A Look at Canada

Introducing Canada

Key Words Official languages Multiculturalism Volunteerism

Throughout Canada’s history, millions of immigrants have helped build our country. We welcome people from more than 150 countries each year.

As Canadians, we are proud that many different cultural and ethnic groups live and work here in harmony. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act recognizes our cultural diversity. It states that we are all free to maintain and share our cultural heritage and to participate fully and equally in our national life.

The only people originally from Canada are the Aboriginal peoples. They lived in Canada for thousands of years before the first immigrants came here. The Aboriginal peoples are an important part of Canada’s population. They are working to protect and promote their languages, cultures and traditions, and to set up their own governments.

In a country as large and diverse as Canada, equality is very important. It is so important that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of our Constitution.

In Canada, we also believe in the importance of working together and helping one another. People who help others without being paid are called volunteers. There are millions of volunteers across Canada. Some people join community groups and help with local projects. Others help friends and neighbours in need. There are many different ways you can help others in your community.

Canada’s official languages

English and French are Canada’s two official languages. English- and French-speaking people have lived together in Canada for more than 300 years. This is an important part of our Canadian identity—more than 98 percent of Canadians speak either English or French or both. You must be able to speak English or French to become a Canadian citizen.

Legal documents like the Canadian Constitution and the Official Languages Act protect the rights of individual Canadians with regard to official languages. For example,

• English and French have equal status in the Parliament of Canada, in federal courts and in all federal institutions;
• everyone has the right to a criminal trial in either English or French;
• the public has the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive federal government services in either English or French; and
• official language minority groups in most provinces and territories have the right to be educated in their language.

Canada’s economy

Canada’s economy is made up of many different industries. There are three main types of industries in Canada: natural resources, manufacturing and services.

Natural resource industries include forestry, fishing, agriculture, mining and energy. These industries have played an important part in the country’s history and development. Today, the economy of many areas of the country still depends on developing natural resources.

Manufacturing industries make products to sell in Canada and around the world. Manufactured products include paper, technological equipment, automobiles, food, clothing and many other goods. Our largest international trading partner is the United States.

Service industries provide thousands of different jobs in areas like transportation, education, health care, construction, banking, communications and government. More than 70 percent of working Canadians now have jobs in service industries.

Canada from coast to coast

Canada is a very large country with an area of 10 million square kilometres, but it has a fairly small population. About 31 million people live here. Most Canadians live in the southern parts of Canada.

Provinces and territories

Canada has 10 provinces and three territories. Each province and territory has its own capital city. You should know the capital of Canada, as well as the capital of your province or territory. (See map of Canada.)