Social Studies 10 Lessons 📖

By: Gen L

In partnership with Hyperion University, 2023

Lesson 4: PM Mulroney (1984-1992)

The Rise of Mulroney

  • 1983: Brian Mulroney, a lawyer from Quebec, became leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.
  • He was Canada's response to an increasingly conservative world.
  • His appeal was strong in Quebec & across Canada.
  • 1984: Mulroney wins the largest majority in Canadian History.
PC Lib NDP
211 40 30

Economics

  • Mulroney announced the government would encourage foreign investment, bring down the national debt, review social programs & privatise Crown Corporations.
  • Mulroney dismantled FIRA and the NEP
  • Debt reduction was not successful.

Economics, cont.

  • 1986: A Manitoba company lost the contract to service and repair CF-18 fighter jets to a Quebec company.
  • This angered many in Western Canada because the Manitoba company had a lower bid and was better rated.

International Affairs: US

  • Mulroney stated that good relations with the US would be the cornerstone of our foreign policy.
  • As soon as Mulroney came to power, he began to chip away at Trudeau's Third Option.
  • He replaced FIRA with Investment Canada, an agency designed to encourage investment.

1985: SDI (Star Wars)

  • The Strategic Defence Initiative was a US plan to make defensive, satellite based weapons to protect against ICBM's.
  • 1985: Canada declined an invitation to participate.
  • Many Canadians were opposed to the weaponization of space.
  • This created some tension between the US and Canada.
  • SDI was expensive, that the US modified after the end of the Cold War in 1991.

FTA: The Growth of Free Trade

  • The FTA was a 1987 trade agreement which removed trade barriers between the US and Canada.
  • In the 1988 election, Free Trade was the dominant issue.
  • Supporters wanted free access to the US market and growth in exports.
  • Detractors were concerned about threats to our resources (water) and institutions (health).

The Growth of Free Trade

  • Despite the NDP and Liberals winning more votes than the Conservatives, Mulroney won another majority.
  • 1 Jan, 1989: The Free Trade Agreement came into effect.

NAFTA: Mexico Joins the Party

  • 1991: US sought a similar deal with Mexico.
  • Trade blocks were emerging (1992 - European Union)
  • The deal created a massive trading bloc and built upon the FTA.
  • Dec, 1992: Canada signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the US and Mexico.
  • NAFTA was supported by the Liberals who took office in 1993.
  • There have been difficulties, but general consensus is that NAFTA had a positive effect on our Economy.

Mulroney's Fall: 1991 Gulf War

  • 1990: Iraq invaded Kuwait.
  • The UN passes a resolution supporting the use of force to liberate Kuwait.
  • Canada was part of the US les coalition, contributing:
    • Squadron of CF-18s,
    • a Field Hospital,
    • 3 ships (2 destroyers & a supply ship)
  • Iraqi forces were forced to retreat and Kuwait was Liberated.

Mulroney's Fall: Somalia, 1992

  • The UN became involved in Somalia to distribute food supplies.
  • The crisis was a result of feuding warlords, and combat troops were required to establish order to allow food distribution.
  • Canada contributed an Airborne regiment, which was later determined to be undisciplined, in disarray and without effective command.

Somalia, 1992 (Part II)

  • Sometimes starving locals entered the Canadian compound to steal food.
  • 1993: paratroopers tortured and beat a teen, Shidane Arone for three hours. He died.
  • When the issue became public, it led to other issues becoming public.
  • Photo & video evidence was damning, showing brutal images and comments like, "We ain't killed enough **** yet."

Somalia, 1992 (Part III)

  • Soon after, using food, paratroopers "baited" two Somalis who ran when confronted.
  • They were shot in the back, one died.
  • The investigation was hampered by military secrecy.
  • Video evidence revealed "hazing rituals" described as psychological torture which included eating human waste and sexual assault.
  • This was a major embarrassment, and a serious blow to Canada's pride in its armed forces and its percieved international role.

Kim's 100+ Days

  • Constitutional failures, First Nations unrest, French unrest, and a recession from 1990-1992: All lead to a decline in Mulroney's popularity.
  • He resigned in June 1993
  • Kim Campbell became the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.
  • She became Canada's first (non-elected) female Prime Minister.

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