festivites
1. Canada Day - July 1st is a national holiday that celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1867. Canadians celebrate this holiday by participating in parades, concerts, fireworks displays, and other community events.
2. Victoria Day - This public holiday is celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25th. It honors Queen Victoria's birthday and marks the unofficial start of summer in Canada. Many people celebrate with outdoor activities such as picnics, barbecues, and fireworks.
3. Thanksgiving Day - Observed on the second Monday in October, Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in Canada. Similar to its American counterpart, people gather together to give thanks and share a meal with family and friends.
4. Christmas - Celebrated on December 25th, Christmas is one of the most widely recognized holidays in Canada. People typically decorate their homes, exchange gifts, and attend religious services.
5. Easter - This Christian holiday falls on a different date each year, usually sometime between late March and mid-April. Canadians celebrate with church services, Easter egg hunts, and special meals.
6. Remembrance Day - November 11th is a day to honor the sacrifices of Canadian veterans and fallen soldiers. People wear poppies and participate in ceremonies and parades to show their support for those who have served their country.
7. Hanukkah - This Jewish holiday begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar (usually around November or December). It is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, and gift-giving.
8. Diwali - Also known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali is a Hindu holiday celebrated in October or November. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. People celebrate by lighting candles, exchanging sweets and gifts, and decorating their homes.
seasons
The tourist seasons in Canada can vary depending on the region, but generally, they are as follows:
1. Summer Season (June to August):
This is the peak tourist season in Canada, especially in major cities and popular tourist destinations such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Niagara Falls. Expect larger crowds and higher prices during this time. It is recommended to book accommodations and activities well in advance.
2. Fall Season (September to November):
Fall foliage attracts visitors to Canada during this time, particularly in regions like Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. The weather can be mild, and prices may be lower than during the summer months. It's a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.
3. Winter Season (December to February):
Winter sports enthusiasts flock to Canada for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities during this season. Popular destinations include Whistler, Banff, and Mont-Tremblant. It is advisable to pack warm clothes and book accommodations ahead of time.
4. Spring Season (March to May):
Spring marks the beginning of the shoulder season in Canada. The weather can be unpredictable, but it's a great time to visit if you're looking for fewer crowds and lower prices. Cherry blossoms bloom in Vancouver and Toronto during this time, making it an ideal time for nature lovers.
visa
Here are some special visa rules for visiting Canada:
1. Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Citizens of certain countries, including the US, that are not visa-exempt need an eTA to enter Canada by air. The cost of an eTA is CAD $7.
2. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): Citizens of certain countries require a TRV to visit Canada. The application fee for a TRV is CAD $100.
3. Biometrics: Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) when applying for a TRV or other types of visas. The biometrics fee is CAD $85.
It's important to note that the costs listed above are subject to change and may not reflect the current fees at the time of your application. Additionally, there may be other requirements or fees depending on your specific situation, so it's recommended to check with the Canadian government's immigration website for the most up-to-date information.
souvenirs
1. Maple Syrup - Average Price: $10-20 CAD | Where to Buy: Farmers markets, souvenir shops
2. Ice Wine - Average Price: $40-100 CAD | Where to Buy: Wineries, liquor stores
3. Canadian-made Chocolate - Average Price: $5-15 CAD | Where to Buy: Chocolate shops, souvenir shops
4. Aboriginal Artwork and Crafts - Average Price: $20-200 CAD | Where to Buy: Indigenous art galleries, souvenir shops
5. Hudson's Bay Company Blanket - Average Price: $100-300 CAD | Where to Buy: The Bay (Hudson's Bay Company stores), souvenir shops
6. Smoked Salmon - Average Price: $15-30 CAD | Where to Buy: Fish markets, souvenir shops
7. Mountie Souvenirs - Average Price: $5-50 CAD | Where to Buy: Souvenir shops, tourist attractions
8. Poutine-Inspired Items - Average Price: $10-30 CAD | Where to Buy: Souvenir shops, restaurants
9. Inukshuk Figurines - Average Price: $10-50 CAD | Where to Buy: Souvenir shops, gift stores
10. Hockey Jerseys and Memorabilia - Average Price: $50-200 CAD | Where to Buy: Sports stores, souvenir shops.
If you have 1 week
Hi there! It's great to hear you're looking for travel suggestions. Based on your location in Canada, here's a suggested one week itinerary for you:
Day 1: Start your trip in Toronto, a vibrant and multicultural city. Visit the CN Tower, which offers stunning views of the city skyline and Lake Ontario. Stroll through the St. Lawrence Market, one of the best food markets in North America, and grab lunch at one of the many international food stalls.
Day 2: Take a short flight or drive to Montreal, a city with a distinct European flair. Spend the day exploring Old Montreal, with its picturesque cobblestone streets, charming cafes, and historic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Basilica.
Day 3: Explore Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only walled city in North America. Walk along the boardwalk overlooking the St. Lawrence River, tour the Chateau Frontenac, and visit the Citadel, a military fortress that dates back to the early 19th century.
Day 4: Head to Banff National Park in Alberta, known for its breathtaking mountain scenery and wildlife. Take a hike or go skiing at one of the many ski resorts in the area. Soak in the hot springs and relax after a busy day of outdoor activities.
Day 5: Continue your adventure in Banff by visiting Lake Louise, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Take a canoe ride or hike around the lake, and don't forget to snap a photo of the turquoise waters against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains.
Day 6: Drive to Vancouver, a cosmopolitan city located on Canada's west coast. Visit Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre urban park that features beaches, hiking trails, and the famous seawall. Check out Granville Island, a bustling market filled with artisanal vendors and delicious food.
Day 7: Cap off your trip with a day trip to Whistler, a picturesque mountain town that hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. Take a gondola ride to the top of the mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, or go ziplining or bungee jumping for an adrenaline rush.
I hope this itinerary provides some inspiration for your travels! Whether you're interested in urban exploration, outdoor adventure, or cultural immersion, Canada has something to offer for every type of traveler. Enjoy your trip!
If you have 2 weeks
Thank you for sharing your location with me! Based on the limited information provided, I would suggest the following two-week itinerary:
Week 1:
Day 1-2: Vancouver - Start your trip off by exploring one of Canada's most beautiful cities. Visit Stanley Park, Granville Island, and take a stroll through Gastown.
Day 3-4: Banff National Park - Head to Alberta to witness some of Canada's most breathtaking natural scenery in Banff National Park. Hike along Lake Louise, and soak up the views from the Banff Gondola.
Day 5-6: Toronto - Fly out to the East Coast and explore Canada's largest city. Visit the CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, and take a ferry to the Toronto Islands.
Day 7-8: Montreal - Travel to Quebec and immerse yourself in the culture and history of Montreal. Walk around Old Montreal, visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, and check out the city's famous street art.
Week 2:
Day 9-10: Halifax - Head further east to Nova Scotia and spend a couple of days in the charming city of Halifax. Visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, stroll along the waterfront, and try some fresh Atlantic seafood.
Day 11-12: Prince Edward Island - Take a ferry to the picturesque Prince Edward Island and explore the island's natural beauty. Walk on the red sand beaches at Cavendish Beach, visit the Anne of Green Gables Museum, and enjoy some fresh lobster.
Day 13-14: Niagara Falls - End your trip with a bang by visiting one of the world's most famous waterfalls. Take a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist, explore the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, and watch the falls light up at night.
I recommend this itinerary because it allows you to experience the diversity of Canadian culture and geography in just two weeks. From the stunning natural beauty of Banff National Park to the bustling city life of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, you will get a taste of what Canada has to offer. Halifax and Prince Edward Island also provide a unique experience with their maritime charm, fresh seafood and red sand beaches. And of course, ending your trip at Niagara Falls is a must-do for any traveler to Canada!
Culture
Canada's culture draws influences from its broad range of constituent nationalities and policies that promote a "just society" are constitutionally protected. Canada has placed emphasis on equality and inclusiveness for all its people. The official state policy of multiculturalism is often cited as one of Canada's significant accomplishments and a key distinguishing element of Canadian identity. In Quebec, cultural identity is strong and there is a French Canadian culture that is distinct from English Canadian culture. As a whole, Canada is in theory a cultural mosaic of regional ethnic subcultures.
Canada's approach to governance emphasizing multiculturalism, which is based on selective immigration, social integration, and suppression of far-right politics, has wide public support. Government policies such as publicly funded health care, higher taxation to redistribute wealth, the outlawing of capital punishment, strong efforts to eliminate poverty, strict gun control, a social liberal attitude toward women's rights (like pregnancy termination) and LGBTQ rights, and legalized euthanasia and cannabis use are indicators of Canada's political and cultural values. Canadians also identify with the country's foreign aid policies, peacekeeping roles, the National park system, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Historically, Canada has been influenced by British, French, and Indigenous cultures and traditions. Through their language, art, and music, Indigenous peoples continue to influence the Canadian identity. During the 20th century, Canadians with African, Caribbean, and Asian nationalities have added to the Canadian identity and its culture. Canadian humour is an integral part of the Canadian identity and is reflected in its folklore, literature, music, art, and media. The primary characteristics of Canadian humour are irony, parody, and satire.
Themes of nature, pioneers, trappers, and traders played an important part in the early development of Canadian symbolism. Modern symbols emphasize the country's geography, cold climate, lifestyles, and the Canadianization of traditional European and Indigenous symbols. The use of the maple leaf as a Canadian symbol dates to the early 18th century. The maple leaf is depicted on Canada's current and previous flags and on the Arms of Canada. Canada's official tartan, known as the "maple leaf tartan", has four colours that reflect the colours of the maple leaf as it changes through the seasons—green in the spring, gold in the early autumn, red at the first frost, and brown after falling. The Arms of Canada are closely modelled after those of the Untied Kingdom, with French and distinctive Canadian elements replacing or added to those derived from the British version.
Other prominent symbols include the national motto, "A mari usque ad mare" ("From Sea to Sea"), the sports of ice hockey and lacrosse, the beaver, Canada goose, common loon, Canadian horse, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Rockies, and, more recently, the totem pole and Inuksuk. Material items such as Canadian beer, maple syrup, tuques, canoes, nanaimo bars, butter tarts, and the Quebec dish of poutine are defined as uniquely Canadian. Canadian coins feature many of these symbols: the loon on the $1 coin, the Arms of Canada on the 50¢ piece, and the beaver on the nickel. The penny, removed from circulation in 2013, featured the maple leaf. An image of the previous monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, appears on $20 bank notes and the obverse of all current Canadian coins.
Canadian literature is often divided into French- and English-language literatures, which are rooted in the literary traditions of France and Britain, respectively. The earliest Canadian narratives were of travel and exploration. This progressed into three major themes that can be found within historical Canadian literature: nature, frontier life, and Canada's position within the world, all three of which tie into the garrison mentality. In recent decades, Canada's literature has been strongly influenced by immigrants from around the world. Since the 1980s, Canada's ethnic and cultural diversity has been openly reflected in its literature. By the 1990s, Canadian literature was viewed as some of the world's best.
Numerous Canadian authors have accumulated international literary awards, including novelist, poet, and literary critic Margaret Atwood, who received two Booker Prizes; Nobel laureate Alice Munro, who has been called the best living writer of short stories in English; and Booker Prize recipient Michael Ondaatje, who wrote the novel The English Patient, which was adapted as a film of the same name that won the Academy Award for Best Picture. L. M. Montgomery produced a series of children's novels beginning in 1908 with Anne of Green Gables.
Canada's media is highly autonomous, uncensored, diverse, and very regionalized. The Broadcasting Act declares "the system should serve to safeguard, enrich, and strengthen the cultural, political, social, and economic fabric of Canada". Canada has a well-developed media sector, but its cultural output—particularly in English films, television shows, and magazines—is often overshadowed by imports from the United States. As a result, the preservation of a distinctly Canadian culture is supported by federal government programs, laws, and institutions such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
Canadian mass media, both print and digital, and in both official languages, is largely dominated by a "handful of corporations". The largest of these corporations is the country's national public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which also plays a significant role in producing domestic cultural content, operating its own radio and TV networks in both English and French. In addition to the CBC, some provincial governments offer their own public educational TV broadcast services as well, such as TVOntario and Télé-Québec.
Non-news media content in Canada, including film and television, is influenced both by local creators as well as by imports from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France. In an effort to reduce the amount of foreign-made media, government interventions in television broadcasting can include both regulation of content and public financing. Canadian tax laws limit foreign competition in magazine advertising.
Art in Canada is marked by thousands of years of habitation by its indigenous peoples. Historically, the Catholic Church was the primary patron of art in New France and early Canada, especially Quebec, and, in later times, artists have combined British, French, Indigenous, and American artistic traditions, at times embracing European styles while working to promote nationalism. The nature of Canadian art reflects these diverse origins, as artists have taken their traditions and adapted these influences to reflect the reality of their lives in Canada.
The Canadian government has played a role in the development of Canadian culture through the department of Canadian Heritage, by giving grants to art galleries, as well as establishing and funding art schools and colleges across the country, and through the Canada Council for the Arts (established in 1957), the national public arts funder, helping artists, art galleries and periodicals, and thus contributing to the development of Canada's cultural works. Since the 1950s, works of Inuit art have been given as gifts to foreign dignitaries by the Canadian government.
Canadian visual art has been dominated by figures, such as painter Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. The latter were painters with a nationalistic and idealistic focus, who first exhibited their distinctive works in May 1920. Though referred to as having seven members, five artists—Lawren Harris, A. Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer, J. E. H. MacDonald, and Frederick Varley—were responsible for articulating the group's ideas. They were joined briefly by Frank Johnston and commercial artist Franklin Carmichael. A. J. Casson became part of the group in 1926. Associated with the group was another prominent Canadian artist, Emily Carr, known for her landscapes and portrayals of the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
Canadian music reflects a variety of regional scenes. Canada has developed a vast music infrastructure that includes church halls, chamber halls, conservatories, academies, performing arts centres, record companies, radio stations, and television music video channels. Government support programs, such as the Canada Music Fund, assist a wide range of musicians and entrepreneurs who create, produce and market original and diverse Canadian music. The Canadian music industry is the sixth-largest in the world, producing internationally renowned composers, musicians, and ensembles. Music broadcasting in the country is regulated by the CRTC. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presents Canada's music industry awards, the Juno Awards, which were first awarded in 1970. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame, established in 1976, honours Canadian musicians for their lifetime achievements.
Patriotic music in Canada dates back over 200 years as a distinct category from British patriotism, preceding Canadian Confederation by over 50 years. The earliest work of patriotic music in Canada, "The Bold Canadian", was written in 1812. "The Maple Leaf Forever", written in 1866, was a popular patriotic song throughout English Canada and, for many years, served as an unofficial national anthem. The official national anthem, "O Canada", was originally commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, Théodore Robitaille, for the 1880 St. Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony and was officially adopted in 1980. Calixa Lavallée wrote the music, which was a setting of a patriotic poem composed by the poet and judge Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The text was originally only in French before it was adapted into English in 1906.
The roots of organized sports in Canada date back to the 1770s, culminating in the development and popularization of the major professional games of ice hockey, lacrosse, curling, basketball, baseball, soccer, and Canadian football. Canada's official national sports are ice hockey and lacrosse. Other sports such as volleyball, skiing, cycling, swimming, badminton, tennis, bowling, and the study of martial arts are all widely enjoyed at the youth and amateur levels. Great achievements in Canadian sports are recognized by Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, while the Lou Marsh Trophy is awarded annually to Canada's top athlete by a panel of journalists. There are numerous other sport "halls of fame" in Canada, such as the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Canada shares several major professional sports leagues with the United States. Canadian teams in these leagues include seven franchises in the National Hockey League, as well as three Major League Soccer teams and one team in each of Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association. Other popular professional competitions include the Canadian Football League, National Lacrosse League, the Canadian Premier League, and the various curling tournaments sanctioned and organized by Curling Canada.
Canada has enjoyed success both at the Winter Olympics and at the Summer Olympics —though, particularly, the Winter Games as a "winter sports nation"—and has hosted several high-profile international sporting events such as the 1976 Summer Olympics, the 1988 Winter Olympics, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Most recently, Canada hosted the 2015 Pan American Games and 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, the former being one of the largest sporting events hosted by the country. The country is scheduled to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and the United States.
Religion
Canada is religiously diverse, encompassing a wide range of beliefs and customs. Although the constitution of Canada refers to God and the monarch carries the title of Defender of the Faith, Canada has no official church and the government is officially committed to religious pluralism. Freedom of religion in Canada is a constitutionally protected right, allowing individuals to assemble and worship without limitation or interference.
The "Fundamental Freedoms" section of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states: "2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
* (a) freedom of conscience and religion;
* (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
* (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
* (d) freedom of association"
The practice of religion is generally considered a private matter throughout society and the state. Rates of religious adherence have steadily decreased from the 1970s to the 2020s. With Christianity in decline after having once been central and integral to Canadian culture and daily life, Canada has become a post-Christian, secular state. The majority of Canadians consider religion to be unimportant in their daily lives, but still believe in God.
According to the 2021 census, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with Roman Catholics representing 29.9 percent of the population having the most adherents. Christians overall representing 53.3 percent of the population, are followed by people reporting irreligion or having no religion at 34.6 percent. Other faiths include Islam (4.9 percent), Hinduism (2.3 percent), Sikhism (2.1 percent), Buddhism (1.0 percent), Judaism (0.9 percent), and Indigenous spirituality (0.2 percent). Canada has the second-largest national Sikh population, behind India.
Demographics
The 2021 Canadian census enumerated a total population of 36,991,981, an increase of around 5.2 percent over the 2016 figure. The main drivers of population growth are immigration and, to a lesser extent, natural growth. Canada has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world, driven mainly by economic policy and also family reunification. A record number of 405,000 immigrants were admitted to Canada in 2021. New immigrants settle mostly in major urban areas in the country, such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Canada also accepts large numbers of refugees, accounting for over 10 percent of annual global refugee resettlements; it resettled more than 28,000 in 2018.
Canada's population density, at 4.2 PD/km2, is among the lowest in the world. Canada spans latitudinally from the 83rd parallel north to the 41st parallel north and approximately 95 percent of the population is found south of the 55th parallel north. About 80 percent of the population lives within 150 km of the border with the contiguous United States. The most densely populated part of the country, accounting for nearly 50 percent, is the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor in Southern Quebec and Southern Ontario along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
The majority of Canadians (81.1 percent) live in family households, 12.1 percent report living alone, and those living with other relatives or unrelated persons reported at 6.8 percent. Fifty-one percent of households are couples with or without children, 8.7 percent are single-parent households, 2.9 percent are multigenerational households, and 29.3 percent are single-person households.
Healthcare in Canada is delivered through the provincial and territorial systems of publicly funded health care, informally called Medicare. It is guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act of 1984 and is universal. Universal access to publicly funded health services "is often considered by Canadians as a fundamental value that ensures national healthcare insurance for everyone wherever they live in the country." Around 30 percent of Canadians' healthcare is paid for through the private sector. This mostly pays for services not covered or partially covered by Medicare, such as prescription drugs, dentistry and optometry. Approximately 65 to 75 percent of Canadians have some form of supplementary health insurance related to the aforementioned reasons; many receive it through their employers or access secondary social service programs related to extended coverage for families receiving social assistance or vulnerable demographics, such as seniors, minors, and those with disabilities.
In common with many other developed countries, Canada is experiencing an increase in healthcare expenditures due to a demographic shift toward an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age. In 2006, the average age in Canada was 39.5 years; it rose to 42.4 years by 2018 before falling slightly to 41.9 in 2021. Life expectancy is 81.1 years. A 2016 report by the chief public health officer found that 88 percent of Canadians, one of the highest proportions of the population among G7 countries, indicated that they "had good or very good health". Eighty percent of Canadian adults self-report having at least one major risk factor for chronic disease: smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating or excessive alcohol use. Canada has one of the highest rates of adult obesity among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, contributing to approximately 2.7 million cases of diabetes (types 1 and 2 combined). Four chronic diseases—cancer (leading cause of death), cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and diabetes—account for 65 percent of deaths in Canada.
In 2021, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that healthcare spending reached $308billion, or 12.7 percent of Canada's GDP for that year. Canada's per-capita spending on health expenditures ranked 4th among health-care systems in the OECD. Canada has performed close to, or above the average on the majority of OECD health indicators since the early 2000s, ranking above the average on OECD indicators for wait-times and access to care, with average scores for quality of care and use of resources. The Commonwealth Fund's 2021 report comparing the healthcare systems of the 11 most developed countries ranked Canada second-to-last. Identified weaknesses were comparatively higher infant mortality rate, the prevalence of chronic conditions, long wait times, poor availability of after-hours care, and a lack of prescription drugs and dental coverage. An increasing problem in Canada's health system is a lack of healthcare professionals.
Education in Canada is for the most part provided publicly, funded and overseen by federal, provincial, and local governments. Education is within provincial jurisdiction and the curriculum is overseen by the province. Education in Canada is generally divided into primary education, followed by secondary education and post-secondary. Education in both English and French is available in most places across Canada. Canada has a large number of universities, almost all of which are publicly funded. Established in 1663, Université Laval is the oldest post-secondary institution in Canada. The largest university is the University of Toronto with over 85,000 students. Four universities are regularly ranked among the top 100 world-wide, namely University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, and McMaster University, with a total of 18 universities ranked in the top 500 worldwide.
According to a 2019 report by the OECD, Canada is one of the most educated countries in the world; the country ranks first worldwide in the percentage of adults having tertiary education, with over 56 percent of Canadian adults having attained at least an undergraduate college or university degree. Canada spends about 5.3 percent of its GDP on education. The country invests heavily in tertiary education (more than US$20,000 per student). , 89 percent of adults aged 25 to 64 have earned the equivalent of a high-school degree, compared to an OECD average of 75 percent.
The mandatory education age ranges between 5–7 to 16–18 years, contributing to an adult literacy rate of 99 percent. Just over 60,000 children are homeschooled in the country as of 2016. The Programme for International Student Assessment indicates Canadian students perform well above the OECD average, particularly in mathematics, science, and reading, ranking the overall knowledge and skills of Canadian 15-year-olds as the sixth-best in the world, although these scores have been declining in recent years. Canada is a well-performing OECD country in reading literacy, mathematics, and science, with the average student scoring 523.7, compared with the OECD average of 493 in 2015.
According to the 2021 Canadian census, over 450 "ethnic or cultural origins" were self-reported by Canadians. The major panethnic groups chosen were: European (52.5%), North American (22.9%), Asian (19.3%), North American Indigenous (6.1%), African (3.8%), Latin, Central and South American (2.5%), Caribbean (2.1%), Oceanian (0.3%), and other (6%). Statistics Canada reports that 35.5 percent of the population reported multiple ethnic origins, thus the overall total is greater than 100 percent.
The country's ten largest self-reported specific ethnic or cultural origins in 2021 were Canadian (accounting for 15.6 percent of the population), followed by English (14.7 percent), Irish (12.1 percent), Scottish (12.1 percent), French (11.0 percent), German (8.1 percent), Chinese (4.7 percent), Italian (4.3 percent), Indian (3.7 percent), and Ukrainian (3.5 percent).
Of the 36.3 million people enumerated in 2021, approximately 25.4 million reported being "White", representing 69.8 percent of the population. The Indigenous population representing 5 percent or 1.8 million individuals, grew by 9.4 percent compared to the non-Indigenous population, which grew by 5.3 percent from 2016 to 2021. One out of every four Canadians or 26.5 percent of the population belonged to a non-White and non-Indigenous visible minority, the largest of which in 2021 were South Asian (2.6 million people; 7.1 percent), Chinese (1.7 million; 4.7 percent), and Black (1.5 million; 4.3 percent).
Between 2011 and 2016, the visible minority population rose by 18.4 percent. In 1961, about 300,000 people, less than two percent of Canada's population, were members of visible minority groups. The 2021 census indicated that 8.3million people, or almost one-quarter (23.0 percent) of the population, reported themselves as being or having been a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada—above the 1921 census previous record of 22.3 percent. In 2021, India, China, and the Philippines were the top three countries of origin for immigrants moving to Canada.
A multitude of languages are used by Canadians, with English and French (the official languages) being the mother tongues of approximately 54 percent and 19 percent of Canadians, respectively. As of the 2021 census, just over 7.8 million Canadians listed a non-official language as their mother tongue. Some of the most common non-official first languages include Mandarin (679,255 first-language speakers), Punjabi (666,585), Cantonese (553,380), Spanish (538,870), Arabic (508,410), Tagalog (461,150), Italian (319,505), and German (272,865). Canada's federal government practices official bilingualism, which is applied by the commissioner of official languages in consonance with section 16 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the federal Official Languages Act. English and French have equal status in federal courts, Parliament, and in all federal institutions. Citizens have the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive federal government services in either English or French and official-language minorities are guaranteed their own schools in all provinces and territories.
The 1977 Charter of the French Language established French as the official language of Quebec. Although more than 82 percent of French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec, there are substantial Francophone populations in New Brunswick, Alberta, and Manitoba; Ontario has the largest French-speaking population outside Quebec. New Brunswick, the only officially bilingual province, has a French-speaking Acadian minority constituting 33 percent of the population. There are also clusters of Acadians in southwestern Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island, and through central and western Prince Edward Island.
Other provinces have no official languages as such, but French is used as a language of instruction, in courts, and for other government services, in addition to English. Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec allow for both English and French to be spoken in the provincial legislatures and laws are enacted in both languages. In Ontario, French has some legal status, but is not fully co-official. There are 11 Indigenous language groups, composed of more than 65 distinct languages and dialects. Several Indigenous languages have official status in the Northwest Territories. Inuktitut is the majority language in Nunavut and is one of three official languages in the territory.
Additionally, Canada is home to many sign languages, some of which are Indigenous. American Sign Language (ASL) is used across the country due to the prevalence of ASL in primary and secondary schools. Due to its historical relation to the francophone culture, Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) is used primarily in Quebec, although there are sizeable Francophone communities in New Brunswick, Ontario, and Manitoba.
Canada is religiously diverse, encompassing a wide range of beliefs and customs. Although the constitution of Canada refers to God and the monarch carries the title of Defender of the Faith, Canada has no official church and the government is officially committed to religious pluralism. Freedom of religion in Canada is a constitutionally protected right, allowing individuals to assemble and worship without limitation or interference.
The "Fundamental Freedoms" section of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states: "2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
* (a) freedom of conscience and religion;
* (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
* (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
* (d) freedom of association"
The practice of religion is generally considered a private matter throughout society and the state. Rates of religious adherence have steadily decreased from the 1970s to the 2020s. With Christianity in decline after having once been central and integral to Canadian culture and daily life, Canada has become a post-Christian, secular state. The majority of Canadians consider religion to be unimportant in their daily lives, but still believe in God.
According to the 2021 census, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with Roman Catholics representing 29.9 percent of the population having the most adherents. Christians overall representing 53.3 percent of the population, are followed by people reporting irreligion or having no religion at 34.6 percent. Other faiths include Islam (4.9 percent), Hinduism (2.3 percent), Sikhism (2.1 percent), Buddhism (1.0 percent), Judaism (0.9 percent), and Indigenous spirituality (0.2 percent). Canada has the second-largest national Sikh population, behind India.
Cities:
