Canada's Ongoing Identity Crisis: What Are We Now?

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Recommended: Explain briefly about two-nation theory

The Dual Nation Theory took its heading starting in 1960, with the beginning of the sovereignty movement (Gorman, Robert F. 2008. 2018-2020). It truly took off, however, with the Quiet Revolution, where the idea of “maîtres chez nous” and the shift from being a distinct part of Canada to Quebec being a nation in its own right begins to take hold. Québécois nationalism defined Confederation as being an agreement between two peoples: the French and the English. “Quebec constitutes within Canada a distinct society, which includes a French-speaking majority, a unique culture and civil law tradition” (Chotalia, 1993). This is significant to mention because this is the theory that ultimately leads to the Three Nation Theory.

The Three Nation Theory agrees with the Dual Nation Theory insofar as Confederation was an agreement between distinct groups of people. The contention stems from what groups those were; the Three Nation Theory proposes that those groups were the French, the English, and the Indigenous; “the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, being first peoples to govern this land, have the right to promote their languages, cultures and traditions and to ensure the integrity of their societies, and their governments constitute on of the three orders of government in Canada” (Chotalia, 1993). Three Nation Theory followed right on the heels of the Dual Nation Theory and finally replaced it completely by the 1990's. This replacement can be formally recognized when Section 25 is put into the Constitution Act 1982 and Aboriginal right and title are officially recognized. That is not to say however, that aspects of this theory did not exist prior to 1982, just that this instance can be pointed to as a turning point in Canadian history in wh...

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...cline of Deference.” Essential Readings In Canadian Government and Politics. 461-464

Preston Manning. 1987. “The West Wants In.” Speech presented at Western Assembly on Canada's Economic and Political Future, Vancouver, Canada.

Simeon, Richard and Ian Robinson. 2004. “The Dynamics of Canadian Federalism.” Essential Readings in Canadian Government and Politics. 236-214

Spicer, Keith. 1991. Citizen’s Forum on Canada’s Future: Report to the People and Government of Canada. Ottawa: Supply and Services Canada

Statistics Canada. 2011. Ethnic Diversity and Immigration. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-402- x/2011000/chap/imm/imm-eng.htm

Watkins, Melville H. 1963. “A Staple Theory of Economic Growth.” The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science 29(2): 141-158.

“Majority Could Be Within PQ's Reach”. 2014. CBC News (Montreal), March 5, Al.

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