What is Canada?
Canada, renowned globally as a nation of strength and freedom, takes pride in its unique identity. Our country is the proud inheritor of the world’s oldest continuous constitutional tradition and stands as North America’s sole constitutional monarchy.
Our institutions steadfastly uphold a commitment to Peace, Order, and Good Government, a pivotal phrase in Canada’s inaugural constitutional document in 1867, the British North America Act.
Canadians’ belief in ordered liberty, enterprise, hard work, and fair play has empowered us to construct a prosperous society within a rugged environment that stretches from our Atlantic shores to the Pacific Ocean and up to the Arctic Circle. This achievement is so remarkable that poets and songwriters have acclaimed Canada as the “Great Dominion.”
To truly comprehend what it means to be Canadian, it’s crucial to acknowledge our three founding peoples—Aboriginal, French, and British.
Aboriginal Peoples
It is widely accepted that the forebears of Aboriginal peoples made their way from Asia to the Americas thousands of years ago. By the time European explorers arrived in North America, these peoples had already established rich and diverse cultures, deeply rooted in their spiritual beliefs about their connection to the Creator, nature, and each other.
The Canadian Constitution recognizes Aboriginal and treaty rights. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III was the first to guarantee territorial rights, laying the groundwork for treaty negotiations with newcomers—although these treaties were not always honored in full.
Between the 1800s and 1980s, the federal government sent many Aboriginal children to residential schools with the aim of educating them and integrating them into mainstream Canadian society.
These schools were underfunded and caused great suffering for the students; physical abuse was not uncommon. Aboriginal languages and cultural practices were largely banned. In 2008, Ottawa issued a formal apology to the former students.
In contemporary Canada, Aboriginal peoples take pride in their heritage and have made notable contributions in fields such as agriculture, environmental conservation, business, and arts.
The term “Aboriginal peoples” today encompasses three unique groups:
- First Nations: This term came into use in the 1970s and refers to all Aboriginal people who are neither Inuit nor Métis. Today, approximately half of First Nations people reside on reserve land within roughly 600 communities, while the rest live off-reserve, primarily in urban areas.
- Inuit: Meaning “the people” in the Inuktitut language, the Inuit inhabit small communities scattered across the Arctic. Their deep understanding of the land, sea, and wildlife has allowed them to thrive in one of the world’s most severe climates.
- Métis: The Métis are a unique group of mixed Aboriginal and European descent. Most live in the Prairie provinces and come from both French- and English-speaking backgrounds. They speak their own dialect known as Michif.
First Nations make up about 65% of the Aboriginal population, while Métis account for 30%, and Inuit represent 4%.
English and French
The cultural fabric of Canada is shaped predominantly by the Christian civilizations of English-speaking and French-speaking settlers who migrated from Europe. The daily lives of most Canadians are influenced by the country’s official languages, English and French.
The federal government is legally obligated to offer services in both languages across Canada.
Currently, Canada is home to 18 million Anglophones, individuals whose first language is English, and 7 million Francophones, individuals who speak French as their primary language. While the majority of Francophones reside in Quebec, a significant number, about one million, live in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba, with a smaller population in other provinces.
New Brunswick holds the distinction of being the only officially bilingual province.
Acadians are descendants of French colonists who started settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604. During the war between Britain and France from 1755 to 1763, over two-thirds of the Acadians were expelled from their homeland. This event, known as the “Great Upheaval,” did not extinguish the Acadian spirit. They survived and preserved their unique identity. Today, Acadian culture is vibrant and constitutes an integral part of French-speaking Canada.
Quebecers, primarily French-speaking residents of Quebec, are mostly descendants of 8,500 French settlers from the 17th and 18th centuries. They have a unique identity, culture, and language. In 2006, the House of Commons acknowledged that Quebecers form a nation within a united Canada. Anglo-Quebecers, numbering one million and with a history spanning 250 years, contribute significantly to the Quebec society.
The lifestyle in English-speaking regions was shaped by numerous English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish settlers, soldiers, and migrants from the 17th to the 20th century. Generations of pioneers and builders of British origin and other groups endured hardships to lay the foundations of our country. This is why Anglophones are often referred to as English Canadians.
Diversity in Canada
Canada, often hailed as a land of immigrants, has been predominantly inhabited by individuals born within its borders since the 1800s. Over the past two centuries, millions of immigrants have contributed to the development and preservation of the Canadian way of life.
The country is a mosaic of various ethnic and religious groups who coexist peacefully and take pride in their Canadian identity. The most significant of these groups include the English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian, Dutch, South Asian and Scandinavian communities.
Since the 1970s, a majority of immigrants have originated from Asian countries.
In addition to English and French, numerous non-official languages are spoken within Canadian households. Chinese languages rank second in terms of usage in two of Canada’s largest cities.
In Vancouver and Toronto, 13% and 7% of the population respectively speak Chinese languages at home.
A majority of Canadians identify as Christians with Catholicism being the most prevalent denomination followed by various Protestant churches. However, the number of individuals identifying as Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and other religions is on the rise. There is also an increasing number of people who do not affiliate with any religion.
The Canadian government has traditionally collaborated with faith communities to foster social welfare, harmony, and mutual respect; to provide education and healthcare; to assist in refugee resettlement; and to uphold religious freedom, religious expression, and freedom of conscience.
Canada’s diverse population also includes gay and lesbian individuals who are fully protected under the law and are treated equally, including having access to civil marriage.
This rich tapestry of diverse groups contributes to Canada’s multicultural society while sharing a common Canadian identity.
Marjorie Turner-Bailey, an Olympian from Nova Scotia, traces her lineage back to the black Loyalists. These were individuals of African descent, including escaped slaves and those who had been freed, who sought refuge in Canada during the 1780s to escape the legal slavery in America, which wasn’t abolished until 1863.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Canada known for around the world?
Canada is known around the world as a strong and free country.
What is unique about Canada’s identity?
Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America and has inherited the world’s oldest continuous constitutional tradition.
What key phrase is in Canada’s original constitutional document, the British North America Act of 1867?
The key phrase in Canada’s original constitutional document is “Peace, Order, and Good Government”.
What beliefs have enabled Canadians to build a prosperous society?
A belief in ordered liberty, enterprise, hard work, and fair play have enabled Canadians to build a prosperous society.
How have poets and songwriters described Canada?
Poets and songwriters have hailed Canada as the “Great Dominion”.
Who are the three founding peoples of Canada?
The three founding peoples of Canada are Aboriginal, French, and British.
Who are the Aboriginal peoples?
Aboriginal peoples refer to three distinct groups in Canada: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
Where did the Aboriginal peoples originate from?
The ancestors of Aboriginal peoples are believed to have migrated from Asia many thousands of years ago.
What are the Aboriginal and treaty rights?
Aboriginal and treaty rights are recognized in the Canadian Constitution. These rights were first guaranteed through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III.
What were residential schools?
From the 1800s until the 1980s, the federal government placed many Aboriginal children in residential schools to educate and assimilate them into mainstream Canadian culture.
What is the current status of Aboriginal peoples in Canada?
In today’s Canada, Aboriginal peoples enjoy renewed pride and confidence, and have made significant achievements in agriculture, the environment, business, and the arts.
What was the government’s response to the residential school system?
In 2008, Ottawa formally apologized to the former students of residential schools.
Who are referred to as First Nations?
First Nations refers to all Aboriginal people who are not Inuit or Métis. About half of First Nations people live on reserve land in about 600 communities while the other half live off-reserve, mainly in urban centres.
Who are the Inuit?
The Inuit, which means “the people” in the Inuktitut language, live in small, scattered communities across the Arctic.
Who are the Métis?
The Métis are distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, most of whom live in the Prairie provinces.
What languages do the Métis speak?
The Métis come from both French- and English-speaking backgrounds and speak their own dialect known as Michif.
What is the population distribution among Aboriginal groups?
About 65% of the Aboriginal people are First Nations, while 30% are Métis and 4% Inuit.
What are the official languages of Canada?
English and French are the official languages of Canada. The federal government is legally obligated to provide services in both languages throughout the country.
What is the distribution of Anglophones and Francophones in Canada?
There are 18 million Anglophones and 7 million Francophones in Canada. While most Francophones live in Quebec, about one million live in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.
Which is the only officially bilingual province in Canada?
New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada.
Who are the Acadians?
Acadians are descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604. Despite being expelled from their homeland during the “Great Upheaval,” they managed to survive and maintain their unique identity.
Who are Quebecers and what is their cultural significance?
Quebecers, primarily French-speaking residents of Quebec, are mostly descendants of French settlers from the 17th and 18th centuries. They have a unique identity, culture, and language. The House of Commons recognized in 2006 that Quebecers form a nation within a united Canada.
Who are referred to as English Canadians?
The term “English Canadians” generally refers to Anglophones, individuals whose first language is English. This term was established by numerous English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish settlers who shaped the lifestyle in English-speaking regions from the 17th to the 20th century.
What is the demographic composition of Canada?
Canada is home to a variety of ethnic and religious groups who live and work in harmony. The largest groups include the English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian, Dutch, South Asian and Scandinavian communities.
Where have most immigrants to Canada come from since the 1970s?
Since the 1970s, most immigrants to Canada have come from Asian countries.
What languages are commonly spoken in Canadian homes?
In addition to English and French, many non-official languages are spoken in Canadian homes. Chinese languages are the second most commonly spoken at home in Vancouver and Toronto.
What is the religious landscape of Canada?
The majority of Canadians identify as Christians, with Catholicism being the most common denomination. However, there are also growing numbers of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and individuals who do not affiliate with any religion.
How does the Canadian government interact with faith communities?
The Canadian government traditionally partners with faith communities to promote social welfare, harmony, and mutual respect; provide education and healthcare; assist in refugee resettlement; and uphold religious freedom, religious expression, and freedom of conscience.
What rights do gay and lesbian individuals have in Canada?
Gay and lesbian Canadians enjoy full protection under the law and equal treatment, including access to civil marriage.
What contributes to Canada’s multicultural society?
The diverse groups in Canada, including various ethnic and religious communities as well as gay and lesbian Canadians, contribute to the country’s multicultural society while sharing a common Canadian identity.
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