CULTURE
Canada has a parliamentary democracy and federal system. It is a Constitutional Monarchy
meaning that Queen Elizabeth is the head of state, although her powers are limited in government and she
is considered a figurehead only.
Canada is a vast country with significant cultural differences across its regions. It became self-
governing in 1867 and, in 1982, it severed its colonial ties with Britain. However, Canada retains its links
with the Monarchy as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Canada is a country with dual nationality, (French Canada and English Canada), which has its
roots in the British conquest of the French colony (around Quebec and Ontario) in 1760. This dual
heritage dominates the political and societal issues pertaining to the country and has, to a certain extent,
polarized its people. The French speaking community are fiercely defensive of their cultural origins and
their language and have been resistant to assimilation.
LANGUAGE IN CANADA
The official languages spoken in Canada are English and French.
There are more than 60 Aboriginal languages spoken across the country ranging from Algonquin Cree to
Inuit.
Records from 2011 estimate the languages of Canada as follows: English (official) 58.7%, French
(official) 22%, Punjabi 1.4%, Italian 1.3%, Spanish 1.3%, German 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, Tagalog 1.2%,
Arabic 1.1%, other 10.5%
Religion & Beliefs
Catholic 39% (includes Roman Catholic 38.8%, other Catholic .2%), Protestant 20.3% (includes United
Church 6.1%, Anglican 5%, Baptist 1.9%, Lutheran 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.5%, Presbyterian 1.4%, other
Protestant 2.9%), Orthodox 1.6%, other Christian 6.3%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 1.5%, Sikh 1.4%, Buddhist
1.1%, Jewish 1%, other 0.6%, none 23.9% (2011 est.)
Major Celebrations/Secular Celebrations
The nationally observed celebration days in Canada are: New Year’s Day (1st January), Good Friday
(two days before Easter Sunday), Easter Monday, Victoria Day (last Monday preceding May 25), Canada
Day (July 1), Labour Day (first Monday of September), Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October),
Remembrance Day (11 November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25th and 26th December).
Socialization
Children are required by law to attend education from the age of six until sixteen. It is permissible
for children to be home-schooled although this must be in accordance with government
guidelines.
Although parents are permitted to use physical means to discipline a child, which can include
spanking, the use of an implement or striking a child in anger or retaliation is not considered
reasonable under Canadian law.
Children under the age of twelve cannot be charged with a criminal offence although parents can
be made financially responsible of their behaviour.
With increasing ethnic diversity, there are many areas of parenting that come into the political
forum for discussion such as arranged marriage, circumcision and religious schooling.
Economy
As a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Group (OECD),
Canada is one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
It produces and exports numerous commodities including natural forest products, manufactured
items including automobiles, oil and minerals. Although Canada’s main export market is the
United States their economy is open to global commerce.
Taboos
Do not point at people
Do not confuse Canada with the US
It is best not to initiate discussions in respect to Quebec separatism, politics or religion
It can be considered distasteful and rude to discuss sex in Canada, so this subject should be
avoided.
References:
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/canada-guide
https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada/Daily-life-and-social-customs
