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Canada, Our Century, Our Story
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CHAPTER 13: THE ECONOMY, THE WEST,
AND THE US

INTERNET FOCUS QUESTIONS:

Communities: Local, National, and Global

  • How have western federal and provincial political parties contributed to Canadian identity?

Social, Economic, and Political Structures

  • How and why did the wage-and-price controls of 1975 affect Canadians?
  • How did wage and price controls demonstrate the changing role of Canadian governments with respect to economic and social support programs?
  • Did wage-and-price controls promote or harm economic opportunity in Canada during the 1970s?

Citizenship and Heritage

  • How and why did social and political movements in western Canada result in the founding of new political parties?

ACTIVITIES

WAGE AND PRICE CONTROLS

10.

 

Create a mind map showing the causes and effects of Prime Minister Trudeau's wage and price controls. Take into consideration Canadian regional differences, labour conditions, trade relationships with the US, social spending, and inflation. Use mind map and financial indicators Web sites to help you complete this activity.

How much would wage-and-price controls affect your life if they were to be put in place today? What would it mean to you if prices were frozen on some items and if wages were frozen for some people? What effect would these controls have on Canadians in the Atlantic provinces, for example, or in Saskatchewan? What would labour unions say about the imposition of these types of controls? How would the Quebec government react? What would our trading partners have to say? What would happen to our health and education commitments or welfare or employment insurance payments?

All of these interconnected areas of everyday life were affected when Prime Minister Trudeau announced mandatory wage-and-price controls on October 13, 1975. In this activity, you are asked to create a mind map to illustrate the web of causes and the effects of these controls.

First, work with a partner to review Chapter 13: The Economy, the West, and the US in Canada: Our Century, Our Story. You can start your research with the section Canada During the Oil Crisis (pages 343-347), and from there you can branch out into the other topics in the chapter. For example, you will need the information in Economic Choices with a Price Tag (starting on page 339) and in Primary Source: Disparity and Economic Priorities (page 341).

To create your concept map or mind map, use a large sheet of paper. As you research, look for relationships, and note the connections among the different elements. Use words, lines, colours, pictures, symbols, arrows and/or branches to show the connections among the different elements of your map.

Visit the following websites to help you research background on Trudeau's wage-and-price controls and also on the different aspects of your topic.

  • The Economy and You (from the Canadian Bankers Association), which offers a wealth of economic information written in plain language
  • What We Do (from the Federal Department of Finance); follow the various links for explanations of economic and fiscal policy, federal-provincial relations, international trade and finance, and social policies)
  • "Counter-Attack: Canada Labour's 1976 Day of Protest" (this is an award-winning student essay published at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina Employees Union)
  • download the free Statistics Canada publication Guide to the Labour Force Survey (take special note of the following sections: Background and Objectives, Determining Labour Force Status, and Dictionary of Concepts and Definitions)

For the process and some examples of concept and mind maps, visit

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WESTERN ALIENATION

11.

 

Western alienation has become a major factor in Canadian federal politics. Trace the evolution of Western political parties from the early years of the century and debate the effect of such parties on Canadian unity and identity.

In the midst of the turmoil faced by Canada during the 1900s, keeping this vast country together has often been a challenge. In the West, grievances and a feeling of alienation resulted in the formation of new political parties. While there has often been conflict between the western provinces and the rest of Canada, many positive changes have resulted from that conflict. In this activity, you are asked to debate the following question: Has the growth of western political parties affected Canadian unity and identity in a positive or a negative way?

Use the following process for this activity.

  1. Research the debate question in small groups. Start by rereading Canada versus Alberta: Western Alienation (pages 352-353 of Canada: Our Century, Our Story) and by reviewing Figures 13-2 (page 340) and 13-14 (page 353). Work with your group members to write some specific research questions (keeping the debate question in mind, because it is the main focus for this activity). You will need to consider, in your research questions and possible answers, how the provincial parties that evolved and eventually came to power in the West influenced Canadian federal policies. You should also investigate the western provincial parties that became federal parties (the NDP and the Alliance party).

  2. Look in the table of contents and index of Canada: Our Century, Our Story to search for topics related to the issue of western alienation and the formation of new political parties in the West. Add more research questions to your list. Remember that the debate question offers two perspectives on this issue, so be sure that your research questions address both perspectives.

  3. Research the history of western political parties at the Internet links that follow. Look for answers to your research questions and note any new research questions that arise.

  4. Discuss with your group both sides of this issue. Present arguments that the evolution of these western parties have and have not contributed to Canadian unity and identity. Be sure to consider both possibilities. Then come to a consensus within your group.

  5. Present your group's consensus opinion to the class. Be sure to offer at least three well-thought-out reasons to support your position.

  6. Listen to the presentations of the other groups, and take notes on the arguments offered on both sides of this issue. Keep your mind open to opposing arguments.

  7. Then meet again in your own group to see if, as a group, you want to change your position after hearing arguments for both sides of the issue.

Use the following websites to begin your research (note that you may want to add other websites to this list, especially those of the other western political parties):

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