Canadian Unity : where do things stand?
This special edition of Canadian Issues examines the state of national unity at a moment when Canada is once again confronted by old questions in new forms.
Library
Browse research reports, journals, fact sheets and articles from ACS-Metropolis.
75 documents
The Supreme Court of Canada at 150
On November 18, 1875, the Supreme Court of Canada was ceremonially inaugurated with a banquet at Rideau Hall hosted by the governor general of the day, Lord Dufferin. He toasted the six newly sworn justices by remarking that the establishment of the high court of the land “marks another epoch in the history of the Dominion; it exhibits another proof and pledge of the stability of our Confederation, and of the solidifying process which has knit into a homogeneous and patriotic community, the inhabitants of what a few years ago were the scattered districts of Great Britain’s North American possessions.” The 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada in 2025 invites reflection on the impact of its most influential rulings, analysis of its strengths and weaknesses, and assessments of its overall role in shaping Canadian society and identity. The occasion also offers a timely opportunity to compare Canada’s top court with that of other countrie – particularly its nearest neighbour, where the U.S. Supreme Court is so deeply enmeshed in partisan politics – and to consider the inherent tensions between political and judicial power in Canada, along with the levels of trust Canadians have in the apex body of their justice system.
The Uneasy State Of Canada–U.S. Relations
In this volume of essays, contributors were invited to share their thoughts and insights about the suddenly turbulent relations between Canada and the United States. More specifically, with the distantly historical War of 1812 as a reference point, it was noted that “since then, with some exceptions, Canada and the United States have maintained a long-standing relationship marked by shared borders, important commercial and cultural ties, and vital defence and national security partnerships... But with the reaction sparked by President Trump’s incessant provocations, are we witnessing an important shift in the relationship? What might this change imply for our economic ties, border security and other aspects of our shared future?” The response from our stellar lineup of writers explores all of this and much more. This edition of Canadian Issues/Thèmes Canadiens offers a range of visceral reactions, probing reflections and thoughtful strategizing as Canada’s new Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney – along with provincial and territorial premiers reeling from the imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports – charts a course through choppy boundary waters.
Holocaust Memory and Learning: Canadian Perspectives on Contemporary and Future Challenges
As we approach the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Holocaust remembrance faces a critical juncture. The passing of survivors, coupled with the rise of new generations distanced from the lived experiences of the Holocaust, has made preserving its memory both urgent and complex. The articles in this collection provide Canadian perspectives on the challenges of maintaining Holocaust memory and ensuring that its lessons resonate in today’s society. Each of the contributors brings a unique perspective to the table, drawing on years of experience in diverse fields of endeavour, thus enriching the interdisciplinary focus of the publication. The reflections gathered here are built on expertise in such diverse fields as Holocaust remembrance, refugee rights, interethnic violence, genocide prevention, philanthropic leadership, historical education, and community engagement. Contributors draw from backgrounds in political science, law, history, public service, and nonprofit leadership, combining scholarly research, practical advocacy, and pedagogical experience to address the complex challenges of preserving Holocaust memory and combatting misinformation. Many authors are also personally connected to the Holocaust or driven by a deep moral responsibility to fight hatred and injustice. These articles collectively offer a powerful reflection on the importance of remembering the Holocaust and acting to convey its universal lessons for the future.
‘I AM CANADIAN’ – OR NOT
Citizenship can be viewed as a badge of honour but also as a system of indoctrinating the population in ever-evolving sets of values and narratives serving state imperatives. It’s an elusive dream for many but an expensive, burdensome source of aggravation for others – one increasingly being rejected by many applicants-turned-“onward migrants” who no longer embrace the value proposition of becoming Canadian.
John Humphrey, Canada and the 75th Anniversary of UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In December 2023 — 75 years to the month after the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a coalition of Indigenous leaders, human rights advocacy organizations and environmental defence groups from across the Americas turned a scrutinizing spotlight on Canada’s human rights record, particularly the country’s oversight of Canadian mining companies pursuing about a dozen resource-extraction projects in South America.
Who Are We?
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Association for Canadian Studies (1973–2023) we asked “who are we” as a people (s) to the contributors to this edition of Canadian Issues. The report that ultimately gave birth to the ACS was Tom Symons “To Know Ourselves” and for half a century, our organization has been examining this question via conferences,
The History of Refugees in Canada From Past to Present
Canada is widely described as a nation of immigrants owing to a long history of migration and the demographic importance of its immigrant population. In 2021, more than 8.3 million people, or almost one-quarter (23.0%) of the population, were, or had ever been, a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada
