Culture can be defined as the behaviours and belief characteristics of a particular social, ethnic,
or age group. Every country has its own special way of life. Canada’s in particular can be considered
unique because Canada is a cultural mosaic, which allows elements of many cultures to be integrated
into one. Canada’s culture has many influences because the numerous people who immigrate here are
encouraged to keep their culture. These immigrants also teach the people they meet when they move
here about their own ways of life. Canada has a culture that is made up of many because of all the
immigration, and openness to culture that the country possesses.
At different times throughout history, people have immigrated here and left their mark on
Canada. One of the first times culture is evident in Canada, the culture is being mixed. Before Canada
was even its own country, it was starting to develop its identity. There were many European colonies,
British and French being dominant. Since natives were already here, they taught European colonists
about their traditions, and how to survive in Canada. In return, the colonists shared their own way of life
with the natives. Each group learned from the other and passed down their mixed cultures to new
generations. In the 1840s, the Great Famine in Ireland left many without money or food. Around
300,000 immigrants came, mostly settling along the east coast. The Irish culture is present, as you can
hear it in the voices of many people living there. Presently, the Asian population has increased. This is
evident in the changes in the food we eat. Recently, ethnic food has become more popular as more and
more immigrants come an...
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...Immigration to
Canada has always been a leading factor in culture because the country accepts culture, and encourages
those who immigrate to Canada to keep their culture and share it. Many people have come to Canada in
search of a better life, and with them they bring traditions passed down through generations. Canada’s
culture is mosaic-like in the sense that so many cultures are able to mesh together, and be integrated in
all areas of Canada.
Works Cited http://www.mta.ca/about_canada/multi/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/archives/canadian-culture-a-category/article801204/
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ai-ia/rir-iro/gbll/convention/index-eng.cfm
http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/Encyclopedia/A-Z
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/6828/la_id/1.htm
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/youth/sub.cfm?source=teach_resources/peacefact
But today more then even Canadian culture is affected by the American influence. Media, American artists, economic dependence, American propaganda and political pressure from the United States is making Canada too Americanized. All of these factors reflect on the social life of ordinary Canadians threatening the heritage and the traditions that define Canada as independent country. Canada and the United States are the largest trade partners in the world. It is the result of the geographical position of two countries and the free trade between two countries.
This is because it shaped Canada’s social, economic and political culture. As Wilfrid Laurier, prime minister of Canada from 1896-1911, said in 1904 “…The nineteenth century was the century of the United States. I think we can claim that Canada will fill the twentieth century.” (Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Jan 18, 1904). And indeed it did; Wilfrid Laurier opened the gates to immigration and changed the twentieth century for Canada from that point forward. In the ten years between 1906 and 1916, two million newcomers immigrated to Canada. It was the country’s largest population boom. This population increase was immensely beneficial as it led to industrialization and urbanization. It also boosted the economy as new jobs were created. After the population boom, Canadians were now Irish, Italian, Polish, Ukrainian, Dutch, Scandinavian, Japanese and Chinese. The various cultures of new immigrants affected Canada socially and culturally, as new languages, traditions, foods and arts appeared in Canada. Moreover, not only did immigrants contribute to massive cultural growth but they also changed perspectives on diversity; changing Canadian identity for years to
According to citizen and immigration Canada statistics, (Immigrating to Canada, 2009), each year, Canada welcomes more than 200,000 new immigrants. It creates a diverse of multiple nationalities. Most immigrants from Europe or their descendants have religious backgrounds which respect universal fraternity. Also the multiculturalism makes Canada a "melting pot" for every member in the "pot". People respect each other and live together peacefully. People with different backgrounds live together peacefully without discrimination.
Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.
The Irish began immigrating to North America in the 1820s, when the lack of jobs and poverty forced them to seek better opportunities elsewhere after the end of the major European wars. When the Europeans could finally stop depending on the Irish for food during war, the investment in Irish agricultural products reduced and the boom was over. After an economic boom, there comes a bust and unemployment was the result. Two-thirds of the people of Ireland depended on potato harvests as a main source of income and, more importantly, food. Then between the years of 1845 and 1847, a terrible disease struck the potato crops. The plague left acre after acre of Irish farmland covered with black rot. The failure of the potato yields caused the prices of food to rise rapidly. With no income coming from potato harvests, families dependent on potato crops could not afford to pay rent to their dominantly British and Protestant landlords and were evicted only to be crowded into disease-infested workhouses. Peasants who were desperate for food found themselves eating the rotten potatoes only to develop and spread horrible diseases. ¡§Entire villages were quickly homeless, starving, and diagnosed with either cholera or typhus.¡¨(Interpreting¡K,online) The lack of food and increased incidents of death forced incredible numbers of people to leave Ireland for some place which offered more suitable living conditions. Some landlords paid for the emigration of their tenants because it made more economic sense to rid farms of residents who were not paying their rent. Nevertheless, emigration did not prove to be an antidote for the Famine. The ships were overcrowded and by the time they reached their destination, approximately one third of its passengers had been lost to disease, hunger and other complications. However, many passengers did survive the journey and, as a result, approximately ¡§1.5 million Irish people immigrated to North America during the 1840¡¦s and 1850¡¦s.¡¨(Bladley, online) As a consequence of famine, disease (starvation and disease took as many as one million lives) and emigration, ¡§Ireland¡¦s population dropped from 8 million to 5 million over a matter of years.¡¨(Bladley, online) Although Britain came to the aid of the starving, many Irish blamed Britain for their delayed response and for centuries of political hardship as basi...
The culture of Canada refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that are a representative of Canada and Canadians throughout Canada's history, its culture has been influenced by American culture because of a shared language, proximity, television and migration between the two countries. Overtime, Canadian-American relations have helped develop Canada’s identity during the years 1945-1982; thus introducing changing social norms , media and entertainment. In support of this, due to the United States being approximately 9.25 times larger in population and having the dominant cultural and economic influence it played a vital role in establishing Canada’s identity. With Canada being its neighbour, naturally, the United States would influence their way of life upon Canada. In other words,
Canadians have come along way in their culture and identity. Canadians have participated in multiple wars and battles that have shaped our country and the people that live in this country. But it’s not just the violence what shaped our country but the people and traditions that originated outside of Canada and was brought here. European, British and French cultures and tradition have all influenced Canada’s culture and identity. (Blattberg, C. 13, January 02). Immigrants from all over the world have in the passed contributed to the way we view Canada and because of that we live in a safe, mosaic, multicultural country. (Blattberg, C. 13, January 02).There have also been the First Nations people who started Canada’s good reputation and because of them we have accomplished everything that we have done today. (Blattberg, C. 13, January 02).
their culture, one of which is the First Nations people of North America. These two cultures have many
Reed, Kevin, Natasha Beeds, and Barbara Filion. Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. Toronto: Pearson Canada, 2011. Print.
Everywhere around us is our heritage. Our government, language, customs and habits, music, books and a wide variety of scientific inventions are gifts to us from our ancestors who lived in Canada. But, the influence of our heritage has been shaped by the influence of United States and many other nations. The histories of these nations have helped us become the country that it is today. Everyone living in Canada is lucky to have a great country, without many problems. I think, it is not hard to say that everyone is proud Canadian.
“ Canada 's national obsession seems to be its own identity.” For many years Canada has feared the increasing influence of its North American neighbors on its culture - the United States . It has become a matter of growing concern for the people of power and influence in Canada to maintain their separate cultural identity and to promote their own cultural norms. Gaetan Tremblay presents his views on this topic and does this from the perspective of a person living and working in Quebec.
The first thing we should examine is what exactly is meant by “strong national identity”. A very good example of strong national identity is the U.S.. I doubt there is a man on this planet who is not familiar with the U.S.. People immediately recognize their flag, and most people can tell you quite a bit about them. The same is true of Canada, and what do they know of Canada? In 1995 U.S. President Bill Clinton stated his view of Canada in a speech where he declared, “Canada has shown the world how to balance freedom with compassion and tradition with innovation, in your efforts to provide health care to all your citizens, to treat senior citizens with the dignity and respect they deserve...”(Canada Today 9). We were also rated first in the UN’s 1992 “Human Development Index” (9).
The cultural difference between Canada is huge. Both the countries are multicultural but Canada is more western in culture whereas Singapore are mostly dominated by Chinese, Malay, and Indian culture. According to the Greet Hofstede Model,
Growing up with a diverse community makes you realize that Canada is growing and slowly becoming a Multicultural society. Multiculturalism as stated in the textbook, is defined as allowing and accepting different cultures and providing them encouragement and support to keep their culture and diverse traditions (Mintz et al. 2015, 34). In 1971, Canada became the first country in the world to adapt the official policy of multiculturalism. (Government of Canada.
Canada. The typical stereotype: kind, considerate, always saying sorry. Everyone of every size, shape, and color seem to inhabit one part or another in Canada. The question really is how they got there. Granted, the stereotype didn't always apply to Canada. At points, Canada wasn't all smiles and rainbows. Rather, violent periods of cultural crashing occurred in the country that were hidden in plain sight via specific literary devices such as imagery, conflict, and irony. These same devices were used to convey more mild blending of cultures as well. This blending of cultures eventually became a prominent theme in Canadian writing.