To what extent have local, national, and global forces shaped ...

UnitONE 1989 to the presentWe are all links in a greater human chain. And together,we are writing the story that is Canada.— Michaëlle Jean, governor general of Canada, July 1, 2008On Canada Day 2008, Governor General Michaëlle Jean reminded Canadiansthat the story of Canada is still being written. Jean said that the country’sgreatness is embodied in its people’s day-to-day efforts to make Canada “amore just and more human place to live.”Jean is only one of many who believe that creating a more just society is anideal that everyone must work toward. In this unit, you will explore this beliefand evaluate the extent to which a commitment to social justice has been asignificant force in Canada since 1989.As your exploration progresses, you will discover that people may agree thatachieving social justice is a fine ideal, but that they don’t necessarily agree onwhat this term means or what a socially just society should be like. You will alsodiscover that ideas about social justice cansometimes take a back seat to other concerns.After the attacks on the United Stateson September 11, 2001, for example, somepeople came to believe that national securityand personal safety were more important thanconcerns about social justice — and disagreementover this issue has inspired fierce debate.As you explore the issue that is the focus ofthis unit, you may find that people do not alwayshave clear-cut answers to questions about socialjustice. And you will draw your own conclusionsabout the role of social justice in creating Canadatoday — and the part you might play as thecountry’s story continues to be written.m h r • How have individuals, groups, and governments helped shape Canadian identity? • Ch a p t e r 117