T HE I NTER W AR Y EAR : R EGIONALISM AND C ANADIAN SOVEREIGNTY

R EGIONS What is a Region? A region is first a geographical concept : Canada has 6 distinct regions where economic and social conditions differ.

W HAT IS A R EGION ? CONTINUED A region is also an institutional concept : A cluster of provinces “Atlantic region”, “the west” A form of local government: “Halifax Regional Municipality”, “Metro Vancouver” Furthermore, a region includes a way of defining identity, values and interests.

R EGIONS Canada has 6 distinct regions: Atlantic Canada (Maritimes) Quebec (Eastern Canada) Ontario (Central Canada) The Prairies (The Prairie West) British Columbia (The West) The Far North (The Arctic)

R EGIONALISM What is Regionalism? Areas in Canada expressing their own local problems and concerns. Regionalism may refer to the distinctive local character of different parts of the world or to a people's perception of and identification with such places.

W HAT IS R EGIONALISM ? C ONTINUED In Canada the term has acquired a particular vogue as a result of many recent tensions between national and more local economic, institutional and emotional attachments. Generally the phrase "Canadian regionalism" refers broadly to the vitality of regional differences within Canada.

W HAT IS ALIENATION ? Alienation: feeling separate, estranged from others (government or citizens) in one’s own society/country. Regionalism is closely tied to the feelings (perceived or real) of alienation.

T HE HISTORICAL D EVELOPMENT OF R EGIONALISM IN C ANADA Historic development of Regions in Canada: Idea of “empire Canada” – colonialization, assimilation 1920s Independence –Chanak Crisis, King-Byng Affair, Imperial Conference, Balfour Report Immigration Laws – changing immigration

R EGIONALISM IN C ANADA C ONTINUED Economic Regionalism: “natural” (via natural resources) economic roles and outcomes Politically-created economic roles and outcomes Constitutional and Institutional Factors: Provinces and territories shape and sustain regional identity and differences

T HE HISTORICAL D EVELOPMENT OF R EGIONALISM IN C ANADA ( CONTINUED ) Political/Cultural differences - Interwar Years: Atlantic Canada (Maritimes) – small population, weak economy, poor representation in Federal government, formed the Maritime Rights Movement. Ontario (Central Canada) – economic growth and development, large population, very good representation in Federal government, farmers support farming parties.

P OLITICAL /C ULTURAL DIFFERENCES - I NTERWAR Y EARS : C ONTINUED Quebec (Eastern Canada) – Feelings of isolation amongst English-speaking Canadians, fear of losing one’s own cultural identity to majority, good representation in federal government. Prairies (The Prairie West) – frustrated by the National Policy (see next slide for definition), wanted free trade and freight rates, no party represents their position so farmers begin their own political parties to represent their concerns (United Farmers of Canada, CCF, Social Credit).

P OLITICAL /C ULTURAL DIFFERENCES - I NTERWAR Y EARS : C ONTINUED National Policy Definition/SS10 Reminder: The National Policy was a Canadian economic program introduced by PM John A. Macdonald's Conservative Party in 1876 and put into action in It called for high tariffs on imported manufactured items to protect the manufacturing industry.

P OLITICAL /C ULTURAL DIFFERENCES - I NTERWAR Y EARS : C ONTINUED BC (The Far West) – Feelings of isolation, no party represents their position, small population, growing economy, poor representation in Federal government. The Far North (Arctic) – Feelings of isolation, no party represents their position, small population, weak economy, poor representation in Federal government.

H ISTORY OF REGIONAL ALIENATION (1) Nova Scotia: better terms debate, Natives: Since First Contact to present Métis: Riel and Red River and Northwest Rebellions, 1870, 1885

H ISTORY OF REGIONAL ALIENATION (2) Maritimes: Maritime Rights Movement, 1920s The Prairies: Prairie Progressives and others, s Quebec nationalism: “conservative” era until 1959, “separatist” era 1960 to 1990s/present

H ISTORY OF R EGIONAL A LIENATION (3) The Arctic: Left out Newfoundland: 1975 onwards Western alienation: 1970s onwards The revenge of the centre: Ontario regionalism, 1990 onwards.

T HE FORMULA FOR REGIONAL ALIENATION ? ( YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW THIS ) A = i v (c) / i v (r) ( R (o)- R (a) ) A = alienation i = interests v = values c = Canada as a whole r = region R = representation o = optimal a = actual

D EALING WITH REGIONAL ALIENATION From the centre (federal government): Better representation Better intergovernmental relations Better federal administration From the Region (local/provincial governments): Building up provincial power Economic development – “self-reliance” Building up Municipal (City) and Territorial power Building/reclaiming Aboriginal Rights

B EYOND THE R EGION ? Non-territorial politics and the transcendence (going beyond) of region?: Urban/suburban/rural – differences that cut across old regional divisions. “New politics” such as identity politics.

N EW R EGIONAL P LAYERS IN THE 21 ST C ENTURY Big city governments (Vancouver + Toronto) First Nations/Aboriginal governments (self- government and Aboriginal Rights): = the new regional players

C ONCLUSIONS Regionalism is a constant in Canadian political culture. Federalism shapes and sustains regionalism. Emergence of new regional players: Cities + First Nations

G ROUP A CTIVITY – REGIONAL CONCERNS What regional concerns can your group come up with? What needs need to be improved in our region? What are some possible solutions to these problems? Is it possible or not? Why or why not? How can we solve these problems? Explain. Are these concerns satisfied with (solved/put to rest by) the proposed solutions? Why or why not?