Canada and the Cold War

The Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The Baby Boom

Thesis Statement

Canada and the Cold War: The relationship between Canada and the cold war impacted on its
national security’s policies, increased its international alliances as well as propelling her
economic and technological growth.

The Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms: The passing of this constitution
act including the charter gave a completely different meaning to legal rights, enhanced the
oneness in our country and provided a platform that sought for equality and justice for all.

Baby Boom: After World War II, there was an explosion in the number of babies born which led
to rapid economic growth, expansion of education facilities as well as significant social
transformation.

Canada’s participation in the Cold War, the development of the Constitution Act and
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Baby Boom are three crucial events that defined
Canadian society between 1945 and 1982. The Cold War shaped Canada’s role as a nation
globally as well as national security. The Constitution Act and Charter saved people from their
rights being violated leading to a stronger national identity. The Baby Boom contributed to
economic growth and brought about significant changes socially.

Lets go over the period of involvement in the Cold War and how it shaped Canada's
global and national identity to a great extent. Canada's involvement in the Cold War helped
protect its security and strengthen its relationships with other countries like NATO, making a big
impact on how Canada was seen globally from 1945 to 1982. Canada had undergone so many
significant changes during the Cold War, which initially had an effect on society. The threat of
nuclear war, for example, made Canada strengthen its security and military prepared to help
guarantee the protection of its citizens. Governments spent large amounts of money for defense
and technology which meant they enhanced Canada's defense capability with the help of
advanced fighter jets like the Avro Arrow. The cancellation of the Avro Arrow project had a huge
impact on the economy, in regard to termination of employment and national finances.
Moreover, the presence of American military bases and personnel in Canada did not only
deepen military alliances but also influenced Canadian culture and society while pointing out the
role of Canada as a strategic partner in international affairs. The American military presence in
Canada had its proper balance of good and bad effects. It introduced new ideas and
technologies that would enrich Canadian culture; however, some had the fear of threatening
Canadian independence. It also opened up links with Canadians through friendships and
marriages socially, yet military and foreign policy differences often caused disagreement.
“Canada and the Cold War.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, February 6, 2006.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/cold-war. (Cold War). “Avro Arrow.” The
Canadian Encyclopedia, February 7, 2006.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/avro-arrow. (Cold War) Canada's
involvement in the Cold War has been fully assessed, and it really contributed to change for the
country with regard to global standing and national security; it shaped its identity during the
period 1945-1982. The Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms equally
shaped Canada's legal framework and national identity in this age of great change.

The passing of this constitution act including the charter gave a completely different
meaning to legal rights, enhanced the oneness in our country and provided a platform that
sought for equality and justice for all. The Constitution Act together with the Charter impacted
Canada within a number of important ways. First, through the Charter, many changes have
been made to Canadian law in such a way as to ensure the protection of individual rights. It
helped shape legal decisions from all over the country—right in courts, which represented the
fairness and justice for which the whole Canada stands. Firstly, the Constitution fully brought it
to Canada from the United Kingdom, making it an important step towards strengthening
Canadian identity and unity. However, this opened ground for further debates about the rights of
provinces, especially in Quebec, where fears appeared over the loss of distinct provincial
powers. Thirdly, the Charter has played an important role in advancing the cause of social
progress in Canada. It has played a very big role in ensuring that social justice, equality, and
human rights are in line for all Canadian citizens, irrespective of their background or identity.
These are parts of the Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that have
deeply and irreversibly impacted Canada's legal framework, unity, and social progress. This
event showed the political and social factors of this event and how everything turned out in the
end. In this sense, the Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms shaped
Canada's legal face, made for national unity, and supported social evolution. In fact, moving on
to the Baby Boom era showed a large number of changes in the Canadian society and
economy.

Government of Canada, Department of Justice. “Learn about the Charter.” Government of

Canada, Department of Justice, Electronic Communications, April 5, 2022.
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/learn-apprend.html. (The Constitution Act
and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. )

“Patriation of the Constitution.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, September 3, 2012.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/patriation-of-the-constitution. (The
Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. )

The Baby Boom had different impacts on Canada. First of all, it contributed greatly to the
increase in economic growth by increasing the demand for various goods, services, and
housing. Consequently, due to such an increase in economic development, many Canadians
began enjoying better lifestyles and received more job opportunities. Secondly, the sudden
increase in population created a great demand on the education system, which made it
necessary to expand. This resulted in an increase in education, which, in turn, increased the
labor force since the Baby Boomers were now entering the job market and providing the force to
drive the economy and labor patterns. The third most influential change brought about by the
Baby Boom generation was in causing social and cultural changes in the 1960s and the 1970s.
This generation showed a need for civil rights for people of native origin and racial minorities,
while also advocating gender equality and being concerned about the environment. Their
activism and advocacy played important roles in bringing about immense social and cultural
change within Canadian society at that time. “Baby Boomers in Canada.” The Canadian
Encyclopedia, August 7, 2013. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/baby-boom.

“Baby Boomers in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, August 7, 2013.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/baby-boom. (The Baby Boom)

These three events have a way of self-managing to show how Canada evolved in the
period to increase the global role and security through its participation in the Cold War efforts;
increase the legal framework of Canada globally with the Constitution Act and the Charter and
strengthen national identity; and lastly, the social and economic tide had to shift with the onset of
the Baby Boom. In summary, the involvement of Canada in the Cold War, the implementation of
the Constitution Act along with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the influence of the era
of the Baby Boom were the three significant events that provided the basis for molding
Canadian society from 1945 to 1982. In the end, these events carve vividly in the fashioning out
of Canada's identity and the social part during this transformative period.

Bibliography:

“Canada and the Cold War.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, February 6, 2006.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/cold-war. (Cold War)

“Avro Arrow.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, February 7, 2006.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/avro-arrow. (Cold War)

Government of Canada, Department of Justice. “Learn about the Charter.” Government of

Canada, Department of Justice, Electronic Communications, April 5, 2022.
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/learn-apprend.html. (The Constitution Act
and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. )

“Patriation of the Constitution.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, September 3, 2012.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/patriation-of-the-constitution. (The
Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. )

“Baby Boomers in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, August 7, 2013.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/baby-boom. (The Baby Boom)