Alberta Social 20-1 Terms

Flashcards for Alberta Social 20-1 terms.

Self-determination

The right of a nation or group to control its own destiny and make decisions without external influence.

Responsible Government

A government that is accountable to the people and must retain the confidence of the elected legislature to remain in power.

Federal System of Government

A political system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments (provinces in Canada).

Equalization Payments

Federal transfers of money to less wealthy provinces to ensure comparable public services across Canada.

Pluralism

A belief or system that promotes diversity and the peaceful coexistence of different cultural, religious, and ethnic groups within a society.

Multiculturalism

An official Canadian policy recognizing and promoting the cultural diversity of its citizens.

North American Integration

Economic, political, and social cooperation between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, often linked to globalization concerns.

Regionalism

Loyalty or strong identification with a particular region rather than the nation as a whole.

Louis LaFontaine & Robert Baldwin

Reform leaders who worked together to establish responsible government in Canada in the 1840s.

John A. Macdonald

Canada’s first Prime Minister; promoted a strong central government and national railway to unite Canada.

George-Étienne Cartier

Quebec politician and Father of Confederation who worked with Macdonald to promote federalism and protect French-Canadian interests.

Clifford Sifton

Minister responsible for promoting immigration to Western Canada in the early 1900s.

Henri Bourassa

French-Canadian nationalist critical of imperialism; believed in a dual national identity (English and French Canada).

Lionel Groulx

Quebec nationalist and historian who promoted Catholic and French identity in Quebec.

Maurice Duplessis

Conservative Quebec Premier who resisted federal intervention and promoted traditional French-Canadian values.

René Lévesque

Founder of the Parti Québécois and Premier of Quebec; pushed for Quebec sovereignty.

Jacques Parizeau

PQ leader and Premier of Quebec who led the 1995 referendum on sovereignty.

Gilles Duceppe

Leader of the Bloc Québécois, a federal party advocating for Quebec’s interests in Ottawa.

Pierre Trudeau

Prime Minister who opposed Quebec separatism, promoted official bilingualism and multiculturalism, and introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Quiet Revolution

Period of rapid social, political, and economic change in Quebec (1960s), marked by secularism and calls for greater autonomy.

Parti Québécois (PQ)

A Quebec political party that seeks independence for Quebec through democratic means.

Quebec Sovereignty – Federalists vs. Sovereigntists

Federalists support a united Canada; sovereigntists seek independence for Quebec.

Sovereignty Association

A proposed arrangement where Quebec would be politically independent but economically linked to Canada.

Quebec Referendum

Two major votes (1980 & 1995) in which Quebecers were asked whether the province should pursue sovereignty.

Clarity Act

2000 law requiring any future referendum question on sovereignty to be clear and approved by the federal government.

Bill 101

Quebec law that makes French the official language of the province, affecting education and signage.

Quebec Nationalist

Someone who advocates for the protection and promotion of Quebec’s language, culture, and often, political independence.

Two Solitudes

A phrase describing the historical divide between English and French Canada.

Métis Self-Government

The right of the Métis to govern themselves and make decisions affecting their communities.

Indian Act

Federal legislation controlling many aspects of Indigenous life; criticized for undermining self-determination.

Aboriginal Land Claims & Self-Determination

The pursuit by Indigenous groups for recognition of land rights and the ability to govern themselves.

1969 White Paper

Federal proposal to eliminate Indian status and assimilate Indigenous peoples, strongly opposed by Indigenous communities.

Official Bilingualism

Policy making English and French the official languages of Canada, with services in both languages.

Francophone Canadians

Canadians whose first language is French; concentrated in Quebec but also present in other regions.

Katimavik

A Canadian youth volunteer program promoting civic engagement and national unity through community service.

Ethnic Nationalism

Nationalism based on shared ethnicity, culture, and ancestry.

Civic Nationalism

Nationalism based on shared political values, laws, and citizenship rather than culture or language.

Asymmetrical Federalism

A system where different provinces have different powers and responsibilities (e.g., Quebec's distinct status).

Western Alienation

The feeling in Western provinces, especially Alberta and Saskatchewan, that their needs are overlooked by the federal government.

Geography of Canada and National Unity

Canada’s vast size and regional differences make communication and unity more difficult, often leading to regional discontent.

Factors Which Promote Canadian Unity

Examples include bilingualism, multiculturalism, shared institutions (like the Charter), national symbols, and equal representation.