History 1945-Present

Baby Boom

A large increase in births after World War II (1946-1965), causing population growth.

The Teenager

A new age group with its own culture, music, fashion, and spending power.

The Quiet Revolution

A time in the 1960s when Quebec became more modern and the government took control from the Catholic Church.

Parti Québécois (PQ)

A Quebec political party that wants Quebec to become an independent country.

Separatism

The belief that Quebec should separate from Canada.

FLQ Crisis (October Crisis)

In 1970, the FLQ kidnapped government officials, leading the government to use the War Measures Act.

1980 Quebec Sovereignty Referendum

A vote on whether Quebec should become independent. Canadians voted No.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Prime Minister who introduced bilingualism, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and patriated the Constitution.

Maple Leaf Flag

Canada's current national flag, adopted in 1965.

Expo '67

A world fair held in Montreal in 1967 to celebrate Canada's 100th birthday.

Just Society

Trudeau's idea of creating a fair and equal Canada for everyone.

Auto Pact

A 1965 agreement between Canada and the U.S. to build and trade cars more efficiently.

Royal Commission on the Status of Women

A government study that recommended equal rights and opportunities for women.

Viola Desmond

A Black Canadian woman who challenged racial segregation in Nova Scotia.

Africville

A historic Black community in Halifax that was destroyed by the government in the 1960s.

Canadian Bill of Rights

A 1960 law protecting basic rights before the Charter was created.

Immigration Act (1962, 1967, 1976)

Laws that made immigration fairer by removing racial discrimination and using a points system.

Citizenship Act

The 1947 law that created Canadian citizenship separate from British citizenship.

Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1988)

A law recognizing and protecting Canada's cultural diversity.

United Nations (UN)

An organization of countries that works to keep peace and solve world problems.

Cold War

A period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union (1947-1991).

NATO

A military alliance created to defend member countries from attacks.

NORAD

Canada and the U.S. working together to protect North American airspace.

Suez Crisis

A 1956 conflict where Canada helped create UN peacekeeping forces.

Korean War

A war (1950-1953) where Canada fought with the UN to defend South Korea.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 conflict when Soviet missiles in Cuba almost caused nuclear war.

Vietnam War

A war where Canada did not fight but accepted many American draft dodgers.

Igor Gouzenko

A Soviet spy who exposed Soviet spying in Canada, helping start the Cold War.

M.A.D. (Mutually Assured Destruction)

The idea that nuclear war would destroy both sides, preventing attacks.

Bomarc Missile Crisis

A debate over whether Canada should accept U.S. nuclear missiles.

Lester B. Pearson

Prime Minister who won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping solve the Suez Crisis and promoted peacekeeping.

Peacekeeping

UN missions where soldiers help keep peace after conflicts. Canada became famous for this role.

Somalia

A peacekeeping mission where Canadian soldiers were involved in a scandal after abusing a civilian.

Yugoslavia

A region where Canadian peacekeepers served during violent conflicts in the 1990s.

Rwanda

A country where genocide occurred in 1994; the UN peacekeeping mission could not stop the killings.

Medical Care Act (1966)

A law that helped create Canada's universal health care system.

Tommy Douglas

The "Father of Medicare" who introduced universal health care in Saskatchewan.

Constitution Act (1982)

The law that gave Canada full control over its Constitution from Britain.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Part of the Constitution that protects Canadians' rights and freedoms.

Sixties Scoop

The removal of many Indigenous children from their families and placement in non-Indigenous homes.

Oka Crisis

A 1990 conflict between the Mohawk community and governments over land.

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP)

A study that examined Indigenous issues and recommended improvements.

Murray Sinclair

The judge who led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

A commission that investigated residential schools and recommended ways to heal relationships.

94 Calls to Action

Recommendations made by the TRC to help achieve reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.