Scribe: How Significant was the Statute of Westminster?

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SPECIAL ISSUE: HISTORY EDITION

b y S a m m i e H e , g r a d e 1 0 s t u d e n t f r o m M a r k h a m S P E C I A L T A K E O V E R CLICK HERE FOR THE MAGAZINE VIEW EXPERIENCE

welcome,

M y n a m e i s S a m m i e H e , a g r a d e 1 0 s t u d e n t a t M i l l i k e n M i l l s H i g h S c h o o l . I a m t h i s i s s u e ' s f e a t u r e d e d i t o r , w h e r e I t a k e o v e r S c r i b e a n d t a l k a b o u t w h a t e v e r I w a n t . A s a n a v i d h i s t o r y s t u d e n t , I c h o s e t o e x p l o r e t h e f o l l o w i n g t o p i c :

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THE STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER FOR CANADA?

F o r t h o s e o f y o u l o v e l y r e a d e r s w h o a r e n e w t o S c r i b e , S c r i b e i s a m a g a z i n e i s s u e t h a t f e a t u r e s y o u t h w h o h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o d i s c u s s a t o p i c t h a t i s o f t h e i r i n t e r e s t . F r o m c e l e b r i t y a n a l y s i s t o g l o b a l a w a r e n e s s i s s u e s , S c r i b e i s t h e p l a c e t h e b e t o e x p l o r e n e w t o p i c s . T h a n k y o u , S c r i b e , f o r g i v i n g m e t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y . I h o p e y o u a l l e n j o y t h i s i s s u e !

Introduction

I t w o u l d t a k e a n o t h e r 6 4 y e a r s u n t i l C a n a d a e a r n e d m o r e p r i v i l e g e s r e l a t e d t o t h e i r i n d e p e n d e n c e . T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s s i g n e d o n D e c e m b e r 1 1 t h o f 1 9 3 1 . T h i s g a v e d o m i n i o n s o f B r i t a i n f u l l a u t o n o m y , a l l o w i n g t h e m t o d i s r e g a r d o r a d o p t a n y p r e v i o u s l a w a s p a r t o f t h e i r i n d e p e n d e n t l e g i s l a t i o n . A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h i s m e a n t t h a t t h e B r i t i s h p a r l i a m e n t w a s n o t n e e d e d w h e n m a k i n g l e g i s l a t i v e , j u d i c i a l , a n d e x e c u t i v e d e c i s i o n s . N e v e r t h e l e s s , C a n a d a a n d i t s g o v e r n o r s w e r e n o t r e a d y T h e r e f o r e , t h e y a l l o w e d B r i t a i n t o r e m a i n i n c o n t r o l u n t i l 1 9 8 2 u n d e r t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n A c t .

M a n y h i s t o r i a n s h a v e s t a t e d t h a t t h e

S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s C a n a d a ' s

o w n w a y o f d e c l a r i n g i n d e p e n d e n c e I n

m y e y e s , I b e l i e v e t h a t t h e S t a t u t e o f

W e s t m i n s t e r w a s s i g n i f i c a n t f o r

C a n a d a o n a g l o b a l s c a l e b e c a u s e :

01 established Canadian independence and autonomy

02 redefined Canada’s relationship with Britain

03 recognized Canada’s accomplishments

04 established Canada’s involvement with global affairs

05 it serves as a foundation for present-day Commonwealth and Canada’s constitution

Instagram Survey

W h e n I s u r v e y e d s o m e o f m y f r i e n d s , t h e y a l l m o s t l y a g r e e d o n t h e f a c t t h a t t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s v e r y s i g n i f i c a n t , r e a s o n i n g w h a t I w i l l b e f u r t h e r e x p l o r i n g a n d e x p l a i n i n g i n t h i s m a g a z i n e i s s u e I h o p e y o u w i l l b e c o n v i n c e d b y t h e e n d o f t h e i s s u e , t h a t t h i s B r i t i s h w a s i n d e e d v e r y s i g n i f i c a n t f o r C a n a d a .

Somewhatagree/disagree

87%

StronglyAgree

348%

Independence andAutonomy

Many historians have called the Statute of Westminster "Canada's declaration of independence." Although it's not as recognized as Confederation, one of the reasons why I believe that the Statute of Westminster was significant on a global scale for Canada. This was a milestone in terms of developing Canada's autonomy.

Canada's autonomy was brought to light when Canada signed the Treaty of Versailles independently from Britain. Then came the Chanak Affair, when Prime Minister King declined to help Britain. Similarly, the Halibut Treaty was Canada's first time signing and negociating a treaty (with the United States) for the first time without having it passed through the British.

Our very first Prime Minister, Sir. John A. MacDonald!

BNAA VS. STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER

COMPARISON: which was more significant?

BritishNorth AmericaAct,1867 Statuteof Westminster,1931

Purpose

To unite the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a British dominion

To clarify British Empire’s colonies rights and Parliament; to grant colonies complete independence and autonomy unless they chose “to remain subordinate to Britain”

American Civil War

Charlottetown Conference

World War I (including Battle of Vimy Ridge)

Paris Peace Conference

RelevantEvents thatCaused Establishment Legacy

Quebec Conference

London Conference

Termsand Conditions

established Supreme Court of Canada, legislature, House of Commons established roles for provincial and federal governments Canada in charge of internal affairs Britain in charge of global and external affairs

Chanak Affair

Halibut Treaty

Balfour Report

Imperial Conferences

gives dominions freedom to choose which laws they want to enforce not obligated to follow every law written by Britain able to pass laws without British parliament able to establish legislation without Britain

former British colonies given equal status

Conclusion

Every year on July 1st, Canada celebrates the anniversary of Confederation In 2017, the 150th anniversary was celebrated and was extremely promoted by the people of Canada, and the government.

Canadians acknowledge the Statute of Westminster every year on December 11th

In conclusion, I believe that the Statute of Westminster is more significant in comparison to the British North America Act. The 1867 Act only combined geographically three pre-established regions and then set up a system that would be controlled by the British. On the other hand, the Statute of Westminster granted Canada full control of what they wanted to do On July 1st of 1867, Canada became a dominion On December 11th of 1931, Canada became a country

Relationship withBritain

I n m y o p i n i o n , o n e o f t h e r e a s o n s w h y t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s n o t o n l y s i g n i f i c a n t o n a n a t i o n a l s c a l e , b u t r a t h e r o n a g l o b a l s c a l e , i s d u e t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s B r i t i s h l a w r e d e f i n e d C a n a d a ' s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h B r i t a i n . T h e s h o r t a n s w e r i s t h a t C a n a d a w a s n o l o n g e r a s u b o r d i n a t e t o B r i t a i n ( a l t h o u g h t h e P a r l i a m e n t o f C a n a d a d i d r e q u e s t B r i t a i n t o r e t a i n s o m e o f t h e i r p o w e r , a s C a n a d a w a s n o t r e a d y ) , a n d t h a t B r i t a i n a n d C a n a d a w e r e e q u a l i n s t a t u s

#tbt!

A p i c t u r e f r o m t h e 1 9 3 9 R o y a l T o u r o f C a n a d a ! H e r e i s a y o u n g

Q u e e n E l i z a b e t h I I w i t h h e r l a t e -

f a t h e r , K i n g G e o r g e V I

Canada's Relationship With Britain

T h e P r o v i n c e o f

C a n a d a , N o v a

S c o t i a , a n d N e w

B r u n s w i c k b e c o m e s t h e D o m i n i o n o f

C a n a d a a s a c o l o n y o f t h e B r i t i s h

B r i t i s h I m p e r i a l i s t s e s t a b l i s h e d t h e I m p e r i a l F o u n d a t i o n L e a g u e . C a n a d i a n s w h o s u p p o r t e d B r i t i s h I m p e r i a l i s m c r e a t e d s m a l l e r b r a n c h e s o f t h e l e a g u e .

E m p i r e . 1881

“A British subject I was born - a British subject I will die With my utmost effort, with my latest breath, will I oppose the veiled treason’ which attempts… to lure our people from their allegiance.” (Sir John A. MacDonald about his election campaign). The loyalty to Britain is obvious here Whoever isn't loyal to Britain is a shame, according to PM MacDonald

T h e d o m i n i o n w a s p r e d o m i n a n t l y c o m p r i s e d o f E n g l i s h - s p e a k i n g

C a n a d i a n s , a l s o k n o w n a s A n g l o p h o n e s . A n g l o p h o n e s s u p p o r t e d B r i t i s h

I m p e r i a l i s m , b e l i e v i n g t h a t a c l o s e a n d s t r o n g c o n n e c t i o n w i t h B r i t a i n w o u l d b e t h e b e s t o p t i o n f o r C a n a d a ' s f u t u r e N e v e r t h e l e s s , C a n a d a w a s d i v i d e d b y o t h e r g r o u p s :

F r e n c h - s p e a k i n g C a n a d i a n s a n d i m m i g r a n t s , w h o w e r e a g a i n s t B r i t i s h

I m p e r i a l i s m ( h e n c e , t h e y a r e c a l l e d " a n t i - i m p e r i a l i s t s ) , a n d w h o b e l i e v e d t h a t C a n a d a s h o u l d n ' t b e i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e a c t i o n s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d B r i t a i n ( t h e y w e r e a l s o n a t i o n a l i s t s )

I n d i g e n o u s P e o p l e s , w h o d i d n ' t r e a l l y h a v e a c h o i c e f o r s h a r i n g i d e a s w i t h t h e g o v e r n m e n t r e g a r d i n g m o v i n g f o r w a r d a n d p e o p l e w h o b e l i e v e d t h a t C a n a d a s h o u l d b u i l d a c l o s e r a n d s t r o n g e r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s b e c a u s e o f t h e i r g e o g r a p h i c p r o x i m i t y

Through the Years

“ E n g l a n d h a s p r o v e d a t a l l t i m e s t h a t s h e c a n f i g h t h e r o w n b a t t l e s , b u t i f a d a y w e r e e v e r t o c o m e w h e n E n g l a n d w a s i n d a n g e r , l e t t h e b u g l e s o u n d w h a t e v e r w e c a n d o s h a l l b e d o n e b y t h e c o l o n i e s t o h e l p h e r ” ( S i r W i l f r e d L a u r i e r , s p e e c h t r i b u t e t o Q u e e n V i c t o r i a )

T h i s s h o w s C a n a d a ' s l o y a l t y f o r B r i t a i n , d e v o t i n g a n y t h i n g t o h e l p t h e M o t h e r l a n d

B r i t a i n d e c l a r e s w a r o n G e r m a n y . C a n a d a i s a u t o m a t i c a l l y a t w a r w i t h G e r m a n y .

1914

C a n a d a c a p t u r e

V i m y R i d g e a f t e r t h e B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h f a i l t o d o s o . C a n a d a s e e s t h e i r n a t i o n h o o d f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e .

1917

W h e n g o l d w a s d i s c o v e r e d i n t h e a r e a c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e B o e r s , t h e B r i t i s h f l e d t o t h e s i t e , w h i c h t h e n h e i g h t e n e d t e n s i o n s b e t w e e n t h e B r i t i s h a n d B o e r s . T h i s w a s d u e t o t h e i r h i s t o r y , w h e r e t h e B o e r s a r e D u t c h s e t t l e r s w h o r e s i s t e d B r i t i s h a s s i m i l a t i o n . W h e n t h e B o e r s a t t a c k e d B r i t i s h f o r c e s i n 1 8 9 9 , t h e B r i t i s h " a s k e d " C a n a d a f o r a s s i s t a n c e , t h e d o m i n i o n w a s d i v i d e d , t h e s a m e w i t h P r i m e M i n i s t e r L a u r i e r ' s g o v e r n m e n t . I n t h e e n d , P M L a u r i e r s e n t o n l y v o l u n t e e r s , b u t e v e n t h i s c a u s e d t e n s i o n s a n d m i x e d r e a c t i o n s f r o m t h e d i v i d e d g r o u p s o f p e o p l e i n C a n a d a .

1918

T h e A l l i e s w i n W o r l d W a r O n e .

1919

P r i m e M i n i s t e r R o b e r t B o r d e n p u s h e d f o r C a n a d a t o

" s i t a t t h e t a b l e i n d e p e n d e n t l y " b e c a u s e o f

C a n a d a ' s w a r t i m e r e c o r d ( i e .

V i m y R i d g e , B a t t l e o f

P a s s c h e n d a e l e , a n d t h e H u n d r e d D a y s a t t h e P a r i s

P e a c e C o n f e r e n c e h e l d i n

1 9 1 9 . C a n a d a s i g n s t h e

T r e a t y o f V e r s a i l l e a n d j o i n s

t h e L e a g u e o f N a t i o n s i n d i v i d u a l l y a w a y f r o m

B r i t a i n .

T h e C h a n a k A f f a i r

B r i t a i n n e e d e d a s s i s t a n c e i n b a t t l i n g T u r k e y a f t e r t h e i r a l l y ,

G r e e c e , f e l l o f f t o o s h o r t .

B r i t i s h P r i m e M i n i s t e r D a v i d

L l o y d a s k e d C a n a d i a n P r i m e M i n i s t e r K i n g t o s e n d h e l p . P M

K i n g l e f t P M L l o y d o n h o l d , t a k i n g t h e c a s e t o P a r l i a m e n t .

B r i t a i n a n d T u r k e y n e g o c i a t e d , a n d C a n a d a w a s t o o l a t e . T h i s e v e n t q u e s t i o n e d C a n a d a ' s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h B r i t a i n , a s w e l l a s C a n a d a ' s i n d e p e n d e n t d e c i s i o n m a k i n g

1922

1923

K i n g - B y n g C r i s i s

P M K i n g a s k e d g o v e r n o r g e n e r a l J u l i a n B y n g t o d i s s o l v e P a r l i a m e n t , b u t B y n g r e f u s e d . A s a r e s u l t , K i n g ' s g o v e r n m e n t r e s i g n e d , a n d B y n g h a d t o m a k e a d e c i s i o n S o , h e a s k e d t h e C o n s e r v a t i v e s t o f o r m a g o v e r n m e n t , b u t t h i s f a i l e d a f e w d a y s l a t e r . T h i s m a d e

C a n a d i a n s r e s e n t B y n g b e c a u s e i t w a s a s i f h e w a s u n d e r m i n i n g C a n a d a ' s a u t o n o m y .

K i n g w o n t h e n e x t e l e c t i o n .

C a n a d a b e g i n s s e t t i n g u p d i p l o m a t i c o f f i c e s o u t s i d e o f C a n a d a

19251926

H a l i b u t T r e a t y C a n a d a a n d t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s n e g o t i a t e d a n a g r e e m e n t i n r e s p o n s e t o t h e d e c r e a s e i n h a l i b u t s t o c k s b e c a u s e o f o v e r f i s h i n g . T h i s w a s t h e f i r s t t i m e C a n a d a d e a l t w i t h e x t e r n a l a f f a i r s w i t h o u t t h e B r i t i s h . I t w a s e v i d e n t h e r e t h a t P M K i n g h a d a v e r y h i g h n a t i o n a l i s t i c a p p r o a c h t o d e a l i n g w i t h m a t t e r s i n a n d o u t s i d e o f C a n a d a .

S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r o f f i c i a l l y i n e f f e c t .

1927 1931

I m p e r i a l C o n f e r e n c e L o r d B a l f o u r s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e d o m i n i o n s a n d c o l o n i e s o f t h e B r i t i s h e m p i r e s h o u l d b e g r a n t e d e q u a l s t a t u s w i t h B r i t a i n . T h e B a l f o u r R e p o r t l e d t o t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r .

T h r o u g h o u t t h e 1 9 2 0 s a n d 1 9 3 0 s , C a n a d a ' s t r a d i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s g r e w s t r o n g e r , w h e r e a s C a n a d a ' s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h B r i t a i n g r a d u a l l y d e c l i n e d

A n a l y s i s o f t h e T i m e l i n e F r o m C a n a d a ' s e s t a b l i s h m e n t t o t h e d e c l a r a t i o n o f w a r o n G e r m a n y , w e c a n s e e t h a t C a n a d a l o o k e d u p a t B r i t a i n i n t e r m s o f p r o c e e d i n g w i t h n e x t s t e p s i n r u n n i n g t h e c o u n t r y , e v i d e n t a s S i r J o h n A M a c D o n a l d s a i d : “ A B r i t i s h s u b j e c t I w a s b o r n - a B r i t i s h s u b j e c t I w i l l d i e . W i t h m y u t m o s t e f f o r t , w i t h m y l a t e s t b r e a t h , w i l l I o p p o s e t h e v e i l e d t r e a s o n ’ w h i c h a t t e m p t s t o l u r e o u r p e o p l e f r o m t h e i r a l l e g i a n c e . ” W h e n W o r l d W a r 1 s t a r t e d , C a n a d i a n l e a d e r s p l e d g e d t h a t t h e y w o u l d d o a n y t h i n g f o r B r i t a i n . H o w e v e r , t h i s m e n t a l i t y c h a n g e d w h e n C a n a d a e n g a g e d i n t h e B a t t l e o f V i m y R i d g e C a n a d a s a v e d t h e A l l i e s f r o m f a i l i n g m o r e i n t o t h e w a r b y i m p l e m e n t i n g n e w t a c t i c s a n d p l a n s . C o n s e q u e n t l y , P M B o r d e n p u s h e d t o w a r d s a u t o n o m y , w h i c h w a s t h e n c a r r i e d o n b y P M K i n g . T h i s s t r a i n e d B r i t a i n a n d C a n a d a ' s t r a d i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p a s t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s b e c a m e C a n a d a ' s c h i e f t r a d i n g p a r t n e r . N e v e r t h e l e s s , o n c e t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s s i g n e d , i t c l a r i f i e d t h e B r i t a i n ' s r o l e i n C a n a d a , a n d v i c e v e r s a . B r i t a i n w a s n o l o n g e r t h e m o t h e r o f t h e c h i l d , C a n a d a . I n t h e f u t u r e t o c o m e , t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s w o u l d c o l l a b o r a t e i n t r a d e a n d o t h e r a f f a i r s .

T h e B a t t l e o f t h e A t l a n t i c d u r i n g W o r l d W a r I I i s a n e x a m p l e o f C a n a d a ' s l o y a l t y t o w a r d s B r i t a i n C a n a d a p l a y e d a b i g r o l e b y m a n u f a c t u r i n g s u p p l i e s f o r t h e A l l i e s a w a y a n d a c r o s s t h e s e a f r o m E u r o p e B r i t a i n a n d C a n a d a h a d t o w o r k o u t a n e x t e n s i v e p l a n t o

g e t m a t e r i a l s o v e r t h e o c e a n w h i l e t r y i n g t o o u t r u n t h e g e r m a n U - b o a t s

H e r e w e h a v e o u r d e a r P r i m e

M i n i s t e r J u s t i n T r u d e a u , a n d t h e

B r i t i s h P r i m e M i n i s t e r , B o r i s

J o h n s o n .

03 Recognitionof Canadian Achievements (andContributions)

A n o t h e r r e a s o n w h y I b e l i e v e t h a t t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s s i g n i f i c a n t f o r C a n a d a o n a w i d e r a n d g l o b a l s c a l e i s b e c a u s e i t r e c o g n i z e d

C a n a d a ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o g l o b a l e v e n t s a s w e l l a s C a n a d i a n a c h i e v e m e n t s .

T h e B a t t l e o f V i m y R i d g e w a s a h u g e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t f o r C a n a d a b e c a u s e t h i s w a s t h e f i r s t t i m e C a n a d a f e l t a t r u e s e n s e o f n a t i o n h o o d C a n a d a f i l l e d i n t h e c r a c k s o f t h e B r i t i s h a n d F r a n c e s i n c e t h e y c o u l d n ' t c a p t u r e t h e r i d g e s u c c e s s f u l l y . W h e n C a n a d a d i d , i t b e n e f i t t e d t h e A l l i e s ; h e n c e , t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r r e c o g n i z e s t h i s b y g i v i n g C a n a d a ( a n d t h e o t h e r d o m i n i o n s a n d c o l o n i e s ) f u l l a u t o n o m y a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e , a s t e p u p i n n a t i o n h o o d .

T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r p a r a l l e l s C a n a d a s i g n i n g t h e T r e a t y o f V e r s a i l l e s i n d e p e n d e n t l y f r o m B r i t a i n . W h e n C a n a d a f i r s t s i g n e d t h e T r e a t y o f V e r s a i l l e s , i t w a s a r e m a r k a b l e m o m e n t b e c a u s e a f t e r a l l C a n a d a w e n t t h r o u g h o n t h e b a t t l e f i e l d s , s i g n i n g i n d e p e n d e n t l y w a s w e l l e a r n e d

B e c a u s e o f t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r ,

1939-1945 conclusion

C a n a d a ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d t h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s w e r e a c k n o w l e d g e d w i t h o u t C a n a d a b e i n g p r e s e n t e d a s a c h i l d o f B r i t a i n w a l k i n g i n t h e B r i t i s h s h a d o w . F o r i n s t a n c e , t h e D i s a s t e r a t D i e p p e w a s t h e b i g g e s t C a n a d i a n s a c r i f i c e . H o w e v e r , t h i s w a s e s s e n t i a l a s i t h e l p e d t h e A l l i e s s t r a t e g i c a l l y p l a n a n d e x e c u t e D - D a y .

A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e B a t t l e o f t h e A t l a n t i c i n c l u d e d a l o t o f w o r k f r o m C a n a d i a n s , b y t r a n s p o r t i n g e q u i p m e n t t o B r i t a i n o v e r t h e

A t l a n t i c O c e a n t h a t w a s s u r r o u n d e d b y

G e r m a n U - B o a t s

T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r r e c o g n i z e d C a n a d a ' s a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s b e f o r e a n d a f t e r i t w a s s i g n e d .

04 Canadian Involvement inGlobal Affairs

#tbt!

S p e a k i n g o f g l o b a l a f f a i r s a n d r e l a t i o n s , h e r e ' s a

# T h r o w b a c k T h u r s d a y M o m e n t w i t h f o r m e r P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d

S t a t e s , B a r a c k O b a m a , a n d o u r v e r y o w n P r i m e M i n i s t e r J u s t i n T r u d e a u . O b a m a a n d T r u d e a u ' s b r o m a n c e i s o n e o f t h e g r e a t e s t f r i e n d s h i p s i n p o p u l a r c u l t u r e !

P r i o r t o 1 9 3 1 , C a n a d a ' s e x t e r n a l a f f a i r s w e r e m a n a g e d b y t h e B r i t i s h , w h i l e C a n a d a w a s i n c h a r g e o f i n t e r n a l m a t t e r s . T h a t a l l c h a n g e d w h e n t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s s i g n e d ! T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s s i g n i f i c a n t o n a g l o b a l s c a l e b e c a u s e i t e s t a b l i s h e d C a n a d a ' s i n v o l v e m e n t w i t h f o r e i g n a f f a i r s

HOW DID THE STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER KICK-START CANADA’S INVOLVEMENT WITH GLOBAL AFFAIRS?

F o r e i g n P o l i c y

O n c e e q u a l s t a t u s w a s a c h i e v e d i n 1 9 2 6 v i a t h e B a l f o u r R e p o r t , C a n a d a w a s r e a d y t o s e t f o o t o n i n t e r n a t i o n a l m a t t e r s . F o r i n s t a n c e , f r o m 1 9 2 7 o n w a r d s , C a n a d a e x p a n d e d i t s f o r e i g n s e r v i c e b y e s t a b l i s h i n g d i p l o m a t i c p o s t s a r o u n d t h e w o r l d , i n c l u d i n g :

T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s e s s e n t i a l f o r C a n a d a a s i t o p e n e d t h e n a t i o n s ' d o o r t o t a k e o n m i l i t a r y l e a d e r s h i p T h e C o l d W a r t h a t f o l l o w e d t h e S e c o n d W o r l d W a r , s h o w s C a n a d a ' s g r o w t h i n m i l i t a r y

i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d l e a d e r s h i p , w h i c h w a s m a d e p o s s i b l e t h a n k s t o t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r a n d t h e e x p e r i e n c e s o f P r i m e M i n i s t e r K i n g .

Canadian Participation in Global Organizations Canadian political figures were leaders in the efforts after the war to reorganize international order. Canada is one of the founding members of the United Nations (founded in 1945), with the missions to:

maintain peace and security protect human rights deliver humanitarian aid promote sustainable development uphold international law

(United Nations, What We Do)

Additionally, Canada joined the North American Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, an alliance between countries in North America and Europe. It was established for defense against threats of the Soviet Union taking over

Military Leadership in World War II

When Britain declared war on Germany, Canada was automatically at war because it was a colony of the British empire On September 3th of 1939, Britain declared war on Germany However, this time, Canada was not automatically at war Why? Easy answer: the Statute of Westminster Canada's decision to go to war was ultimately in the hands of Prime Minister King. As a political leader who had strong loyalty for the British, King was sure that he needed to declare war on Germany Nevertheless, Canada was still a divided country with different views PM King needed to find an approach to unite the divided sides together Thus, reflecting on the Conscription Crisis in 1917 that caused distrust between the French and the English, King arrived to the decision of not making participation in the war mandatory (until it became neccessary in 1944)

Outside of the 1929-1945 timeline, Canada joined the organization called "La Francophonie" in 1970 La Francophone is an organization comprised of former French colonies, as well as French-speaking countries/nations This was possible because of the Statute of Westminster Joining this organization represented the French demographics in Canada, was Canada was predominantly Anglophone. If it weren't for the Statute of Westminster, the connections between English citizens and French citizens would not have improved.

C o n c l u s i o n

T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r i s v e r y s i g n i f i c a n t

b e c a u s e i t e s t a b l i s h e d t h e i n d e p e n d e n t

i n v o l v e m e n t o f C a n a d i a n p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n g l o b a l

a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l a f f a i r s

05 Legacyand Purposein theModern DayCanada

T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r , b y c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , i s a B r i t i s h l a w . D e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t i t w a s e s t a b l i s h e d n e a r l y a c e n t u r y a g o , i t s t i l l p l a y s a n s i g n i f i c a n t r o l e i n t o d a y ' s t i m e .

STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER: A FOUNDATION

M o d e r n B r i t i s h C o m m o n w e a l t h T o d a y , t h e B r i t i s h C o m m o n w e a l t h c a l l s t h e m s e l v e s a v o l u n t a r y a s s o c i a t i o n c o m p r i s e d o f 5 4 i n d e p e n d e n t e q u a l c o u n t r i e s . A l l m e m b e r s s h a r e m u t u a l g o a l s i n d e v e l o p m e n t , d e m o c r a c y , a n d p e a c e . W h e n t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r b e c a m e e f f e c t i v e , t h i s w a s t h e c o l l a p s e o f t h e B r i t i s h E m p i r e , a n d a t r a n s i t i o n i n t o a n e w a g e o f a B r i t i s h C o m m o n w e a l t h .

A f t e r t h e S e c o n d W o r l d W a r , t h e m o d e r n B r i t i s h C o m m o n w e a l t h w a s e s t a b l i s h e d , a l l o w i n g i n d e p e n d e n t c o u n t r i e s t o j o i n , e v e n i f t h e y d i d n o t h a v e a n y p r e v i o u s l i n k s o r a f f i l i a t i o n s t o B r i t a i n

C o n s t i t u t i o n A c t o f 1 9 8 2 A s m e n t i o n e d m a n y t i m e s , t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r g a v e C a n a d a i n d e p e n d e n t r i g h t s . H o w e v e r , C a n a d a w a s n o t r e a d y , a n d t h e r e f o r e , B r i t a i n r e t a i n e d s o m e p o w e r u n t i l t h e C a n a d a A c t , o r t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n A c t o f 1 9 8 2

T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r i s s t i l l s i g n i f i c a n t b e c a u s e w e l i v e o n s o m e o f i t s b a s i s .

A p h o t o o f P r i m e M i n i s t e r

P i e r r e E l l i o t T r u d e a u w i t h

Q u e e n E l i z a b e t h I I s i g n i n g t h e

C o n s t i t u t i o n A c t o f 1 9 8 2 .

i t d i d n ' t e s t a b l i s h i n d e p e n d e n c e f o r C a n a d a . T h e C o n s t i t u t i o n A c t o f

1 9 8 2 w a s w h e n C a n a d a a c t u a l l y g o t f u l l c o n t r o l o v e r t h e c o u n t r y .

T h e r e f o r e , t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r d i d n o t g r a n t C a n a d a f u l l i n d e p e n d e n c e .

M y t a k e o n t h i s : T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r g r a n t e d C a n a d a f u l l a u t o n o m y a n d p o w e r . I t w a s t h e P a r l i a m e n t o f C a n a d a t h a t r e q u e s t e d t h a t B r i t a i n r e t a i n e d s o m e o f i t s p o w e r T h e C o n s t i t u t i o n A c t o f 1 9 8 2 w a s w h e n C a n a d a f i n a l l y c a r r i e d o u t t h e i r p o w e r

i t d o e s n ' t h a v e a n i m p a c t o n C a n a d i a n s l i v i n g t o d a y . C i t i z e n s d o n ' t c e l e b r a t e t h e a n n i v e r s a r i e s o f t h e S t a t u t e o f

W e s t m i n s t e r . T h e y c o m m e m o r a t e

C a n a d a ' s D a y b e c a u s e i t a c t u a l l y h a s s i g n i f i c a n c e .

M y t a k e o n t h i s : T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r m i g h t n o t b e i n t h e s p o t l i g h t i n C a n a d i a n m a i n s t r e a m m e d i a , b u t i t i s s t i l l s i g n i f i c a n t .

A c c o r d i n g t o R u d y a r d G r i f f i t h s , a l a c k o f

a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t f o r t h e S t a t u t e i s d i s r e s p e c t i n g t h o s e w h o s a c r i f i c e d t h e i r l i v e s o u t o n t h e b a t t l e f i e l d d u r i n g W o r l d W a r I N o t o n l y d o e s i t d i s r e s p e c t t h e f a l l e n s o l d i e r s , b u t i t ' s a l s o n o t r e s p e c t f u l t o t h o s e w h o s e r v e i n t h e m i l l i t a r y t o d a y ( " A s t a t u t e w o r t h 7 5 c h e e r s " )

i t d i d n ' t e s t a b l i s h i n d e p e n d e n c e f o r C a n a d a . T h e B r i t i s h N o r t h A m e r i c a A c t o f 1 8 6 7 d i d C a n a d a b e c a m e a c o u n t r y o n t h i s d a y a n d g i v e n p o w e r s a n d c o n t r o l o v e r t h e l a n d M y t a k e o n t h i s : G r o w i n g u p , m y p a r e n t s t o l d m e t h a t C a n a d a D a y w a s a d a y t o c e l e b r a t e w h e n C a n a d a g o t i n d e p e n d e n c e M y s o c i a l s t u d i e s t e a c h e r s b e f o r e m i d d l e a n d h i g h s c h o o l s a i d t h e s a m e C a n a d a w a s n o t a c o u n t r y u n t i l t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s e s t a b l i s h e d T h a t ' s w h y t h e y c a l l e d C a n a d a " t h e D o m i n i o n o f C a n a d a " a n d n o t " t h e c o u n t r y o f C a n a d a "

THE STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE...

i t d o e s n ' t m a k e u p f o r t h e d i s p u t e s b e t w e e n t h e F r e n c h a n d t h e E n g l i s h . E v e r s i n c e

E u r o p e a n s s e t t l e d o n N o r t h A m e r i c a n s o i l , t h e r e h a s b e e n d i s p u t e s o v e r l a n d

o w n e r s h i p b e t w e e n t h e s e t w o p a r t i e s . T h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r d i d n o t r e s o l v e t h e d i s t r u s t b e t w e e n F r a n c o p h o n e C a n d i a n s a n d A n g l o p h o n e C a n d i a n s .

M y t a k e o n t h i s : B e c a u s e o f t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r , C a n a d a w a s n o t o b l i g a t e d t o f o l l o w e v e r y t h i n g t h a t t h e B r i t i s h w e r e d o i n g . B e c a u s e o f t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r , C a n a d a w a s a b l e t o j o i n a v a r i e t y o f d i f f e r e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g L a F r a n c o p h o n i e i n 1 9 7 0 B e c a u s e C a n a d a i s a m e m b e r o f b o t h t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h a n d L a F r a n c o p h o n i e , t h i s r e p r e s e n t s a b a l a n c e i n r e p r e s e n t i n g b o t h t h e F r e n c h a n d E n g l i s h i n C a n a d a I c a n a g r e e o n t h e f a c t t h a t t h e r e n e e d s t o b e m o r e F r e n c h r e p r e s e n t a t i o n i n C a n a d a , b u t d u e t o t h e s i g n i n g o f t h e S t a t u t e , C a n a d a w o u l d e v e n t u a l l y m e e t P i e r r e E l l i o t T r u d e a u , t h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r w h o c o n t r i b u t e d t o C a n a d a b y e n s u r i n g t h a t t h e r e w a s a b a l a n c e o f F r e n c h a n d E n g l i s h

i t d o e s n ' t c h a n g e t h e w a y p e o p l e l i v e i n C a n a d a . C a n a d i a n s w o u l d s t i l l l i v e t h e s a m e l i f e s t y l e s i f t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r w a s n o t i n e f f e c t .

E v e r y o n e w o u l d s t i l l b e a b l e t o e a t , s l e e p , a n d b r e a t h e t h e s a m e .

M y t a k e o n t h i s : C a n a d i a n s s h o u l d h a v e a s e n s e o f t h e i r n a t i o n a l i t y O f c o u r s e , t h e r e a r e d i f f e r e n t e t h n i c i t i e s a n d r a c e s i n t h e w o r l d , b u t t h a t i s w h a t m a k e s u p o u r i d e n t i t y : w e a r e a d i v e r s e c o u n t r y I b e l i e v e t h a t e v e r y t h i n g i n l i f e i s h o l i s t i c a l l y c o n n e c t e d b y a b i g c h a i n ( i e . o n e s m a l l t h i n g c o u l d h a p p e n i n I t a l y , a n d i t w i l l s t i l l a f f e c t w h a t s o m e o n e i n M e x i c o m i g h t b e d o i n g ) . S o , h a d t h e S t a t u t e o f W e s t m i n s t e r n o t b e e n s i g n e d , w e m i g h t n o t h a v e l e a r n e d v a l u a b l e l e s s o n s , a n d w e m i g h t h a v e n o t e x p e r i e n c e d t h e d i f f e r e n t i n n o v a t i o n s i n C a n a d i a n h i s t o r y

B a c k g r o u n d / C o n t e x t o f A n s w e r s :

I n 2 0 1 6 , t h e A s s o c i a t i o n f o r C a n a d i a n S t u d i e s c o n d u c t e d a s u r v e y w i t h a s a m p l e g r o u p o f 1 5 1 8 C a n a d i a n s a b o u t w h e n e x a c t l y C a n a d a b e c a m e i n d e p e n d e n t .

6 % s a i d t h a t C a n a d a g o t t h e i r i n d e p e n d e n c e i n

1 9 3 1

1 4 % s a i d t h a t C a n a d a g o t t h e i r i n d e p e n d e n c e f r o m t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n A c t o f 1 9 8 2

5 % s a i d t h a t i n d e p e n d e n c e w a s g r a n t e d t o C a n a d a w h e n t h e L e a g u e o f N a t i o n s w a s e s t a b l i s h e d

7 4 % o f t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s s a i d t h a t i n d e p e n d e n c e w a s g r a n t e d i n 1 8 6 7 ( C o n f e d e r a t i o n )

Looking back into Canadian history, we can see the development in our independence and identity. Because of the Statute of Westminster, Canada was able to grow as a country and away from British imperialism. Our nation will maintain our loyalty to Britain too.

Now that you've reached the end of this issue, I hope I have persuaded you to agree that the Statute of Westminster was very significant on a global scale. Our independence was established, our relationship with Britain was redefined, our achievements were recognized, our involvement with global affairs took a start, and our lives today as Canadians are still affected by the Statute of Westminster.

“A Statute Worth 75 Cheers ” The Globe and Mail, 11 Dec 2006, www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/a-statute-worth-75-cheers/article1329730/.

“About Us.” The Commonwealth, The Commonwealth, thecommonwealth.org/about-us.“

Balfour Report.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, 29 Jan. 2020, www thecanadianencyclopedia ca/en/article/balfour-report

Bercuson, David J , and Norman L Nicholson “The Interwar Wars ” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 Apr. 2020, www.britannica.com/place/Canada/The-interwar-wars#ref43008. “Commonwealth.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, 2 Mar. 2016, thecanadianencyclopedia ca/en/article/commonwealth

Cook, Tim “Mackenzie King and the War Effort ” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 25 Feb 2016, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mackenzie-king-and-the-war-effort.

Cuggy, Emily. “Canada's Declaration of Independence.” Canada's History, 20 Oct. 2011, www canadashistory ca/explore/politics-law/canada-s-declaration-of-independence

Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada, High Commission of Canada “Canada and the United Kingdom Relations.” Government of Canada: United Kingdom, 9 Apr. 2020, www canadainternational gc ca/united kingdom-royaume uni/bilateral relations bilaterales/index aspx? lang=eng.

Global Affairs Canada - Affaires. “History of Global Affairs Canada.” Government of Canada, 28 Aug. 2019, www international gc ca/gac-amc/history-histoire/index aspx?lang=eng

Granatstein, J L “Five Lessons We Learned about Canada in Wartime ” Macleans, 3 Aug 2014, www.macleans.ca/news/canada/five-lessons-we-learned-about-canada-in-wartime/.

Granatstein, J.L. “How Mackenzie King Convinced Canada to Go to War in 1939.” Macleans, 27 Aug. 2019, www macleans ca/history/how-canada-got-onside-with-britain-before-world-war-2/

Hallman-Chong, Stanley Nelson History 8 Nelson Education Ltd, 2016

Hoogeveen, Margaret Creating Canada Second ed , Nelson Education, 2014

Miranda, Lin-Manuel “The Story of Tonight” Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Avatar Studios, 2015

Lofaro, Joe “Most Canadians Think Canada Became Independent Nation in 1867, Poll Finds ” Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Citizen, 31 Dec 2016, ottawacitizen com/news/local-news/most-canadians-think-canada-becameindependent-nation-in-1867-poll-finds/

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