The textbook is designed primarily for the Ontario Academic Credit (CHC2D and CHC2P) but is used coast-to-coast. The "Second Edition" (published 2014–2016, depending on printing) updated the original 2010 version to include major events of the early 2010s, including the Harper era, the resurgence of Indigenous activism (Idle No More), and Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan.
Often considered the era of "nation-building," this unit covers the Quiet Revolution, the welfare state, and the Cold War.
This unit covers the Great Depression and the Second World War. Students examine the government's response to the economic crisis, the rise of social welfare, Canada's contribution to the war effort (Dieppe, D-Day, the Italian Campaign), the "Home Front," and the tragic internment of Japanese Canadians. The central question—"Did Canada grow up?"—challenges students to assess how these twin crises forced Canada to mature as an independent nation on the world stage. The textbook is designed primarily for the Ontario
Recent scholarship has built on this analysis, highlighting the complex and often fraught experiences of immigrant groups in Canada. For example, researchers have explored the history of racism and xenophobia in Canada, including the treatment of immigrants from Asia and Europe during times of war and economic crisis. These studies have challenged traditional narratives of Canadian identity, which often emphasized the country's welcoming and inclusive nature.
Highlights the economic expansion, suburban growth, the baby boom, and Canada's prominent diplomatic role as a middle power during the early Cold War. 4. Shaping Modern Canada (1960 to the Present) This unit covers the Great Depression and the
The second edition places significantly greater emphasis on the history and legacy of the Residential School system, treaties, and the ongoing path toward truth and reconciliation. Pedagogical Features of the Second Edition
What has changed, and what has remained the same? Recent scholarship has built on this analysis, highlighting
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Creating Canada: A History - 1914 to the Present investigates the foundational events, shifts, and conflicts that shaped 20th and 21st-century Canada. The second edition updates the original text with expanded digital resources, contemporary historical perspectives, and a deeper focus on marginalized voices in Canadian history.