Personal Essay: Immigrants To Canada

Founded in 1867, Canada is a country formed by the merging of Anglophone and Francophone territories in the New World. In addition to the English and French, the Native American tribes all over Canada (such as the Metis, Ojibway, Cree, Iroquois…) were a key part in the formation of the country we call home, Canada (If you identify as a Canadian). Canada has a vast amount of habitable land yet it has a very minuscule population in comparison. Therefore, in order to utilize the large amount of land available, immigration was introduced. Immigration has been very successful in fact about 18.07 Million people have immigrated to Canada since 1867 up until 2013 (to put into perspective, the population of Canada in 2013 was 35.16 million!). For the
Canada has always been a country which has been welcoming to immigrants of many different cultures and it does not seem this will cease (especially due to the refugee crisis). I believe new cultures will continue to be introduced and only one culture will not be dominant thus we cannot describe an ‘average Canadian’ based on appearances and having a Canadian passport simply does not cut the requirement to be Canadian in my opinion. I believe we can identify a Canadian based on their beliefs and values. I believe that when we think of a key defining trait of a Canadian ‘Open-mindedness’ is the most suitable one and sets us apart from a majority of people in different countries such as our neighbours in the south. Open-mindedness is the key trait to being Canadian because Canada has a variety of culture and as time goes on the exposure to different cultures will only grow. Therefore, we must be welcoming to everyone just like the previous generations of Canadians, we must continue their legacy of being open-minded and be an example to the world. That is what being Canadian is about and that is why I identify as a Canadian despite being born in