In the 1963 Massey Lectures Frank Underhill writes:

"Our experiment of the new Canadian nationality has now been going on for almost a hundred years.  It must be confessed that we approach the centenary year of 1967 in a state of mind that falls far short of the spirit of optimism and high adventure that marked the Fathers of Confederation.  We seem to have lost their clear assurance of national purpose.  We are not sure even that we are one nation. Our Canadian politics of the 1960s is leading many citizens to doubt whether it is worth trying to be nation if this is the only kind of politics which we are capable.  One senses a feeling of defeatism in the air."

The original publication of The Image of Confederation is out of print.  The complete lectures can be found in More Lost Massey Lectures published by House of Anansi.

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Listen to Part 1 of The Image of Confederation

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Listen to Part 5 of The Image of Confederation