SS 11 BC Curriculum

1. Canada in the 1970s
Chapter 5

2. The Vietnam War (1954-75)
• Canadian PM Lester Pearson gave a speech asking
the US to “rethink their position” in Vietnam.
• Most Canadians did not support American
involvement in this foreign war.
• Canada welcomed American draft dodgers.
• Although Canada was not involved in fighting in the
war, protest took place throughout NA.
• TV images appeared daily in NA homes and added
to the anti-war sentiment.

4. Western Discontent
1.) INFLATION:
• By the 1970s, PM Trudeau was losing popularity. He
won the 1974 election by opposing price and wage
controls, but then later put them in.
• This policy caused prices for consumer items to rise
drastically (inflation), while controls were sued to
keep wages down.
• In “normal” times inflation averages about 2-4% a
year. During the late 1970s, inflation in Canada hit
10% or higher.

5. 2.) OPEC Crisis:
• In 1972 there was a sudden increase in the price
of oil when the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC) realized that the
demand for oil was greater than the supply.
• OPEC raised the price of oil knowing that people
would need to pay. The price of a barrel went
from $6 US to $16 US.
• By 1979, war between Iraq and Iran caused a
drop of supply and prices rose to $40 US.
• At the pumps, prices rose to $1.38 per gallon.

7. (US - Per gallon)

8. 3.) The National Energy Program
• In response to OPEC, Trudeau implemented the
NEP, which froze Alberta oil prices below world
levels to keep the cost of oil down for Canadians.
• He also imposed a tariff (tax) on oil sold to the US
to make up for the oil imported from OPEC
countries
• This policy angered Albertans, as they were
prevented from getting fair market value for any oil
that they sold.
• This strengthened feelings of Western alienation,
and led people to begin to think about separating
from the rest of Canada.

9. Canadian-American Relations
1.) Economic Ties
• The Auto Pact – American car companies set up
branch plants in Canada.
• Over 70% of all Canadian products were sold in the
US.
2.) Entertainment Industries
• PM Trudeau decided that Can TV and radio stations
would be required to air a certain % of Canadian
programs.
• He also promoted the Can film industry, introduced
tax breaks for Can book and mag industries, and
gave federal grants to the arts.

10. • However, some Canadians felt that these
measures only served to prevent much
needed US investment, and Americans viewed
Trudeau’s decisions as unfriendly.

11. Immigration
1.) The Citizenship Act of 1976
• Eliminated genter discrimination, and granted
citizenship to children of overseas marriages when the
mother was Can (previously only granted to fathers)
2.) The Immigration Act of 1978
• Reduced barriers to immigration and gave provinces a
new role in immigration policy.
• New immigrants were welcome regardless of colour,
religion, or country of origin.
• Created 3 categories: family class (relatives of
Canadians), refugees, and independents (seeking
improved living conditions)

12. 3.) Multiculturalism
• With these changes, more immigrants arrived from
Asia and the West Indies
• To combat any growing racial tensions, the Trudeau
gov’t acted quickly by adopting a policy of
multiculturalism.
• Helped schools set up new courses, promoted
multicultural events, and set up a council to study
the problems of different ethnic groups in Canada.