Great posts, Teddy...and yet, many would argue, as you list MacDoanld, Diefenbaker, et al, that "that was then, this is now."  Not to mention the sneer, "Yeah, look what that got us!"
Many Canadians (perhaps even "most") can't connect to past history--even recent history--in any meaningful way.  Chiefly because they don't know it, and when told about it, don't think it matters.

I agree: "It is dismaying to see how much misinformation there is about immigration" especially about what I suspect is a very rigorous acceptance protocol (a recent American immigrant let me in on his experience--wow!  Couldn't BELIEVE what this country made him go through before they allowed him to stay here.)  Note, I say "I suspect"--what I find puzzling is why our government doesn't let us know about its immigration acceptance protocols.  Howcum? 

And if they DO publish or publicize these protocols, where can I go to find them?