Who We Are

Canada is known around the world as a strong and free country. Canadians are proud of their unique identity.

To understand what it means to be Canadian, know the three founding peoples:

The ancestors of Aboriginal peoples are believed to have migrated from Asia many thousands of years ago. They were established here long before European explorers arrived.

First Nations cultures were diverse and vibrant, with beliefs about relationships with the Creator, natural environment and each other.

Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

• Aboriginal and treaty rights are in the Canadian Constitution.
• Territorial rights were first guaranteed through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III.
• It established the basis for negotiating treaties with newcomers.

Residential Schools

From the 1800s until the 1980s, the federal government placed many Aboriginal children in residential schools to educate and assimilate them into mainstream Canadian culture.

• Schools were poorly funded and students experienced hardship.
• Some students were physically abused.
• Aboriginal languages and cultural practices were mostly prohibited.
• In 2008, Ottawa formally apologized to former students.

John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir, was Governor General of Canada from 1935-1940. He emphasized that immigrant groups could retain their individuality and traditions while contributing to Canada's national character.

English and French define much of day-to-day life for Canadians and are Canada's official languages. The federal government is required by law to provide services throughout Canada in English and French.

Acadians

Descendants of French colonists who began settling in the Maritime provinces in 1604. Between 1755 and 1763, more than two-thirds were deported. This was known as the "Great Upheaval."

Quebecers

The vast majority are French-speaking and maintain a unique identity, culture and language. In 2006, the House of Commons recognized that Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada.

Newcomers are expected to embrace democratic principles such as the rule of law. Experiences of warfare or conflict elsewhere do not justify bringing violent, extreme or hateful prejudices to Canada.

English-speaking areas were shaped by English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish settlers, soldiers and migrants from the 1600s to the 20th century.

Canada is often called a land of immigrants because millions of newcomers have helped build and defend Canada's way of life over the past 200 years.

Groups mentioned in the guide include English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian, Dutch, South Asian and Scandinavian communities. Since the 1970s, most immigrants have come from Asian countries.

Languages

• Chinese languages are the second-most-spoken at home after English in two of Canada's biggest cities.
• Vancouver: 13% speak Chinese languages at home.
• Toronto: 7% speak Chinese languages at home.

Religion

The guide states that the great majority identify as Christians. Catholic is the largest religious affiliation, followed by various Protestant churches. Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, other religions and people stating "no religion" are also growing.

Faith Communities

The state has traditionally partnered with faith communities to promote social welfare, harmony and mutual respect; provide schools and health care; resettle refugees; and uphold religious freedom, religious expression and freedom of conscience.

Gay and lesbian Canadians enjoy the full protection of and equal treatment under the law, including access to civil marriage.