national unity
Unity is a defining political feature within any society; especially in Canada when it is still, in terms of other nations such as the UK, Russia or China, a relatively young country. A nation such as the UK need not be concerned about issues of unity; because its identity, from which the nation can unite around, has developed through its history. Canada, on the other hand, has had to define itself in the last few centuries as a new nation on the international stage.
It can be argued that unity within Canada is strong and stable, with ethnic diversity only acting as a strengthening and defining feature of Canada’s identity. Peckover notes that there are a ‘few serious problems to test the national fibre’[1]. These include: questions of bilingualism and the clear definition of Canadian culture. However it seems that many Canadians don’t allow these issues to dispel their feeling of national unity and pride. Paul-Arthur Seguin, MP for L’Assomption and Montocalm (a federal election district, which now no longer exists in Canada), argued that ‘whether it is deplored or rejoiced, [Canada is] a bilingual country’[2]. Seguin touched upon a very poignant point. That Canadians should accept the fact of bilingualism and difference, and move on. Nevertheless, Sequin controversially went onto stage a debate in the Canadian House of Commons asking the Civil service to alter protocol to favour English and French speaking candidates for employment This is yet another clear example of the government making a wrong choice, which impacts upon the already established peace among the Canadian people. Unity, it seems, is thereby ‘rarely’ tested and only strengthened by positive Canadian attributes such as ethnic acceptance, commitment to peace and engraved social friendly attitudes. However, it could be argued that there is a feeling of resentment towards those immigrants who are passive in their response to learning a new language; which is reflected in Sequins decision to organise a debate in the HofC, where he tried to force the issue upon a people who seemed to want to deny, what he would have argued, was the truth.
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Additionally, the actions of the Canadian Government, on behalf of its people, could be interpreted as an enticement of the breakdown of unity; rather than the strengthening of it. This result could be because of the Canadian government’s ‘Multiculturalism policies’; being fundamentaly too ‘expensive and divisive’[3]. Dewing argues that people feel that the government policies seek, divisively, to ‘remind Canadians of their different origins rather than their shared symbols, society and future’[4]. Jack Granatstein, in his book ‘Who Killed Canadian History?’ (1998), backs Dewing stating: the government’s policies are helping to ‘spread the idea...that Canada has no culture and identity of its own’[5]. These examples show that discontent exists within Canada, which is not a direct repercussion of the people; but rather the government, which seems to be a disillusioned figure, attempting to act as a paternal leader. Upon examination the government acts against many of the wishes of the people and is slowly eradicating Canadian history, for a politically correct and ethnically based substitute, which is leading to the downfall in multiculturalism policies and crucial national unity.
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Lastly, Peckover suggests that there are a number
of dividing factors which exist just below the surface in Canada. These include
the ‘Quebec vs. The Rest of Canada’[6]
problem and ‘Resource’ issues, most notably the sale of Oil. Firstly, Quebec
seems to be the main internal or domestic unit which wishes to split from
Canada; ‘30-50% of Quebecois would like to form their own country’[7].
It must not be ignored that there are still a number of Quebecois who wish to
stay united with the rest of Canada, as shown during the last 2 independence
referendums. These have been two clear examples of when Canada needed to unite
to ensure the longevity of its nation, and has done so, successfully. During the last 2 referendums, for Quebecois
independence the ‘rest of Canada rose to the challenge and showed an unexpected
degree of unity around the desire to remain together’. Secondly, divisions
elsewhere exist between ‘resource based western provinces and the manufacturing
provinces of central Canada (Ontario and Quebec)’. The division here exists because
of the amount of Oil exported from Canada overseas, currently, Peckover notes,
the ‘West has won that particular battle’. But why may this divide the nation?
It is because it crucially comes in the way of employment. Peckover points to
the fact that ‘Increasing exports of oil...force the Canadian dollar to levels
where Canadian [sic.] manufacturers are not internationally competitive,
putting many companies out of business’[8].
Therefore, these two problems lead one to question how strong unity is within
Canada and whether these issues, over time, will slowly cause a deterioration, as many are
increasingly forced into poverty, when employment levels fall, and people are shunted
out of an increasingly French Canadian dominated province.
[1] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[2] Richard Howard, Jacques l Acousiere and Claude Bouchard, A New History of Canada; A Time of Shocks 1926-1939, Ếditions Format, 1973, p882.
[3] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p8.
[4] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p8.
[5] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p12.
[6] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[7] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[8] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[2] Richard Howard, Jacques l Acousiere and Claude Bouchard, A New History of Canada; A Time of Shocks 1926-1939, Ếditions Format, 1973, p882.
[3] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p8.
[4] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p8.
[5] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p12.
[6] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[7] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[8] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.