In 2012, Donald Savoie argued that “although we may have grown tired of a Quebec focused national unity debate, seeing different regions heading off in different directions is not without significant consequence.” Savoie’s statement reflects the varying dynamics of Canadian nationhood and the regional divisions that exist within the country. Despite the focus often placed on Quebec and its desire to be a distinct society, other such regions like the North and the West who have been grappling with their own set of issues that also challenge the national unity debate. This essay will explore the ideological differences in Canada’s North and West in order to highlight their regional variances and its effect on the larger Canadian nation.
Canada’s …show more content…
This has had a direct impact on the distinct character of the North, its people, its culture and its institutions. The North has been the victim of appropriation by the Canadian state, despite the prominent inside influences such a language and culture which allow land natives to see regionalism different from outsiders (Henderson ADD PAGE). A longstanding national desire to establish a common heritage and a national cultural identity, rooted in geography and climate, has pushed the states effort to increase the regions political legitimacy and desire to develop Canada’s north in pursuit of natural resource extraction (Lecture, Sept. 23). According to Natalia Loukacheva the Artic has become the centre of the national and global community, for its abundance of resources and prospective Northwest Passage. The Canadian state wishes to assert itself at the preeminent Artic nation, though resource exploration and military training camp in the nations North. This is where Nunavut comes …show more content…
With gas and oil production on the rise, it has perpetuated regional divisions between the West and other provinces. This separation is not only a result of increased resource extraction, but of section 91 and 92 in the Canadian constitution, which safeguards much of the provinces wealth. Regional disparities, especially in regardless to the Maritimes, are often at the centre of conversation. Take for example the cultural phenomenon in Alberta where the province would rather keep all of their wealth for themselves and “let the eastern Basterds freeze in the dark” (Lecture, Oct. 7). The New West Partnership Agreement (NWPA), put in place in 2010, has shifted power away from central and eastern Canada (Berdahl 34). The NWPA was a partnership signed by the three Western provinces: British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Their partnership was designed to eliminate barriers between the three provinces and improve internal trade, procurement and international marketing (Berdahl 38). This NWPA has had implications on national unity, but has not directly affect the country’s political power because there is a difference between becoming an economic powerhouse versus having large-scale political influence within the nations Federal government (Berdahl 35, 49, 50). The West is still subject to revenue equalization, which is aimed at reducing financial gaps between regions and allows all provinces to
Canada’s …show more content…
This has had a direct impact on the distinct character of the North, its people, its culture and its institutions. The North has been the victim of appropriation by the Canadian state, despite the prominent inside influences such a language and culture which allow land natives to see regionalism different from outsiders (Henderson ADD PAGE). A longstanding national desire to establish a common heritage and a national cultural identity, rooted in geography and climate, has pushed the states effort to increase the regions political legitimacy and desire to develop Canada’s north in pursuit of natural resource extraction (Lecture, Sept. 23). According to Natalia Loukacheva the Artic has become the centre of the national and global community, for its abundance of resources and prospective Northwest Passage. The Canadian state wishes to assert itself at the preeminent Artic nation, though resource exploration and military training camp in the nations North. This is where Nunavut comes …show more content…
With gas and oil production on the rise, it has perpetuated regional divisions between the West and other provinces. This separation is not only a result of increased resource extraction, but of section 91 and 92 in the Canadian constitution, which safeguards much of the provinces wealth. Regional disparities, especially in regardless to the Maritimes, are often at the centre of conversation. Take for example the cultural phenomenon in Alberta where the province would rather keep all of their wealth for themselves and “let the eastern Basterds freeze in the dark” (Lecture, Oct. 7). The New West Partnership Agreement (NWPA), put in place in 2010, has shifted power away from central and eastern Canada (Berdahl 34). The NWPA was a partnership signed by the three Western provinces: British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Their partnership was designed to eliminate barriers between the three provinces and improve internal trade, procurement and international marketing (Berdahl 38). This NWPA has had implications on national unity, but has not directly affect the country’s political power because there is a difference between becoming an economic powerhouse versus having large-scale political influence within the nations Federal government (Berdahl 35, 49, 50). The West is still subject to revenue equalization, which is aimed at reducing financial gaps between regions and allows all provinces to