Canadian Autonomy

Canadas transition from a self-governing British colony into a completely

independent country was an evolutionary process. Canadian autonomy was a product of
both British and American affairs; small impacts from both countries lead to Canadian
independence. The Canadian government began to desire and strive for an independent
country, slowly backing away from British control. With Canadas full independence
emerging, Britain and Americas relationship with Canada shaped the country we have
today, affecting Canada politically and militarily, economically, and socio-politically,
allowing it to become fully autonomous.
Canadas autonomy was greatly influenced by British political and military affairs
within Canada. Canada began as a colony of France, but later became a colony of Britain
in 1760. Canada was under the control of Britain with foreign affairs and international
affairs for an extensive period of time. However, in 1867, Canada was given the
dominion of Canada Status, giving it autonomy over its domestic affairs, but not its
international affairs. Canada had partial independence on what it could and could not do.
Later on in World War One (1914-1918), Canadas independence was dramatically
improved primarily due to Canadas tremendous contributions to the Allied causes during
Prime Minster Bordens time in office. In 1914, Canada had no choice but to enter World
War One alongside Britain. Since Canada was still under Britains control with foreign
affairs, Canada had to follow the British into World War One. In 1919, the Treaty of
Versailles was signed by Canada. This was the treaty between Germany and the
victorious Allied nations (including Canada) which brought World War One to a formal
close. The signing of this treaty allowed Canada to get a separate signature than Britain
did. Following the signing of the Versailles Treaty, the League of Nations allowed Canada
to get a separate seat. Prime Minister Robert Borden managed to get Canada a separate
seat in the League, apart from the British. One significant step that Canada took against
Britain was in 1922 leading Canada to being one step closer to autonomy. In 1922, the
Chanak Crisis, which was a war scare between Britain and Republic of Turkey, occurred.

Britain asked Canada to send military help to keep Britain in control of the city Chanak,
located in Turkey. Canada said no to this request - this was the first time Canada did not
support Britain. Following the Chanak Crisis, Canada signed the Halibut Treaty in 1923.
This treaty was an American-Canadian agreement concerning fishing rights in the
northern Pacific Ocean. This was significant because it was the first time Canada signed
its first international treaty on its own with America without Britain. The Imperial
Conference was a meeting held in London where the signing of the Lord Balfour Report
(1926) was signed. At this meeting, it was decided to give British Dominions full
autonomy, including Canada. The Lord Balfour Report of 1926 declared that Britain and
its Dominions were constitutionally equal to each other. It was a landmark document
confirming Canada as a fully independent country. Canada was no longer in Britains
control. Following the Imperial Conference, the Statue of Westminster in 1931 was a
British law that eliminated Canadas dominion status. Canada cut many ties with Britain.
In World War Two (1939-1945), Canada decided to join the war on its own, unlike World
War One where Canada was obligated to follow Britain into. One week after Britain
entered the war, Canada officially joined World War Two on September 10, 1939,
fighting with the Allies. In 1949, the Supreme Court of Canada was introduced. The
Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada, the final court of appeals in the
Canadian justice system. This became Canadas highest court, which was formerly in
Britain. Later on in 1952, the first name Governor General was born in Canada, who was
named Vincent Massey. Prior to Governor General Vincent Massey, all Governor
Generals in Canada were British. Vincent Massey was the first Canadian Governor
General of Canada. In 1964, Canada dramatically stepped away from Britain and
obtained its own flag. Canadas new flag, brought in by Prime Minister Lester B.
Pearson, was introduced and replaced the Union Flag, which was Britains flag in
Canada. In 1982, the patriation of the Constitution was brought in by Prime Minister
Trudeau. Prime Minister Trudeau brought home the British North America (BNA) Act
(1867) and renamed it the Constitution Act (1867). When the British North America
(BNA) Act was signed, Canada was a dominion of Britain. No longer a dominion,
Trudeau changed the name of the BNA Act to the Constitution Act of 1867, still carrying
the same name to this day.

Unlike British political and military influence, American political and military
influence on Canada grew during the post World War Two (1946-2000) period. As
Canadas dependency on Britain weakened, American influence on Canada increased. In
post World War Two, Canada emerged as a middle power, making Canada a wealthy
country, a member of the critical military alliances who was also contributing to NATO
and NORAD, under the United Nations influence during the Cold War (1946-1989).
Since Canada was a middle power, it was in the position of effectively representing the
interests of smaller nations. Although Canada was not a superpower, it did have a
considerable influence, especially at the United Nations (UN). During the Korean War
(1950-1953), the UN sponsored war, was led by the United States. The purpose of the
entry of the UN and Canada into the Korean War was to contain the spread of
communism. This was involved Canada, who fought in Korea (ceasefire only).
Communism was a big threat to other countries, seeing as though it could influence the
areas around a country with a communist government. Canada was also involved in the
Suez Crisis oh 1956. Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, prompting bombing and troop
attacks from Britain, France, and Israel. The USSR was supporting Egypt at the time.
Noticing that the situation was becoming quite dangerous, the United Nations General
Assembly voted to end the military involvement in Egypt. This later led to the creation of
the UN Peacekeeping troops, created by Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, who
later won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. The Peacekeeping troops were created to go to
Egypt to avoid war. From 1969-1973, the Vietnam War raged on due to communism once
again. The United Nations Security Council voted no to joining the war, and since the UN
decided not to go into Vietnam, Canada also said no. In the end, America invaded
Vietnam alone with no help from the UN, including Canada. The 1st Gulf War took place
from 1990-1991. This was a war between the United Nations, led by the United States,
and those of Iraq that followed Dictator Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in August
1990.The United Nations Security Council voted yes to attack Iraq forces, so Canada sent
troops as a part of UN troops. Canadian troops took on both naval operations and air
operations. A year after the 1st Persian Gulf War, Canada was sent to Yugoslavia along
with other UN troop to break up communist Yugoslavia, which led to ethnic wars
between the Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians. The UN sent peacekeepers, which Canada

participated in. After many attempts to stop the ongoing conflict in Yugoslavia, NATO
intervened to prevent war and genocide. In 2003, Canada also declined joining the Iraq
War due to Prime Minister Chretien not allowing it.
Canada wasnt as politically and militarily dominated by America, but that
changed dramatically, especially during the Cold War (1946-1989). NATO, which began
in 1949, still exists to this day. NATO is a defensive military alliance created after the
Soviet Berlin Blockade to contain the spread of communism in Europe, which at the time
was dominated by the United States. Canada sent troops to Europe to maintain NATOs
forces; many of who were sent home by Prime Minister Trudeau who wanted to reduce
Canadas dependency on the United States. Trudeau worked hard to improve Canadian
autonomy from America. In 1995, NATO was brought in to Bosnia. NATO took over for
the United Nations, and Canada left in 2004. NATO conducted its first major crisis
response operation in Bosnia. In 1998, NATO was sent to Yugoslavia (Serbia). Serbs
under Slobodan Milosevic were persecuting Muslims living in the Serbian province of
Kosovo. NATO, including Canada, bombed the Serbs and had Milosevic arrested and
sent to the UN International Criminal Court to be tried for war crimes (ethnic
cleansing/genocide). Three years later, NATO was sent to Afghanistan in 2001. After 911, America began going after Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Under Prime Minister Chretien,
who was non-supportive of President Bush and the United States, did not want to
participate in Afghanistan at first. Later on, Canada ended up sending troops the province
of Kandahar. NORAD, which was the North American Aerospace Defence Command,
began in 1957 and continues to this day. NORAD is a bilateral defence command military
alliance between Canada and the United States made to detect and prevent nuclear
missile attacks from the USSR. NORAD was extremely important for Canada because
Canada depended on the United States politically and militarily. NORAD was dominated
by America, and has a permanent American military base in Canada. Missile radar lines
are controlled by the US and set up across Canada to get an early detection of Soviet
nuclear missiles. For example, the DEW Line (Distance Early Warning Line) is located in
Canadas Arctic. Eventually, this led to American nuclear weapons in Canada and nuclear
tests to be done in Canadian waters. When Prime Minister Diefenbaker was in charge

from 1962-1963, he did not allow American nuclear weapons on Canadian ground. In
1963, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson permitted them in Canada, but by 1984, Prime
Minister Trudeau had all nuclear weapons removed. When the Cuban Missile Crisis of
1962 occurred, America learned that the USSR was installing nuclear missiles in Cuba
which were aimed at the United States. American President Kennedy had demands for
Canada due to the NORAD Treaty which both countries signed. Canada put its NORAD
troops on alert and allowed American nuclear equipped planes to land in Canada. The
only problem was that Diefenbaker said no to Kennedy. In the long term, some of
Canadas decisions did have consequences due to Canadas dependency on the United
States. Because of the American interference in 1963, Diefenbaker lost to the Liberals
and Prime Minister Pearson, who promised to allow American nuclear missiles in Canada
during the election campaign, became Prime Minister. These nuclear missiles were the
American Bomarc missiles which replaced Canadas Avro Arrow Jets. The cancellation
of the Avro Arrow in 1959 was due to Canada making a supersonic jet. This jet was
superior to any American aircraft. However, Prime Minister Diefenbaker cancelled it and
the Avro Arrow jets were replaced by American Bomarc Jets. Some believe that the
cancellation of the Avro Arrow Jets were due to America wanting to hold their
authoritarian status.
Canadas economic role increased after becoming an independent country. Canada
joined the United Nations in developing world missions for multinational and collective
peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance, which included food and long term assistance.
It helped build infrastructure, train teachers and doctors, etc. Developing world missions
mainly took place in Africa where conflicts were affecting the people living there.
Canada assisted in helping Somalia during the famine of 1992. This famine was one of
the worst famines the world has ever seen, seeming as though it was the worst
humanitarian disaster. Canadas humanitarian assistance was helping to provide lifesaving relief - including food, water and sanitation, medical and nutritional support,
emergency shelter, and protection - to Somalias most vulnerable people. Canada also
aided the UN in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. In Rwanda, Hutus and Tutsis were
murdering each other, especially through the Hutu majority. Canadian and other UN

forces remained in Rwanda for a period of time to try to help the country with some
humanitarian efforts, mine clearing and refugee resettlement before leaving the
devastated country in 1996. Canada also helped the UN in Sudan. Black Christians living
in Sudan were being killed by Arabian Muslims. Thus through the United Nations,
Canada exercised collective solutions to conflict and foreign aid.
Canadas economic dependence on America continuously enlarged over time. As
Canadas economy developed it became increasingly more dependant on the United
States of America. Until World War One, Canada had primarily British indirect
investment in the form of loans and stocks purchased by British investors in Canadian
companies, primarily raw resources and railroads. In the 1920s, there was massive
American direct investment in Canada. Americans invested in forestry, especially
pulpmills (where pulp and paper later became one of Canadas main exports), mining,
especially in Ontario and Quebec, hydroelectricity damns in Quebec, and branch plant
manufacturing in Ontario. As a result of the massive American direct investment in
Canada, when America crashed in the Great Depression (1929-1939), so did Canada.
When the post World War Two period came along, cars became really popular. Canada
signed the Autopact (1965) free trade agreement with America to continue American
branch plants in Ontario and Quebec. In Canada, this agreement brought in employment,
whereas in America, no tariffs were on American cars sold to Canada. Both countries
benefited from this agreement. Unfortunately, Canada was not allowed to develop its own
car brand. Along with American investment, Canadian raw resource industries were being
dominated by American multinational corporations: forestry and pulpmills, mining, and
oil and gas in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Manufacturing in Canada was dominated by the
Americans. More than 50% of manufacturing industries were owned by the United
States. In 1989, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed between President Reagan
and Prime Minister Mulroney (Conservatives). This agreement reduced tariffs, later
leading to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which now
included Mexico. Unfortunately, Canadas resources, including water, are now seen by
Americans as North American resources, not Canadian. Canadian government had even
bigger fears of American dominance of Canadian culture with the introduction of
American entertainment coming to Canada, including movies, T.V. and radio, magazines

and books, and even sports. Trudeau, who was big on Canadian autonomy, decided
Canada needed to have economic policies regarding America. America was an elephant
and Canada was a mouse- the relationship was extremely necessary, but Canada had to be
more independent and gain more control over its own economy. Canada did not want
America taking over every aspect of its country. Trudeau set up the National Energy
Policy (NEP), which was made to sell Canadian oil cheaply to Canadians first before oil
went to America to sell. Trudeau also set up the Foreign Investment Review Agency
(FIRA) to reduce American investment in Canada. However, both of these were cancelled
by Prime Minister Mulroney who wanted very close ties to the United States of America.
Canadas culture was being greatly affected by American influence. Throughout
the 20th century, American culture had been exported around the world and has most
especially dominated Canada due to multiple key factors. Canada, apart from Quebec,
and America shared a similar language. The similarity of having English as both
countries language made their influence much higher in Canada. Americans could reach
out to more Canadians since there was no language barrier between them. Geographical
proximity was also important. Canada and America were neighbouring countries, both of
who were really close to each other and shared many close ties. American dominance
over Canadas economy, politics, and military made Canada vulnerable to American
influence. American aggressiveness in exporting its cultural industries also helped in
dominating Canadian culture. McDonalds, Starbucks, Hollywood, T.V. and radio
programs, Coca Cola, sports, heroes, fashion magazines, pop music, rap music, and much
more have influenced Canadian culture and still continue to have an impact on Canadian
independence as well. Americans influence Canadian culture through entertainment,
music, and even food industries. As Canada develops, its dependence on America
continuously grows.
When Canada began being influenced by Americans, the Canadian government
was afraid that American influence would take over the majority of Canada. Canadian
socio-political factors became a big component that needed to be protected. The federal
government of Canada had an Aird Commission, also known as the Royal Commission
on Radio Broadcasting, which was a federal government study in 1929. The purpose of

this Royal Commission was to figure out how to reduce American radio programs in
Canada. The federal governments solution was to create the CBC (Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation) Radio Station in 1932. CBC Radio Station provided Canadian
news and radio dramas that were about Canadians and for Canadians. Entertainment
continued being a major factor in which America was slowly taking over, so in 1939, the
National Film Board (NFB) was brought in. The NFB was made to create Canadian
documentaries. In 1951, a second Royal Commission was brought in: the Massey
Commission. Canadian government continued to feel threatened by American influence
in Canada, including on television. The federal governments solution was the creation of
the CBC T.V. Station in 1952. Canadian programs were being aired on T.V. to tone down
the amount of American shows that were being provided to people through their
televisions. Along with entertainment being dramatically changed with the introduction
of many new Canadian shows being aired, art and writing was just as important. In 1957,
the Canada Council was created. This gave out grants (free money) to Canadian artists
and writers to help them create more art. The Canadian government encouraged
Canadians to make art of many forms. With a lot of American entertainment flourishing
in Canada, the Canadian government decided it was time to make a change. In 1968, the
Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) was brought
in to decide how much American radio and T.V. programming was allowed in Canada.
The governments final solution was to make sure that all radio and T.V. stations were
obligated to have a minimum if 30% of Canadian content.
During the 20th century, Canada gained autonomy from Britain, but became
increasingly dominated by America especially after World War Two (1939-1945) and
during the Cold War (1946-1989) as Canada was generally happy to sit under the
American military umbrella.

By Fermin Hoq