Geography of Canada 2010: Week 1

What is a region?

What is a region?

A distinctive area of Earth's surface that has distinguishing human or natural characteristics that set it apart from other areas.

What is regionalism?

The division of a large area into different parts with varying characteristics.

Some countries are more prone to regionalism than others. What are some examples?

Canada, USA, UK

Why is regionalism so prevalent in Canada? (4)

1. vast geographic size + varied physical geography (landscape - mountains, plains, hills)

2. different patterns of historic settlement

3. different cultures and languages (ex: quebec)

4. uneven population distribution

What is an example of Regionalism in Canada?

BNA act of 1867 - when Canada became its own country, separate from Britain.

• gave considerable power to the provinces

What is a Uniform Region?

Named after a characteristic where all locations in the region have similarities in that characteristic

What are examples of Uniform Regions?

vegetation: grassland, forest, tundra, desert

What is a Functional Region?

A region where there are interactions among different areas within it.

What is an example of a Functional Region?

1. transport network: major roads and highways in Manitoba branch out from Winnipeg ^ Urban part of the region and the surrounding rural areas

What is a Cultural Region?

Areas are based on a sense of belonging. There is a bond between people and the region.

How does a cultural region arise?

Arises from shared historical experiences, similar values, and common goals.

What is an example of cultural region?

Francophones in Quebec

What are faultlines?

metaphors applied to economic, social, and political "cracks/boundaries" that divide regions and threaten to destabilize Canada's integrity as a nation.

What is an example of a faultline in Canada?

ON and QC = language faultline

What are the 4 faultlines within Canada?

1. Centralist vs. Decentralist Visions of Canada

2. English vs. French (proportion of French speakers have declined. there is also an internal faultline between federalists and separatists)

3. Indegenous vs. Non-indigenous Majority

4. Newcomers vs. Old-Timers

Explain the centralist vs decentralist visions of Canada.

Give 3 examples.

Relates to Canada's political system. This can be disputes between provinces or between a province and the federal government.

1. Refers to the centralization of government power (federal power) vs. the decentralization of power (provincial power).

2. Demography favours ON and QC because majority o Canadians live there. People in other regions perceived the federal government as favouring these 2 provinces. No federal political party can form a majority government without the support from these 2.

3. Decentralists (Stephen Harper) saw the growth of the energy sector as being in the national interest. Centralists (Justin Trudeau) favours a carbon tax.

What is a common source of feuds between the federal government and the provinces?

Equalization payments

What are the 3 groups of Indigenous Peoples in Canada?

First Nations, Metis, Inuit

Why does a higher proportion of Indigenous communities remain dependent on the federal government?

Due to higher poverty rates and unemployment.

There is little economic base - harder to access things due to lack of roads.

When was Nunavut created, and why?

Created in 1999 with the goal of allowing the Inuit to govern themselves.

What was Nunavut a part of before 1999?

A part of the NW Territories

Canada is a country of immigrants and this can lead to __________.

Cultural friction among different ethnic groups.

Many new immigrants are concentrated in major cities = gives them a network of family and friends who speak their language and restaurants that serve their food. = can lead to a sense of isolation from other Canadians, particularly those in small towns or rural areas.

What has always been an objective of the federal government?

Linking the regions through transportation routes

What are some examples of transportation routes that link Canada's different regions?

1. Transcontinental railways (Canadian Pacific and Canadian National)

2. Trans-Canada Highway

3. The Great Trail

The CP Railway's terminus in Vancouver. What promise was made between the federal government and BC?

There was a promise to link BC to Toronto/Mtl. In return, BC would enter confederation in 1871.

When did BC become a part of Canada?

1871

What is Canada's longest railway?

Where does it extend to?

Longest = CN Railway

Spans from Halifax --> Prince Rupert, BC

What is the Trans-Canada Highway? How is it maintained?

It links all 10 provinces.

Maintenance and route numbering are under not under federal jurisdiction. Transportation, roads and highways is a provincial power.

What is The Great Trail?

A system of paths, greenways, waterways, and roads linking the 3 ocean coasts.

80% of Canadians live within 30mins of the trail.