Canada's Defining Moments
Parneet, Jasmin & Tusha
Pierre E. Treudeau, the man that introducted the multicultualism
Statues that represents the person's case
Canadian Space Agency
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, 1917
In the time of World War I, Canadian soldiers participated in various battles which led for them to be acknowledged as brave fighters by their allies, and filled them up with a sense of pride. One very significant battle, taking place in April 1917, was the battle of Vimy Ridge for:
1.) It was a successful seize of the viewpoint which was carried out by Canadian Forces, under the leadership of Canadian General Arthur Currie.
2.) This battle gained Canada great respect from other countries who were fighting alongside it. Infact, Canada earned 4 Victoria Crosses due to it.
3.) It was because of this specific battle that Canadian soldiers started viewing themselves as true "Canadians" and not British.
"The Battle of Vimy Ridge" by Richard Jack
Canadian Soldiers Occupying Vimy Ridge
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
Person's Case, 1929
The person’s Case began with the famous five: five women who took it upon themselves to challenge the biased idea that women were not “persons”. The famous five included Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Irene parlby, Nellie McClung, and Henrietta Muir Edwards who were all active political pioneers in search of social reorganization. The five women questioned whether or not the word “persons” under the British North America (BNA) included women as well as men. They appealed to the judicial committee of England Privy Council and on October 18 of 1929 the judicial committee came to the common decision that the word “persons” included both men and women under the BNA act. One of the lords of the committee stated that “...the exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous that ours. And to those who would ask why the word “person” should include females the obvious answer is, why should it not?” These five Canadian heroes preserved and did eventually reach their goal.
An article on the person's case made in 1930!
The Famous Five
A statue on the famous five in Parliament Hill
The most defining of these moments in Canadian history was the moment the Person’s case was won; because its consequences would have an vast impact on Canada’s development as a country. When the famous five fought for social justice their victory in the Person’s case led to greater opportunities and more jobs in government and other employment areas in Canada for women. The Person’s case was the single most significant moment in Canada’s history not simply because this one case opened so many doors for other issues involving women and their rights. This case has empowered women all across Canada for the past years and inspired Canadian citizens to continue to fight for social economic and political equality for women. The person’s case set into motion an ongoing chain of events that would forever change Canada and the way Canadians view and feel about their country. Though there have been many other defining moments in our history this has been the most significant because it has allowed us to grow and to move forward as a people rather as a country.
Mulitculturalism Act, 1971
On October 8, 1971, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau has declared multiculturalism as an official policy. This had made Canada the first country in the world to do so. This policy had been created to encourage cultural diversity, allow cultural groups the right to grow and preserve cultures within Canadian society. The government had supported multiculturalism through 4 major ways:
To assist cultural groups through their development and growth
To assist members of cultural groups to overcome challenges in order to fully participate in the society
To help promote creative exchanges between cultural groups
To assist immigrants when learning English or French
The Multiculturalism Act of 1971, was considered a very significant moment in Canadian history, for when it had been introduced to Canada it was considered to be the multiculturalism movement. Nevertheless, the act had brought great considerations to the government so that they would be able to better develop policies in order to add what is needed to make a diverse society in Canada to which they did during the 80’s. Due to this act there are now many Canadians that are from all over the world yet are still able to practice their religion and have their traditions within Canada.
Establishment of Canadian Space Agency (CSA), 1990
The Canadian Space Agency, an agency that was solely made for Canadians and now other countries that are in the field of science and astronomy, had many achievements and memories, and it was May 10, 1990 that began it all. A date remembered because it was the Canadian Space Agency Act that was received by the Royal Assent which had begun the great wonders of space exploration in Canada. It was then that the Government of Canada had mandated the following to the CSA: “to promote the peaceful use of development of space, to advantage the knowledge of space through science, and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians.”
This establishment had let to great hard work, many memories and many great technological developments in the agency. Due to the establishment the agency had created the Canadiarm 1 and 2, which was a huge success, Dextre, send many Canadian astronauts to space, Chris Hadfield being one that had been the commander of the International Space Station during 2014, and many more great achievements. This act had made it possible for Canada to be recognized throughout the world, through astronomy.
A defining moment is an event that shapes who the people are and how they feel about their country. The events are some special occurrences which helped define our country is the Battle of Vimy Ridge, The Person's case, The multiculturalism act and lastly, The formation of the Canadian Space Agency. Although Canada has gone through many defining moments and great achievements, our country has many more milestones to go.
Resources
Couette, Kayla. (2006, June 09). Canada’s Defining Moment: The Person’s Case. Fictionpress. https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2215563/1/Canada-s-Defining-Moment-The-Person-s-Case
Unknown. (2014, December 19). 1929: Women become persons. CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/politics/rights-freedoms/general-2/women-become-persons.html
Brandon, Laura. (2014). HISTORY AS MONUMENT: The Sculptures on the Vimy Memorial. Canadian War Museum. http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/vimy/sculptures_e.shtml
Comtois, Jean-Marc. (2013, June 31). Canadian Space Agency. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PD-NP/Laboratories-Laboratoires/CSA-ASC_eng.asp