The White Paper Policy of 1969
In the Canadian legislature, a policy paper is called a white paper. For many First Nations people, the term ironically implies a reference to racial politics and the white majority. The 1969 white paper proposing the abolition of the Indian Act was formally called the Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian Policy. The White Paper policy document by the Liberal government was released in 1969, which proposed assimilating Aboriginal Canadians into mainstream Canadian society, eliminating the First Nations as separate entities. This white paper was met with forceful opposition from Aboriginal leaders across the country and sparked a new era of Indigenous political organizing in Canada. The White Paper policy changed the relationship between Canadian governments and Aboriginal people, it was overwhelmingly rejected by Aboriginal peoples across Canada who felt that assimilating into mainstream Canadian society was not the means to achieve equality. The white paper was proposed to Eliminate Indian status and showed an important significant in Canadian history, dissolve the Department of Indian; affairs within five years Abolish the Indian Act; transfer responsibility for Indian affairs from the federal government to the province and integrate these services into those provided to other Canadian citizens; provide funding for economic development and appoint a commissioner to address outstanding land claims and gradually terminate existing treaties.
Watch this clip of the Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian policy in 1969:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JmymnmE7n0
1980: Referendum
The Parti Québécois came back to power in 1980. During the 1973 Quebec election, the results were equally unfavorable to the Parti Québécois. However, in 1980, their win was not just an expression of support for separatism, as many Québécois were voting against an extremely unpopular Liberal government plagued by scandals. Also, the new premier, René Lévesque held a referendum. He told Québécois that this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes, and establish relations abroad - in other words, sovereignty - and at the same time, to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency. No change in political status resulting from these negotiations will be effected without approval by the people through another referendum. He asked Québécois, would they give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada? The response to this long and possibly confusing question seemed decisive. 85% of eligible voters cast their ballots; of them, 59.5% voted to stay within Canada. So, did Quebec separate from Canada? No, it did not. This event showed a big significance in the Canadian history, while Quebec remains part of Canada, to this day many Quebecois sustain a significant sovereign’s sentiment that isn't satisfied by the symbolic recognition they have been granted by Canada's government as a nation-within-a-nation.
Watch this fun clip of "What if Quebec was an independent country?":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZhr3K9HeaQ
1965 Auto Pact agreement
Also known as the Canada-US Automotive Products Agreement. This agreement was created because before 1965, most cars in Canada were made in the United States. Therefore, Canada wanted to change this and the United States wanted Canada to lower the tariffs on cars being shipped to Canada. This is a free-trade agreement signed by Canada and the US in January 1965 to create a single North American market for passenger cars, trucks, buses, tires and automotive parts. This meant that the U.S. could build bigger car factories and Canada could expand its auto industry. Canadians also got a larger selection of cheaper cars. The agreement made it so that half of all cars sold in Canada had to be made in Canada, and that in every car made in Canada 60% of the parts had to be made here. The 2 principal purposes of the Auto pact were to lower Canadian production costs through more efficient production of fewer lines of motor vehicles and parts, and to lower consumer prices. This event also made a significant to the Canadian history, with this agreement, it benefitted Canadian workers and consumers by dint of lowered prices and increased production creating thousands of jobs and increasing wages.
Watch this short clip of signing the agreement:
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Digital+Archives/Economy+and+Business/Trade+Agreements/ID/2190226196/
