Dossier 3Dossier 3 – What Groups have – What Groups have influenced power since 1867?influenced power since 1867?

Chapter 4: Power and Countervailing Chapter 4: Power and Countervailing PowersPowers

Mr. Wilson History 404Mr. Wilson History 404

ContextContext

Since the Act of Union (1840), Canadian Since the Act of Union (1840), Canadian politics have been sliding into paralysis.politics have been sliding into paralysis.

England realizes that having such a big England realizes that having such a big colony is a drain of money and colony is a drain of money and resources.resources.

Another war in the USA has Canadian Another war in the USA has Canadian politicians nervous: England supported politicians nervous: England supported the Confederates.the Confederates.

The SolutionThe Solution

The British North America Act of 1867 The British North America Act of 1867 (BNA Act for short) leads to (BNA Act for short) leads to Confederation (celebrated July 1st)Confederation (celebrated July 1st)

Unifies Canada East, Canada West, Unifies Canada East, Canada West, New-Brunswick and Nova Scotia into the New-Brunswick and Nova Scotia into the Dominion of Canada.Dominion of Canada.

The power structure changes again. The power structure changes again.

Federal Legislative Assembly Provincial Legislative Assembly

Provincial Executive AssemblyFederal Executive Assembly

Prime Minister Prime Minister

Crown of England

Governor General

Legislative Council (Senate)Lieutenant Governors (one per

province)

Sir John A MacdonaldSir John A Macdonald

Our First Prime Minister.Our First Prime Minister. He travelled the country to He travelled the country to

convince people that convince people that Confederation was a good Confederation was a good idea.idea.

Had to resign once because of Had to resign once because of the Pacific Scandal.the Pacific Scandal.

Drank a lot. Really, a lot.Drank a lot. Really, a lot. Died in office in 1891.Died in office in 1891.

Sir Wilfrid LaurierSir Wilfrid Laurier

First Premier from First Premier from Quebec.Quebec.

He was involved in He was involved in matters of matters of conscription and conscription and military spendings.military spendings.

He believed in He believed in ReciprocityReciprocity with the with the USA, which angered USA, which angered the merchants.the merchants.

Canada over the first few Canada over the first few years.years.

Canada Prior to Canada Prior to Confederation.Confederation.

Canada at ConfederationCanada at Confederation

Canada in 1870Canada in 1870

Then in 1871, the CPR is Then in 1871, the CPR is proposed, and BC joins proposed, and BC joins

in.in.

Last Spike Ceremony, 1885.

Taking shape…Taking shape…

… … into what we know todayinto what we know today

Meanwhile, in Québec…Meanwhile, in Québec…

Three groups are trying to influence the Three groups are trying to influence the new provincial government:new provincial government:

Catholic ChurchCatholic Church Business CommunityBusiness Community MediaMedia

Catholic ChurchCatholic Church

Education, Health & Social Services are Education, Health & Social Services are now provincial jurisdiction.now provincial jurisdiction.

These had been in the traditional sphere These had been in the traditional sphere of influence of the Church.of influence of the Church.

Duplessis would make extensive use of Duplessis would make extensive use of Church influence and infrastructures, like Church influence and infrastructures, like schools, hospitals and especially insane schools, hospitals and especially insane asylums.asylums.

Duplessis – La Grande Duplessis – La Grande NoirceurNoirceur

Duplessis was premier of Quebec from Duplessis was premier of Quebec from 1936-39 and again from 1944-1959.1936-39 and again from 1944-1959.

He was a staunch supporter of the Catholic He was a staunch supporter of the Catholic Church, handing them a lot of money.Church, handing them a lot of money.

He also gave contracts based on who he He also gave contracts based on who he was friends with, regardless of cost to the was friends with, regardless of cost to the State.State.

His rule over the province was know as the His rule over the province was know as the Grande Noirceur, comparing it to the Dark Grande Noirceur, comparing it to the Dark Ages of Europe.Ages of Europe.

Business CommunityBusiness Community

Rich merchants were mostly Rich merchants were mostly anglophones, and did not run for political anglophones, and did not run for political office themselves.office themselves.

They still wanted to make money and They still wanted to make money and have laws and tariffs in their favour.have laws and tariffs in their favour.

They would eventually become They would eventually become Chambers of Commerce & Lobbyists.Chambers of Commerce & Lobbyists.

MediaMedia

A relatively new factor: Newspapers.A relatively new factor: Newspapers. In the 20th century, radio and television In the 20th century, radio and television

will also be very important.will also be very important. Newspapers & other media outlet are Newspapers & other media outlet are

owned by either rich merchants or owned by either rich merchants or politicians, so they tend to expose only politicians, so they tend to expose only one side of an issue.one side of an issue.

QuoteQuoteIt is their habits, our adversaries, It is their habits, our adversaries, I mean, to accuse us I mean, to accuse us Liberals of disregard. I am not here to parade my religious Liberals of disregard. I am not here to parade my religious feelings about, but I have to say that I have too much feelings about, but I have to say that I have too much respect for the beliefs with which I was brought up to ever respect for the beliefs with which I was brought up to ever use them in politics. […] I am here to tell of my thoughts, use them in politics. […] I am here to tell of my thoughts, and I add that I am far from finding the clergy’s political and I add that I am far from finding the clergy’s political interventions opportune, as they have done in the past […] interventions opportune, as they have done in the past […] It is therefore completely acceptable to change the opinion It is therefore completely acceptable to change the opinion of the voter, by reasoning and by any other means of of the voter, by reasoning and by any other means of persuasion, but never by intimidation.persuasion, but never by intimidation.

- Sir Wilfrid Laurier, MP for the Liberal Party of Canada, June 1877.- Sir Wilfrid Laurier, MP for the Liberal Party of Canada, June 1877.

Reflection QuestionsReflection Questions What element of the Church / State relationship What element of the Church / State relationship

is referred to in this quote?is referred to in this quote? What phrase shows he’s still religious? Are What phrase shows he’s still religious? Are

there other states in the world that advocate there other states in the world that advocate separation of Church and State? Are there separation of Church and State? Are there some that do not?some that do not?

By reading this quote, would you say the By reading this quote, would you say the Liberal party had the support of the Church? In Liberal party had the support of the Church? In your opinion, would Laurier have said the same your opinion, would Laurier have said the same things had the Church acted the same way in things had the Church acted the same way in support of the Liberal party?support of the Liberal party?

Before we begin…Before we begin…

What… it’s an ostrich!

Part 2 – Conflicts & Part 2 – Conflicts & Natives in CanadaNatives in Canada

Because the definitions of the articles of Because the definitions of the articles of the BNA Act are left vague, there will be the BNA Act are left vague, there will be a lot of political conflicts.a lot of political conflicts.

If Canadians cannot resolve their If Canadians cannot resolve their problems, they have to refer to the Privy problems, they have to refer to the Privy Council in London.Council in London.

This is long, because steam boats are This is long, because steam boats are not that fast.not that fast.

The Louis Riel RebellionsThe Louis Riel Rebellions

Unhappy with the treatment of the Metis and Natives, Unhappy with the treatment of the Metis and Natives, Riel sets up a « sovereign government, » then lists Riel sets up a « sovereign government, » then lists demands that the Federal Govt. should grant them.demands that the Federal Govt. should grant them.

1870. During negociations, he executes one of the 1870. During negociations, he executes one of the representatives sent to him, Thomas Scott, a representatives sent to him, Thomas Scott, a prominent Orangeman.prominent Orangeman.

This will exacerbate catholic/protestant tensions, and This will exacerbate catholic/protestant tensions, and he will come to think of himself as a divine prophet, but he will come to think of himself as a divine prophet, but eventually exiles himself in the USA.eventually exiles himself in the USA.

He is eventually tried and hanged in 1885, after a He is eventually tried and hanged in 1885, after a second armed conflict.second armed conflict.

Louis RielLouis Riel He was very He was very

popular in popular in Quebec because Quebec because of his French of his French roots.roots.

He spent years He spent years both in asylums both in asylums in Quebec and in Quebec and living in the USA.living in the USA.

Major Wars Major Wars (WW1 and WW2)(WW1 and WW2)

Participating in wars has always been Participating in wars has always been touchy in Canada. People of Ontario touchy in Canada. People of Ontario enlist willingly, but not the people of enlist willingly, but not the people of Québec, why?Québec, why?

Let’s look at some propanganda to Let’s look at some propanganda to answer that question.answer that question.

World War OneWorld War One

World War 2World War 2

Two World Wars in Two World Wars in QuébecQuébec

From those posters, can you guess why From those posters, can you guess why people from Quebec did not enlist people from Quebec did not enlist en en massemasse??

Even if written in French, the British flag Even if written in French, the British flag did not stir their loyalty.did not stir their loyalty.

Defending France, where a lot of the Defending France, where a lot of the fighting was taking place, was never fighting was taking place, was never used in propaganda in any major way.used in propaganda in any major way.

ConscriptionConscription

During both wars, the Federal Government passed During both wars, the Federal Government passed bills forcing French Canadians to enlist and fight.bills forcing French Canadians to enlist and fight.

This was done by Plebiscite (vote), and was This was done by Plebiscite (vote), and was carried because Ontario and the Maritimes voted carried because Ontario and the Maritimes voted Yes, overwhelming the opposition in Quebec.Yes, overwhelming the opposition in Quebec.

Both times, the conscription was done too late, or Both times, the conscription was done too late, or weakly enforced, so that not many French weakly enforced, so that not many French Canadians were actually forced to fight. (Most of Canadians were actually forced to fight. (Most of them were barely trained by the end of the wars.)them were barely trained by the end of the wars.)

NativesNatives

Natives did get treaties to make sure Natives did get treaties to make sure their lands.their lands.

Those were ignored by Canadians, and Those were ignored by Canadians, and as Canada expanded West, Natives were as Canada expanded West, Natives were forced into reserves.forced into reserves.

Native children are forced into residential Native children are forced into residential school where they were forced to school where they were forced to assimilate into « white culture »assimilate into « white culture »

NativesNatives

Duncan Campbell Scott, 1920:Duncan Campbell Scott, 1920:

““Our object is to continue until there is Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic, not been absorbed into the body politic, and there is no Indian question, and no and there is no Indian question, and no Indian department.”Indian department.”

Residential SchoolsResidential Schools

Children as young as five were taken away Children as young as five were taken away from their parents.from their parents.

Many were raped, killed, beaten or starved to Many were raped, killed, beaten or starved to death by the religious authorities in charge of death by the religious authorities in charge of the schools.the schools.

In BC, if native women wanted medical care, In BC, if native women wanted medical care, they would have to be sterilized first.they would have to be sterilized first.

It took until 2008 for the Canadian Government It took until 2008 for the Canadian Government to officially apologize.to officially apologize.

Residential SchoolsResidential Schools

Show parts 1, 2 & 3 Show parts 1, 2 & 3 of Residential of Residential

Schools.Schools.

Recap, and linksRecap, and links

What was the principal element that war What was the principal element that war propaganda relied on to attract recruits? Why propaganda relied on to attract recruits? Why did it not work in Québec?did it not work in Québec?

Why did the government put natives in Why did the government put natives in reserves and send their children to residential reserves and send their children to residential school?school?

Was this attitude of Canadians considered Was this attitude of Canadians considered racist at the time? Can you draw parallels to racist at the time? Can you draw parallels to Nazi Germany?Nazi Germany?

Part III – Women, Nationalist Part III – Women, Nationalist groups and Unionsgroups and Unions

Women, throughout history, have usually Women, throughout history, have usually never been considered the equal of men.never been considered the equal of men.

At various times, they were considered At various times, they were considered the same as cattle, pieces of furniture or the same as cattle, pieces of furniture or slaves.slaves.

Starting in the 19th century, things were Starting in the 19th century, things were changing.changing.

Women (continued)Women (continued)

Women are becoming more educated, Women are becoming more educated, and they realize that they can be as good and they realize that they can be as good as men in most if not all cases.as men in most if not all cases.

The Suffragettes was a group of women The Suffragettes was a group of women that tried to obtain the right to vote that tried to obtain the right to vote (Suffrage). (Suffrage).

Other issues they campaigned on was Other issues they campaigned on was anti-tobacco law and prohibition.anti-tobacco law and prohibition.

Women (continued)Women (continued)

Women (continued)Women (continued)

Women got the right to vote later at the Women got the right to vote later at the provincial level than at the federal level, provincial level than at the federal level, because they faced strong opposition because they faced strong opposition from the Catholic Church, and the more from the Catholic Church, and the more Conservative businessmen and Conservative businessmen and politicians.politicians.

Women could vote in federal election in Women could vote in federal election in 1919, but had to wait until 1940 in 1919, but had to wait until 1940 in Quebec.Quebec.

[Mama]…maintained traditional family values and still [Mama]…maintained traditional family values and still worked toward change. I have come to realize that I can worked toward change. I have come to realize that I can be a mother, educator, wife, feminist – each identity not be a mother, educator, wife, feminist – each identity not exclusive of the other but impacting on each other and on exclusive of the other but impacting on each other and on my development as a woman.my development as a woman. Karen Diaz, Author.Karen Diaz, Author.

The usual statement is that I am a remarkable woman The usual statement is that I am a remarkable woman because I can do it; the implication is that the average because I can do it; the implication is that the average women is too dumb to succeed at a man's task - and I women is too dumb to succeed at a man's task - and I resent that implication, for it is false.resent that implication, for it is false.

E. Cora Hind. E. Cora Hind. (1861-1942)(1861-1942) Journalist and agriculturist. Journalist and agriculturist.    

I am a believer in women, in their ability to do things and I am a believer in women, in their ability to do things and in their influence and power. Women set the standards for in their influence and power. Women set the standards for the world, and it is for us, women in Canada, to set the the world, and it is for us, women in Canada, to set the

standards high.standards high. Nellie McClung (1873-1951) stated in 1910Nellie McClung (1873-1951) stated in 1910

Empower women and you will see a decrease in poverty, Empower women and you will see a decrease in poverty, illiteracy, disease and violence.illiteracy, disease and violence.

Michaelle JeanMichaelle Jean

Nationalist & Linguistic Nationalist & Linguistic groupsgroups

French Canadians have felt threatened since French Canadians have felt threatened since the defeat of 1759.the defeat of 1759.

After Confederation, there have been groups After Confederation, there have been groups such as the Union Nationale and Parti such as the Union Nationale and Parti Québécois, advocating for a strong French Québécois, advocating for a strong French identity, and even independence.identity, and even independence.

In modern days, many groups are trying to In modern days, many groups are trying to protect their identity. In this context, many are protect their identity. In this context, many are questioning the existence of the bilingual questioning the existence of the bilingual system.system.

Nationalist & Linguistic Nationalist & Linguistic groupsgroups

In 1977, the Official Language bill was passed in In 1977, the Official Language bill was passed in Quebec, turning the Anglophones into a linguistic, and Quebec, turning the Anglophones into a linguistic, and minority, group.minority, group.

Everywhere's independent these days — Slovenia, Everywhere's independent these days — Slovenia, Slovakia, you name it. But somehow Quebec's wound Slovakia, you name it. But somehow Quebec's wound up with a secessionist movement that can't pull it off. I up with a secessionist movement that can't pull it off. I see M Landry is muttering about referenda yet again, see M Landry is muttering about referenda yet again, but that's just to keep the chin up of his demoralized but that's just to keep the chin up of his demoralized troops. In this column from 1998, I wrote about the real troops. In this column from 1998, I wrote about the real problem: who wants to go through the trouble of problem: who wants to go through the trouble of separating to create a state identical to the one you've separating to create a state identical to the one you've just left?just left?

-Mark Steyn in the Southam News, September 5, 1998-Mark Steyn in the Southam News, September 5, 1998

UnionsUnions

In the 19th century, the typical workday is In the 19th century, the typical workday is 10 to 12 hours long.10 to 12 hours long.

The only day off is Sunday, so they can The only day off is Sunday, so they can go to Church.go to Church.

Men, women and children all work.Men, women and children all work. Some workers unions were legalized in Some workers unions were legalized in

1872.1872.

Unions (continued)Unions (continued)

As unions become bigger, they can put more As unions become bigger, they can put more and more pressure on employers and and more pressure on employers and government to accept their demands.government to accept their demands.

In Québec, Duplessis was strongly opposed to In Québec, Duplessis was strongly opposed to Unions. The Unions. The Padlock ActPadlock Act of 1937 allowed him of 1937 allowed him to close down Union offices, accusing them of to close down Union offices, accusing them of Communism.Communism.

The Act was repealed after a few years The Act was repealed after a few years because it was judged unconstitutionnal.because it was judged unconstitutionnal.

Unions (continued)Unions (continued)

Today, Unions are powerful and in public Today, Unions are powerful and in public professions. Bus drivers, newspaper professions. Bus drivers, newspaper employees, construction workers, even employees, construction workers, even teachers are unionized.teachers are unionized.

The CSN, FTQ and CEQ are major The CSN, FTQ and CEQ are major players in politics.players in politics.

Environmental GroupsEnvironmental Groups

A new phenomenon, dating from the 1960s.A new phenomenon, dating from the 1960s. They have had limited political success until They have had limited political success until

now. In the last two federal elections, they now. In the last two federal elections, they garnered between 3 and 5% of the popular garnered between 3 and 5% of the popular vote, which is enough for them to qualify for vote, which is enough for them to qualify for campaign funds.campaign funds.

This group more than any others relies on This group more than any others relies on media to get their message across.media to get their message across.

Environmental GroupsEnvironmental Groups

Even if they are not as powerful in Even if they are not as powerful in today’s politics, you can look around you today’s politics, you can look around you to see their influence on our daily lives:to see their influence on our daily lives:

Recycling bins.Recycling bins. More efficient cars.More efficient cars. Recycled paper.Recycled paper. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs.Compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Bamboo fibre clothes?Bamboo fibre clothes? Are companies trying to appear greener?Are companies trying to appear greener?

Recap QuestionsRecap Questions In Québec, who opposed giving the vote to women and In Québec, who opposed giving the vote to women and

why did they oppose it?why did they oppose it? Do you agree that Unions have had a positive impact on Do you agree that Unions have had a positive impact on

how we work, and do you think they can also have a how we work, and do you think they can also have a negative impact. Explain your position.negative impact. Explain your position.

Do you think a “green platform” is enough to bring a party Do you think a “green platform” is enough to bring a party to power? Are environmental groups condemned to to power? Are environmental groups condemned to remain a “countervailing power?”remain a “countervailing power?”

Are the countervailing powers we have seen during this Are the countervailing powers we have seen during this unit important to the political system of Canada, and are unit important to the political system of Canada, and are they a consequence of democracy? Compare Canada to they a consequence of democracy? Compare Canada to China for example.China for example.