Challenges to Canadian Unity
Canada went through many trials and ordeals to emerge as an united nation. These are some of the dates that were important in either threatening that unity or helping achieve it.
The Oka Confrontation (1990)
The Oka Confrontation occurred between the town of Oka and a Mohawk tribe. Plans of the expansion of a golf course onto land that has traditionally been Mohawk land caused the crisis. A gunfight occurred between the Mohawk and the police. Eventually, Quebec troops captured barricades setup by the Mohawks and put an end to the crisis. The Mohawks were angry that they had not reached an agreement with the government. However, the plans for the golf course were cancelled.
The Charlottetown Accord is voted-down in a referendum (1992)
The Charlottetown Accord was to solve the problems of power between the provincial and the federal government. The accord would also recognize Quebec as a distinct society and First Nations would be allowed to govern themselves. The defeat of the accord did not split apart Canada as both French and English speaking Canadians voted down the accord.
Quebec Referendum and the Bloc Quebecois (1995)
The 1995 Quebec Referendum asked the people of Quebec whether or not they want to be independent from Canada. This was proposed by the Bloc Quebecois party, which supported French sovereignty. Quebec was divided in its response, with about 50.23% of people against it. Following this referendum, support for French sovereignty decreased.
Ruling on the Delgamuluukw Case (1998)
The Delgamuluukw case allowed Aboriginal people to keep their traditional land. The ruling also gave more importance to oral testimony of Aboriginal people. It was also the first time that a Canadian court addressed the issue of Aboriginal right to their land. It ultimately helped to protect Native land and unite Aboriginal people.
Creation of Nunavut (1999)
The creation of Nunavut in 1999 was preceded by Inuit land claims. This allowed Inuit people to setup their own government and have a representative in Parliament. This led to the inclusion of Inuit people in Canadian politics.
Nisga’a Treaty receives Royal Assent (2000)
The Nisga’a Treaty was a settlement between the Nisga’a and the government of British Columbia. This settlement gave the Nisga’a 2,000 square kilometers of land in the Nass River valley and 300,000 cubic decameters of water reservation as well as the creation of Bear Glacier Provincial Park. This was the first First Nations’ treaty signed in British Columbia since 1899. This greatly helped to include the Nisga’a as part of B.C.
Liked it
