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Inuits' Right to Vote
The government extends the right to vote in federal elections to the Inuit. They were also permitted to run as candidates in such elections. Since most were geographically isolated, they were neglected and had no means to participate in the elections. It was only in the 1962 federal election that ballot boxes were finally placed in all Inuit communities, thereby allowing them to vote. -
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Defining Moments
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Opening of Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is Canada's longest national road. It passes through all ten provinces and links major cities. Due to the post-war growth of immigrants and automobiles and Newfoundland's decision to join Canada, it became important to connect all the provinces together by highway. The system was officially opened in 1962 and was completed in 1971. -
New Flag Adopted
A new national flag, designed by George Stanley, is finally adopted. The flag is red and white, the official colours of Canada, with a red maple leaf, the national symbol, on white background between two red side bars. The date, February 15th, is now celebrated annually as National Flag of Canada Day. -
Abolition of Death Penalty
Federal legislation abolishes the death penalty for murder, except for on-duty police officers and prison guards. In 1998, the Canadian National Defence Act eliminated the death penalty for military members as well. Statistics Canada reports that the murder rate has generally been declining since the mid-1970s. In 2009, the national murder rate was 1.81 homicides per 100,000 population, compared to the mid-1970s when it was around 3.0. -
Official Languages Act
The Official Languages Act declares English and French to be the official languages of Canada, making it a bilingual country. The Act gives both languages equal status in the government of Canada as well as within Canadian society. It also ensures equal rights and privileges under which all federal institutions are obliged to provide their services in English or French at the customer's request. -
Switch to Metric System
The metric system was first legalized by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald in 1871. Canada gradually began to convert from an imperial (yard, gallon, pound...) to a metric system of measurements (such as metre, kilogram, degree Celsius, etc.). For a while, media gave dual units. It was only in 1993 that the Star stopped giving Fahrenheit in its weather reports. Despite the switch, many Canadians still express certain measurements in imperial units, such as height (feet and inches). -
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a 553.33 metre-high concrete communications and observation tower. It was built by Canadian National (CN) who wanted to solve the communications problems, serve as a tourist destination and demonstrate the strength of Canadian industry. Guinness World Records include: World’s Tallest Free-standing Structure (1975), World’s Tallest Building and Free-standing Structure (1996), World’s Tallest Building (2003) and World’s Tallest Tower (2007 – 2010). -
Official National Anthem
O Canada is officially adopted as Canada's national anthem. It was written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier and composer Calixa Lavallée in French in 1880. It was originally called “Chant National”. The anthem later spread across Canada in various English-language versions, of which the best-known was written by Robert Stanley Weir. The lyrics of Weir’s version were amended several times over the years but the French lyrics remain the same. -
Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement
A free trade agreement between Canada and the United States is agreed upon. Key elements of the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA) included the elimination of tariffs and the reduction of numerous non-tariff barriers. It was also among the first trade agreements to address trade in services. The agreement had a great impact on Canada’s economy as well as its international relations. -
Good and Services Tax
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) takes effect and replaces the inefficient Manufacturer’s Sales Tax (MST). GST adds 7% to the cost of many goods and services. This process is used by the government of Canada to collect money in order to pay for government programs and public services. It is a mandatory payment charged on individuals, businesses, organizations and property. -
1st Canadian Female Astronaut
Roberta Bondar is Canada's first female astronaut. She was the second Canadian astronaut in space. Bondar was also a medical doctor. Her interest in the nervous system and the inner ear balancing system had immediate relevance to experiments planned out for the first Canadian space flight. She flew on the space shuttle Discovery and during her 8-day space mission, she conducted experiments to discover means to allow future astronauts to undertake longer flights in space. -
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Canada and Mexico takes effect. It incorporated the prior Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA). The agreement had a significant impact on Canada’s economy as well as its international relations. -
3rd Canadian Territory
Canada creates a 3rd territory called Nunavut, the newest and largest territory of Canada. The Inuits make up most of its population. The word, Nunavut, means "our land" in the Inuit language of Inuktitut. -
XXI Winter Olympic Games
The 2010 Winter Olympic Games take place in Vancouver, British Columbia. Freestyle moguls skier, Alexandre Bilodeau, became the first athlete to win a gold medal on Canadian soil. The Canadian women's hockey team won its 3rd Olympic gold medal, defeating the US 2-0. The men's hockey team won an Olympic gold medal, defeating the US 3-2. Canada wins 14 gold medals in total – an all-time high for a host country in a Winter Olympics. -
End of Canadian Operations in Afghanistan
The Canadian flag is lowered at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Kabul, marking the formal end to Canada’s operations in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Stephen Harper pays a final visit to soldiers in Kandahar, affirming Canada’s mission in Afghanistan a success as the area is much safer than it was before their arrival. Canada’s primary goal was to overthrow the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in wake of their attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001.
