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Battles such as Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and Hundred Days helped the Allies win the war and proved that Canadians were a force to be reckoned with. They also allowed for Canada to sign the Treaty of Versailles independently from Britain, beginning the idea that Canada could act as its own country. The battles fought and won contributed to a sense of national pride, especially in the fact that Canadians were determined and hardworking, and could succeed in places where other countries could not.
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We were strong enough to make a difference, making us a useful ally to others. WWI played a part in strengthening our alliances with other countries such as Britain, as well as proving to both the world and Canadians that we were capable of making a difference. Canadian success at Juno Beach on D-Day proved to the world that Canadians could get the job done well when needed, and it strengthened Canada’s reputation as a determined and hard-working nation, that had been set out in World War One.
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Our military was on the smaller side, and this meant that, on our own, we didn’t hold much power. We began to strengthen alliances with countries, alliances that are largely intact to this day, and this gave us influence with larger and more powerful countries. This influence allowed for mediation to occur. Additionally, the Cold War saw the formation of NATO. The Cold War was an important time for Canada because of the strengthening of alliances and the development of being known as a mediator.
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Actions by Lester Pearson in a peacekeeping effort to resolve the situation were successful, and this gave a new identity to Canada. Canada became known as a peacekeeper, and it soon became a leader in peacekeeping. This gave a sense of national identity to Canadians, who took pride in helping other countries. This sentiment still exists today, and, though there are fewer peacekeeping missions than before, Canada remains a country that works to resolve issues and make the world a better place.
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Many of the actions and laws amended in the Omnibus Bill set the stage for many of the social programs and mentalities that we as Canadians are proud to have today. Things such as no-fault divorce, gay rights, birth control, and abortion were controversial actions at the time but are things that are important to Canadians today. Canada’s inclusivity and social services are part of what makes Canada an accepting and prosperous nation.
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Although many decisions were left up to the provinces, the declaration of French as an official language made the nation more inclusive to francophones, especially after the events of the Quiet Revolution. Quebec is an important part of Canada today, as they represent a significant portion of Canadian population and culture. The official languages act made Canada more inclusive to francophones and much of Canadian culture would not be the same if French was not an official language.
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When Pierre Trudeau adopted an official policy of multiculturalism following increased immigration rates and a commission recommendation, many feared that it would divide Canadians. Multiculturalism is an important part of Canada today, and we would not be as accepting or as diverse as we are today if it weren’t for the government supporting multiculturalism in the past.
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This was the final separation from Britain that made Canada a country independent from others. This has allowed for a true sense of national pride and identity. Additionally, the charter of rights and freedoms gave rights to everyone, free from discrimination. This was important because it contributed to the multiculturalism of Canada, and it would overrule other laws, being part of the constitution. The constitution and charter are important documents that affect how we live our lives today.
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Canadians donated money, matched by the government, and the government used a multilateral approach to save about 700,000 lives. This incident shows how previous events have impacted Canada, from its role as a middle power, to the building of strong alliances that were useful during the multilateral approach, to being known as a peacekeeper and Canadians wanting to help others. This incident also demonstrates the compassion and empathy that Canadians have and the desire to do what’s right.
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It is important to remember the negative aspects of a nation’s history as well as the positive. Residential schools were a horrible part of Canadian history. Indigenous children were removed from their homes and suffered abuse in order to make them less Indigenous. The First Nations are a significant part of Canada, and acknowledging the wrongs that have been done against them is a step towards becoming better. Only by knowing the mistakes of the past, can we move on and create a better future.