(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 18th in a series of columns in which Sonja Herter is detailing the history of Canada in light of the country’s 150th anniversary in 2017.)
Each year and decade following there were changes made for Canadians.
Over the years, programs and services were added to improve the quality of life. Where there was dissatisfaction, new avenues were introduced with the hope of making a change.
The sixties were no different. The start of sixties gave the First Nations the right to vote without giving up their treaty rights and status, as was the case at the time of Confederation.
The New Democratic Party was introduced to replace the CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) in 1961.
The next year Medicare was introduced in Saskatchewan by Tommy Douglas who became known as the Father of Medicare in Canada. The introduction caused strikes by doctors in the province who were not in favour of the legislation. However, it did pass and was well received by Canadians.
As changes marched on, in 1963 the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was introduced. The two founding identities of English and French were declared as the official languages for Canada. Other cultures were embraced on the Canadian scene that helped develop the country.
The same year the social insurance number cards were issued to Canadian citizens to be used in many government programs such as income tax, unemployment insurance, pension plans and others.
Another significant development affecting many Canadians was the changes to the Canada Pension Plan in 1965 with the Old Age Security eligibility being lowered from 70 to 65 years of age.
The new Canadian flag was revealed in February of that same year, replacing the Union Jack. The red maple leaf flag on a white background with red bars on each side became known world-wide.
In 1966, coming closer to home, Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey cup over Ottawa Rough Riders by a score 29 to 14.
In 1967, on the 100-year celebration of Canada since Confederation, the national anthem O Canada was accepted but not made official until 1980. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, Expo ’67 was held in Montreal where Man and His World greeted the people across the country. At the same time the Order of Canada was established to recognize great achievement of fellow Canadians. The decade closed with no more mail delivers on Saturday. A lot of accomplishments and some losses were experienced in the sixties. Now the 70s were next.
