continuing Struggle…Prior to 1950

• Natives (Aboriginals) did not possess the right to vote in federal or provincial elections

• Native issues were governed by the Indian Act, which was very old-fashioned and restrictive

• Some Native religious ceremonies were banned

• Conditions on Native reserves were often sub-standard due to location and a lack of resources promised by the gov’t

• Residential schools were still in operation

• Racism and discrimination, both informal and systemic was widespread

• In order to maintain their “Indian Status”, natives had to live on reserves and could not vote

Starting in 1950• By 1960, all aboriginals gained

the right to vote and maintain their “Indian status”

• The Indian Act was revised:– The Potlatch, Sun Dance and

other ceremonies were allowed– Women could vote in band

elections– The bands gained more authority

and freedom from the Ministry of Indian Affairs

• Residential schools were finally closed in 1970

• Land claims by Aboriginal groups began to gain some public support

In 1969, the Trudeau Gov’t published a “White Paper” (policy document) outlining their suggestions for helping to integrate Aboriginals into Canadian society. These suggestions were met with fierce resistance from Native leaders who saw it as a renewed attempt at assimilating Native culture. They responded with what they

termed their “Red Paper”

Trudeau’s White Paper• Their should be no distinction

(good or bad) between the treatment of Natives and non-Natives

• Natives would get services from the provinces, not the Fed. Gov’t

• Abolish the Indian Act• Abolish reserve lands• Terminate treaties• Abolish “special status” for

Natives

Neither side could convince the other and nothing was accomplished

The “Red Paper”

• Maintain “special status” to protect Aboriginal cultures from assimilation

• Provide access to the same services and rights as other Canadians

• Recognize Natives as “citizens +” with unique rights (many guaranteed in previous treaties)

Progress…slow, but steady progress…• The Supreme Court recognized that past treaties (no matter

how old) were still valid and should be updated and honoured by the Canadian Gov’t. eg. “medicine chest” = health insurance

• Bands received the right to administer their own community schools to address the cultural needs of their children

• The 1982 Constitution recognized the need to respect and honour previous treaties and land claims

• In 1985, Native women finally won the right to full equality with native men under the Indian Act

• Aboriginal groups have demanded the right to self-government on their lands and many have gained that right.

Each of these victories only came after long and fierce protest, struggle, and pressure from Native groups and their supporters…none were “easy wins”

“The treatment of children in Indian Residential Schools is a sad chapter in our history.”

–PM Stephen Harper

• In 2008, PM Stephen Harper (and the Federal gov’t) finally officially recognized the grave injustice done to Aboriginals and their communities by the Residential School policy

• An official apology was published and provisions made for restitutions to both former students and their communities

https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100015644/1100100015649

Land Claims • The Federal gov’t has set up a

forum to address the two types of “land claims” by Native groups:– Comprehensive (where Natives

NEVER surrendered land title– Specific (where treaties were

made, but then ignored by the gov’t)

• Native groups are asking for the compensation and rights they were promised and control over areas in which they never gave up their title

• The creation of Nunavit in 1999 was a major victory for land claims

• Unfortunately, the land claims process is very slow and fraught with controversy. This has led to confrontations and incidents between Native groups and the Gov’t– Quebec Inuit Relocation– Lubicon Cree dispute– Ipperwash Crisis– Oka Crisis– Caledonia dispute

• Their have been protests, occupations, violent clashes, and even deaths as a result of these disputes

Despite all the progress that has been made, there are still many important and unresolved issues concerning Natives,

rights, and discrimination in Canada