Past and Present

According to the most probable theories, Canada's original settlers came from Asia across a strip of land that joined Alaska and Siberia about 30,000 years ago. In the 15th century, before colonial expansion, Canada was inhabited by some 300,000 natives of very diverse cultures, who occupied all regions of the country and lived a nomadic or sedentary life; they hunted, fished or grew their own food.

In the 16th century, French and British explorers crossed North America. The first colonies were founded in the early 17th century and took advantage of the great opportunities offered by the fur trade. Throughout that century, colonization and economic activity intensified and the commercial rivalry between the colonies of New France and New England began.

In the 18^th century, a conflict broke out between France and Great Britain and spread to the colonies; it ended with a British victory. In 1763, with the Treaty of Paris, New France became a British colony. A few years later, Great Britain officially recognized French civil law and guaranteed religious and linguistic freedom for the French-speaking people of Canada.

On July 1, 1867, Great Britain in the British North America Act joined its four North American provinces in a single nation. They were Upper Canada (now Ontario), Lower Canada (now Quebec), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This territory was given the name "Dominion of Canada" and became an independent nation (it acquired full sovereignty for external affairs in 1932). It had its own government based on the British parliamentary system. In later years, Canada's borders expanded to the northwest to take in the other British colonies in North America. New provinces were created and new territories were annexed to make Canada what it is today.

In 1982, a significant constitutional reform occurred: the British North America Act of 1867 and its numerous amendments became the Constitution Act of 1982, Canada's current constitution. In recent years, Quebeckers have expressed their opinion on the matter of national unity. Quebeckers have voted twice on the province's sovereignty in referendums, in 1980 and 1995. At the polls, the majority voted in favour of Quebec remaining in Canada.

From its historic, social and cultural development, Canada is a country of compromise, characterized by moderation and tolerance; it is a country united in its own diversity.