Lesson 16: Significant Historical Events

Introduction to Significant Historical Events

Throughout Canada’s history, certain events have shaped the way we understand ourselves as Canadians today. These significant historical events helped form the laws, values, and culture that make Canada unique. Some events led to the creation of our country, while others changed how Canadians think about fairness, rights, and the importance of different cultures.

When we talk about "significant" events, we mean moments in history that had a big impact on the country and its people. Understanding these events helps us see how Canada has changed over time and how we became the nation we are today. Events like Confederation, the creation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and efforts toward Indigenous Reconciliation are just a few examples of what has shaped Canada.

In this lesson, we’ll explore some of these important events and think about how they helped build Canadian identity. By the end, you’ll be able to explain how these moments in history helped shape what it means to be Canadian.

Contact with the Europeans and Colonization

The arrival of Europeans in North America marked the beginning of dramatic changes for the Indigenous Peoples who had lived on the land for thousands of years. The first recorded European contact in Canada occurred when the Viking explorer Leif Erikson arrived around 1000 AD, but widespread contact did not begin until the late 1400s and early 1500s, when European explorers like John Cabot and Jacques Cartier arrived. These explorers were followed by settlers from countries like France and Britain.

At first, Europeans and Indigenous Peoples traded goods. The fur trade became a major part of early relationships, with Europeans trading metal tools and weapons for valuable animal pelts, like beaver fur. However, as more Europeans settled, the relationship between settlers and Indigenous Peoples changed. Europeans brought new diseases, such as smallpox, to which Indigenous Peoples had no immunity. These diseases devastated Indigenous populations, killing many and weakening their communities.

As European nations competed for land and resources, they began to colonize North America. France established colonies in what is now Quebec and the Maritime provinces, while Britain took control of areas like Newfoundland and later all of what became Canada. Colonization was the process of Europeans taking control of land, setting up settlements, and imposing their own systems of government, economy, and religion. Indigenous Peoples were pushed off their lands, and their cultures and ways of life were deeply affected.

The colonization of Canada led to the creation of treaties between Indigenous Nations and European settlers. However, many of these treaties were misunderstood or unfairly enforced. As a result, Indigenous Peoples often lost access to their lands and resources. Over time, European control grew, and Indigenous ways of life were further disrupted by European laws, education systems, and religious practices, especially through the establishment of residential schools.

The arrival of Europeans and the colonization of Canada changed the lives of Indigenous Peoples forever, shaping the history of the country in complex and lasting ways.

Confederation: The Birth of a Nation

On July 1, 1867, Canada officially became a country through Confederation. Before this, what is now Canada was made up of British colonies, each with its own government. These colonies included Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Confederation brought these provinces together to form the Dominion of Canada, marking the beginning of Canada as a self-governing nation within the British Empire.

One of the main reasons for Confederation was the need for better defense and economic stability. The colonies were vulnerable to invasion, especially from the United States, and needed to work together to protect themselves. Additionally, the colonies wanted to build a railway that would connect them, helping to improve trade and communication. By joining together, the provinces could share the costs and benefits of this project.

The key leader behind Confederation was Sir John A. Macdonald, who became Canada’s first Prime Minister. He worked alongside other important figures, like George-Étienne Cartier and Charles Tupper, to negotiate the terms of the union. These leaders believed that Canada should be united, with its own central government that could make decisions for the country as a whole.

Confederation also involved the creation of a new political system. Canada adopted a federal system of government, meaning that power would be divided between a central federal government and provincial governments. This system allowed each province to keep control over certain local matters, like education, while the federal government handled larger issues like defense and trade.

However, not all colonies or regions were eager to join Confederation right away. For example, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland chose to stay out at first, only joining Canada in later years. Additionally, Indigenous Peoples were not consulted in the process of Confederation, and the decisions made by the new government would have a lasting impact on their rights and land.

Confederation was the first step in creating the country of Canada as we know it today. It laid the foundation for the political and cultural growth of the nation, but it also left many challenges, particularly in the relationship between the government and Indigenous Peoples.

The Statute of Westminster (1931)

The Statute of Westminster, passed in 1931, was a key moment in Canada’s journey to full independence. Before this statute, Canada was still legally tied to the British Parliament in many ways. Although Canada had gained some control over its internal affairs through Confederation in 1867, Britain still held significant power over Canada's laws and foreign policy. The Statute of Westminster changed this, giving Canada more independence and the ability to make its own laws without British interference.

One of the most important parts of the Statute was that it ended the power of the British Parliament to make laws for Canada. This meant that Canada could now pass laws without having to seek approval from Britain, making the country fully responsible for its own decisions. It also allowed Canada to sign its own international agreements and develop its own foreign policy, separate from Britain's.

The Statute of Westminster was important because it showed that Canada was growing into its own nation, separate from British control. It helped solidify Canada’s identity as an independent country and paved the way for future milestones, such as the Constitution Act of 1982, which gave Canada full control over its constitution.

Although the Statute of Westminster granted more independence, some provinces and territories were slow to adopt its full implications. For example, Canada did not gain full control over changes to its constitution until 1982. Nonetheless, this event marked a significant step in Canada’s political evolution and further strengthened its identity as a self-governing country.

Multiculturalism and the Official Languages Act (1969)

Canada is known around the world for its diversity and commitment to inclusion. Two major developments that shaped Canada’s identity in this way are multiculturalism and the Official Languages Act. Both policies have helped Canada embrace different cultures and languages, making the country a welcoming place for people from all backgrounds.

In 1969, Canada passed the Official Languages Act, which recognized English and French as the two official languages of the country. This law required that government services be available in both languages, ensuring that both English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians had equal rights. This was especially important for people living in Quebec, where French is the main language, and it helped ease tensions between English and French Canadians. The Act also promoted bilingualism, meaning that Canadians are encouraged to speak both languages, and it reflected the idea that Canada is a country that respects and values its linguistic diversity.

In 1971, Canada took another major step by adopting multiculturalism as an official policy. This was the first time any country in the world had done so. Multiculturalism means that Canada not only allows people from different cultural backgrounds to keep their traditions but also celebrates those traditions. The policy was a response to the growing number of immigrants arriving in Canada from all over the world, and it recognized that diversity was one of the country’s strengths. Instead of expecting people to leave their cultures behind, Canada encouraged them to share their cultures and contribute to the fabric of Canadian society.

These two policies — the Official Languages Act and multiculturalism — have shaped modern Canada by creating a society where diversity is valued. They reflect Canada’s belief in equality and inclusion, and they continue to influence how Canadians see themselves today.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, introduced in 1982, is one of the most important documents in Canada’s history. It protects the basic rights and freedoms of all Canadians and is a central part of the Constitution Act of 1982, which made Canada fully independent from Britain in terms of law and governance. The Charter was a major step in shaping modern Canada, as it put into law the rights and freedoms that every Canadian should have, regardless of background or beliefs.

The Charter guarantees key freedoms, such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. It also protects the rights of individuals in areas like equality, where everyone is to be treated fairly regardless of race, gender, or disability. For example, the equality rights section ensures that no one in Canada can be discriminated against by the government. These protections have been critical in helping build a society that values fairness and justice for all.

One of the most significant aspects of the Charter is its focus on protecting the individual rights of Canadians while balancing them with the needs of society as a whole. It ensures that Canadians have the right to participate in their democracy, and it safeguards fundamental freedoms, including the right to vote and the right to a fair trial. The Charter also protects the language rights of French- and English-speaking Canadians, further promoting Canada’s bilingual identity.

The Charter has had a profound effect on Canadian law and society. It has been used in courts to challenge laws that were seen as unfair or unequal. For example, the Charter has been central to important legal decisions about same-sex marriage, freedom of speech, and Indigenous rights. This powerful document continues to shape Canada’s identity as a country that respects human rights, equality, and justice.

Indigenous Reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) (2008-2015)

One of the most significant events in recent Canadian history is the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which operated from 2008 to 2015. The TRC was established to address the long history of harm caused by residential schools—government-funded, church-run institutions that Indigenous children were forced to attend for over a century. The goal of these schools was to assimilate Indigenous children into European-Canadian culture, which often meant erasing their languages, traditions, and identities. Many children faced harsh treatment, including physical and emotional abuse.

The TRC’s job was to uncover the truth about what happened in these schools and to help Canada and Indigenous Peoples move forward toward reconciliation. Reconciliation means healing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples by acknowledging past wrongs and working to make things better. Over the course of its work, the TRC collected thousands of testimonies from survivors of residential schools, making it clear that the impacts of these schools were devastating and still affect Indigenous communities today.

In 2015, the TRC released its 94 Calls to Action, a set of recommendations designed to address the harms caused by residential schools and promote healing and equality for Indigenous Peoples. These calls to action focus on several areas, including education, health, and justice. They also emphasize the need to honor Indigenous languages and cultures and to ensure that all Canadians learn about this dark chapter in Canada’s history.

The TRC has played a crucial role in shaping modern Canadian identity by encouraging Canadians to reflect on their history and understand the deep impact that colonization has had on Indigenous communities. The process of reconciliation is ongoing, but the TRC has helped create a path toward a more just and inclusive Canada, where Indigenous rights and perspectives are respected and valued.