Canada in the World Wars

**After the Second World War** Canada emerged from WWII as a major industrial and trading nation. Lester B. Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for his role in resolving the Suez Crisis and creating the concept of United Nations peacekeeping forces. **The Quiet Revolution** In the 1960s, Quebec underwent a Quiet Revolution (Révolution tranquille) — rapid social, political and economic modernisation that transformed Quebec society and strengthened Quebec nationalism. **Trudeau and the Constitution** Pierre Elliott Trudeau served as Prime Minister from 1968-1979 and 1980-1984. He championed a united Canada, introduced official bilingualism and in 1982 patriated the Constitution from Britain, adding the **Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms**. **The FLQ Crisis (1970)** The separatist Front de libération du Québec kidnapped a British diplomat and Quebec minister Pierre Laporte (who was murdered). PM Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act — the only peacetime use of this emergency power. **Quebec referendums** Quebec held referendums on sovereignty in 1980 (No won 60-40%) and 1995 (No won by less than 1%). The Clarity Act (2000) established rules for any future referendum. **Contemporary Canada** Canada has developed a comprehensive social safety net including: • **Medicare** — publicly funded universal health care, pioneered by Tommy Douglas in Saskatchewan • **Canada Pension Plan** — retirement and disability income • **Employment Insurance** — support for those who lose their jobs • **Old Age Security** — monthly payments to Canadians over 65 Canada is a member of the Commonwealth, NATO, G7, the United Nations and many other international organizations. Canada has been a leading contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.