Modern Canada
Postwar Growth and Social Programs
After the Second World War, Canada enjoyed one of the strongest economies in the world and Canadians built one of the highest standards of living anywhere. Trade with the United States grew enormously, and the two countries became each other's largest trading partners. In 1947, the discovery of oil in Alberta launched Canada's modern energy industry, bringing new jobs and wealth to the West.
As prosperity grew, so did immigration. People came from across Europe and, later, from all over the world — helping to build the diverse Canada we know today. Governments also created social programs to protect Canadians. Unemployment insurance (now called Employment Insurance) was introduced by the federal government in 1940. Old Age Security was devised as early as 1927, and the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans followed in 1965.
Publicly funded, universal health care is another defining feature of modern Canada. Provinces and territories deliver health care, while the Canada Health Act ensures common elements and a basic standard of coverage for all Canadians.
Key points
- After WWII, Canada's economy boomed and trade with the United States grew — the US is Canada's largest trading partner.
- Oil was discovered in Alberta in 1947, starting Canada's modern energy industry.
- Unemployment insurance (today's Employment Insurance) was introduced by the federal government in 1940.
- Old Age Security dates from 1927; the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans were created in 1965.
- The Canada Health Act ensures common elements and a basic standard of health coverage across the country.
- Growing immigration after the war helped build today's diverse Canadian society.
Exam vocabulary
A Modern Society: Language, Rights and Achievements
The 1960s brought the Quiet Revolution — a time of rapid social and economic change in Quebec, when many Quebecers took new pride in their identity and some sought to separate from Canada. In response to Canada's dual linguistic heritage, Parliament passed the Official Languages Act in 1969, making English and French the two official languages of the federal government. In 1982, the Constitution was amended and now includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Canadians have made discoveries that changed the world. Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin, a treatment that has saved millions of people with diabetes. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, Armand Bombardier invented the snowmobile, and James Naismith invented basketball. The Canadarm, a robotic arm used on the space shuttle, is a proud symbol of Canadian engineering.
In arts and sports, Canadians shine at home and abroad. Hockey is Canada's most popular spectator sport and its national winter sport. In 1980, Terry Fox, who had lost a leg to cancer, began his cross-country Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. In 1985, Rick Hansen circled the globe in a wheelchair on the Man in Motion tour to show the potential of people with disabilities — a spirit celebrated today in the Paralympics.
Key points
- The Quiet Revolution was a period of rapid change in Quebec during the 1960s.
- The Official Languages Act (1969) made English and French the official languages of the federal government.
- In 1982 the Constitution was amended to include the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Insulin was discovered by Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best.
- Alexander Graham Bell — telephone; Armand Bombardier — snowmobile; James Naismith — basketball; the Canadarm — Canadian space robotics.
- Terry Fox ran the Marathon of Hope (1980) for cancer research; Rick Hansen's Man in Motion tour (1985) showcased the potential of people with disabilities.
- Hockey is Canada's national winter sport and most popular spectator sport.