How Canada Adapted and Changed after WW2

As time went on, Canada took a turn for the better as they drastically changed their immigration policy and introduced the “point based system” in 1976. The new system was organized around points dictating desirable qualities for a Canadian citizen. The more points or good qualities a person had, the better chance they had at being able to immigrate to Canada. This system illuminated the bias which comes from national origins or racial factors. Along with this new system of immigration, in 1976, the regulations were again changed to allow for family members to join members who had previously immigrated to Canada. In the 1980s, a focus turned to allowing people with money and business skills into Canada to invest or create business to boost the Canadian economy. Post-war Canada was in extreme need of skilled and willing workers to repair the country after such a devastating war. In the beginning, the Canadian government was extremely picky when it came to immigrants and would often refuse entry for those of “undesirable” background but over time, the government saw the error of their ways and changed their policies to become less judgemental on race and more inquisitive on skills.

There was an extreme downside to the enabling of different cultures and identities into Canada. The French, English, and First Nations people of Canada were already established in their culture and customs from their ancestors. Adding new and different people to the country cause a great worry to spread amongst the people. Instead of having distinct and separate communities, people were afraid of the country becoming a “melting pot” like the United States rather than the beautiful mosaic they had already created. New cultures scared Canadians and they were afraid of losing their own culture to new ones.

Mid century, a focus on women and women’s rights came to the forefront of the minds of Canadians. Women were previously expected to work at home or in simple jobs like secretary or retail worker but feminists took stand to fight for more opportunities for women. The Royal Commission on the Status of Women was established in 1967 to investigate the rights and abilities of women in the country. They determined that women should have the ability to branch out and acquire any job they desire, are entitled to maternity leave, childcare programs to be available, and for organizations to stop discriminations against women. This was an incredible step forward for women’s rights and women everywhere were allowed freedoms they were once denied.

Many men during this time were disgruntled about the change in gender rights. Many men and a few women were under the impression that these laws were to make women higher in status than men. People believed that the increase of women workers would force men to lose their jobs. It took many years for these misunderstanding to cease in Canadian society.