1.1 Canadian Government

POLS 224: Canadian Government

Conceptual Framework

  • Definitions of Government:

    • Government involves the people and systems that govern a society.

Three Key Elements

  • Cleavages:

    • Cleavage is defined as a division that separates opposing political communities.

    • Major Cleavages in Canada:

    • Geography:

      • Political activities are geographically conducted.

      • Key distinctions include urban vs rural, west vs center, and industry vs resources.

      • Different attitudes towards authority, community, and wealth distribution based on geography.

    • Demography:

      • National mythology described as a mosaic, reflecting Canada’s multicultural character.

      • Challenges faced by groups that are dispersed, including difficulties in representation.

    • Ideology:

      • A set of coherent political beliefs, distinguishing between left-wing and right-wing ideologies.

  • Political Institutions:

    • Key political parties: Liberals, Conservatives, New Democratic Party (NDP).

    • Legal Systems:

    • Influences from British Common Law and the Westminster parliamentary system.

    • The political structure includes the Prime Minister, Cabinet, opposition parties, and the monarchy.

    • American Influence:

    • Federalism: A constitution-based division of power between two or more orders of government.

    • Importance of rights-based discourse through the charter and judicial review.

Historical Evolution

  1. First Era (1886-1900)

    • Central Issues included federal union, westward expansion, settler colonialism, and free trade.

    • The British North America Act (BNA Act) of 1867 established the Dominion of Canada, which retained British sovereignty.

    • Indian Act of 1867:

      • Gave the government rights to create legislation regarding the control and management of Indigenous reserves, land, money, and property.

    • Residential Schools:

      • State and church-run systems aimed to assimilate Indigenous children.

  2. Second Era (Mid-Late 1900s)

    • Critical Issues included national identity, unity, and constitutional matters, alongside free trade.

    • The Great Depression exacerbated class divides, leading to the creation of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF).

    • The first era focused on Western issues, while the second era emphasized Quebec.

    • Quiet Revolution:

      • Resulted in the Quebec government displacing the Catholic Church as the central institution in society.

      • Provincial government began representing itself at the federal level, fostering a growing nationalist movement in Quebec.

    • Immigration significantly increased Canada’s multicultural fabric.

    • 1969 White Paper on Indian Policy:

      • Signaled intention to dismantle the Indian Act.

    • Canadian Constitution Act (1982):

      • Marked full domestic control over the Canadian constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

      • The move opposed by Quebec led to two referendums concerning Quebec's separation from Canada, both narrowly failing.

  3. Third Era (Late 1990s – Present)

    • Economic Changes:

      • Slow economic growth created an anti-welfare state sentiment.

      • The 2008 economic recession affected public policies.

      • Shift of economic power and influence from East to West as global oil prices increased.

    • Social Changes:

      • Rapid transformations in societal norms, leading to the legalization of same-sex marriage, changes in prostitution laws, and medical assistance in dying.

      • Legalization of cannabis.

    • Current Issues:

      • Challenges such as carbon pricing.

      • Growing regional tensions over pipelines and climate change debates.

      • A significant divide exists between rural and urban populations.

      • Vast socioeconomic and cultural divides between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians.

Settler Colonialism

  • Concept:

    • The belief in European settler supremacy and its implications for Indigenous peoples in Canada.

    • Raises questions about whether reconciliation is needed or desired, highlighting ongoing debates about power and representation in Canadian society.