“From boom to bust” is a theme that has particular historical implications for Canada. For a country that is constantly striving to make global market connections, the current rocky world economy and financial losses in the once-promising Asian markets have great importance. Above all, the direct impact on the plunging Canadian dollar and the very real repercussions on Canadians’ lifestyle are important aspects of this story.
Download the Resource Guide for this story.
The decision of the Supreme Court of Canada — the highest court in the land — on rules that must be followed in the next Quebec referendum has changed the course of constitutional events. The ruling also raises many issues related to the rule of law itself. In addition, the differing interpretations of this historic ruling as it relates to the sovereignist and federalist points of view is an indication of the complexity of the issue. This story is also an excellent opportunity for studying the role of the Supreme Court of Canada in Canadian life.
Download the Resource Guide for this story.
The turbulent events in the post-Communist years in Russia have put the entire world on edge. At the centre of the struggles to keep the Russian economy and Russian society stable and functioning is the one-man rule of Boris Yeltsin. But like all hard-line leaders, Yeltsin’s reign must also inevitably end. The Russian economy and the way of life of average Russians have not seen such chaos since the fall of the Soviet Union. Once again, the major powers of the world and the world’s financial markets watch and wait.
Download the Resource Guide for this story.
Charges of racism swirl around the controversy over the cleanup of the Sydney tar pits. Responsibility for cleanup of military dumps left behind at the DEW line in Canada’s north following the Cold War have also been hotly contended. Toxic chemical dumps, environmental accidents involving dangerous substances, and the problematic roles of the corporate world, military organizations, and governments are all factors in this News in Review story. The questions of responsibility for chemical pollution, political accountability, and financial liability are fundamental to this environmental story.
Download the Resource Guide to this story.