Culture in Canada
Canada is a culturally-diverse nation. Many immigrants are able to retain their cultural identities, traditions, languages and customs because of the freedoms their ethnic communities experience in Canada.
The foundation of Canada's culture has been influenced by European cultures and traditions, especially those from Great Britain and France. Canada’s culture is also influenced by American culture, especially because of its close proximity, trade relations and immigration between Canada and the US.
Canada’s modern-day culture is considered progressive, diverse, and multicultural. The federal government also has a role in influencing the society with programs, laws and institutions that benefit the public. A democratic governing body that represents the will of its people – Canada’s federal government creates laws and policies that influence its culture, such as publicly-funded healthcare, taxation, outlawing capital punishment, efforts to mitigate poverty, support for cultural diversity and, most recently, legalizing same-sex marriage. These laws are first debated, voted on and finally become part of Canada’s political and cultural life.
Canadian society is open and relatively free of class distinctions. Most residents strive for equality and believe that all people deserve the same rights and respect, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or cultural background. Racism and prejudices are not tolerated. Canadians are generally a tolerant, polite and community-oriented people. Although they enjoy individualism, at the same time, they place a great deal of emphasis on the individual's responsibility to the community. In fact, most Canadians have a stronger allegiance to their province or local community than to the country.
The foundation of Canada's culture has been influenced by European cultures and traditions, especially those from Great Britain and France. Canada’s culture is also influenced by American culture, especially because of its close proximity, trade relations and immigration between Canada and the US.
Canada’s modern-day culture is considered progressive, diverse, and multicultural. The federal government also has a role in influencing the society with programs, laws and institutions that benefit the public. A democratic governing body that represents the will of its people – Canada’s federal government creates laws and policies that influence its culture, such as publicly-funded healthcare, taxation, outlawing capital punishment, efforts to mitigate poverty, support for cultural diversity and, most recently, legalizing same-sex marriage. These laws are first debated, voted on and finally become part of Canada’s political and cultural life.
Canadian society is open and relatively free of class distinctions. Most residents strive for equality and believe that all people deserve the same rights and respect, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or cultural background. Racism and prejudices are not tolerated. Canadians are generally a tolerant, polite and community-oriented people. Although they enjoy individualism, at the same time, they place a great deal of emphasis on the individual's responsibility to the community. In fact, most Canadians have a stronger allegiance to their province or local community than to the country.