1. Canada at Home in the 1950s and 60s
When did Canada become the Canada we know today?

2. Hello, Newfies! 1940-Newfoundland becomes Canada’s 10th province
Led by Joey Smallwood

3. The St. Lawrence Seaway System of locks and canals
Linked Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean
Worked with US
Important for trade
Included power
development too

4. Maurice Duplessis
Maurice Duplessis ran Quebec from like a dictator
Tried to keep French culture and traditions-led to very few reforms
“co-operation always, assimilation never”
Died in 1959, election in 1960 led to…

5. The Quiet Revolution Jean Lasage (Liberal) elected
“Things must change” slogan
New mentality was maitre chez nous (“masters in our own house”)
“Quiet Revolution” meant:
-less influence of Catholic Church (schools, health care) -protections for workers
-women got legal rights (before were considered children)
-voting age lowers to 18 (from 21)

6. Immigration
Between million landed immigrants arrived in Canada
Most arrived through Pier 21 in Halifax
“the gateway that changed Canada forever”

7. Transition to a Consumer Society
: 307 American branch plants opened in Canada
Why might this be problematic?

8. Canadian Content
Birth of television drove transition to a consumer society
Most Canadians lived close to the US border & received American broadcasts
1952: first CBC Canadian television stations began broadcasting

9. Happy Birthday, Canada! Expo ‘67
Canada turned 100 and had a big birthday party
Communities worked on centennial projects (I.e. parks, libraries)
Expo ’67 was a world fair
Purpose to exhibit advances in technology, the arts, etc
62 nations participated
Canada at the centre of the world
50 million visitors came to Montreal

11. The Great Flag Debate
Canada’s official flag was the Union Jack until 1965
PM Lester B. Pearson promised Canada a flag of their own
Quebec nationalists wanted no symbol of British past

12. Some other options…
Red Ensign favoured by Diefenbaker
Pearson’s Pick

13. Imagine that Canada wanted a new flag
What symbols and colours would best represent Canada today?

14. Questions to consider…
Is this when Canada became the Canada we know today?
Was Canada in the 1950s and 60s more or less independent than it had been in the past?