Preview

Facts and Rituals in Canada Essay Example

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
716 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Facts and Rituals in Canada Essay Example
Culture

Canada is a cultural mosaic, meaning that it’s a collection of several subcultures. Whether they are regional, aboriginal or ethnic. Because the two official languages are English and French and because they are used for day-to-day life in most parts of the country, Canada is like a melting pot with strong connections with the rest of the English- and French-speaking world, although this differs from region to region. For instance, some Government policies tend to differ from those in the US. E.g. publicly funded health care, higher taxation to distribute wealth and so on.
Historically, Canada was influenced by British, French and aboriginal cultures and traditions. Through those cultures, and their language art and music, the aboriginal subcultures still influence the Canadian identity. Many Canadians value this multiculturalism and see their multiculturalism as part of their national heritage. The Government even protects the creation and preservation of the Canadian culture through programmes laws and institutions.
But even though they are so proud of their own cultures, American media and entertainment are still popular, if not dominant, in the English speaking parts of Canada. Also Canadian cultural products and entertainers are very popular in The States and even worldwide.
Canada’s official national sports are ice hockey and lacrosse. Hockey is a national pastime and the most popular spectator sport in the country. Seven of Canada's eight largest metropolitan areas (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg) have franchises in the National Hockey League (NHL), and there are more Canadian players in the NHL than from all other countries combined.

Symbols Canada's national symbols are influenced by natural, historical, and Aboriginal sources. They have a number of symbols for every category. Natural symbols are the Maple leaf (pictured on the flag and coat of arms), the beaver, the goose and the loon.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The maple leaf is Canada's most prominent symbol, symbolizing Canada all around the world. In as early as 1700s, the symbol came about before the first European settlers visited Canada. Its original natives found out about the food properties of maple sap, which they then gathered every spring. They have been using the maple sap for food for many years.…

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Canada, often recognized to many of us as the cold country that is known for their production of maple syrup and their many lakes, has many similarities and differences when comparing it to the United States. Like the US, while there are many cultures and languages present throughout Canada, they are still mainly known for speaking English. Similarly, they also greet others with an introduction and a handshake. Christianity is also the main religion in both nations, with a following of nearly 80 percent of citizens. Many of these similarities to the United States can be drawn back to the fact that both of these countries come from British decent.…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Today, Canada is a free, independent country home to many different Canadians of all nationalities and is know for being one of the most multicultural countries in the world[i]. What Canadians did to contribute to WWI, for themselves in the Halibut Treaty, and how they handled the Chanak Crisis all lead to Canada becoming a country and a truly independent nation from Great Britain from the years 1914-1928.…

    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    -What are the words, images and sounds that are used to describe Canadian national identity? Who and what is canadain?…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Canadian Culture was influenced by the US the most. Canadians began living like Americans. Canadians found themselves watching Hollywood films by Charlie Chaplin. People would line up by the dozens to see the latest Hollywood flick. In addition, the first Canadian Jazz recording was recorded in Toronto. The music which was recorded and produced in Canada was the same style as in the American music industry. Canadian potential actors had to travel to Hollywood if they wished to be noticed on the "big screen."…

    • 316 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Susan Delacourt, a political journalist, says: “To be Canadian mean to be willing to shrug off your own identity so you can imagine what it’s like to be someone else.” This is the Canada we know now, diverse and multicultural, however it took over a century to get to this point.…

    • 945 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND FLAG -----------------------------------------------------------------The provincial flag, adopted in 1964, bears an adaption of the coat of arms. ON the coat of arms, adopted in 1905, the british lion symbolizes the province's ties with Great Britain. Three small oak trees represent the three countries of P.E.I. The large oak tree stands for Canada and Great Britain. ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------…

    • 391 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Although, there were various governmental flags which represented Canada as a state, there was no formal flag which represented Canada as an independent nation. The flag debate did not result from indifference on the part of Canadians towards flags, but quite the reverse. It resulted from the passion that these symbols aroused in Canadians. The difficulty of the flag debate did not arise from any inherent unwillingness of Canadians to proclaim their identity upon flags, but their factious inability to agree upon a common symbolic identity. In retrospect, the choice of such a symbol would seem to have been inevitable, but now to see a maple leaf is to think of Canada. The overall importance was that many people helped out throughout the process and in the end everyone was happy with the end product of the new Maple leaf…

    • 1336 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Our stereotypical Canada house is repressing many aspects in how people view Canada as a nation. Canadians believe that they are the founders of ice hockey, making them very proud of the sport which is also a big part on how people perceive Canada. You could think of it as a big family, us Canadians. Some of canada's favourite team are Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators and so on. What all these teams have in common is that they can all cooperate together to perform an honourable game. Whether you like hockey or not, if you live in Canada it is a part of who you are. That is what makes Canada a hockey nation.…

    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Country of Multiculturalism: Canada encourages immigrants to retain their unique culture. Nowhere else is there such a diversity of cultures existing together in a tolerant, peaceful society. Record in 2006, 19.8% Canada population are foreign-born, they are from American – 15.3%, Europe 36.8%, Asia 40.9%, and Africa 6%. In projection for 2031 show more than 26% Canada population are foreign-born, and rate among them is American – 13.9%, Europe 20.5%, Asia 55.4%, and Africa 9.5%…

    • 413 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Canada is a country that represents multiculturalism and diversity. It was also the first country to create a policy on multiculturalism. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states “Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief,…

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For example, Canadians beliefs stand for the acceptance of anyone and everyone. Where any culture or ethnicity can be accepted within to canadian society (Multiculturalism). Since Central Canada contains about two thirds the visible minorities of Canada, if Central Canada were to leave the confederation Multiculturalism might have less importance to Canadians beliefs as a majority of different cultures and ethnicities would be out of Canada’s hands as well. Moreover, Central Canada’s absence will also make the rest of Canada a less diverse country as a lot of the minority ethnicities lives in Central Canada such as Chinese, African-American, Hindu, Caribbean. Furthermore, modern Canadian culture is more about the acceptance of many different ethnicities into Canadian society and the promotion of diversity rather than uniformity.…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Did you know that on February 15, 2016, Canada's national flag turned 51 years old ? Canada's national flag is relatively a recent event. The idea of a new flag was inaugurated by Canadian Prime minister Lester B. Pearson. The proposal caused a lot of controversy and commotion. In 1964, a flag committee formed to settle issues. The maple leaf design by George Stanley based on the Royal Military College of Canada was chosen. National flags are not just used to fly in the air as a decoration piece. They have a much deeper and a consequential meaning to them. Just as for any country, the Canadian flag strengthened Canada's rise as a nation. Canada's flag illustrates the country's independence, military appreciation and unity.…

    • 124 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Immigration creates diversity in Canada. Immigration and diversity is what Canada is known for all around the world. As it says in the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures." The Canadian Multiculturalism Act was made July 1988; Canadian governments are reflecting society's increasing willingness to accept differences within the population. This just shows how much Canada values the difference cultures and the diversity of its nation. Immigration establishes a well known social environment; it brings together all sorts of different people with unique skills and allows for people to become more interactive with the world around them. Canadians value diversity for enriching cultural expression and making daily life more varied and interesting. Businesses and employers recognize that diversity in the workplace promotes innovation, stimulates teamwork and creativity and helps expand markets for goods and services . Canada receives different types of people, who bring with them unique characteristics and cultural background, which in hand diversifies the Canadian nation. As immigrants arrive into Canada they create an identity which creates an identity for Canada. As Jean Chrétien once said, "Canada has become a post-national, multicultural society. It contains the globe within its borders, and Canadians have learned that their two international languages and their diversity are a comparative advantage and a source of continuing creativity and innovation. Canadians are, by virtue of history and necessity open to the world." Canada has made its name known around the world by opening itself to the…

    • 1168 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Canadian Flag

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The way I view the Canadian flag is that is simple and easy to remember. The colours capture the attention of the citizen as well as people from other countries. The red portrays Canada as a country that has the determination, strength, power and love for everyone because Canada has shown these values to the whole world and its citizen. Canada offers a safe environment, which a citizen can live calmly. Canada has the strength to make its national the best place to feel at home with everyone and this displays the meaning of the red colour. On the other hand, the white colour represents the peace, safety and humility. Seeing that Canada is a country…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays