Canada after Trudeau

Brian Mulroney Prime Minister 1984 – 1993 3 key ideas: Bring Quebec into Constitution More Conservative Economic Policies Closer ties between Canada and USA

Mulroney and The constitution Attempt 1: Meech Lake Accord Quebec identified as “Distinct Society” End alienation of Western Provinces More power to change constitution Redress equalisation payments Quebec says Oui! Others reject First nations are distinct too Newfoundland and Manitoba say no

Meech Lake Fall Out Quebec feels embarassed Lucien Bouchard leaves Mulroney Cabinet Forms Bloc Quebecois Same idea as PQ but runs in Federal elections

Try, Try again Attempt 2: Charlottetown Accord Citizens forums to get input Protect Quebec rights Promote First nations self government Went to nation wide referendum – October 1992 Rejected – 54.5% Boost to Quebecois Separatists 1995 Referendum – 49.4% YES, 50.6% NO

Mulroney and Economy Huge debt under Trudeau - $160 billion Mulroney promised to reduce debt Worldwide shift to the right – Reagan (US) and Thatcher (UK) Idea was to encourage personal responsibility Cut funding of social programs Cut taxes to encourage business 1990 – worldwide recession More public money spent on unemployed Ended National Energy policy – stopped attempt to get federal control of resources – appeased alberta and western alienation.

Mulroney and The USA Connected to economic policies Natural political ally of President Reagan 1987 – Free Trade Agreement with USA 1994 – NAFTA included Mexico and USA Rejected “Star Wars” program Idea was to improve on NORAD Canadian sites would have been used as missile bases to intercept attacking weapons

First Nations and Land Claims Specific Claims – grievances against previously signed agreements – esp. Numbered treaties Comprehensive claims – never settled by treaty – especially BC 1990 – Oka Confrontation Plan to develop on contested Mohawk burial ground Tense standoff tuned violent – police officer shot 1997 - Delgamuluukw Case First Nations have title if occupation before Settlement and was not given to Canada

The Oka Confrontation

First nations and Self Government 1980 – Assembly of First nations Formed 1985 – Bill C31 – FN decide rights of residency on reserve land Debate about who had control of what – FN or federal government 1996 – Nisgaa settlement - connected to Delgamuluukw Nisgaa got own municipal governement, police force and share of resources Gave up “Indian Status” 1999 – Nunavut established – Inuit control of Eastern arctic

Canada and The World after Trudeau 1989 Berlin Wall Falls 1991 End of Soviet Union and Yugoslavia 1994 – Peacekeeping fails to stop genocide of Bosnian Muslims Civil Wars in Africa 1994 – Rwanda Peacekeeping force led by Canadian Gen. Romeo Dallaire Dallaire asks to be allowed to intervene to protect civilians but ordered to stand down 800,000 to 1,000,000 massacred in 100 day Genocide