October Elections

Going into these elections, there’s something all Canadians should keep in mind: we must know our history, in order to prevent it from repeating itself.  That being said, the elections fast approaching are going to be crucial, in regards to national sovereignty, resource management and foreign policy.  Lets look back at the last say 35 years, for crucial legislation, treaties, agreements and events that have shaped Canada to its present form.

1975
- The Minority Liberals, led by Pierre Trudeau, at the behest of David Lewis and the NDP, introduced Bill C-8 or The Petro-Canada Act.  This formed a nationalized oil and gas company in response to the world oil crisis and US domination of the domestic oil industry.

1976-77
-Parti Quebecois, a non-violent form of the FLQ separatist movement, led by Rene’ Levesque, adopt Bill 101, making French the Only Official Language of Quebec.

1980
- The Pierre Trudeau Liberals introduce the National Energy Policy, administered by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources(Jean Chretien).  Crucial in the protection of the eastern Canadian economy and industrial sector. 
- Parti Quebecois launched referendum on sovereignty. The Question was “Should Quebec negotiate for Sovereignty?”, 60% NO/40% YES.

1982
- Constitution Act, Pierre Trudeau (Liberal), officially patriated the Canadian Constitution.
- Pierre Trudeau appoints Donald S. Macdonald chariman of a Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects of Canada.  The Commission is given 3 years to report its findings.
- Air India Flight 182 exploded at 31,000 ft, killing 329, including 280 Canadian Citizens.

1984
- Brian Mulroney (Conservative), becomes Prime Minister.

1985
- Donald S Macdonald, Chair of the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects of Canada, publishes his findings.  (This document is hard to locate, as of yet I have not found it online, but have found library listings through AMICUS.  They tell me I can’t borrow it, I have to pay $20 for a printed copy!) There are 2 sources that state, without citation, “In 1985, a Royal Commission on the economy issued a report to the Government of Canada recommending free trade with the United States. This commission was chaired by former Liberal Minister of Finance Donald S. Macdonald, and had been commissioned by the Liberal government of Pierre Trudeau. Mulroney nonetheless embraced the report’s findings.“  Mulroney was tricked into it by the liberals… yea right!

1988
- Brian Mulroney and Ronald Reagen both signed CUSFTA or Canada and United States Free Trade Agreement on January 2, 1988.

1990
- Oka Crisis, a stand-off between the Town of Oka and the Mohawk community of Kanesatake in Quebec, over the building of a golf course over a sacred burial ground and pine tree grove.

1991
- Brian Mulroney Introduces “Goods and Services Tax”, or GST

You know the rest, here we are!