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Sharing Canadian Stories

Through the Canadian Heritage portfolio, the Government of Canada plays a vital role in the preservation and promotion of Canada’s heritage and culture. This portfolio includes both the Department of Canadian Heritage and a number of independent partner agencies and corporations with a specific mandate. Collectively, they provide support for the literary, visual and performing arts, for sports, broadcasting, film, new media, museums and archives, and more. In the most fundamental sense, the Canadian Heritage portfolio shares Canadian stories and diversity, both among Canadians and with others around the world.

By 2017, visible minorities are expected to make up 20 percent of the Canadian population. (Source: Statistics Canada)

Canada’s cultural policies and programs are designed to encourage artistic excellence in all its diversity, to foster access for the largest audience possible, and to strengthen the administrative foundations and governance of the cultural sector. In addition, these policies and programs enable us to promote Canadian interests and values externally, while keeping Canada open to the best the world has to offer. As the world becomes more interconnected, our writers, performers, artists, athletes and scholars become our ambassadors. They are reflections of who we are and what we stand for as a country.

With nearly 10 million square kilometres of land, 10 provinces, three territories and six time zones, Canada is one of the largest countries on Earth. Most of the Canadian population lives within a thin strip along the southernmost border; the remainder lives in small towns and rural areas, some of which are remote from major population centres. Canada’s two official languages are English and French; however, nearly 200 other languages are spoken in Canada on a daily basis, including 61 Native languages. In order of significance, Chinese, Italian, German and Spanish are the most widely spoken foreign languages in Canada.

The Canadian Heritage Portfolio

The Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for policies and programs related to arts and heritage, broadcasting, cultural industries, new media, Canadian identity, multiculturalism, official languages and sport.

The Canada Council for the Arts encourages and promotes the study, enjoyment and production of artistic works through financial support to artists and art organizations in the performing, literary, visual, media and interdisciplinary arts.

The Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation, which includes the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canada Agriculture Museum and the Canada Aviation Museum, collects and exhibits information that fosters scientific and technological literacy throughout Canada.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation provides national radio and television broadcasting services, predominantly Canadian in content and character, as well as multi-layered Internet services that include special interactive platforms for children and youth.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, which includes the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum, collects, maintains, and exhibits Canada’s national military and human history collections, thereby promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of human achievement both within Canada and around the world.

The Canadian Museum of Nature collects, maintains and exhibits Canada’s natural history collection, conducts research, and shares its expertise in the natural sciences both within Canada and around the world.

“…Canada must now preserve its identity by having many identities.” Northrop Frye, Canadian literary critic

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation works to combat racism and all forms of racial discrimination in Canada by promoting intercultural understanding.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission regulates and supervises Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications industries according to their respective legislation.

Library and Archives Canada, which includes the Portrait Gallery of Canada program, is an innovative knowledge institution responsible for acquiring and preserving Canada’s documentary heritage in all its forms, and for providing all Canadians with easy, one-stop access to the texts, photographs and other documents that reflect their cultural, social and political development.

The National Arts Centre develops and promotes the performing arts in the National Capital Region and elsewhere in the country, and assists the Canada Council for the Arts with development of the performing arts throughout Canada.

Statistics Canada indicates that, by 2017, the Aboriginal population should continue to grow at an average rate of 1.8 percent per year, more than double the rate of 0.7 percent for the general population.

The National Battlefields Commission is responsible for administering the National Battlefields Park in Quebec City, which includes the Plains of Abraham and Des Braves Park.

The National Capital Commission fosters pride and unity by making the National Capital Region a meeting place for all Canadians, and by safeguarding and preserving the national treasures of the Capital, including the official residences.

“This harsh and beautiful land has never ceased to accommodate what can further enhance its beauty. And the Canadian cultural mosaic, symbolizing unity in diversity, has a charm of its own.” Wali A. Shaheen, Canadian poet

The National Film Board of Canada produces and distributes films, videos and multimedia products that interpret Canada to Canadians and to the world. The NFB has received numerous awards, including 11 Oscars.

The National Gallery of Canada, which includes the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, collects and exhibits outstanding works of visual art throughout Canada and internationally.

Status of Women Canada promotes gender equality and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country.

Telefilm Canada is devoted primarily to developing and promoting Canadian film, television and new media industries.

Each of these institutions maintains a Web site that provides more detailed information. Access to each of these Web sites is available from www.canadianheritage.gc.ca.