Chapter 6 History - Part II Flashcards
1
Q
Government in Newfoundland
A
- St. Laurent part of negotiations resulting in Newfoundland joining Canada, process of expanding Canada from sea to sea set in motion by PM King at end of WW2.
- Until 1932, Newfoundland was self-governming dominion w/ British Empire, but island suffered as govt went bankrupt.
- Democracy temporarily suspended and Britain set up commission to govern Newfoundland.
1
Q
Future Choices for Newfoundland
A
- 1948 - Islanders given 3 choices: Continue governance by special commission, be self-governing dominion within British Empire or join Canada.
- J.R. “Joey” Smallwood, skillful Newfoundland, argued union w/ Canada would bring modernization
- Many Newfoundlanders didn’t want higher taxes and loss of identity, others preferring union with US.
1
Q
Vote for Confederation in 1948
A
- June 1948 - 41% of Newfoundlanders favoured Confederation, 44.6% wanting return to self-governing dominion, 14% preferred govt by commission.
- Another vote occurred July, Confederation winning 52% w/ commission option dropped.
- Terms of Union negotiated w/ Canadian govt under PM St. Laurent, Newfoundland part of Canada on March 31, 1949.
- Same year, Joey Smallwood elected premier of province for +2 decades.
1
Q
Aftermath of Confederation in Newfoundland
A
- Newfoundlanders hoped better healthcare, education and employment but providing these difficult in Newfoundland’s outports
- Outports: Isolated fishing settlements connected to outside world by occasional ferries.
1
Q
Maurice Duplessis in Quebec
A
- 1936 - 1939, and 1944 - 1959, Quebec controlled by Premier Maurice Duplessis and Union Nationale, promoting Quebec as distinct “nation” and not Canadian province.
- Duplessis introduced Quebec flag bearing French symbol fleur-de-lys, fiercely opposing growing powers of govt post-war.
- Roman Catholic Church defender of Quebec culture under Duplessis, priests urging Quebec to turn backs on materialism of rest of North America.
2
Q
Newfoundland’s Centralization Program
A
- 1954 - Provincial govt introduced centralization program offering compensation to people wanting to move to larger centres.
- Families paid average of $301, about 2,400 people from 29 communities resettled by 1959.
- Newfoundland’s unemployment rate increased after relocation, along with losing homes, traditions.
3
Q
Conditions of the Duplessis Regime
A
- Duplessis encouraged foreign investment, guaranteeing cheap labour w/out unions and low taxes.
- Quebec benefitting from investment, but in return for favourable business, companies expected to contribute to Union Nationale.
- Bribery held Duplessis regime, like “Duplessis Orphans”, thousands of children orphanages financed by province falsely certified as mentally ill
- Ill children moved to insane asylums funded by Canada. Duplessis’ era is La Grande Noirceur, the Great Darkness.
4
Q
Quebec’s Education System
A
- Church praised old tradition of farm, faith and family, running Quebec’s hospitals and schools. Religion played role in all curriculum, schools teaching children to accept authority.
- Elite few attended high school and university highly educated, emphasis on traditional subjects like classical languages and philosophy.
- Quebec produced many priests, lawyers and politicians but few scientists, engineers or business people.
5
Q
Government Intervention in the Economy
A
- Veterans wishing to attend university or trades received free tuition and living, vets and war widows preferred for govt jobs.
- Veterans’ Land Act gave vets mortgages at lower rates, govt interventions saving Canada from economic recession.
- Provinces transferred economic powers to federal govt, PM King wanting this to be permanent but provinces not willing to give them up.
- They’d later transfer taxation powers to govt for grants to social services (ex: healthcare, education).
6
Q
Conditions for Vets after WW2
A
- Million people worked in war-production industries and close to half million in armed services prior.
- Many vets enlisted right out of HS or unemployed during Depression. Laws ensured they’d receive old jobs back and years they’d been at war be years of service on job.
- Govt encouraged women to leave factories for men, freeing up jobs.
7
Q
Development in the Canadian Economy
A
- Federal govt then transferred money to poorer provinces through equalization/transfer payments.
- C.D. Howe, Minister of Reconstruction, Trade and Commerce, gave economic incentives (ex: tax breaks) to private industries.
- Factories soon produced washing machines, automobiles and items in demand.
8
Q
Traditional Industry Boom
A
- Traditional industry (ex: mining, forestry, smelting) at heart of economy. Oil at Leduc, Alberta in 1947 led Canada’s entry to international oil market.
- Companies carved boom towns wherever new mines and wells developed in wilderness, sometimes airlifting heavy equipment and construction material.
- Employees lived in tents, trailers and temporary shanties often far from nearest town. Many workers, though very well paid, starved for distractions, gambling and alcoholism chronic problems.
9
Q
Industry in Ontario
A
- Manufacturing in southern Ontario grew tremendously
- More than ½ of nation’s factories, plants and 99% of automobile industry located in Ontario close to transportation routes and markets.
- When resource industries were in bust, Ontario seemingly privileged and immune from economic downturn.
10
Q
Infrastructure Development in Canada
A
- Govts improved roads, sewer systems, power plants, schools and hospitals by taxes from business and workers.
- Money paid to construction companies creating more jobs and boosting economy as workers spent wages.
- Govt undertook megaprojects. Solid industrial waste buried, creating toxic landfills on which housing, schools and playgrounds constructed.
- Pulp, paper and petrochemical plants dumped wastes into streams, contaminating lakes and rivers.
11
Q
Trans-Canada Highway and Pipeline
A
- Trans-Canada Highway: Began in 1950 to upgrade and pave roads along Trans-Canada Route.
- 7,821-kilometre road from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Victoria, BC; would be longest national highway in world.
- Trans-Canada Pipeline: Natural gas pipeline completed in 1958 from Alberta to Quebec
