Buzz
Oh Canada! A country that's known for its warmth, safety, and welcoming nature. As sweet as maple syrup, we're famous for our politeness, often saying 'please' and 'thank you'. This reputation has led to the perception of Canada as a nation of 'peace, order, and good government', one where little excitement ever occurs.
However, Canada is far more complex than it may seem. The country has experienced several periods of intense controversy. Just like any nation, Canada has a history that, while captivating, is not always flattering. Yet, to truly understand it, we must acknowledge the complete story.
Here are the 10 most notable controversial moments in Canadian history.
10. The Expulsion of the Acadians
In the 18th century, the province of Nova Scotia was settled by both British and French immigrants. Following numerous conflicts, the majority of the region fell under British control. Once that occurred, the property of the French settlers was seized, and they were forced to leave the province.
Homes were burned, crops destroyed, and livestock taken. Around 1,100 Acadians (French-descended Canadians who had settled on the eastern coast of Canada) lost everything as they were driven off their lands and deported by the British navy to colonies in South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana.
9. Exporting Asbestos
At one point, Canada was one of the world's largest exporters of asbestos. A significant portion of this hazardous material was sent to Third World countries that lacked the resources or knowledge to safely manage the carcinogenic substance.
Although 58 countries have already prohibited asbestos, Canada has yet to follow suit. However, a ban is expected to be put in place by 2018. The country’s final asbestos mine closed its operations permanently in 2012.
8. The Beothuk
The Beothuk were an indigenous group that no longer exists, once inhabiting the island of Newfoundland. Unlike most Native American tribes, the Beothuk had no interest in engaging with Europeans and made a conscious effort to avoid contact whenever possible.
As European settlers primarily established their communities along the island’s coastline, the Beothuk retreated further inland. As the number of settlers grew, so did the pressure on natural resources.
The Europeans, who were technologically advanced and better armed, seized the resource-rich regions, forcing the Beothuk into more remote areas. These new regions lacked the vital coastal resources essential for their diet and survival. This led to starvation, the rampant spread of European diseases, and growing hostility.
Ultimately, the Beothuk could not withstand the pressure. Their population was gradually wiped out. Estimates suggest they numbered as many as 3,000 at the start of the 18th century, though many believe their population was closer to 500-700.
7. Medicare
Wait. Canadian health care?
Universal, government-funded health care has been a cornerstone of Canadian pride since its establishment in the early 1960s. It’s a public service that is accessible and free for all Canadian citizens.
So where’s the controversy or dark side in this story?
The system is quite controversial, as Canada has consistently been ranked among the worst in the First World for wait times when it comes to surgeries and specialist consultations. Additionally, if you have the means to pay for a specialist, it’s impossible to do so within Canada.
This forces some critically ill patients with urgent needs to either endure long waits for service or seek care in other countries.
6. Japanese Internment Camps
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Canadian government forcibly relocated around 22,000 Canadian citizens of Japanese descent, moving them from their homes to internment camps in British Columbia. Their property was seized, and they remained in these camps for four years after the war ended.
5. Bill 101
French and English are both official languages in Canada. Around 22 percent of the population speaks French, while 58.4 percent speak English. The largest concentration of French speakers resides in the province of Quebec, which is predominantly French-speaking.
In 1977, a law was enacted in Quebec to make French the official provincial language. This law, known as Bill 101, mandates the promotion of the French language throughout Quebec.
The enforcement of the bill is highly controversial. For instance, French must appear in larger, more prominent letters on commercial signage. Inspectors are tasked with ensuring compliance and can even shut down a business until the owners conform to the regulations.
4. Louis Riel
Louis Riel was a Canadian politician who is now regarded as the founder of the province of Manitoba. Prior to this, the land was owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company, which sold it to the Canadian government in 1869.
The largely Métis (people of both indigenous and European heritage) population increasingly felt marginalized and turned to Louis Riel (who was Métis himself) as their leader. Riel played a key role in negotiating Manitoba’s entry into Canada.
Following his success in Manitoba, Métis leaders in Saskatchewan also called upon Riel to advocate for their interests. However, instead of negotiating with the government, Riel organized a military resistance, leading to a confrontation.
Recognizing that Riel was now seeking to establish a sovereign Métis nation, the government captured him. Riel was subsequently hanged for treason in 1885. Today, he is honored for his defense of Catholics, native rights, and the French-speaking minority in Western Canada.
3. Residential School System
One of the darkest chapters in Canadian history came with the implementation of the residential school system. Around 150,000 Aboriginal Canadian children were forcibly taken from their families and placed into English-language schools, where they remained until they completed their education.
The system was nothing more than an attempt to “forcefully assimilate” the native population into the European-based Canadian majority. Centuries-old languages, cultures, names, and traditions were lost, and widespread abuse and malnutrition were rampant.
The first residential schools were founded in the early 1880s, with the final school closing only in 1996. The country is still dealing with lawsuits related to abuse and neglect. In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology on behalf of the nation.
2. The FLQ Crisis
Canada might seem like the last place where martial law would be declared due to homegrown Canadian terrorists, but it happened. In 1970, in the French-speaking province of Quebec, the separatist group Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ) kidnapped local politician Pierre Laporte and British diplomat James Cross.
Laporte was later discovered dead, hidden in the trunk of a car, while Cross was freed through negotiations. Hundreds were arrested and detained without trial as the military took charge, wielding broad powers, especially in Montreal. Human rights were severely compromised as troops raided properties and patrolled the streets.
Once Cross’s release was successfully negotiated, the War Measures Act was revoked. This act had allowed for the declaration of martial law, which was supported by both English- and French-speaking citizens, who were outraged by the FLQ’s violent methods.
At the time, the prime minister who enacted the act was Pierre Trudeau, the father of current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
1. The Seal Hunt
Although Canada is often regarded as a friendly and peaceful country, the seal hunt stands out as one of its most controversial practices. The origins of this hunt date back to the early European settlers, who valued seal oil as a lubricant and sought the fur for its warmth. Over the centuries, hundreds of thousands of seals have been killed to meet this demand.
Following the European Union and Russia's official ban on seal imports, the demand for seal products has sharply declined. However, Canada continues to set the highest seal-hunting quotas globally, which has sparked significant international backlash.
PETA and notable figures like Sir Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Gwen Stefani have brought global attention to Canada's high seal-hunting quota, despite the diminishing demand for seal products.
