History of Canada in Timeline
Canada, the world's second-largest country by area, is located in North America, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. With a population of 40 million, mostly concentrated in urban areas south of the 55th parallel, Canada boasts diverse geographical and climatic regions. Its capital is Ottawa, and its largest cities are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Notably, Canada shares the world's longest international land border with the United States.
1905: Alberta and Saskatchewan become provinces
In 1905, Alberta and Saskatchewan were incorporated as provinces within Canada, expanding the nation westward.
1906: "O Canada" English Version
The English version of "O Canada" was adapted from the original French text in 1906.
1908: Anne of Green Gables Publication
L.M. Montgomery, a beloved Canadian author, published the first book in the Anne of Green Gables series in 1908.
1914: Canada enters World War I
As a dominion of Britain, Canada automatically entered World War I in 1914 when Britain declared war on Germany.
1917: Conscription Crisis
The Conscription Crisis of 1917 arose from the proposal to introduce mandatory military service to bolster Canadian forces in World War I. This measure faced strong opposition, particularly from French-speaking Canadians in Quebec.
1919: Joining the League of Nations
Canada demonstrated its growing autonomy by joining the League of Nations as an independent member in 1919, separate from Britain.
May 1920: Group of Seven First Exhibition
In May 1920, the Group of Seven, a renowned group of Canadian painters known for their distinct style and nationalistic themes, held their first exhibition.
1921: Previous Record Immigrant Population
The 1921 census previously held the record for the highest proportion of immigrants in Canada's population, with 22.3% of the population at that time being immigrants or permanent residents.
1926: A.J. Casson Joins Group of Seven
A.J. Casson, a prominent Canadian artist, joined the Group of Seven in 1926.
1931: Statute of Westminster
The Statute of Westminster, enacted in 1931, was a significant step towards Canada's autonomy. This act recognized Canada's legislative independence from the United Kingdom.
1931: Statute of Westminster
The Statute of Westminster, 1931, grants Canada full legislative autonomy from the United Kingdom, marking a significant step towards complete independence.
1931: Statute of Westminster
The Statute of Westminster, 1931, formally acknowledged Canada's independence, granting it full legislative autonomy.
1934: Newfoundland relinquishes self-government
Due to the financial strains of the Great Depression, Newfoundland gave up responsible government in 1934, becoming a British Crown colony.
September 10, 1939: Canada declares war on Germany
On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany, marking its entry into World War II. The declaration, though in support of Britain, was made independently, highlighting Canada's autonomy.
December 1939: First Canadian troops arrive in Britain
The first units of the Canadian Army arrived in Britain in December 1939 to join the Allied forces fighting in World War II.
1942: Dieppe Raid
Canadian troops participated in the Dieppe Raid in 1942, a significant, though ultimately unsuccessful, operation during World War II.
1944: Conscription Crisis
Another Conscription Crisis occurred in 1944 in Canada, stemming from debates over mandatory military service during World War II, particularly highlighting tensions with Quebec.
1944: Normandy Landings and Battle of the Scheldt
Canadian forces played crucial roles in pivotal World War II battles in 1944, including the Normandy landings and the Battle of the Scheldt, contributing significantly to the liberation of Europe.
1945: United Nations Founding Member
Canada plays an active role in international affairs, becoming a founding member of the United Nations in 1945.
1948: Universal Declaration of Human Rights Ratified
Canada ratifies the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, demonstrating its commitment to human rights on a global scale.
1948: Temperature Tracking Begins
In 1948, Canada began systematically tracking average temperatures, providing a baseline for measuring climate change impacts.
1949: Newfoundland joins Canada
Following two referendums, Newfoundland voted to join Canada in 1949, becoming the country's tenth province.
1958: North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
Canada partners with the United States to form the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in 1958, enhancing continental security cooperation.
1961: Small Visible Minority Population
In 1961, visible minorities constituted a very small percentage of Canada's population, with only about 300,000 individuals, representing less than 2% of the total population.
1962: Canada Launches Alouette 1 Satellite
In 1962, Canada became the third country to design and launch a satellite into space with the launch of Alouette 1.
1965: Adoption of the Maple Leaf Flag
Canada adopted the iconic maple leaf flag in 1965, a key symbol of its emerging national identity.
1969: Official Bilingualism
In 1969, Canada officially recognized both English and French as its national languages, reflecting its commitment to bilingualism.
1970: October Crisis
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a radical separatist group, carries out a series of bombings and kidnappings in Quebec in 1970, sparking the October Crisis.
1971: Official Multiculturalism
Canada formally embraced multiculturalism in 1971, acknowledging and celebrating the diversity of its population.
1974: Quebec's Official Language Act
In 1974, Quebec passed the Official Language Act, making French the sole official language of the province.
1976: Summer Olympics in Montreal
In 1976, Canada hosted the Summer Olympics in Montreal.
1976: Parti Québécois Elected
The sovereigntist Parti Québécois, which advocates for Quebec's independence, is elected to power in Quebec in 1976.
1980: "O Canada" Officially Adopted as National Anthem
In 1980, "O Canada" was officially adopted as Canada's national anthem.
1980: First Quebec Sovereignty Referendum
The Parti Québécois government holds a referendum in 1980 on the issue of sovereignty-association (a form of political and economic partnership) with Canada, but the proposal is rejected by Quebec voters.
1982: Constitution Act, 1982
The Constitution Act, 1982, establishes a maximum term of five years between federal elections, although the Canada Elections Act later limits this to four years with a fixed election date in October.
1982: Constitution Act, 1982
The Constitution Act, 1982, severs the final vestiges of British legal control over Canada and introduces a constitutional amending formula, giving Canada full control over its own Constitution. It also establishes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
1982: Constitution Act, 1982
The Constitution Act, 1982, is enacted, patriating Canada's Constitution and including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which shifts the balance of power by giving courts the authority to invalidate laws deemed to violate the Charter, moving away from the principle of parliamentary supremacy.
1982: Canada Act
In 1982, the Canada Act was passed, giving Canada full control over its constitution and severing remaining legal ties with the UK Parliament.
1982: Canada Act and Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canada Act of 1982 marked the complete patriation of Canada's constitution. This act was accompanied by the enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms to all Canadians.
1982: Constitution Act, 1982
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights in Canada, providing a constitutional foundation for Indigenous land claims and self-governance.
1982: Dominion Day becomes Canada Day
Following the patriation of Canada's constitution in 1982, the national holiday was renamed from "Dominion Day" to "Canada Day", reflecting the country's independent status.
1984: Canada Health Act
The Canada Health Act, passed in 1984, established the framework for Canada's universal healthcare system, ensuring access to publicly funded health services for all citizens.
1985: Air India Flight 182 Bombing
In 1985, Air India Flight 182 explodes off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people on board, in the deadliest act of terrorism in Canadian history.
1988: Winter Olympics in Calgary
Calgary, Canada hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988.
1988: Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect in 1988, eliminating tariffs on goods traded between the two countries.
1989: École Polytechnique Massacre
A gunman targets and murders 14 female students at Montreal's École Polytechnique in 1989, in an act of gender-based violence.
1990: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Established
The year 1990 serves as a baseline year for measuring Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, allowing for tracking progress and setting reduction targets.
1990: Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis, a land dispute between the Mohawk community of Kanesatake and the town of Oka, Quebec, erupts in 1990, leading to a tense standoff with the Canadian military.
1990: Meech Lake Accord Fails
The Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional amendment package intended to address Quebec's concerns and gain its formal acceptance of the Constitution, fails to be ratified in 1990.
1990: Organization of American States (OAS)
Canada joins the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1990, further expanding its involvement in hemispheric affairs.
1994: North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which included Mexico, was established in 1994, expanding the free trade zone in North America.
1995: Second Quebec Sovereignty Referendum
A second referendum on Quebec sovereignty is held in 1995, with sovereignty again being rejected, but by a much narrower margin this time.
1997: Supreme Court Rules on Unilateral Secession
The Supreme Court of Canada rules in 1997 that a unilateral secession by a province would be unconstitutional. Parliament also passes the Clarity Act, outlining the terms for a negotiated departure from Confederation.
1999: Nunavut becomes a territory
After extensive negotiations with the federal government, Nunavut was established as Canada's third territory in 1999, recognizing the rights and self-governance of the Inuit people.
2001: Canadian Forces Deployed to Afghanistan
Following the September 11 attacks, Canada sends troops to Afghanistan in 2001 as part of the international military intervention.
2003: Canada Opts Out of Iraq War
Canada chose not to participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, reflecting its long-standing preference for UN-sanctioned military action.
2008: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Government of Canada established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2008 to address the historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples, including forced assimilation policies and cultural genocide.
2010: Winter Olympics in Vancouver
The 2010 Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver, Canada.
2011: NATO Intervention in Libya
Canadian forces participate in the NATO-led military intervention in Libya in 2011, contributing fighter jets and other military assets.
2011: Start of Increase in Visible Minority Population
In 2011, Canada began to experience a period of growth in its visible minority population, with a notable increase observed between 2011 and 2016.
2015: PISA Scores
In 2015, Canadian students demonstrated strong performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), scoring above the OECD average in reading literacy, mathematics, and science.
2015: A Year of Sport in Canada
In 2015, Canada hosted several major sporting events, including the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Pan American Games, and the Parapan American Games in Toronto.
2016: Report on Canadians' Health
A 2016 report revealed that a significant majority of Canadians (88%) reported having good or very good health, one of the highest proportions among G7 countries.
2016: Homeschooling Statistics
As of 2016, over 60,000 children in Canada were being homeschooled.
2016: Growth of Indigenous Population
Between 2016 and 2021, Canada's Indigenous population grew at a rate of 9.4%, which was significantly higher than the 5.3% growth rate of the non-Indigenous population.
2016: End of Increase in Visible Minority Population
By 2016, the visible minority population in Canada had risen significantly, marking the end of a period of substantial growth.
2016: Previous Canadian Census
Canada's previous census was conducted in 2016.
December 18, 2017: Richard Wagner Appointed Chief Justice of Canada
Richard Wagner is appointed as the Chief Justice of Canada on December 18, 2017, becoming the leading figure of the country's highest court.
2017: Canada 150
Canada celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2017, marking 150 years since Confederation.
2018: Canada's Trade Deficits
Canada recorded a trade deficit of $22 billion in goods and $25 billion in services in 2018.
2018: Canada Leads in Refugee Resettlement
Canada resettled over 28,000 refugees in 2018, demonstrating its global leadership in this area.
2019: Canada's Global Competitiveness
Canada was ranked 14th on the Global Competitiveness Report in 2019.
January 27, 2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Reaches Canada
The first case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Canada on January 27, 2020, leading to significant social and economic disruptions.
2020: Canada's Investment in Research and Development
Canada invested approximately $41.9 billion in domestic research and development in 2020.
2021: Census Shows Religious Landscape
According to the 2021 census, Christianity was the largest religion in Canada, followed by those reporting no religious affiliation. The census also highlighted the diversity of faiths practiced in Canada.
2021: Census Reveals Linguistic Diversity
The 2021 census highlighted Canada's linguistic diversity, with over 7.8 million Canadians reporting a non-official language as their mother tongue.
2021: Diverse Ethnic Origins Reported in Canada
Canadians self-reported over 450 "ethnic or cultural origins" in the 2021 census, highlighting the country's multicultural composition.
2021: Largest Ethnic Groups in Canada
The 2021 census revealed that the largest self-reported ethnic groups in Canada were Canadian, English, Irish, Scottish, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Indian, and Ukrainian.
2021: Census Records High Immigrant Population
The 2021 census revealed that Canada's immigrant population had reached a record high, with 8.3 million people, or almost 25% of the population, identifying as immigrants or permanent residents.
2021: Canada's Visible Minority Population
The 2021 census indicated that 26.5% of Canada's population identified as belonging to a visible minority group, with South Asian, Chinese, and Black Canadians being the largest groups.
2021: Discovery of Unmarked Graves at Residential Schools
The discovery of possible unmarked graves near former residential schools in 2021 brings renewed attention to the legacy of Canada's residential school system, which sought to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture.
2021: Federal Election
The 2021 Canadian federal election results in a Liberal minority government, with the Conservatives forming the Official Opposition, and the New Democratic Party, Bloc Québécois, and Green Party also winning seats in the House of Commons.
2021: Canada's Population Growth
The 2021 Canadian census recorded a population of 36,991,981, showing a 5.2% increase from the 2016 census.
2021: Canadian Trade Reaches $2 Trillion
In 2021, the total value of Canada's traded goods and services reached $2.016 trillion.
2021: Average Age and Life Expectancy
In 2021, the average age in Canada was 41.9 years, and life expectancy reached 81.1 years.
2021: Healthcare Spending
In 2021, Canada's healthcare spending amounted to $308 billion, representing 12.7% of the country's GDP.
2022: Canada's High Education Ranking
A 2022 OECD report highlighted Canada's position as a global leader in education, with the country having the highest percentage of adults with tertiary education worldwide (over 56%).
2022: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase
By 2022, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions see a 16.5 percent increase compared to the 1990 baseline, highlighting the ongoing challenge of reducing the country's environmental footprint.
2022: Per-Capita Healthcare Spending
Canada's per-capita healthcare spending ranked 12th among OECD countries in 2022.
2022: Canadian Military Spending
In 2022, Canada spent approximately $26.9 billion on its military, which is about 1.2% of the country's GDP.
2022: Increase in Research and Development Spending
Supplementary estimates for Canada's research and development spending in 2022 were set at $43.2 billion.
2023: Canada's Economy Ranks Ninth Globally
As of 2023, Canada boasts the world's ninth-largest economy with a nominal GDP of roughly US$2.221 trillion.
2023: Canada's Nobel Laureates and Scientific Contributions
As of 2023, Canada has produced 15 Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry, and medicine, and ranks seventh globally in the share of articles published in scientific journals.
2023: Canada's Free Trade Agreements
By 2023, Canada had signed 15 free trade agreements with a total of 51 countries.
2023: Canada Perceived as Having Low Corruption
Canada is ranked 14th on the Corruption Perceptions Index in 2023 and is considered one of the least corrupt nations globally.
2023: Canada's Population Estimated to Surpass 40 Million
It is estimated that Canada's population grew beyond 40,000,000 in 2023.
2026: FIFA World Cup
Canada is scheduled to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Mexico and the United States.