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Canada Culture: Customs, Traditions, and Facts

Customs

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Throughout every aspect of cultural life, from filmmaking and writing to cooking and playing sports, Canadian culture blends British, French, and American influences. 

A diverse country like Canada has various ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups. This diversity is especially unique since Canada was the first nation to adopt multiculturalism. 

Canada has dual nationality (French Canada and English Canada), derived from the British conquest of the French colony around Quebec and Ontario in 1760. 

In addition to dominating political and societal issues, this dual heritage has polarized the population.

Here’s everything you need to know about Canadian culture and customs:

Several explorers, missionaries, and settlers wrote the first truly Canadian works in French, which inspired subsequent works. Canadian art is defined as the creation of visual, sculpture, and all other types of artworks stemming from first nations peoples and immigrant European and non-Europeans alike. 

From the aboriginal arts period to the contemporary arts of today, Canadian art has evolved through notable periods in history. Consistently, the arts represent the cultural significance that the Canadian people are proud of. 

In the 1960s, Canadian artwork experienced a distinctive development thanks to a new understanding of how the rest of the world views and creates art. 

Among the more notable works in this period are Lisa Steele’s pioneering video art and David Askevoid’s video art and photography.

The Canadian agricultural and farming heritage produces food and animal products, making them big meat eaters. Families typically eat three meals a day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

The Canadian population is large and diverse, so traditional meals and foods vary greatly. In Canada, popular foods include poutine, a dish from Quebec that consists of French fries with cheese and brown gravy, and Canadian peameal bacon, a pork loin that has been brined and rolled in cornmeal before eating. 

The French Canadian version of split pea soup uses yellow split peas with a ham bone or ham hock for the soup base. Newfoundlanders and Quebecers may add meat, carrots, and turnips to the peas. 

Another popular dish is Saskatoon berry pie. Saskatchewan berries or prairie berries are blueberries with a sweet, nutty almond flavor. They are the sweet and nutritious filling for this flaky, crusty pie.

As a leading sport nation, Canada combines four seasons with geographic and social diversity to shape how sport is practiced today. 

In Canada, Indigenous people have played lacrosse for a thousand years, which is the summer national sport. Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 to condition young athletes during the winter, and hockey was invented in Canada in the 1800s. 

Among children, soccer is the most popular game. As part of a healthy, active lifestyle, Canadians of all ages can participate in sports activities at every level and in various forms.

Religion is a fundamental part of Canadian society, where every citizen is free to practice whatever religion they choose, as long as its practices do not violate the law. 

While there is no official national religion, Christianity has been the predominant faith since colonization. Most legal proceedings culminate in swearing on the Bible, and prayers open many official functions. 

The discussion of religion is welcome, but some people may not like others promoting their faith or advocating defensively for their beliefs, including atheism. Preaching in social conversation may be perceived as irritating.

Strong conventions govern greetings and social etiquette in Canada, and understanding and obeying these rules is an important part of fitting in. Canadians generally shake hands with a firm hand and make eye contact when greeting strangers; they may laugh lightly over handshakes to diffuse the formality. 

While physical greetings depend on another person’s comfort level, French Canadians may also greet each other by lightly kissing both cheeks once. Hugs, back-slaps, and nods may all be used to greet someone one knows well.

Officially, Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages: French and English. However, most Canadians speak English, followed by English and French, English and some other language, or only French. 

It is much less common for Canadians to speak French, called French-Canadians or Francophones. More than 90% of them live in Quebec — the only province where French is spoken daily. 3.8 million Quebecers speak only French, while another 3.2 million speak both English and French. 

The Canadian English language relies heavily on American pronunciations and spelling, along with a few uniquely Canadian flourishes.

Significant Dates

  • July 1, 1867 – Canada Day. In 1867, the Constitution Act consolidated three territories into the single nation of Canada, and that’s why Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st by all who celebrate it as their home and native land.
  • October 29, 1929 – The Great Depression. The stock markets witnessed their worst crash on a black Tuesday. It was followed by a decade of poor industry, poverty, and unemployment.
  • December 11, 1931 – Canada gets complete independence. Canada has political freedom from Britain under the Statute of Westminster, including the right to pursue an independent foreign policy.
  • February 15, 1965 – The New Flag of Canada. In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II officially made the redesigned maple leaf flag the nation’s national symbol.

Facts About Canada

Whether you’re planning a visit, a study abroad program, or living and working in Canada, you may want to know some unique and interesting facts about the country. 

Here are a few facts about Canada:

  • Canada is the world’s second-largest country. After Russia, Canada is the second largest, with 9.98 million square miles. 
  • The coldest temperature in Canada was -63°C. There was a record-breaking cold temperature of -63.0°C, or 81°F, recorded in Snag, Yukon.
  • Canadians eat the most donuts in the world. There are 30 million people in Canada, and they eat 1 billion donuts annually. The donut is often seen as a symbol of American life, but there are more donut shops in Canada than in any other country.
  • A bear from Canada inspired Winnie the Pooh. Christopher Robin Milne’s father, AA Milne, who wrote the world-famous Winnie the Pooh stories, imported a bear cub from Winnipeg in 1915. This bear was Christopher Robin Milne’s favorite part of the zoo and inspired his father to write the stories.
  • Canada has two deserts. In British Columbia, one desert is 15 miles long and has the only boardwalk in the world. In northern Saskatchewan, there is a second desert on the south edge of Lake Athabasca.
  • You can drink a toe in Canada. As weird as it sounds, it’s true. In Dawson City, there’s a cocktail where people drink whiskey with a human toe inside. It’s called Sour Toe Cocktail. People donate the toes, and there’s a $2,500 fine if you swallow it.

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  • Canadian Culture, Customs and Traditions

The Canadian flag is the most distinctive symbol of Canada.

Canada is the second largest country in the world , covering a total area of about 6.2 million square miles. It consists of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada shares the world's longest land border with the United States. The country derives its name from Iroquoian word Kanata which means “village”.

Canada is a multicultural nation that is ethnically diverse . Today, the country has a population of about 35 million, a significant number of whom are immigrants originating from different corners of the planet. Canada, just like any other country, has a culture that was shaped by history. Waves of migration have collectively blended to create a pleasant and unique custom, traditions , socio-cultural environment, and rituals.

Canada is a bilingual country where French and English are both official languages at the federal level. French is the language of the majority in the province of Quebec, and is a significant language in provinces such as New Brunswick and Ontario. Other provinces primarily use English. New Brunswick is only province to appoint both English and French as official languages at the provincial level. A number of Canadians are bilingual, with some understanding of both French and English.

Apart from the two official languages, several other languages are spoken in Canada. These languages are as a result of migration to the country that has changed over the years. Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, Cantonese, Hindi, and several other languages are the minority languages of Canada.

essay about canada culture

Just like many other developed countries, irreligion is growing in popularity in Canada. A majority of Canadians claim to be religiously affiliated but few observe religion . The country remains Christian dominated state but the number of people claiming no affiliation to religion has been on the rise since the 1980s. Nevertheless, Canada is tolerant to different faiths and beliefs as the country has no official religion.

About 67% of the population identifies with Christianity, with Roman Catholicism and Protestant Christianity being the major religions. The major protestant denominations are United Church of Canada, Baptist, Anglican Church of Canada, and Presbyterian. Minority religions include Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Judaism.

There are several programs that fund artists in Canada at all levels of government. The Governor General’s Award is awarded to artist, musician, writer and cultural performance annually. Performing art center and theatre is spread across the country. The Shaw Festival and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival are also held annually. Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Vancouver are recognized as leading arts centers within the country.

Canadian Literature

Canada is home to a number of literary authors who produce work in either French or English. Some of Canada's most famous authors include Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, Yann Martel, Robert Munsch, Leonard Cohen, and Timothy Findley.

essay about canada culture

It is difficult to identify a particular cuisine and refer to it as a “Canadian cuisine” because the multicultural and multi-ethnic composition of the country has resulted in a wide range of foods and varying preparation techniques. When considering Canadian cuisine, most people think of the maple syrup and the Canadian bacon. Although these foods are uniquely Canadian, they are just but a few of the delicacies available in the country. The culinary styles of the country maybe unique but it is influenced by the styles in Asia, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

One of the food that is considered to be truly Canadian is “poutine”. The original form was invented in the 1950s in Quebec and consist of French fries slathered in cheese curds and gravy. The recipe has since changed and adopted several ways of preparation to vary taste. Sushi pizza is common in the city of Toronto although neither pizza nor sushi are native Canadian cuisines; the combination of the two to form a single dish was invented in the city.

essay about canada culture

Sports are a very important part of the Canadian culture. Ice hockey and lacrosse are the popular sports although football, baseball and cricket also attract the significant number of spectators. Ice hockey is so prevalent in the country that it is simply referred to as “hockey”. It is Canada’s most successful sports in international competitions. Many children learn to play hockey at a very young age and competitions are held frequently including in high schools and colleges.

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Canadians are known to be some of the most polite, tactful, and peace-loving human beings on the planet. In fact, a stereotypical Canadian is someone who apologizes despite not being at fault. To a certain extent, this is true. The society greatly values tolerance, humility as well as non-violence.

To be sure, Canadians have individual traits and quirks. However, the following are 10 cultural norms generally observed in Canadian society. Having an idea of these will lead you to a deeper understanding of Canadian culture and guide you in your adaptation:

Egalitarianism

People are seen as equal in an egalitarian society. This is why hierarchies are not very evident. Everyone is deserving of equal rights and opportunities regardless of gender, age, race or beliefs.

Informality

Most Canadians are casual in dress and language. There are no strict dress codes in the workplace (unless you work in a bank or law office). Clothes are casual to informal. Everyone is on a first-name basis. Even seniors (or superiors) are addressed by their first names. However, when meeting a person for the first time, it would be safe to address them by Mr./Mrs./Ms. (or a professional title like Dr.) and their last name. More often than not, they will tell you that you may address them by their first name later on.

Order and space

Canadians value order and their personal space. They also value personal privacy. This is why salary, family life, weight, age, religion and other personal topics are not discussed openly. It is also understood that a person has rights over their own property. It is expected that anyone should ask permission first before using anything that is not theirs. Disruptive behavior, such as cutting in line, speaking out of turn, shouting, talking loudly are frowned upon. Decorum is part of keeping order and respecting other people’s space.

Individualistic yet community-oriented

Canadians are serious about meeting their responsibility to the community. Despite being individualistic, community life is a priority. Canadians care about their community. They also volunteer, and donate to charity. By the way, did you know that Manitoba is the province with most people per capita who donate to charities? This is a title generous Manitoba has kept since 1997. Leading the most generous Manitoban cities are Steinbach and Winkler.

Punctuality

Being on time is highly valued in Canada. Punctuality is a sign of respect. Everyone is expected to arrive on time or at least five-10 minutes earlier. Similarly, deadlines are taken seriously. It is an indication of one’s integrity.

Respect is shown through politeness, punctuality, tolerance, and social order. It is considered harassment to talk badly about a person’s looks, their beliefs, age, gender, and status in life. Communication is indirect and diplomatic. However, Canadians can disagree, but tactfully. Communication is also practical, especially in the workplace. You are expected to be clear and direct, and speak up for yourself.

Multiculturalism and diversity

Canada developed into a strong nation by welcoming immigrants. It continues to value the diversity that various cultures contribute to society. In 1971, Canada became the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy . This affirmed people’s rights in maintaining their own unique cultural identity. The policy also promotes cross-cultural understanding and harmony.

Political correctness

Political correctness means not saying or doing things that exclude, insult, or marginalize groups of people. Because Canada is diverse and multicultural, being politically correct is essential to living harmoniously with everyone.

Regionalism

Some say that Canadians have an affinity to their province or region, sometimes more than their country. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia , “regional identities were formed after Europeans settled across the continent among distinct First Nations tribes. Today, regionalism is expressed in various provincial identities, in our economy, and in the daily textures of life in different parts of the land.”

These may be generalizations, but it is said that the Atlantic provinces (the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador) are reserved and old-fashioned; Ontario is business-like and conservative; people in Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) are open and friendly; British Columbia is unconventional and progressive; Quebec is distinct and autonomous; and the North (Yukon, the Northern Territories and Nunavut) has a strong pioneering spirit.

Love for the environment

Canadians are proud of their rich natural resources. They have deep respect for the environment. They appreciate nature. You can see this in the way that parks and open spaces are maintained. They also adopt environment-friendly policies.     Sources: Cultural Information-Canada ; Commisceo Global , Canadian Cultures , University of Winnipeg; and Regionalism , The Canadian Encyclopedia. Accessed and updated November 6, 2018.

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1 . Question

1. In an egalitarian society, an individual’s status and position in society will determine how well he/she will be treated.

2 . Question

2. For the most part, Canadians tend to dress ________ at the workplace.

  • (a) Informally
  • (b) Formally
  • (c) Strictly

3 . Question

3. Some sensitive topics to avoid in conversations include

  • (a) religion
  • (b) food preference

4 . Question

4. What does it mean to “speak out of turn”?

  • (a) It means to praise someone in front of others.
  • (b) It means to speak very loudly.
  • (c) It means to say something you should not have said, especially if you did not have the authority to do so.

5 . Question

5. Select the synonym for “pragmatic”.

  • (a) Sensible
  • (b) Idealistic
  • (c) Punctual

6 . Question

6. Select the definition for “marginalize”.

  • (a) To say or write very harsh and critical things about someone.
  • (b) To put or keep someone in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group.
  • (c) To treat a person in a harsh or harmful way.

7 . Question

7. According to the article, which province is often seen as open and friendly?

  • (a) Newfoundland
  • (b) Ontario
  • (c) Manitoba

8 . Question

8. Preserving and protecting the environment is important to Canadians.

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Home > Blog > Culture, Identity, Community: An Excerpt on the Origins of Canada Day

Culture, Identity, Community: An Excerpt on the Origins of Canada Day

June 28, 2019 Books , Excerpts

So turn up the “Patio Lanterns” and kick off your weekend festivities with some background on one of our favourite holidays. Learn more in “Canada’s Day: Inventing a Tradition, Defining a Culture.” Have a safe and happy long weekend!

Excerpt from Celebrating Canada: Holidays, National Days, and the Crafting of Identities .

Chapter 11: Canada’s Day: Inventing a Tradition, Defining a Culture

The manner in which the anniversary of Confederation – 1 July 1867 – has been celebrated in an official capacity has varied widely over the years. Parliament Hill has hosted acts as disparate as Ukrainian Shumka dancers, world-renowned jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, a ballet pas-de-deux, the Calgary Safety Patrol Jamboree, and pop stars from René Simard to Anne Murray. In more recent years, the official celebrations have featured Canadian pop, country, and indie musical stars, including Metric, Carly Rae Jepsen, Marianas Trench, Marie-Mai, and Serena Ryder. The format of the official celebrations has ranged from displays of military pageantry to ethnic folk festivals to variety shows featuring big-name stars. In some years, the government sponsored extravaganzas on Parliament Hill that were televised across the nation. In others, the Ottawa celebrations were downsized and downplayed in favour of funding community-based celebrations. Yet amid this diversity of form and content, what perhaps is most surprising is the fact that, prior to 1958, the federal government had organized only two celebrations of the anniversary of Canada’s founding – in 1917 and 1927, the fiftieth and sixtieth anniversaries of Confederation. Apart from these major events, July 1st passed practically unobserved at the national level. As the chapters in this volume by Forrest Pass, Gillian Leitch, Lianbi Zhu, and Timothy Baycroft demonstrate, there were a number of different ways that Dominion Day was observed in various communities across Canada in the decades following Confederation, but the federal government was absent from these events as either an organizer or funder.

Government-sponsored annual celebrations of July 1st were instituted when Canada was passing through a period of national re-examination. By the mid-1950s, many Canadians no longer took for granted that Canada had a well-defined national culture, primarily rooted in British traditions. Changing immigration patterns and increased discontent from francophone Quebec led to a questioning of Canadian identity. A declining British Empire and changing trade relations prompted some to call for a rethinking of Canada’s role in international affairs and of its relations with the United States. In its 1951 report, the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters, and Sciences (the Massey Commission) called on the federal government to assume a role in the promotion of Canadian culture. Many wondered what Canadian culture and identity would look like by the 1967 centennial.

While a host of different ethno-cultural groups, artists, authors, and lobbyists advanced various prescriptions for how Canadian identity and culture would and should develop, the federal government was also seeking to exert some direction over an “official” Canadian culture that it would sanction and support through various programs and policies. The celebrations that it sponsored for July 1st are a fascinating case study of the type of national identity and culture that it wanted to support. As the following discussion will demonstrate, these celebrations varied substantially from year to year, as different government ministers, bureaucrats, and interest groups tried to shape a tradition of national, state-sponsored celebrations of Canadian identity and culture. This was a highly contested process, which extended not only to the content of these state-sponsored celebrations, but also to their structure and form. An examination of the celebrations of what was variously termed Dominion Day, Canada Week, Canada’s Birthday, and ultimately Canada Day provides a crucial window into the federal government’s emergent cultural policy and how it was wedded to the broader political objectives of the day. These objectives and policies shifted substantially from when these celebrations were initially instituted in 1958 to the forms that they would assume by the late-1980s and beyond. These shifts were shaped by four major forces: changing conceptions of the meaning of the Canadian nation and the place of individuals and communities within it; divergent opinions of what elements of Canadian culture should be included in official celebrations; political and economic factors that defined the desirable formats of the festivities; and an evolving conception of what role the mass media could and should play in fostering mass participation in these events.

Imagined Communities and Invented Traditions: A Bit of Theory

Canada was led by six prime ministers between 1958, when official federally sponsored Dominion Day celebrations were launched, and the early 1990s, by which point a standard structure for Canada Day celebrations had been settled upon. Each prime minister had different ideas about the direction of the country, and each government approached the celebration of July 1st with a clear aim of fostering a sense of national community by inventing a nation-wide tradition. In this respect, these governments were engaging in processes of creating linkages between Canadians and crafting the ideology and identity of the Canadian “imagined community,” to use political scientist Benedict Anderson’s useful concept. Anderson explored the processes by which individuals came to think of themselves as members of communities, and ultimately nations, even though they lived great distances from each other and would likely never meet most of their fellow citizens in person – a geographic challenge that is particularly significant in a state as vast as Canada. Anderson argued that a number of different elements fostered a sense of commonality among members of national communities. The development of a national mass media through print capitalism was crucial to this process. Anderson posited that a diverse group of people reading a given newspaper, for example, albeit in different locations, would feel a sense of community because all these individuals were reading the same news, at the same time, about the same people whom the publishers had decided were important for their readership to learn about. This was a way of creating a sense of shared national experience for people who did not necessarily live in immediate proximity to each other. As will become clear, organizers of Canadian celebrations sought to create similar shared experiences for citizens, whether in person or mediated by television, on their national day. This project relates to the argument of Maurice Charland, writing in a Canadian context, about how Canadian governments have attempted to deploy a form of “technological nationalism,” first by building railways and transportation networks, and then by constructing radio and television communication systems to bind together a geographically vast country through a web of shared telecommunications.

Historians Eric Hobsbawm and Terence Ranger’s concept of “invente traditions” is also directly pertinent to this analysis. Hobsbawm, Ranger, and their colleagues were among the first to seriously investigate the development of rituals and how they were tied into nation-building projects. Specifically, they argued that many so-called rituals and national traditions were in fact relatively recent inventions. These traditions – anthems, folk activities, and the like – were assumed to have ancient historic roots, yet many were in fact invented by governments and elites to provide cultural reinforcement for relatively new national political boundaries. Although Canada’s political boundaries were more or less well established by the 1950s, the nation’s identity and culture were clearly in flux, and the state took an active interest in shaping the direction in which they would evolve. As Stuart Ward discusses in chapter 13 in this volume, such a phenomenon was common to many settler countries throughout the British Commonwealth, and they engaged in similar processes of state-directed efforts to craft new or modified national identities using commemorative and celebratory events.

The case of the celebration of July 1st appears to fit well into these theoretical models of nation building. In June 1868, Governor General Monck called for a celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the Dominion of Canada and “enjoin[ed] and call[ed] upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the due and proper celebration of the said Anniversary on the said FIRST day of JULY next.” There was uncertainty, however, as to whether this proclamation meant that 1 July was a legal holiday. A bill put forth the following year by Thomas McConkey, Liberal member of Parliament for Simcoe North, to make Dominion Day a legal holiday ran into stiff opposition from both Liberal and Conservative MPs, largely because of lingering hostile feelings towards Confederation from Nova Scotia. Indeed, William Chipman, an anti-Confederate-turned-Liberal MP from that province, argued that it would be a “day of lamentation” and further evidence of the powerlessness of Nova Scotians should the bill succeed. McConkey opted to withdraw the bill after second reading.

It would be a further decade before a Senate bill introduced by Dr Robert Carrall of British Columbia led to Dominion Day being officially made a public holiday in 1879. In the Senate debates on the Dominion Day bill, it became clear that July 1st was being observed as a de facto holiday in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, but not necessarily in the other four provinces. Moreover, representatives from Nova Scotia noted the lingering bad blood over Confederation in their province, while Conservative Senator Clement Cornwall of British Columbia objected to the bill because the Terms of Union of that province’s admission to Confederation were as yet unfulfilled. The bill was, however, adopted by the Senate and swiftly passed through the House of Commons that year.

Although Dominion Day was legally a public holiday from 1879 onwards, very little was done by the federal government to officially observe the day over the first ninety years following Confederation. The fiftieth anniversary celebrations in 1917 were largely overshadowed by the First World War. The only major anniversary celebration was the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation in 1927, an event that included a national radio broadcast from Parliament Hill. Robert Cupido has considered how the radio broadcast might have reached many Canadians with the means to afford radio receivers, but contends that many others would have been excluded from these celebrations because of a lack of access to this technology. Jane Nicholas has considered how the Diamond Jubilee celebrations served to reinforce particular conceptions of gender, shoring up a bourgeois masculinity threatened by the modern era. As Robert Talbot points out, the Mackenzie King government saw the Diamond Jubilee as an opportunity to advance a bicultural conception of Canada through the festivities.

Apart from the jubilee, Dominion Day was primarily observed as a day off work, when Canadians would head to their cottages, host a barbecue, attend a sporting event, or otherwise enjoy the beginning of summer. As is evident from Forrest Pass’s chapter, for example, many towns and cities organized community-based celebrations, but nothing was done at the national level to try to make July 1st a celebration of Canadian nationhood. As the chapters by Marcel Martel, Joel Belliveau, Brittney Anne Bos, and Allison Marie Ward demonstrate, Empire Day was the site of similar municipally organized parades and school-based activities, while Victoria Day, after it was adopted as a national holiday in 1901 (discussed in Chris Tait’s chapter), was an occasion for picnics, leisure, and fireworks displays. One should be careful not to assume that these and other holidays that lacked federal state ceremonial events and pageantry were devoid of importance or meaning. The fact that they were holidays was itself of significance to Canadians, and indeed labour movement leaders could attest to the complicated nature of how individuals responded to holidays. While union organizers wanted workers to march in parades and attend formal picnics on Labour Day, many were happy to have the day off for rest and relaxation with family and friends.

From 1958 onwards, each federal government attempted to develop or modify the tradition of celebrating July 1st. The manner in which this process unfolded was shaped by different conceptions of what sort of culture Canada should (or did) have, the extent to which organizers wanted to explicitly tie cultural celebrations to national unity, and varying conceptions of what form of celebration would best foster a sense of a common Canadian culture. In the first thirty years of these celebrations, various models were tested to foster new traditions. Yet, inconsistencies in approach and content appear to have delayed the implantation of a tradition of celebrating July 1st as a national holiday.

Part of the delay in settling on a format for these celebrations and determining their content can be accounted for by the heated debates about Canadian identity that were ongoing in the immediate postwar period. Such debates have been the subject of an important and growing body of scholarship. As authors in a series of volumes edited by Phillip Buckner and R. Douglas Francis have observed, these were decades in which Canada was rethinking its relationship to the British world. It was also a period in which Canadians simultaneously embraced economic, defence, and cultural ties to the United States while also worrying that Canada would lose its distinctive identity. It was these fears, in part, that prompted the creation of the Massey Commission in 1949. This commission recommended steps to bolster Canadian culture, but its vision was clearly rooted in “high culture” institutions such as literature, dance, theatre, and universities – all elements that were closely tied to Canada’s British heritage. The Massey approach largely ignored, when it was not overtly disdainful of, the more “popular” forms of culture from the United States, including radio, popular music, popular fiction, and the emergence of television. It would not be until the 1960s that the Canadian government began to try more actively to champion a “Canadian” popular culture. This ambivalence about “high” versus “popular” culture would play out in significant ways in how July 1st was celebrated.

If Canada were to move away from its traditional, British-oriented cultural identity, there was active debate over what direction this move might take, to what extent it should occur, and whether all Canadians would embrace it. José Igartua and Bryan Palmer have both argued that, by the 1960s, the traditional model of Canadian identity had broken down. Palmer contends that no new culture had replaced it, while Igartua contends a bilingual, multicultural identity was emerging as its replacement. Chris Champion, on the other hand, sees a British influence even in the new symbols that were emerging, such as the new Maple Leaf flag, while Gary Miedema argues that public religion persisted in Canada’s public commemorations. Canada’s First Nations occupied an uncertain place in this evolving Canadian identity, although their presence and contributions were increasingly seen as important. How they were conceived as “fitting in” changed over time and fluctuated between assimilationist messages and ones that were more open to cultural preservation. Such challenges to traditional British cultural identity have been and continue to be present throughout post-Confederation history in both national and provincial celebrations, but a new discourse on multiculturalism was emerging, however tenuously, by the 1960s. That other ethno-cultural communities would seek to be included in a redefined Canadian identity is not surprising, given how extensively many ethnic communities had been excluded from full participation in Canadian society, as Lianbi Zhu and Timothy Baycroft’s chapter on Chinese-Canadian protest activity on Dominion Day shows. While many French-Canadian and Acadian minority communities welcomed this new openness, Québécois nationalists often failed to see themselves in these new models of Canada. Indeed, Marc-André Gagnon’s chapter clearly shows how Québécois leaders explicitly observed a celebration that was a rival to its English-Canadian counterpart. Also, as Eva Mackey points out, even if, by the time of Canada’s 125th birthday celebrations in 1992 the federal government were articulating a new model of a bilingual, multicultural Canada that showed increased openness to First Nations, there was still a mass of white, unmarked “Canadian-Canadians” who neither accepted this new identity nor saw themselves reflected in it. Even if many Canadians did accept this new national identity, some were more interested in how their local and regional identities were articulated and addressed. Certainly the process of defining, articulating, and promoting new conceptions of Canadian identity was hotly contested, which helps explain the tumultuous process of inventing a tradition of celebrating Canada’s national holiday, to which we now turn.

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Multiculturalism

Article by Jack Jedwab

Published Online June 27, 2011

Last Edited March 20, 2020

Canada’s federal multiculturalism policy was adopted in 1971 by Pierre Trudeau ’s Liberal government. An unexpected by-product of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963–69), multiculturalism was intended as a policy solution to manage both rising francophone nationalism, particularly in Quebec ( see French-Canadian Nationalism ; The Quiet Revolution ), and increasing cultural diversity across the country. Canada was the first country in the world to adopt a multiculturalism policy. The federal multiculturalism policy marked its 50th anniversary in 2021.

Multicultural Mural

The initial idea behind multiculturalism was brought to popular attention by John Murray Gibbon’s 1938 book Canadian Mosaic: The Making of a Northern Nation , which challenged the US-born idea of cultural assimilation, known as the “melting pot.” However, it was not until the 1960s that multiculturalism emerged as an object of national conversation about Canadian identity .

The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism

The origins of Canada’s multiculturalism policy can be found in the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963–69).

The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was appointed to investigate the state of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada. The commission was a response to the growing unrest among French Canadians in Quebec, who called for the protection of their language and culture, and opportunities to participate fully in political and economic decision making (see Quiet Revolution ). The commission's findings led to changes in French education across the country, the creation of the federal ministry of multiculturalism and the Official Languages Act (1969) .

Two years later, in 1971, Canada’s multiculturalism policy was adopted. The policy acknowledged that Canadians come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, and that all cultures have intrinsic value. In a speech in the House of Commons in April of 1971, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau introduced it as “a policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework,” a policy that would complement the Official Languages Act by facilitating the integration of new Canadians into one or both of the official language communities. “Although there are two official languages, there is no official culture,” said Trudeau.

Multiculturalism was not welcomed by everyone. Opposition to the federal multiculturalism policy was strongest in the province of Quebec.

Evolution of Multicultural Policy in Canada

Federal multicultural policies and programs have evolved considerably since they were first introduced in 1971.

Ethnicity Multiculturalism (1970s)

The initial approach taken by the government might be described as “ethnicity multiculturalism.” During the early 1970s, financial assistance was extended to certain ethno-cultural organizations for the promotion of cultural heritage. Modest support was provided for folkloric and artistic ethno-cultural expression.

Early opponents of federal multiculturalism argued the program discouraged social integration. Some charged that the real purpose of the funding was to secure political support from ethnic minority populations. Despite such criticisms, multiculturalism remained popular with Canadians, though to a lesser extent in Quebec.

Equity or Rights-Based Multiculturalism (1980s)

Prior to 1970, much of Canada’s immigration was from European countries. However, the Immigration Act of 1976 lifted some restrictions on immigration from non-European countries ( see Immigration Policy in Canada ). The ensuing shift in demographics prompted calls to rethink multicultural policies with a focus on the need to combat discrimination. There were also calls to move away from supporting the cultural and/or folkloric expression of ethnic groups. As a result, equity or rights-based multiculturalism increasingly defined the policies and programs of the 1980s.

The 1982 patriation of the Canadian Constitution added a Charter of Rights . Section 27 stipulated that the Charter “shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.” While the section created a basis for how other sections might be applied, it did not provide a legislative framework for multicultural policy and therefore did not prescribe what government had to do to implement and advance multiculturalism. But many Canadians began to associate multiculturalism with other basic and rights and freedoms enshrined in the Charter, such as freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

However, the Quebec government did not sign the 1982 Constitution. And so, in 1987, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney ’s Conservative government sought the agreement of all provinces to amend the constitution with an offer of recognition for Quebec’s distinct character (“distinct society”). Known as the Meech Lake Accord , the proposed constitutional amendment also called for the recognition of official language minorities, including the “recognition that the existence of French-speaking Canadians…constitutes a fundamental characteristic of Canada.” Meech Lake did not affect any of the provisions of the constitution that relate to Indigenous peoples in Canada or section 27 of the Charter, which related to multiculturalism ( see also Meech Lake Accord: Document ).

Brian Mulroney

The Accord failed to secure the required consent of all provinces. Nevertheless, in 1988 the federal government passed the Multiculturalism Act (Bill C-93). It was aimed at promoting “the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society.”

In the late 1980s, concerns resurfaced about Canadian unity. Some opponents of multiculturalism believed that ethnic minority attachments to the cultures of their countries of origin were the main threat to Canadian identity. In their view, multiculturalism encouraged divisive dual and multiple identities and, in so doing, prevented citizens from simply describing themselves as Canadians.

Anti-Racism/Anti-Discrimination Multiculturalism (1990s)

During the 1990s, federal multiculturalism policies and programs placed greater emphasis on eliminating barriers to economic and social participation of immigrants and designated minority groups. In 1995, the federal government passed employment equity legislation that, among other things, required that information be gathered in order to determine the degree of the underrepresentation of persons in designated groups, notably the country’s visible minorities . Since 1996, the census has collected information about visible minorities in Canada and multiculturalism aimed at eliminating racism and discrimination , assisting institutions to become more responsive to Canada’s diversity.

Public Discourse on Canadian Multiculturalism

There are many examples of critics and champions of multiculturalism in Canada. Here are two:

Neil Bissoondath

With his 1994 publication Selling Illusions: The Cult of Multiculturalism in Canada, author Neil Bissoondath emerged as one of Canada’s most outspoken public critics of multiculturalism. He argued that the policy undermined Canada’s bicultural nature and thereby undermined Canadian identity ( see Canadian Identity and Language ). He insisted that the encouragement of ethnic differences led immigrants to adopt a “psychology of separation” which created distinct communities and prevented newcomers from becoming fully part of the mainstream culture. He suggested that this threatened Canadian unity and cohesion.

Will Kymlicka

With his 1995 book Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights, philosopher Will Kymlicka emerged as one of the leading proponents of multiculturalism. He articulated a typology of minority rights, which includes self-government rights (for Quebec), special representation rights (for Indigenous peoples) and polyethnic rights (which he defines as legal and financial support for the protection of specific cultural practices). In a later publication, Finding Our Way: Rethinking Ethnocultural Relations in Canada (1998) , Kymlicka presented evidence that multiculturalism did not decrease the rate of immigrant integration. Using data on naturalization rates for immigrants, levels of political participation among ethnocultural groups, and rates at which new Canadians can speak an official language and rates of intermarriage, Kymlicka argued that the multiculturalism policy has worked, and that there is no evidence that it has promoted ethnic separateness.

Multiculturalism in Quebec

Initial Rejection of Multiculturalism in Quebec

As mentioned earlier, multiculturalism was not welcomed by everyone in Canada. Opposition to the federal multiculturalism policy was strongest in Quebec, the only province in which French is the majority language. For example, premier Robert Bourassa insisted that the federal policy was founded on a questionable dissociation of culture from language. He argued that the policy of multiculturalism was not suited to the majority-French province. Claude Ryan , then-publisher of the Quebec French-language newspaper Le Devoir , warned that federal multicultural policy challenged the recognition of Canada’s two founding peoples (the English and the French). Many Quebecers expressed concerns that multiculturalism seemed to place French culture on an equal footing with all other ethno-cultural groups.

Charter of the French Language (1977)

In 1977, the government of Quebec introduced the Charter of the French language (Bill 101) which made French the province’s official language. In contrast with the federal model of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework, Bill 101 was described as unilingual and culturally pluralist. In an article titled “Ethnic Minorities in the New Québec” published in 1978, Camille Laurin , Bill 101’s chief architect, explained that in order to live together in the same nation, different ethnic groups must be able to speak and understand each other using French as the common language. “Hence,” he added, “a national language and common culture are useful, although they do not preclude the continued use of ethnic languages and maintaining of individual cultures.”

Bill 101 addressed a widely held concern among many francophones that without language legislation, newcomers would inevitably integrate into the English-speaking community while selectively retaining their ethnic identities. In 1978, under the Cullen/Couture agreement, the government of Canada transferred responsibility to the Quebec government for the selection of economic immigrants and the province thus assumed increased authority for programs in the area of newcomer integration and cultural retention ( see Quebec Immigration Policy .)

René Lévesque

“Many Ways of Being a Quebecer” (1981)

Under Premier René Lévesque , in 1981 the Parti Québécois formally rejected federal multiculturalism. In its place, the government of Quebec proposed a policy of “cultural convergence.” The policy was entitled “Many ways of being a Quebecer.” Its principal objective was to “ensure the maintenance and development of cultural communities and their specificities, make French-speaking Quebecers aware of the contribution of cultural communities to our common heritage and finally promote the integration of cultural communities in Quebec society and especially in sectors where they are particularly underrepresented.”

Some critics suggested that the Quebec government’s policies and programs regarding the province’s ethno-cultural communities looked somewhat like multiculturalism in the French language, and thus resembled what the federal government had introduced in the previous decade.

The Bouchard-Taylor Commission on Reasonable Accommodation (2007–08)

In Quebec, the public discussion over the accommodation of religious diversity has been especially vocal. In 2007 Liberal Premier Jean Charest announced the creation of a provincial Commission to investigate the issue of accommodating cultural and religious differences. Over several months, Commission co-chairs Gérard Bouchard and Charles Taylor heard public testimony from Quebec francophones denouncing multiculturalism.

In their report, the Commissioners noted that “multiculturalism is presented as though it solely takes into account recognition and affirmation of difference with no regard for integrating elements such as the teaching of national languages and intercultural exchange programs. It is this truncated version of multiculturalism that often prevails in Quebec, as though this model had not evolved in Canada since its adoption nearly 40 years ago.”

The Commissioners concluded that the Canadian multiculturalism model was not well adapted to conditions in Quebec. They proposed that Quebec opt for a model of interculturalism with the stated intention of “reconcil[ing] ethnocultural diversity with the continuity of the French-speaking core.” Through the institution of French as the “common public language” of Quebec and promoting cross-cultural interaction, an intercultural model was said to “afford security to Quebecers of French-Canadian origin and to ethno-cultural minorities and protects the rights of all, in keeping with the liberal tradition.” They also pointed to the need to clearly define the lines of separation of religion from government. The Commissioners recommended a ban on persons wearing religious symbols in what were referred to as positions of authority, notably judges, Crown prosecutors, prison guards and police officers. Nine years after the Report was issued, co-chair Charles Taylor revisited his stand and argued that such a ban was no longer required.

Multiculturalism in the Early 21st Century

Most Canadians think of multiculturalism as a demographic reality that acknowledges the diverse ethnic makeup of the Canadian population . However, there is ongoing debate over the message that multicultural policy conveys to Canadians, particularly to immigrants.

Over its first 30 years, the principal challenges confronting multiculturalism involved reconciling support for ethnic diversity, the preservation of the French language and the promotion of Canadian identity. While such debates have persisted into the 21st century, they’ve largely given way to the view that the message of multiculturalism promotes excessive accommodation of cultural and religious diversity at the expense of promoting social cohesion and common values. Others see the multicultural message as discouraging newcomers from adopting Canadian values. This, in turn, makes them less likely to participate in the mainstream culture and society and encourages the creation of ethnic ghettos.

In recent years, there has been a greater acknowledgement and acceptance of mixed and multiple identities in Canada. While most Canadians appear favourable to the ideal of multiculturalism, research suggests that support for the accommodation of religious diversity is more divided.

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  • immigration
  • multiculturalism

Further Reading

J.Jedwab, The Multicultural Question: Debating Identity in 21 st Century Canada, (2014)

G. Bouchard. Interculturalism: A View from Quebec, 2015 S, Guo and L. Wong, Revisiting Multiculturalism in Canada: Theories, Policies and Debates, (2015)

J.W. Berry, R. Kalin and D. Taylor,  Multiculturalism and Ethnic Attitudes in Canada  (1977)

B. Samuda, J.W. Berry and R. Laferriere,  Multiculturalism in Canada  (1984)

L. Driedger,  Multi-Ethnic Canada  (1996)

W.W. Isajiw,  Multiculturalism in North America and Europe  (1997)

P.R. Magocsi,  Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples  (1999)

A. Fleras and J.L. Elliott,  Engaging Diversity: Multiculturalism in Canada  (2002)

Y. Abu-Laban and C. Gabriel,  Selling Diversity: Immigration, Multiculturalism, Equity and Globalization  (2002)

R. Takaki,  Debating Diversity  (2002)

L. Driedger,  Multiculturalism: Bridging Ethnicity, Culture, Religion and Race  (2008)

P. Ryan,  Multicultiphobia  (2010)

External Links

Canadian Multiculturalism Day

Canadian Heritage's guide to celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day.

Recommended

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This Is the Year to Read Some ‘Best Canadian Essays’

An eclectic collection brings new meaning to things from the ‘before times.’.

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Dorothy Woodend is culture editor for The Tyee. Reach her here .

essay about canada culture

As we’re edging towards 2021, it’s an excellent time to reflect back with the eclectic new collection Best Canadian Essays 2020 . It’s the kind of selection one can slide into like a pool of water, immersive, encompassing, edging deeper into places where your feet leave the ground and you’re buoyed along on eddying currents of words.

From writer Wayne Grady’s elegant examination of syncopes (fainting, in the common parlance) to Michelle Orange’s dissection of democratic ideals in “How Free Is Too Free?”, each essay is a self-contained vessel of issues and ideas.

Nestled together, works from writers as varied and idiosyncratic as Benjamin Leszcz, Christina Sharpe, Tyee contributing editor Andrew Nikiforuk, Amorina Kingdon, Michael LaPointe, Carl Wilson and Andy Lamey form a larger portrait of where we were and where we might be headed.

In her introduction, editor Sarmishta Subramanian offers an eloquent assessment of the year.

“This book — like most that have found their way into the world this fall — began life in the Before Times. These essays were written in a long-ago 2019, and I read many of them, and others, in an also distant 2020 in a café with an elegant sofa, a cup of bergamot-scented tea on the table before me. Sometimes (glorious to think of now) I’d be annoyed by the music — dramatic French songs or bad contemporary pop that I would never listen to at home — or find myself distracted by a years-old New Yorker left on the table: the sort of accidental diversions we used to encounter in those times, a consequence of sharing spaces that were not our own with people we didn’t know. The loss of novelty is not the point, but rather of unpredictability, the unknown, the uncontrollable, the unpatrolled.”

“Exactly the opposite impulses guide us today. At some point along this book’s journey, the world changed.”

That was then and this is now.

The Tyee posed a few questions to Subramanian about the process of putting the book together in this most remarkable of years. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

The Tyee: In your introduction to the book of essays, the line “It reads a different way in a new world” is striking. Many of the essays lend themselves in curious ways to the new paradigm that we’re all experiencing. Did some of these developing and ongoing resonances surprise you?

Sarmishta Subramanian : They did, although maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. The year’s events have been so dramatic — the pandemic, but also protests over racial justice, climate fires, an epic American election campaign. For long stretches it was difficult to think of much else and, for many of us, things from the Before Times have been suddenly overlaid with new meanings. 

Wayne Grady’s essay on syncopes, by the time I read it, seemed written for these times — a disruption to rhythms after which nothing is the same! Christina Sharpe’s essay, when I re-read it in lockdown, post-George Floyd, went from being a stunning piece about growing up poor and Black in America and finding beauty in precarity to a piece that was poetically universal but also vivified these new conversations we were having about race and justice.

Do you think people are reading differently in this pandemic period, perhaps wanting something more expansive as an escape from the daily doomscrolling of the news cycle and social media?

The doomscroll is so entrenched a habit, and there is just so much doom to scroll now! But yes, if the spike in book sales in 2020 tells us anything, it’s that we are also craving comfort, escape, meaning, understanding. We seem to have bought more social justice books, more bucket-list books, more fiction, more summer reads, more kids’ books, more everything. I think there is a hunger for understanding and, in a sense, for connection — even if, or because, the pandemic has wreaked havoc on personal connection of other sorts.

You make reference to the original meaning of the word essay, meaning an attempt or try . How important was it in terms of the selection process to look for work that pushed the boundaries of the form or explored issues and ideas outside of the mainstream?

This is a really good question. I think I went for writing that took me somewhere new, whether it was through poetic first-person narrative or robust argument or philosophical rumination or travelogue or all of the above. Perhaps unfashionably, I leaned toward essaying in the sense of working through ideas in interesting ways and exploring perspectives I didn’t see in other places — whatever the form. And I think, like many other readers right now, I gravitated toward writing that tried to make sense of some of the big questions of our time, and writers who had something original to say about things we’re all trying to understand.

When selecting work for the collection, were there any ideas that you wanted to have included from the outset or was it a more serendipitous process of happy discoveries?

It truly was a serendipitous process. I came to this exercise as a long-time magazine editor and, as you know as an editor yourself, when you are editing, you are thinking actively about the ideas you want to put out into the world, about factors like mix. Curating this collection was more a process of bobbing along and discovering ideas that were out in the world and collecting the ones that I found most resonant, most urgent, most thought-provoking.

What factors did you take into consideration when selecting work?

Much of this happened organically too, though I did strive for variety in subject matter, perspectives, writing style, tone. I probably had a bias toward longer pieces when I read, but there were short pieces that contained worlds.

The most important factors really were the quality of the writing and the ideas, and a resonance in this moment. Of course, if I had read an obscure but excellent 4,000-word essay on elevator buttons, I would have included that. And, now that I think of it, a 4,000-word essay on elevator buttons probably would have some real resonances for this moment! Anxiety around new technology, the future of urban density, intimacy with strangers. Everything connects.

Many of the selected essays begin with a personal approach to larger ideas, whether it’s Grady’s experience of syncopes or Carl Wilson’s examination of cancel culture via the figure of Michael Jackson. Do you see this approach as a way for writers to ground more abstract concepts within the writer’s own lived experience?

I think the personal is a natural springboard for the exploration of more abstract ideas. And there’s a long tradition, starting with Montaigne, of thinking about the world by starting with one’s corner of it. That said, I didn’t necessarily seek out that personal element, and I’m also always happy to discover essays that don’t rely on it.

When I read the first few pages of Sontag’s On Photography for the first time, I was struck by how unapologetically she declared the world as she saw it. There was no couching anything, no attempt to confine her observations to her own experience, no elegant essayist version of “IMHO.” There’s an arrogance about that, certainly, a lack of concern that her experience may not be universal or with perspectives she might be missing, but, especially in a woman writer, the confidence is bracing! Ideally one gets to read a mix — beautiful and funny personal essays; essays that tie the personal to the global or political; more dispassionate critical essays.  

What would you like for readers to take from the selection of work in its entirety?

I talked in the introductory essay about the disappearance of the accidental in these strange times — how the element of chance has become an element of risk, and so everything we do now has to be very intentional and careful and planned.

 [Tyee]

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Canadian Culture

Core concepts.

The Indigenous people and nations of North America are the traditional custodians of the land, having inhabited it for at least 15,000 years before Europeans arrived. The process of colonisation caused existing Indigenous populations to experience widespread violence and dispossession of their land, fracturing and marginalising their communities and cultural identities.

Since the modern formation of Canada, mass immigration has dramatically changed the social demographics of the population and established a western European cultural mainstream. The following cultural profile depicts this newly dominant culture – a Western society and value system influenced by continual migration to the American continent.

  • Unity in diversity
  • Informality
  • Sensitivity

Known as ‘the just society’, Canada’s culture is underpinned by its tolerance, respect and community-orientation. Canadians are generally individualistic, yet they also emphasise and value everyone’s contribution to their community. This has translated into the nation’s role on the global stage; it has been involved in all of the UN’s peacekeeping missions and is a big donor to foreign aid. In many ways, Canada leads by example – something its people take pride in. Canadians tend to see themselves as reasonable and inclusive people. They are generally very polite.

Canada is heavily influenced by its proximity to the USA. As a large majority of Canadians live within 100km of the Canada/USA border, there are similarities in behaviour and accent. Canadians share the informality, freedom of expression, pioneer spirit (particularly in the north of the country) and entrepreneurial imagination of the USA. Yet, Canadians tend to be noticeably more modest, indirect and considered in voicing their opinions. Canadian society has also harnessed cultural diversity as a source of unity in a distinct manner.

Canada emphasises egalitarianism and mutual respect. As the distribution of wealth often does not always reflect a principle of equality, the class divide within Canadian society is a somewhat hidden, awkward issue. Nevertheless, overt class distinctions within Canadian society are difficult to discern. Affluent people will sometimes identify themselves as being middle-class, reflecting a somewhat subdued attitude in regard to achievement, winning and success. Canadians tend to favour the underdog and avoid making people feel inferior because of a lower socioeconomic position. Conspicuous signs of wealth and luxury are rarely exhibited. Yet, this ‘ tall poppy syndrome ’ is not as strong in Canada as it is in other ex-British colonies, such as Australia or New Zealand.

Anglophone and Francophone Canada

Canada was originally settled by both Britain and France, and English and French are both official languages. English and French speakers are referred to as the Anglophone and Francophone populations, respectively. Anglophones are the majority in all provinces and territories except Québec (in which French is the official language) and are seen as representing the mainstream culture of Canada. Francophones are often recognised as being a more cohesive linguistic group, as their language is more regionally specific and only spoken at home by roughly 20% of the population. A Francophone is not necessarily a French-Canadian (a descendant of the original French colonialists); rather, the term encompasses any predominantly French speaker who affiliates with French-Canadian society more closely than mainstream Canadian society.

There are a few cultural differences between Anglophones and Francophones. These are less pronounced than if one were comparing a British and French person, but derive from those same cultural origins. While both are noticeably courteous and polite, Anglophones are slightly more reserved in most behavioural norms and communication. They tend to maintain a calm and low-key presence. Francophones have retained a strong independent streak characteristic of French libertarianism. Nationalist French-Canadians have repeatedly campaigned for separation from the dominant Anglophone society. There is ongoing discussion about Québec’s provincial independence and debate as to whether this nationalism remains rooted in ethnic and cultural difference or is best viewed as a linguistic or territorial argument.

Bi-Cultural Identity Acceptance

Ultimately, the differences between Anglo-Canada and French Canada have cultivated a shared national acceptance and understanding of bi-culturalism through which parallel identities are largely celebrated. People of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to maintain ties to their heritage instead of total assimilation into a defined Canadian ‘mould’. A dual identity has similar social and political weight as a uniquely Canadian one. In this way, Canadian society forms a mosaic of ethnic relations. Though Anglo-Canadian culture is dominant, Canadian citizenship does not necessarily stifle a dual identity and accommodates close ties to a home country. Canada has historically been welcoming and open towards immigration, seeing migrants as beneficial to the country’s development and growth. More than a fifth of Canada’s population is now comprised of people born outside the country.

Many people see multicultural tolerance and cooperation as a typically Canadian tradition and virtue. Nevertheless, Canada’s ethnic relations are not without significant challenges. In particular, there are tensions exposed by its First Nations people seeking to reclaim their culture and assert their ethnic sovereignty over the land. Their success has been somewhat constrained by the current attitude of co-operational ethnic relations in Canada: an ethos of ethnic equality legitimises migrant identities, yet it diminishes Indigenous peoples’ claim to special ethnic status. The status of Indigenous communities as coherent ethnic, cultural and political groups is relegated to be one among many by the prevailing egalitarian ethos.

Many Canadians regard the historical treatment and recognition of its First Nations people as a significant stain on Canada’s history (Indigenous Canadians have had their ethnic and cultural identities denied in policy and often erased from community consciousness). However, while a consensus exists regarding the existence of historical atrocities and injustice, reconciliation and a solution to indigenous claims for enhanced status is likely to be complex, contentious and prolonged. The Indigenous population’s disadvantage in comparison to people of other backgrounds remains a chronic social problem.

Largely, however, most Canadians share the same benefits of the large middle class. The population is generally globally oriented and well-informed. Canada has been ranked as one of the most educated country in the world, and over half of its residents have received a tertiary education. There is a strong value placed on reason and logic to guide decisions and ethics.

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Because Canada is so diverse historically and ethnically, there is no single national culture; the melting-pot ideal of the neighbouring United States is translated in Canada as something of a stew, with distinctive flavours from the hundreds of influences that make up the larger Canadian culture . Although French and English share official-language status, the particular culture of an area is generally a reflection of the dominant language; thus, French influences are confined largely to Quebec and New Brunswick . Canada’s aboriginal peoples also maintain their own distinctive cultures , particularly in the North, and immigrants have both integrated into Canadian daily life and continued to maintain some unique elements of their ancestral homelands. Still, the country unites to celebrate Canada Day (July 1), which commemorates the formation of the country in 1867.

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British and American influences are strongly felt in Canadian daily life in English-speaking portions of the country. Quebec’s French culture is perhaps most noticeable through its distinctive architecture, music, and cuisine. Dishes popular in French areas—for example, poutine ( french fries covered in gravy and topped with cheese) and meat pies such as tourtières and paté à la rapure (with beef, chicken, or clams)—are uncommon elsewhere in Canada under those names, though a French tourtière shares most of the ingredients of a comfortable English roast-and-potato supper, french fries with gravy or malt vinegar are a favourite snack wherever they are available, and both French- and English-speaking Canadians are likely to enjoy pizza , tandoori, or Chinese food as much as any presumed national dish. Quebec is also among the world’s leading producers of maple syrup , and sweets laced with maple sugar are common throughout the country.

Canada’s Indigenous peoples were long stigmatized and placed on the periphery of national society—and drug and alcohol addiction was common on many reserves—but more recently they have attempted to recapture their traditions. First Nations art—such as stone and bone sculpture, basketmaking, and carving—is particularly popular. Most of the best arts and crafts exhibit unique characteristics that identify the region in which they were made. First Nations festivals and ceremonies abound, and this increased social activism has led to political gains.

106 Canadian History Essay Topics

What do you recall when asked about Canadian history? About controversial events or memorable individuals? Or maybe cross-cultural influences? As Canada has it all. By recognizing the complexity of its past, you can understand the current situation. Through Canada’s history, you can see its national identity and the richness of culture.

When choosing Canadian history topics for an assignment, try to select a focus for your paper from the get-go. Find an engaging event or perspective to write about and research it thoroughly. For that, check our list of Canadian topics for a school or college paper prepared by our team. Besides, see tips on writing your essay on the subject.

Let’s get started!

  • 😛 Topics: Kids
  • 🏫 Topics: High School
  • 🎓 Topics: University

🎖️ Canadian Topics on Military

🎨 canadian history topics on art.

  • ✒️ How to Write an Essay

❓ Canadian History Questions

🍁 good canadian history essay topics.

If you are trying to find a good Canadian history essay topic, then you are in the right place. Here you’ll see ideas according to age and school grade. It should help you to navigate and get inspired for the essay writing.

It doesn’t matter if you are a first-grade student or an undergraduate student. This list will be useful for everyone. You don’t have to stick to your age group; it’s only our recommendation. The offered topics vary from sports, food, culture, economy.

😛 Canadian History Essay Topics for Kids

  • Where does the word “Canada” come from?
  • Indigenous people in Canada . The three categories of indigenous people in Canada are Inuit, Metis, and First Nations. In this essay, children can talk about each group’s cultural identity and their homeland. How do these groups differ from one another?

The focus of a history essay should be on one historical aspect.

  • The voyageurs and Canadian indigenous people
  • Under the French Rule. This topic is quite broad. You can focus on the ways French shaped Canadian culture. Or talk about food, language, and any other aspect they find interesting. There is a lot to discuss!
  • Canada’s role in the First World War. This 20th century Canada history essay topic teach several valuable historical lessons. First, kids can enlarge their understanding of the First War War. Why did Canada have to enter the conflict? What role did the Canadian army play in this conflict?
  • Canada in the Second World War and how did the war affect the country.
  • The Canadian Constitution
  • History of hockey in Canada . Hockey is regarded as the national game in Canada. It plays a massive role in the way people perceive Canada in the international arena. Discuss the significance of the game. Mention where it originated and who brought it to Canada.
  • The life of Samuel de Champlain
  • Maple Syrup as the Symbol of Canadian Culture . Maple syrup is one of Canada’s proudest products. It has a long history of production and distribution. How had Native Canadians been making this delicious sugary treat in the past? How did Europeans evolve their methods?
  • History of Canadian Eastern Bunny
  • The Acadian Culture . The Acadians are the Native Canadian people of the region. They are the descendants of French colonizers who settled in a beautiful area of Acadia. They speak a very distinct version of French called Acadian French. School students and kids can explore their food, their culture, literature, and music of the Acadians.
  • Holidays of the First Natives
  • The Causes of Canadian Confederation

🏫 Canadian History Essay Topics: High School

  • The Aboriginals and Europeans
  • First World War and the role of Canada. This is an interesting Canadian history essay topic for a high school student. Especially if you are looking to write about a significant world event from a non-European perspective.In this work, you can address several issues: Canadian sovereignty, colonial influence, and relationships within the country. Plus, examine in which ways this war changed the country.
  • Women’s rights during the First World War. Canadian women play a massive role in the country. Though it wasn’t always this way. Before the First World War, Canadian women had a small role in political and social affairs. It all changed during the war. Women had to take more responsibility, supporting social life and war efforts. It allowed them to be heard. Discuss the positive effects the First World War had on the emancipation of women in Canada.

The wars has affected Canadian women.

  • World War I and its influence on Canada
  • The political climate in the 1920s
  • An Anti-Liquor Legislation in Canada
  • The Great Depression’s influence on the Canadian identity . Students usually study this period of Canadian history in the 10th Grade. Elaborate on how the Great Depression affected the political and economic situation.
  • Second World War and Canada before, during, and after the war
  • Trudeau’s Era and how his policies changed the country
  • The Settlers influence on the Canadian economy
  • History: Native Canadians and Indian Act Essay
  • The impact of the Great Depression on Canada . Explore one of the most significant events in Canadian history. Elaborate why Canada got so severely affected by the crisis, especially in the prairie areas. In the end, describe the process of recovery. What steps did the government have to take to help people and the economy to get back on track?
  • The history of Canada through immigration . Canada is one of the few countries in the world that is very generous towards immigrants. Why do Canadians have this “open arms attitude”? What influenced the immigration policies?

🎓 Canadian History Essay Topics: University

  • No American Slavery and Canada
  • Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada
  • Bilingualism and Bilingual Identity in Canada
  • The Perception of WWI as an “English War”. It is not a secret that the vast majority of Canadians viewed WWI as an “English War.” At that time, the nation’s ties to Great Britain were solid. After Great Britain declared the war, Canada entered it automatically. In this essay, you can talk about common sentiment.
  • Canada’s International Relationships during the two World Wars
  • Social Conflicts in Canada at the beginning of the 20th Century
  • The 20th Century Immigration Waves. Canada is the country built by immigrants. This essay is a great way to explore Canada’s immigrant success. See what policies have been implemented in the 20th century to promote immigration.
  • The role of women’s labor in British Columbia
  • Wall Street Market Crash in 1929 and how it changed Canada
  • Colonization and Aboriginal People’s Loss of Connection to the Land . Talk about “the colonial wound” that the aboriginal people experienced. They lost the connection to the land, to the language, to the core of their identity. Explore the fur trade, the treaties, the residential schools, the Indian act. Think about how it could have affected the people.

A good topic for a high school or college essay, or as a term paper.

  • Economic Boost in Canada after WWII. Like many countries in the world, Canada experienced an economic boost after the war. Mention the transformation that the country experienced in the industrial sector.
  • Social and Economic Change in Canada after WWII.
  • The relationships between English and French Canadians . Anglophone and Francophone relationships in Canada were not always smooth. There was tension back in the 20th century, which led to the separation between the two groups. Comment on the principal reasons for the tension. How does bilingualism fit into modern Canada?
  • Mi’kmaq in Culture and in Religion
  • Canadian Multiculturalism on Race and Ethnicity
  • Feminism in Canada
  • The Correlation between Art History and the history of Canada . This essay gives a unique opportunity to look at the history of Canada through art history. Art is a subjective way to process reality, but at the same time, it’s one of the purest forms of history. It focuses on people and their emotions rather than dates and places. A good topic for anyone who likes art and history!
  • Overlooked Persons: Women, Workers, & “Others” in 19th Century “Ontario.”

Canadian military history is rich. It starts with the Indigenous Welfare, continues with the French and Iroquois Wars. Then, there are British and French Conflicts, French and Indian Wars. In modern history, the Canadian Army participated in both World Wars. Besides, it took part in the Korean War, in the Gulf War, in the Afghan War, the Cold War, and many others.

Canadian links to Great Britain and the US are very strong. That’s why it usually supports large multinational coalitions. It does not declare wars, but still, you can see the Canadian army forces present.

Nevertheless, Canada tries to remain committed to peacekeeping efforts. It participated in every UN peacekeeping effort from its inception until 1988.

This list focuses on the interesting Canadian military history essay topics.

  • Canadian army in Vietnam. Officially, the Canadian Army did not declare the war against Vietnam. However, recent papers revealed that in 1971 Canada was actively supporting the US army. Additionally, 30.000 Canadians volunteered to serve in the American Army during the war. It could be a debatable essay with a lot of historical evidence.
  • What role did Canada play during the Cold War? Canada was a founding member of NATO. It played a significant role during the Cold War. Even though it was an American ally, it had a different foreign policy. School students can try to elaborate on the relationships between Canada and the Soviet Union. Comment on post-war paranoia, as well as anti-Communist propaganda. Talk about hockey and the famous Canada versus Soviet Union series.
  • Canada’s Involvement in WWII: the causes and effects

More than 45,000 Canadians gave their lives during WWII and another 55,000 were wounded.

  • The Canadian Army in the two World Wars
  • Aboriginals in the Canadian Army. This research paper can focus on the role the aboriginals played and are playing in the Canadian Army. Nowadays, more than 1000 Native Canadians serve in the Army. They represent more than 55 languages and almost 650 different tribes. Examine the role of the indigenous troops in the World Wars.
  • A history of women in the Canadian Army
  • The Canadian military history since 2000
  • The Military Involvement of Canada in the Korean War
  • The Canadian Army in Afghanistan. Critically examine Canadian Involvement in the conflict in Afghanistan. What was the World’s response? What was the Canadian contribution to the campaign against terrorism? Include some numbers and figures into the essay to make it factual.
  • Is Canada a peacekeeping country? Canada tries to play a significant role in peacekeeping efforts, taking part in many related missions in the past years. You can analyze the deployments and missions. What solutions did the Canadian Army promote? Is it possible to keep neutrality in the conflicts?
  • Canadian military funding
  • Patriotism and Nationalism in Canada
  • How the First World War Changed Canada
  • The Beaver Wars. Several questions can be asked: why was beaver fur so critical in the Beaver Wars? What caused the Beaver Wars? What was the outcome of these conflicts?
  • Canada and the American Revolution
  • Invasion of Quebec
  • Canada and the Soviet Union. If you decide to write an essay about Canada-Soviet Union relations, you will not regret it. The relationships did not start until 1941, but it evolved significantly during the 20th century. Talk about Pierre Trudeau’s role in changing them for the best and think why he wanted to lessen the ties with the US. What about cultural relations between these two nations? What about hockey?

Canadian Art becomes increasingly popular around the world. Nevertheless, Canada is a young nation, and the creation of Canadian Art is in process. There is still a long and fascinating journey ahead.

Canadian visual art tradition started at the beginning of the 19th. The most celebrated artists were immigrants. For instance, an Irish artist Paul Kane or a Dutch painter Cornelius Krieghoff.

Only at the beginning of the 20th century, Canadian art became genuinely Canadian. Let’s see the most peculiar Canadian Art History essay topics:

  • The alternative realism of Kent Monkman
  • First Nations Imagery in Emily Carr’s works. Emily Carr was one of the most influential artists in Canada. The Indigenous people inspired her, and her art reflects it. Learn about the artist, understand the work, and what she was trying to say with her art.
  • Love and Loss in Maria Chapdelaine
  • The Great War in the works of J.E.H. Macdonald
  • Women and Girls in Annie Pootoogook’s paintings
  • Indigenous Art in Canada. Aboriginal people in Canada have developed a very distinct artistic tradition. See what techniques, colors, shapes, and themes were standard in indigenous art. Use Robert Davidson, Bill Reid, Jerry Whitehead, as an excellent example of indigenous artists.
  • The story of the Group of Seven. This essay topic is one of the most important for Canadian Art. It is with this group of artists, a distinctly Canadian art started to develop. Students should write about the group’s proposition and the movement it started. Elaborate why for this group nature was so important, why did they paint landscapes?

The Group of Seven is a collective of artists.

  • Abstract Art in Canada
  • How the totem pole became the symbol of Canadian Art?
  • The Barbizon School artists in Canada. The Barbizon School of Art had a very significant influence on the Canadian Artists. You can comment on the school in general. Explain why this theme was so important for Canadian artists. Find several artists that appeal to you and analyze their work.
  • Nationalism and the Group of Seven
  • Contemporary Canadian Art. Aboriginal Art heavily influenced Canadian art. This connection becomes even more apparent in modern art. Examine contemporary landscape artists, contemporary urban landscape works. Explore photography and video as well.
  • Women and the Artistic Field in Canada
  • The Indian Group of Seven. This topic is for everyone who loves art for the artistic value of it. That is exactly what this group is promoting. They believe that there should be a shift made from the “aboriginal” to the “artistic” value of their art. However, it is not their only proposition. Talk about the social and cultural aspects of their manifesto.

✒️ How to Write an Essay on Canadian History

A history essay is one of the things every student has to learn how to write. Throughout your studying, you will most probably have to write hundreds of history essays.

Knowing the past is essential, but being able to connect the past with the present is paramount. Without these connections, history remains in the books; it does not become alive.

This mini-guide can help you to write a solid essay on Canadian history.

1) Define your topic

Even though you have the list of ideas available, it can be challenging. To narrow down your topic, ask questions. Here is the best way to do that:

  • Identify what interests you
  • Review what you have already written
  • Find a topic you understand well

For instance, you can talk about “Immigrants in Canada,” or you can narrow down the topic to “Immigrant workers in Canada 1830-1840.”

2) Determine your thesis statement

To define your thesis statement, you will need to turn your topic into a question.

For example:

Your essay topic is “Immigrant workers in Canada 1830-1840”. Your preliminary thesis can be “British pauper children filled an important labor shortage on Canadian farms between 1830 and 1940.”

You can later refine it even further to make it sound more like:

“Canada’s practice of importing young child laborers was the controversial result of Britain’s attempts to deal with the poor and to fill Canada’s labor needs. Changing public perceptions of childhood led to the demise of child labor importation.”

The main goal is to keep the thesis simple enough but also to make it worth exploring and writing about. A good thesis is specific, explanatory, and argumentative.

A strong thesis statement justifies discussion in an academic paper.

3) Research

It does not matter how well you know the topic or how simple you think it is. There is one step you can never skip—your research. It is the best point of departure, and it will help you see what others wrote about it.

The bibliography is the foundation of your essay. You won’t be able to build a strong argument without a strong foundation. For this purpose, find trustworthy primary and secondary sources.

To find materials use:

  • Encyclopedias
  • Online library and databases (JSTOR, Google Books, Google Scholar)
  • Shelf search

4) Take Notes

This step is not obligatory, but it can help you save a lot of time. Write down an essential piece of data from your sources. Note where the information comes from and why you need it later.

5) Create an outline

Consider taking this step even before you start writing. Why? It helps you to see your essay (and your arguments) even before you wrote it. It also prevents you from losing sight of your evidence. You can use other essays as your essay template.

Five steps for creating an essay outline.

6) Write, Revisit, Edit

While writing, keep your thesis in mind and try not to deviate. As you continue writing and reflecting, you will have more questions. So, don’t forget to adjust your thesis if it changes.

Revising and editing the essay are the last steps. Editing consists of looking for errors in grammar, syntax, word usage, spelling, and punctuation.

Thank you for reading, and good luck with the essay! Share the article with those who may find it useful and leave a comment below.

🔗 References

  • Canadian History Essay Example: Bartleby
  • History Essay Guide: Department of History, University of Ottawa
  • Canadian Identity Essay: Cram
  • Canadian Literature in English: L’Encyclopédie de l’histoire du Québec / The Quebec History Encyclopedia, Marionapolis College
  • History: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Writing Historical Essays, A Guide for Undergraduates: Department of History, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • Essay Introductions: University of Maryland Global Campus
  • Discover Canada – Canada’s History: Canada.ca
  • Canada’s History: Canada’s History Society
  • How Significant Was the Fur Trade In Canadian History?
  • Were Pierre Trudeau’s Policies Effective for Canadian History?
  • How Has Charlottetown Conference Influenced Canada’s Unity?
  • Should Written Canadian or American History Be Altered to Reflect a Darker Side of Its History?
  • Has Canada Been Truly Built by Immigrants?
  • What Was the Relationship Really Like Between Voyageurs and Aboriginals?
  • What Were the Court Procedures in 19TH Century Ontario?
  • Why Is the Group of Seven So Iconic in Canadian Art?
  • What Has Caused the Beaver Wars?
  • Who Were the Filles du ROI? What Happened to Them for the Most Part? What Was the Ultimate Impact of the Filles du ROI on New France?
  • How Has Women’s Work Influenced Columbia?
  • What Was Life Like for 19TH Century Families Involved in Ontario Lumber’s Industry?
  • When Did Irish Catholics Choose Canada?
  • How Did the Fashion of the French and English Upper Class in the Pre-confederation Era Compare to That of France and England?
  • Can Canada Be Considered a Peacekeeper?
  • Did Henry Alline Have a Lasting Impact on Nova Scotia?
  • What Was the Extent of Canadian Involvement in the Spanish Civil War?
  • Partisan Attack Ads—Are They Really Worse Nowadays?
  • Was Reciprocity Good for British North America?
  • What Has Caused Quebec Referendum?
  • Beyond the Group of Seven: What Other Canadian Artists Had a Major Impact on the Art World?
  • What Was Canada’s Role in the Boer War, and How Did the Public View the War?
  • What Was Health Care Like in New France?
  • How Did Canadians View Napoleon? How Did the Napoleonic Wars Affect Canada?
  • What Was the Deal With Sir. John A. MacDonald and George Brown?
  • Were Internment Camps Necessary?
  • How Does Modern History Portray the Aboriginal People in Canada?
  • What Were the Origins of the Conflict Between the French and the Iroquois?
  • Why Was Slavery Abolished in Upper Canada?
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Canada vs USA: Compare And Contrast Essay Sample

10 Jul 2019

People both outside and living within North America have the tendency to view the United States and Canada as one uniform region with homogenous cultural and political structures. The ecology of Canada and the US alone, demonstrate a great contrast, with the US having more diverse climates and ecosystems. Ice is a larger part of the Canadian landscape with the permafrost in the northern portion and more temperate climates toward the US-Canada border. The Canadian tundra and the Mojave Desert of the Southwest US receive fairly equitable rainfall but have vastly different temperatures. Mediterranean climates also make up a larger portion of the United States than in Canada. With the ecological differences in mind, it is also essential to point out the societal divergence between the US and Canada.

Canada is considerably larger than the United States, but contains only 1/10th of the population, with Canada housing more than 36 million inhabitants, and the US having a population of more than 325 million. While both countries reflect many of the values of western culture, the differences between the embodiment of these characteristics can be seen as soon as one crosses the border. Overall, the distinctions between

Canada and the United States can be categorized into three spheres: the political sphere, the economic sphere, and the socio-cultural sphere. Political Sphere With the recent political climate in the United States and the controversy surrounding America’s federal government, the political differences between the United States and Canada have become even more apparent, not only in structure but ideology as well. While both countries have a federal system, The United States has 50 states and 14 other territories, while Canada contains 10 provinces and 3 other territories. As Canada continues to be a nation under the Commonwealth the head of state is currently Queen Elizabeth or the monarchy. The prime minister of Canada, currently Justin Trudeau the 23rd Prime Minister, is the elected head of the federal government and acts as both the chief executive and a leader in the legislative branch. (Hardwick, Shelley & Holtgrieve, 2013).

One may say the separation of powers is of greater importance to US political ideology with the President of the United States being the head of the Executive Branch soley. While the president does have veto power as a check on Congress, he is often criticized when he steps out of his predetermined role in the executive branch and further into the legislative sphere. The process through which the head of government is elected is also somewhat different from each country demonstrating forms of democracy but different party systems.

There are a plethora of pros and cons to the US two-party system. While it makes for more concise politics, the divisive Republican and Democratic parties experience a large amount of gridlock because of the vast political chasm. Canada, on the other hand between four and five parties in the legislative body and even more than lobby for certain initiatives. In this system, voters are even more strongly tied to their party than specific politicians. However, because party leaders gain power through plurality and not an absolute majority like the United States, coalition building is a major part of the legislative process, making compromises more representative of the public’s opinion.

Canada and the United States political ideologies contrast with greater emphasis on different portions of governmental influence. While the precepts of democracy are still evident in both systems, and political freedom is a great source of pride for citizens in each nation, that sense of freedom seems to be founded in diverging practices. A laissez-faire attitude toward economic and political control is more prevalent in the US, with many citizens seeing that their personal freedom begins at the ends or limits of federal government. This can foster greater distrust and resentment toward national government, particularly when the opposing party has a greater disbursement of power. On the other hand, Canadians, on average, demonstrate greater trust in government, relying more on government services, namely healthcare. This leads into the distribution of federal funds. In the US, a larger amount of federal taxes go toward the department of defense and there is an overall greater emphasis on military power while in Canada a greater amount of federal funds are allocated toward socialized healthcare.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook, in 2016 3.29% of the United States’ gross domestic product was allocated to military expenditures while 0.99% of Canada’s GDP went toward spending on defense programs. ("The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency", 2018) These differences in spending speak to the greater power wielded by the United States in world affairs, with the US having a permanent membership in the United Nations and NATO. Institutionalized violence is another topic of controversy between the United States and Canada. Canada has, in general, established stricter gun laws than the US. With the prevalence of mass shootings in both countries, gun laws have come to the forefront of the news and public policy. “Handguns accounted for 21 per cent of the total homicides [in 2016], and 58 percent of the shooting homicides. In the United States, by comparison, the report notes there were 7,105 homicides committed with a handgun in 2016, accounting for 47 percent of all homicides south of the border that year.” (Fletcher, 2018) Americans stress the protection of the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, and often describe the United States’ more lenient gun laws as a source of liberty. Another example of the way institutionalized violence differs is with capital punishment.

Canada has abolished the death penalty for all crimes, including capital offenses, while in 30 of the 50 state there exist valid death penalty statutes. Finally one of the greatest contrast between the two countries is their differing ideologies surrounding immigration. Canada is recognized for its very open immigration policies. Canada’s largest immigrant populations come from Asian countries, while in the US, Asians make up a large portion of those immigrating, but the largest percentage is those from Latin America. It is interesting that going forward with immigration policy the US is known as the ‘melting pot’ while Canada calls itself a ‘mosaic’ Economic Sphere The differences between the US and Canada are most apparent when comparing their economies and capital. According to the World Bank’s 2017 report, the United States has a higher gross domestic product per capita at $59,531.7, while Canada’s is $45,032, and the exchange rate between currencies in s about $1.30 of Canadian dollars for every US dollar. ("GDP per capita (current US$) | Data", 2018; "Convert US Dollars to Canadian Dollars - Exchange Rates", 2018).

At first glance, one may say that the US economy and standard of living is higher but in taking a closer look there are pros and cons to each country's economic status. Canada supports a much less diverse economy from oil and lumber, while US is a manufacturing powerhouse, and in spite of growing similar grain-based crops, 44% of the land in the US is viable for agriculture whereas in Canada it's only about 7%. The US exports $1.4 trillion goods. Canada’s imports and exports are fairly equitable while US imports way more than it exports. Canada has a higher unemployment rate, but the US has higher rate of people living under the poverty line. As is evident in many of these statistics, both countries’ economies exemplify strengths and weaknesses.

Now looking at the markets and labor forces in Canada and the US, we observe that there are distinguishing factors of each country. This is particularly true in e-commerce and internet laws in Canada. Because of heavy licensing restrictions, Canada does not allow Spotify or Pandora, and has a very limited selection of programs on Netflix. E-commerce, in general, is less developed, with few stores even offering websites for online shopping, and Canadian Amazon holding a more limited selection of items. The US, on the other hand, has an ever-growing online economy. “During an April 2017 survey, 40 percent of internet users in the United States stated that they purchased items online at several times per month, and 20 percent said they bought items or services online on a weekly basis.” (Facts, 2018) As far as the labor force is concerned, Americans are known for working longer and later than Canadians. In the US, the average workweek is 47 hours and in Canada the workweek is 36-40 hours and at the minimum 2 weeks of paid vacation.

Canadian women in the workforce receive at least 15 weeks of paid maternity leave mandated by the government. In the United States many states mandate vacation time and maternity leave but don’t require that this time be paid and, in some cases, don’t require this time at all. As mentioned previously, socialized healthcare is a major distinguishing factor that sets Canada apart from the United States. The Healthcare Act of 1984 aimed to ensure that all residents of Canada have access to necessary hospital and physician services based on five principles: universality, portability, public administration, accessibility, and comprehensiveness. ("The Canada Health Act", 2018). Canadians do still have to pay for things like prescription drugs, home care, and prescription eyeglasses.

Canadians also live an average of 2 years longer than Americans, with average life expectancy for Canadian women at 82.3 years and 79.3 years for men. American women, on average live to be 80.8 years and 75.6 years for men. While there are many compounding factors that could contribute to this, like lower levels of obesity, or increased physical activity, socialized healthcare has been reported to be a contributing factor in the longer life span. Sociocultural Sphere Lastly, the sociocultural sphere can be used to contrast the United States and Canada, with differing traditions, dialects and colloquialisms, and subtle cultural nuances.

A nation’s overall culture can be broken up into many subcategories, but the following will discuss how language, and cultural celebrations and traditions distinguish Canada from the United state. First, Language is one of the most infamous ways Canadians and Americans claim they can tell each other apart. While the majority of each population speak English, the second most popular languages in each country are distinct and point to different colonial and immigration histories. The US technically does not have an official language, however in every state majority of government sponsored programs use English. Depending on the area of the US one is in effects the other languages that are present. For example, in Clark County, Nevada, (where Las Vegas is located) voter ballots are available in English, Spanish and Tagalog because Las Vegas contains large populations of Hispanic and Filipino residents. For the most part, Spanish appears to be a common second language with the high volume of immigrants from Latin America. In Canada on the other hand, English and French are both official languages, representative of the colonial background of Canada, as well as the federal government's relationship with the province of Quebec. Along with the languages spoken, come the differences in dialects, accents and slang relative to the English spoken in each country. Canada use different spelling for words that contain an ‘or’ sound: colour, favourite, labour.

The second cultural facet that distinguishes Canada and the US are the celebrations and traditions. Thanksgiving in Canada occurs on the second Monday of October however, most people celebrate it on Sunday and take the Monday off school and work. The holiday celebrates the harvests and blessings of the past year and is celebrate earlier because of Canada’s shorter growing season and earlier harvest. American Thanksgiving it is the fourth Thursday in November and celebrates the harvest and the legend of “peace between pilgrims and Native peoples”. Another interesting facet of national celebration is that Canada Day and US Independence Day are only three days apart (July 1st to July 4th) and are both celebrated with traditions like barbeques, parades, and fireworks. (Youtube, 2018).

Food is an essential tenet of not only celebrations but life in general. While the food in both countries is fairly similar accounting for a few distinct delicacies like all-dressed chips, and poutine in Canada, there is one major difference between the US and Canada-- the legal drinking age. In Canada, the drinking age is determined by the local government, with legal age being 19 in the majority of the country, but in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec young adults can start drinking at 18. In America, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 and is a federal policy that establishes 21 as the legal age. (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, 2018). In short, Canada and the United States, while they have a long history of peace, are distinct in government, economy, and culture.

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Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Culture Shock — Reflection On My Culture Shock In Canada

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Reflection on My Culture Shock in Canada

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