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Economic Change and Divisions in Canada: 1945-1970
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What is the cause and significance of the centralization of provincial powers? Is U.S. foreign investment a threat? Is It a necessity? How was post-war economic growth distributed in Canada? What groups got more or less and why?
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Distribution of Government Powers: During the war: centralization of power to Federal government P.M. Mackenzie King wants to make powers permanent Some oppose: too much federal power, should be in hands of private industry Creation of social programs during war (unemployment insurance, family allowances) – Canadians want to keep
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Distribution of Government Powers: How to continue social programs when some provinces cannot afford? – Transfer taxation powers to federal government – Federal control of social programs – Give provinces revenue to pay for health and education Equalization (transfer) payments to provinces: revenue from wealthier provinces helps fund programs for poorer provinces
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Post-war Economic Prosperity: Transition to peacetime economy = job loss for those in armed services and munitions industry New industries, products from wartime inventions (e.g. plastic) Natural resources wealth: metals and minerals, boom towns around mines 1947: Oil discovered in Alberta Ontario: manufacturing, 99% of auto industry Extent of environmental impact of these industries not yet apparent
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Infrastructure: Towns and cities growing: need improvement in infrastructure Sewers, roads and highways, power plants, schools, hospitals Megaprojects: public works Paid for with tax revenue from booming economy Construction creates jobs, wages for workers to spend: further stimulates economy
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Public Works Megaprojects: 1950-1970: Transcanada Highway (St. Johns Newfoundland to Victoria B.C.) Longest national highway in the world. St Lawrence Seaway: joint U.S.-Canadian. 1954- 1959 Links Great Lakes to Atlantic Ocean: move Canadian products from central Canada (Ontario manufacturing) to world markets Trans-Canada pipeline: Alberta gas to central Canada
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American Investment: U.S. economy also booming: high production, lack of raw materials Canada as source of natural resources Canada requires large capital investment to extract resources 1956: 68% of oil industry in Canada is US- owned. 88% by 1967.
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Over 50% of all manufacturing in Canada is controlled by U.S. Many of largest factories are branch plants (subsidiaries of American companies). Excluded from tax incentives to protect Canadian industries. Concern: too much? Loss of independence? Issue of debate, ongoing … Free Trade agreement in 1988
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Advantages of high U.S. Investment: -Jobs -Access to U.S. technology Disadvantages: -Large portion of profits leaving Canada -Loss of economic control (sovereignty)
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Labour Movement Post-war wealth concentrated in upper class Workers want their share, increase in organization and strikes Increase in non-industrial unions: teachers, nurses, postal workers, police Successes: modest increase in wages, growth of middle class 40 hour, 5 day work week, paid vacation Benefit to business: consumer spending up with workers time and wages
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Poverty Amid Prosperity: Not all Canadians experience strong economic years Working poor in cities: many immigrants Veterans and war widows get preference for jobs Women: can’t afford to not work. Pressure, guilt of not being at home. Legal discrimination by employers: paid less for same work
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Aboriginal Poverty Environmental damage from resource industries Mercury poisoning of fish Disruption of hunting grounds by industrial development and infrastructure 1965: $1600 average wages to $3500 National average Lower life expectancy Suicide rate 11 times the national average Less access to credit, loans, sanitation services
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“Money, Power, Greed”
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“Red Man Watching White Man Trying to Fix Hole in the Sky”
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Exit slip: Write a paragraph on 1)If you think the U.S. has too much economic control and influence on Canada, 2)What positive and/or negative consequences you see that cause you to believe that, and 3)If and how you predict this will change in the future.
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What is the cause and significance of the centralization of provincial powers? Is U.S. foreign investment a threat? Is It a necessity? How was post-war economic growth distributed in Canada? What groups got more or less and why?
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