Post World War II: Postwar Economic Boom In Canada

Postwar Economic Boom:

Following World War II, Canada gained global recognition for its diligent efforts in the war, however, with this recognition came a need for a powerful economy. In order for this to occur, the Liberal Party intervened, even in peacetime. Policies were set in place in order to; increase the demand for goods and services, establish government programs such as health care and public transportation; and raise employment levels. As a result of these policies, Canada experienced an economic boom - in 1945 for example, Canada’s GNP was 11, 863 million dollars, in 1971, this number increased to an astounding 94, 450 million dollars. A number of major economic projects helped lead society to this period of prosperity; The St.
with Canada leading the race. Over 400,000 babies were born annually, peaking at 479,000 in 1959 compared to 1940’s 253,000. In order to understand the baby boom, one must take a look at the factors that caused this unprecedented growth; as a result of the postwar economic boom, couples could afford to get married and start families, with this, couples married at a younger age; finally, during the war, many couples postponed having children due to the chaotic nature of society at the time. The result of the growth in birth rates was that the boomers became the majority, thus, the government, manufacturers, advertisers and the media placed greater importance on their needs as they dominated society. Unfortunately, those born towards the end of the Baby Boom, commonly called “Generation X” believed that the large number of boomers born ahead of them were the cause of the hike in prices and lack of jobs. As a result, these individuals experienced lesser prosperity than the rest. Today, the generation of baby boomers will have a profound impact on society as many professionals will be looking to retire, and there will be an increase in seniors, resulting in possible increased healthcare rates. The baby boomer phenomenon continues to be a topic of interest amongst many due to the effects it
When Jean Lesage was elected, he made sure a number of extreme reforms were put in place, including the creation of a provincial department of education without Roman Catholic control, the creation of a pension plan separate from that of Canada’s and the creation of a provincially owned electricity company. Although these were significant changes, some of the more radical French Canadians felt that more needed to be done, it was then that the idea of separatism in Canada came to be. Not long after, a number of bills were set in place; Bill 22 in 1974 recognized French as the language of government and the workplace in Quebec, and Bill 101 in 1977 made French the only official language, forbidding the use of outdoor advertising in other languages In Quebec, French art and culture also flourished with a number of individuals gaining popularity such as Gabrielle Roy, a French-Canadian author, Gilles Vigneault, a singer-songwriter and Alanis Obomsawin, a singer and filmmaker raised in Quebec. The reforms that took place in the late twentieth century are still in effect today - French, for example, remains the primary language in Quebec while businesses must also advertise in French. Many individuals still favour separatism which has lead to a great divide between the provinces of