Divided: being in a state of disagreement or disunity. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language) As a country, this is one word you would hope not to be associated with. In Canada, the words “developed”, “peacekeeping”, and most prominently, “multicultural” are words the citizens would rather associate with their homeland. (Patriquin, MacLean’s) However, in Canada’s past, multiculturalism, scarce at that time, is possibly the first domino in some of today’s national issues. English and French conflict, issues regarding aboriginal people and western alienation are all topics that cause inward turmoil in Canada, and all topics that have grown from some small seed of multiculturalism or immigration; values today’s Canadian citizens pride themselves in. Canada’s past diversity has led it to become inwardly divided today.
Differences between the French and English settlers of pre-Canada have led to long-lasting bitterness between the two. The most hostility can be seen before confederation, when the French and English had no reason to try and get along. In 1670, the Hudson’s Bay Company first set up trading posts north of New France. (www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopedia/countryfacts/canada.html) Instead of getting along with one-another, the French and English began competing in the trading industry. However, with the treaty of Utrecht and the Royal Proclamation, the English were beginning to take their long-lasting dominance over the French. (www.britannica.com/eb/article-42982/canada) This did nothing for English and French unity, and little progress was made even when, later, Upper Canada forced a British constitution upon the French Lower Canada in hopes of assimilation. After confederation in 1867, although the physical battles between the two obviously stopped, differences in culture and opinion still tugged internal harmony. While the rest of Canada was still fairly loyal to Britain, Québec never thought their issues should concern...