Social Changes: Baby Boomers

1. Social Changes: Baby Boomers • With the return home of soldiers from Europe, families were reunited – couples decided that it was time for them to start a family… • No longer facing the uncertainty of service overseas, coupled with the financial stability of the growing economy Canada’s population “boomed” • Canada’s population soared from 12 million in 1946, to 18 million in 1961. • Now we are faced with anaging population…

2. Social Changes: Changing Immigration Policy • Displaced Persons: After the war, thousands of European displaced persons arrived in Canada • These were people forced from their homelands due to the war or Soviet Expansion • Immigration Act of 1952: 1948, Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent set up the Department of Citizenship and Immigration • The subsequent immigration act gave extensive powers to the minister of immigration • Decided at this time the practice of barring immigrants from entering Canada based on their ethnic origin would continue • Demand for Immigrants: this all changed as the 1950s Canada’s demand for immigrant labour was high – doors were then swung open

3. Social Changes: Social Welfare in CAN & Overseas • Social Security: Unemployment Insurance Act passed in 1940, along with family allowances, or “baby bonuses” were introduced in 1945. • Canadian Government had begun to accept social security as a government responsibility – a result of the Great Depression • The Colombo Plan: 1950s, CAN gov’t implemented a foreign aid initiative • Built factories and infrastructure in Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka (all Commonwealth companies)

4. Social Welfare in CAN & Overseas II • La Francophonie: joined by CAN, this was a plan that gave development aid to West Africa • Was a link between former French colonies, facilitating social and cultural changes. Allowed for the establishment of political, economic, and social structures; was a bilateral aid program needed post WWII. • ACCT: 1970, treaty signed by over 20 French-speaking countries. The Agency for Cultural and Technical Co-operation. • This was the first major organization developed by La Francophonie • Canada was a founding member of ACCT

5. Social Changes: Entertainment • Following the end of the war, Canadians went on buying sprees and purchased consumer goods like televisions • By 1960s, watching TV became a favorite family past time • The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a government owned Crown Corporation, bought American TV shows, and began to televise “Hockey Night in Canada”

6. Social Changes: The Era of Protest • 1960s – the baby boomers had become “teenagers” • Teen Culture developed which didn’t trust anyone over 30, and was looking to change established traditions • Canadian teens promoted a counterculture against the “Establishment”…aka “the man…” • Students began to challenge authority in schools and universities • Protests arose over the rights of aboriginal nations and black Native Americans; demonstrations arose over nuclear arms; American interference in Canadian affairs, and the Vietnam War. • Civil rights movements – led by public figures such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X – led to anti-racist legislation and improved civil rights for African Americans… subsequently, black Canadians succeeded in lobbying for improved rights as well

7. Social Changes: Women’s Movement • Similar to civil rights movements, baby boomers began to demand improved rights for women. • Women’s Liberation Movement became popular in the 1960s • Included changes to employment practices, life choices, and politics. • Post WWII many women were laid off from their wartime jobs; some of these women wanted to establish a balance between a career and responsibilities at home • Women in workforce went from 18% in 1921, to 39% in 1971

8. Social Changes: Changing Values • Life in Canada was becoming more liberal in the 1960s • Laws were passed in Parliament regarding abortion, homosexuality, and divorce • Their was more control granted to people in terms of their life choices • People began to challenge “old” ideas and wonder about new things • Future of Canada, CAN USA relationship, and the environment

9. Social Changes: Expo ‘67 • Expo ‘67 was a world fair held in Montreal, attracting visitors fromaround the world.Held in conjunction with Canada’s 100th birthday, it was a means to show what we had accomplished in that time • Kings, queens, princesses presidents, and politicians from all around the world • President of France, General de Gaulle, following a speech to the crowd, shouted “Vive le Quebec! Vive le Quebec libre!” • Long live Quebec! Long live a free Quebec! • This did not go over well with PM Lester B. Pearson; fuelled the tensions between French & Canadian relations

10. Social Changes: Trudeaumania • Along with the atmosphere of social change and rebellion of the 1960s, there was a wanting for political changes. • 1968, Pierre Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party, and also PM of Canada • French-Canadian: thought he would address Quebec’s concerns • Youthful, casual, and stylish: Drove fast cars, cool under pressure, and scholarly • People swarmed around him: His political rallies were like rock concerts • Trudeau, and Trudeaumania was as a result of his Charisma; he was Canada’s first PM who has this “elusive” quality