Who We Are

Discover Canada's diverse population — Aboriginal peoples, the two founding peoples, and generations of immigrants.

⏱ 7 min read

Canada's population of nearly 34 million people is one of the most diverse on earth. It is built from Aboriginal peoples and generations of immigrants from every country in the world.

Aboriginal Peoples

The Aboriginal peoples of Canada include the First Nations, the Métis, and the Inuit. They were the first to inhabit this land and have been part of Canada's fabric for thousands of years.

First Nations

Over 600 recognized First Nations governments or bands across Canada, with a great diversity of language and culture.

Métis

A distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry who developed a unique culture — including the Michif language.

Inuit

Aboriginal peoples of the Arctic who live in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik (northern Quebec), and Labrador.

An introduction to Canada's First Nations, Métis, and Inuit

The Two Founding Peoples

The French and the British are considered Canada's two founding peoples. Together, they built a country that would eventually span a continent.

English and French are Canada's two official languages. About 18% of Canadians speak French as their first language. Most French-speaking Canadians (Francophones) live in Quebec, but there are significant Francophone communities in other provinces.

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French Language Rights

Francophones outside Quebec have fought hard to maintain their language and culture. Today, French-language schools and services exist across Canada.

A Diverse Society

Canada has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world. Over the past 200 years, hundreds of thousands of newcomers have helped to build and defend Canada.

•In the 1800s, large waves of immigrants came from Ireland, Scotland, and Central Europe.
•After World War II, many displaced Europeans came to Canada.
•Since the 1970s, Canada has welcomed immigrants from all parts of the world.
•About 250,000 immigrants become permanent residents of Canada each year.

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Multiculturalism

Canada officially adopted multiculturalism as a policy in 1971. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1988 declared that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of Canadian society.

Canada's Geography

Canada is the second-largest country in the world, with an area of almost 10 million square kilometres. Its long eastern and western coastlines and its vast northern territories are hallmarks of its geography.

Area

Almost 10 million km² — the second-largest country in the world.

Borders

Canada borders three oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.

🍁 Key Points to Remember

•Aboriginal peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) were the first to inhabit Canada.
•Canada's two founding peoples are the French and the British.
•Canada has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world.
•Canada is the world's second-largest country by area, with over 34 million people.
•Canada has an official policy of multiculturalism recognizing the diversity of its citizens.

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