On the North Shore
A wise person suggested that in times of chaos, “Try not to get swept away by the river; it’s better to stay on the shore”. I can look out my window from a high floor and see the shore of Lake Ontario. On a very clear day I can sometimes see the US faintly on its other side. In the barrage of news that beams out anger and fear, one of the things that I regret is not knowing more Canadian history. In tenth grade, the history teacher suggested that we could remember the terms of Canadian Confederation by the acronym, LACEFUR. Lace-Fur is easy to remember to this day, but I haven’t a clue what the letters stand for.
But I can look it up!
Doing a little research doesn’t give meaning to the acronym, but some facts help. The British North America Act came into effect on the July 1, 1867. I grew up calling it Dominion Day - because it united three of the five British North American colonies into a federal state – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the province of Canada (later divided into Ontario and Quebec). Six other provinces were added later to make ten along with three territories. What also prevailed were British and Canadian statutes that have the effect of a constitution.
Powers were distributed between Parliament and provincial legislatures. Each has named authorities. Some of those for Parliament include banking, criminal law, the postal system and the armed forces. It also included the “Indian Act” the original nations of people who were present before the settlers arrived. (We have unfinished work to do on that one). The provinces had authority over property, contracts, local works and businesses. Naturally conflicts arise over powers and new ones have to be dealt with going forward – radio, aeronautics, official languages – don’t forget that Quebec was a French colony originally. We have had to deal with emergencies, health care and pandemics like the rest of the world.
Canada grew and like other members of the British Empire wanted more independence. In 1931 the British Parliament’s Statute of Westminster put its Dominions on an equal footing with the British Parliament
On December 11, 1931, after decades of negotiations between Britain and the Dominion, the British Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster, which put the Dominions on equal footing with the British parliament. It also now recognized the monarch as head of the country. In 1960 the Canadian Parliament passed its own Bill of Rights. But there was also a desire for its own constitution. It made several attempts to get provinces to agree and there was also a move in Quebec for greater independence. After many meetings. submissions, and presentations, the Canada Act 1982 was recognized by the governments of the United Kingdom and Canada, which ended the amendment power of the former.
This bare bones summary presents some background information to counter the stupid ones in the news. Canada is a country like the United States of America. It has a Federal Government and Provincial ones, as well as Territorial Governments, it elects members to both bodies. A Prime Minister leads the government. Premiers lead provinces.
It’s a big mass of land:
Here are some comparisons:
Canada is the second largest country in the world, second to Russia
Quebec is three times larger than France and comparable to Texas or California.
Ontario is about the size of Germany.
British Columbia is comparable to Spain.
We’re a nation of immigrants. In Toronto, our largest city, half the people living here were born elsewhere. And that makes us a better place.
I could go on. But here’s the thing. Naming a country or a prime minister incorrectly is not only brazenly insulting, but phenomenally stupid. Predatory talk will not work with us. We are seldom under attack, thank goodness, but when it happens, we remember who we are. Don’t mess with us.
Sources: Government of Canada. Wikipedia, Natural Resources Canada. Painting: Lauren Harris