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A Newcomer’s Introduction to Canada
The Canadian Way of Life
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Family life and family law
Many people in Canada find that it takes two
incomes to raise a family, even though
parents are having fewer children. Most
mothers have a job outside the home, and in
many families, both parents share the work
of shopping, cooking, cleaning the house
and looking after the children. Because
divorce has become more common, there
are many one-parent families in Canada.
Most single parents who raise their children
on a full-time basis are women. There are
also same-sex couples with children.
Marriage, divorce and the law
Canadian law views marriage as a legal
agreement or contract between a man and a
woman. Married people are considered equal
partners. Marriage laws apply to all Canadian
citizens and permanent residents. Many
unmarried couples live together. In most
provinces, unmarried heterosexual couples
who have lived together for a certain period
of time have legal status as “common-law”
couples. They may call each other “husband”
and “wife,” or they may simply say “my
partner.”
Either the wife or the husband can ask for a
divorce. This request will normally be
approved by the courts if both people have
agreed to end the marriage. Divorce will also
be approved if one partner has been harmed
through cruelty, adultery or a similar
injustice.
Birth control and family planning
Many people use birth control. It is a matter
of personal choice. Women can get a
prescription for birth control pills from a
doctor. Family planning information is
available from provincial health departments
and public health offices, as well as from
local health clinics. Abortion is legal but is
only available from a doctor.
Youth and their parents
When children arrive in Canada, they usually
learn about Canadian life quickly through
schools, television, movies and music. If they
need to learn English or French, they often
learn it quite quickly.
Parents find out about Canadian life
differently, as they search for housing and
work. They too may need to learn English or
French, but often need more time than their
children to do so.
If you have children, you will know that you
see the world somewhat differently than they
do, because you are older and have more life
experience. After immigrating to Canada, however, you may find that these differences
increase, because you are having different
experiences of Canadian life. These
differences affect the behaviour of all family
members and can lead to tension in the
family between parents and their children.
Discussing concerns with teachers, doctors,
public health workers, social workers,
settlement workers, and friends and relatives
who have already settled in Canada will help
you and your children understand your
experiences and make good choices about
your future.
Youth and the law
Youth in Canada who commit a crime are
held accountable for their actions. However,
they are not dealt with in the same way as
adult offenders. This is because they may not
have an adult’s understanding of their crime.
They are also more likely than adult offenders
to be reformed and become law-abiding
citizens. The law for young offenders is called
the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Standards and Expectations
Some of Canada’s standards for public
behaviour may be more conservative than
you are used to, while others may seem
more liberal. For example, Canadians may
seem impersonal and cold to some
newcomers; to others, we may seem overly
friendly.
Important social standards
Social practices — not laws — govern many
types of behaviour in Canada. Some
traditions are well established and are politely
but firmly enforced. For example:
- Lining up or queuing: People normally
line up or queue according to the
principle of “first-come, first-served.” They
will be angry if you push ahead in a lineup
instead of waiting your turn.
- Not smoking in private homes: Most
Canadians do not smoke. When you are in
people’s homes, you should always ask
their permission to smoke. If they do not
smoke themselves, they may ask you to
go outside to smoke.
- Being on time: You should always arrive
on time — at school, at work and for any
meeting. People who are often late may
be fired from their jobs or suspended from
school. Many Canadians will not wait
more than 10 or 15 minutes for someone
who has a business meeting. For social
events, people expect that you will arrive
within half an hour of the stated time.
- Respect for the environment: Canadians
respect the natural environment and
expect people to avoid littering (dropping
waste paper and other garbage on the
street or throwing it out of your car). They
expect you to hold on to your garbage
until you can find a proper garbage can.
- Bargaining: Bargaining for a better price
is not common in Canada, but there are
some exceptions. For example, almost
everyone bargains for a better price when
buying a car or a house, or other
expensive items such as furniture. People
who sell things privately may also bargain.
- Smart shopping: Stores compete with
one another to attract customers, so it is
wise to check and compare prices at
different stores before you buy. Note: The
price marked on goods in stores does not
usually include the federal and provincial
sales taxes, which add from 7 percent to
15 percent to the cost of an item,
depending on the province in which you
buy it.
TIP >
If you have questions about social
standards or customs, you can ask your
local immigrant-serving organization for
advice. If you have been matched with a
Canadian family under the Host program, your host family
can help answer your questions as well. |
Some Canadian Laws
Some laws you
should be aware of
- It is illegal to drive without a driver’s
licence, registration and insurance.
- It is illegal to drive if you have been
drinking alcohol.
- The driver and all passengers must
wear seat belts at all times when driving
in Canada.
- Babies and children who are too small to
wear seat belts must be placed in properly
installed infant or child car seats,
appropriate to the age and weight of
the child.
- Children under 12 years of age cannot be
left at home alone, or to care for younger
children.
- All children aged six to 16 must attend
school.
- Smoking is not permitted in federal
buildings, in elevators, on Canadian
airlines, on buses and on other public
transportation, nor in many banks, shops,
restaurants and other public places (some
municipalities have banned smoking in all
public buildings).
- Depending on which part of Canada you
live in, you must be either 18 or 19 years
old to buy or drink alcohol in any form.
- It is against the law to hit your spouse or
children, either in the home or in public.
- It is illegal to use, buy or sell marijuana,
heroin, cocaine and other addictive drugs.
- It is illegal to make any kind of sexual
remarks or advances if the other person
does not like them.
Interacting with Officials
Knowing how to behave and what to expect
can be very useful when you are dealing with
public officials and people in authority.
Usually, there is no need to worry about
making mistakes. Except for matters of law,
most Canadians do not insist on strict
formality. Officials who know that you are a
newcomer will make allowances for your
inexperience with Canadian ways.
People in authority
In Canada, a person’s authority is related to
his or her position and responsibility. Women
hold the same kinds of positions as men and
have the same kinds of authority. People do
not have authority just because of their
name, status, social class or sex.
Public officials
Public officials will normally treat you in a
polite but impersonal way. Public officials
follow set procedures. They do not make the
rules. They may not want to or be able to
become involved with your situation. Do not
respond to them in a personal or emotional
way. Never try to bribe a public official.
Bribery and other forms of corruption are
illegal and will offend most Canadians.
Police officers
The police are part of the community and
are accountable to the public. They may be
either men or women. They are trained to
serve and protect the public, including you.
Police operate within strict regulations and
follow established procedures. Canadians
expect honesty and fairness from the police.
Calling the police: Most cities and towns
have an emergency number for the police.
Call this number if you or someone else is
hurt or in danger, or if you see a crime taking
place. In most parts of Canada, the
emergency number is 911. Emergency
numbers are always printed inside the front
cover of the telephone book.
What if you are questioned by a police
officer?
- Call the police officer “officer.”
- Accept the police officer’s authority; do
not try to argue.
- Be ready to show identification if a police
officer asks you for it. If you are stopped
by the police while driving a car, the
officer will probably ask you for your
driver’s licence, proof of insurance and car
registration.
- Tell the officer the facts about what has
happened. Do not offer your own
opinion.
- Never try to give money to a police
officer. Canadians do not bribe police
officers. It is a serious crime to do this.
What if you are arrested by a police officer?
- Police officers must tell you who they are
and show you their badge number.
- They must explain why they are arresting
you and tell you what your rights are.
- They must allow you to call a lawyer right
away. If you don’t have a lawyer, they
must give you the Legal Aid telephone
number and let you call.
- You do not have to give any information,
other than your name and address, until
you have talked to a lawyer.
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