Discover Canada

A summary by Hani Mohammed

• Sources of Canadian law • 800 of ordered liberty
– Laws passed by parliament and provincial including:
legislatures, 1. Freedom of Conscience and
– English common law, religion

– Civil code of France, 2. Freedom of thoughts, belief,

opinion and expression,
– and the unwritten constitution that have including the freedom of
inherited from GB. speech and of the press.
3. Freedom of peaceful assembly.
4. Freedom of association.

Magna Carta was signed in 1215, known as the great charter of freedom.
Most important rights of the charter:
• Mobility rights
• Aboriginal people’s rights.
• Official language rights and
minority language education
rights.
• Multiculturism
Citizenship responsibilities
• Obeying the law • Defending Canada:
– No compulsory military
• Taking responsibilities for oneself service in Canada.
and one’s family ( find a job)
• Serving in a jury ( if you called to do
so, you must do it)
• Voting in elections.
• Helping others in the community.
• Protecting and enjoying our
heritage and environment.
Who we are?
• We are the only constitutional
monarchy in North America.
• Peace, order and good govt, a key
phrase in Canada’s original
constitutional document in 1867, the
British north America act.
• Poets and songwriters have hailed
Canada as the “Great Dominion”
Aboriginal people:
(65% first nation, 30% Metis, and 4% Inuit)
• Their ancestors migrated from Asia • Aboriginal refers to:
thousands of years ago.
1. Indian:
• Aboriginal and treaty rights are in the – in the 1970s, the term first nations began to
Canadian constitution. be used.
– Half of first nations people live in reserve
• Territorial rights were first guaranteed lands in about 600 communities.
through the Royal proclamation of 1763 by
King George III – The other half live off-reserve, mainly in
urban centers.
• From 1800s until 1980s the federal govt 2. Inuit:
placed aboriginal children in residential
schools to educate and assimilate them into – Means the “people” in Inuktitut language
mainstream Canadian culture. – They live in small scattered communities
across the arctic.
• Some were physically abused. Culture and – Their knowledge of land, sea and wildlife
language were prohibited enabled them to adapt.
• In 2008 Ottawa formally apologized. 3. Metis:
– Distinct people of mixed aboriginal and
European ancestry.
– The majority live in the Prairie provinces.
– Come from English and French
background but speak their own dialect.
 English and French
• English and French: • Quebecers:
– Federal govt is required by the law to provide service – People of Quebec
in English and French.
– Descendants of 8500 French settlers
– 18 million people (anglophones), and 7 million between 1600s and 1700s.
(francophones).
– Maintain unique culture and identity.
– One million francophones live in Ontario, New
Brunswick, Manitoba with a smaller presence in other – In 2006, house of common recognized
provinces. them as a nation.

– New Brunswick is the only official bilingual language. – One million of Anglo-Quebecers have a
heritage of 250 years and form a vibrant
part of Quebec fabric.
• Acadians:
– Descendants of French colonists began to settle in • English speaking area was formed by:
what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604.
– English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish settlers,
– More than 2/3 of the Acadian were deported during soldiers and migrants from the 1600 to the
the war between Britain and France (1755-1763). 20th century.
– The Acadians survived, despite the great upheaval. – Pioneers from British origins.
– Today their culture is flourishing. – Anglophones are referred to as “English
Canadian”
 Diversity in Canada
• Majority of Canadians were born in • Non-official languages are spoken at homes,
Canada since the 1800s. Chinese is no. 2 at home in two cities
(Vancouver:13%, and Toronto: 7%).
• However, Canada is referred to as
“Land of immigrants”. • Most Canadians are Christians (Catholic is
largest, followed by protestant).
• Over the last 200 years, millions of
newcomers have helped to build and • Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and members of
defend our way of life. other religions and “no religion” are also
growing.
• Largest ethnic groups are:
– English, French, Scottish, Irish, German,
• Gays, lesbian and access to civil marriage.
Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian,
• Olympian Marjorie Turner-Bailey of Nova Scotia is
Dutch, south Asian, and Scandinavian.
a descendant of black Loyalists, escaped slaves
and freed men and women of African origin who
• Since 1970s, most of immigrants are in the 1780s fled to Canada from America, where
from Asian countries. slavery remained legal until 1863
Canada’s history
• Aboriginal people: • First Europeans:
– Huron-Wendat of Great Lakes region, like – Vikings form Iceland colonized Greenland
Iroquois were farmers and hunters. 1000 years ago, also Labrador and NFL.
– Cree and Dene of the Northwest were hunter- – Remains of their settlement (l’Anse aux
gatherers. Meadows, are world Heritage site).
– Sioux were nomadic following bison herd. – European exploration in 1497.
– Inuit lived off the Arctic wildlife. – John Cabot first to draw a map of Canada’s
east coast.
– West Coast natives preserved fish by drying
and smoking.
• Exploring A river, Naming Canada:
– Warfare was common between them as they
– Between 1534 and 1542 Jacques Cartier
competed for land, resources and prestige.
made three voyages across the Atlantic ,
– Arrival Europeans changed this life forever. claiming land of King Francis I of France.
– Large number of Aboriginals died of European – In Iroquoian language, the word Kanata
diseases. means “Village”
– European and aboriginals had a 200 years – By 1550, the name of Canada started to
bond of economy, religion, etc. appear on the maps.
• Royal New France • Struggle for a Continent
– In 1604, French explorers Pierre de Monts – In 1670, King Charles II granted Hudson’s Bay
and Samuel de Champlain settled in North company exclusive trading rights over the
Florida (St. Croix Island “Maine”), then at watershed draining into Hudson Bay.
Port-Royal, in Acadia (Nova Scotia).
– For the next 100 years, the company
– In1608 Champlain built fortress (Quebec competed with Montreal-based traders.
city).
– Men travelled by Canoe were called
– Champlain allied with Algonquin, voyageurs and coureurs des bois, and formed
Montagnais and Huron against Iroquois. strong alliances with Frist nations.
– French and Aboriginal collaborated in fur- – English colonies (dating from early 1600s)
trade. became stronger and richer than new France.
– Jean Talon, Bishop Laval, and Count – In the 1700s, France and GB battled for
Frontenac build French empire from Hudson control of North America.
Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
– In 1759, the British defeated the French in the
battle of Plains of Abraham (Quebec city) to
end France’s empire in North America.
– In that battle, Commanders were Brigadier
James Wolfe and Marquis de Montcalm
• The province of Quebec • United Empire Loyalists
– After the war, GB renamed the colony the – In 1776, the 13 British colonies to the south of
“Province of Quebec” Quebec declared independence to form USA.
– The French speaking people Catholic – More than 40,000 “Loyalists” fled the oppression
known as habitants of Canadiens. of the American revolution to Nova Scotia &
Quebec.
– The British govt passed the Quebec act of
1774. – Joseph Brant led thousands of Loyalist Mohawk
Indians into Canada.
– Quebec act accommodated the principles
of British institutions to the reality of the – Loyalists came from Dutch, German, British,
province. Scandinavian, Aboriginal and other origins and
from Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist,
– It allows religious freedom for Catholics and
Jewish, Quaker and Catholic religions.
permitted them to hold public office.
– About 3000 black loyalists' freedmen and slaves
– It restored the French civil law while
came to the north for better life.
maintaining British criminal law.
– In 1792, some Black nova Scotians who were
given poor land, moved to establish (Free Town)
Sierra Leone (West Africa).
• The beginnings of Democracy • Abolition of Slavery
– Democratic institutions developed gradually and – The first movement to abolish slave
peacefully. trade was emerged in the British
parliament in the late 1700s.
– 1st representative assembly was elected in Halifax, Nova
Scotia (1758), in PEI (1773), and New Brunswick (1785). – In 1793, upper Canada led by
Lieutenant Governor John Graves
– The Constitutional act of 1791 divided the province of Simcoe, a loyalist officer, become
Quebec into upper Canada (Ontario) and lower the first province in the Empire to
Canada (Quebec). move toward abolition.
– The act also granted to the Canadas, for the first time, – In 1807, the British parliament
legislative assemblies elected by the people. prohibited the buying and selling of
– The Atlantic colonies and the two Canadas were known slaves.
collectively as British North America. – In 1833, the parliament abolished
slavery across the Empire.
• Economy
– Thousands of slaves escaped from
– Hudson’s pay company, one of the first companies (fur the US, followed the north star and
trade) settled in Canada via the
– First financial institution opened in the 18th and early 19th underground Railroad, a Christian
centuries. anti-slavery network.
– Montreal stock Exchange 1832
– For centuries, Canada’s economy was based on
farming and exporting natural resources.
• The war of 1812: The fight for Canada – In 1813, the American burned govt house and
the Parliament buildings in York (Toronto).
– As The British empire (including Canada)
was busy with fighting Napoleon Bonaparte, – In 1814, Major-General Robert Ross led an
USA launched an invasion in June 1812. expedition from Nova Scotia that burned
down the white house and public buildings in
– Canadian volunteers and first nations, Washington, D.C.
including Shawnee led by Chief Tecumseh,
supported British soldiers in Canada’s – Ross died in battle soon afterwards and was
defense. buried in Halifax with full military honours.
– In July, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock – By 1814, the American attempt to conquer
captured Detroit but was killed while Canada had failed.
defending against an American attack at – The British paid for a costly Canadian defence
Queenston Heights, near Niagara heights system, including the citadels at Halifax and
(Americans lost that battle). Quebec city, the naval drydock at Halifax
– In 1813, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles de and Fort Henry at Kingston.
Salaberry and 460 soldiers, mostly French
Canadiens, turned back 4000 American
invaders at Chateauguay, south of
Montreal.
• Rebellions of 1837-38 – Fathers of the confederations:
– In the 1830s, reformers of the Canadas 1. Sir Etienne-Paschal Tache
believed that progress towards full 2. Sir George-Etienne Cartier
democracy is too slow and need to adapt
USA republican values or even join USA. 3. Sir John A. Macdonald.
– Armed rebellions occurred in 1837-38 4. Sir Leonard Tilley
outside Montreal and Toronto, but with no
support. • Responsible Govt
– Some of the rebels were hanged, and – In 1840, the Canadas were united in the
others were exiled (some exiles returned province of Canada.
later to Canada).
– Reformers ( Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine,
– Lord Durham, an English reformer sent to Robert Baldwin and Joseph Howe in Nova
report on the rebellions, recommended the Scotia) worked with British govt toward
two Canadas be merged with a responsible responsible govt.
govt.
– The first British North American colony to attain
– Lord Durham also said that the quickest full responsible govt was Nova Scotia in 1847-48
way for the Canadiens to achieve progress
was to assimilate int English-speaking – In 1848-49, the governor of United Canada Lord
Protestant culture. Elgin, introduced responsible govt.
– This shows lack of understanding of the – La Fontaine, a champion of democracy and
French Canadiens. French language rights became the first leader
of a responsible govt.
• Confederation • Dominion from Sea to Sea
– From 1864 to 1867, representatives of Nova – Sir Leonard Tilley, elected official and Father of
Scotia, New Brunswick and the province of confederation from New Brunswick, suggested
Canada, with British support worked to the term Dominion of Canada 1864.
establish a new country.
– Inspired by Psalm 72 in the bible which refers to
– They created two levels of Govts, Federal “dominion from sea to sea and from the river to
and provincial. the ends of the earth.”
– Ontario, Quebec, Brunswick and Nova – The phrase embodied the vision of building a
Scotia formed the Dominion of Canada. powerful, united, wealthy and free country that
spanned a continent.
– Each province would elect its own
legislature and have control of such areas – The title was written into the constitution, was
as education and health. used officially for about 100 years, and remains
part of our heritage today.
– The British parliament passed the British
North America act in 1867.
– The dominion of Canada was officially
born on July 1st, 1867.
– Until 1982, July 1st was celebrated as
Dominion day (Now Canada day).
• Canada’s First prime minister – Riel fled to USA, and Canada established new
Province (Manitoba).
– In 1867, Sir John Alexander MacDonald
became Canada’s first prime minister. – A 2nd rebellion (1885) led to Saskatchewan
and to the trial and execution of Riel for high
– Parliament has recognized Jan 11 as Sir John treason.
A. MacDonald Day. His portrait is on the $10.
– After the 1st Metis uprising, Sir MacDonald
– Sir George-Etienne Cartier led Quebec to established the NW mounted police (NWMP)
confederation and helped negotiate the in 1873 to pacify the west and negotiate with
entry of NW territories, Manitoba and BC to the Indians.
Canada.
– NWMP founded Fort Calgary, Fort Macleod
• Challenge in the west and others.
– Canada took over the vast northwest from – Today RMCP’s headquarter is in Regina.
Hudson’s pay company. – RCMP is also called the Mounties.
– 12000 Metis of the Red River were not – Major-General Sir Sam Steele came from the
consulted. ranks of the Mounties.
– Louis Riel led and armed uprising and seized
Fort Garry, the territorial capital.
– Ottawa sent soldiers to retake Fort Garry in
1870.
• A Railway form Sea to Sea • Moving Westward
– BC joined Canada in 1871, after Ottawa – Canada’s economy grew and became more
promised to build a railway to the West industrialized between 1890 & the early 1900s.
Coast.
– One million British and one million American
– In November 1885, Donald Smith (Lord immigrated to Canada at that time.
Strathcona), the Scottish-born director of
– Sir Wilfrid Laurier became the first French
the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), drove
Canadian prime minister since Confederation
the last spike.
and encouraged immigration to the West.
– The project was financed by British and
– His portrait is on the $5 bill.
American investors and build by European
and Chinese labor. – The railway made it possible for immigrants,
including 170,000 Ukrainians, 115,000 Poles and
– Afterward, Chinese were subject to
tens of thousands from Germany, France,
discrimination.
Norway and Sweden to settle in the West
– Govt of Canada apologized in 2006 for this before 1914 and develop a thriving agriculture
discriminatory policy. sector.
– After many years of heroic work, the CPR’s
“ribbons of steel” fulfilled a national dream.
• WWI – In 1918 with General Sir-Arthur Currie, Canada’s
greatest soldier, the Canadian corps advanced
– Over 7000 volunteered in the South African alongside the French and British Empire troops in
War (1899-1902, Boer war). Over 260 died. the last 100 days.
– In 1900, Canadians shared victory in the – won battle of Amiens on August 8, 1918, the
battles of Paardeberg (“Horse Mountain”), & German call it “the black day of German army”
Lillefontein.
– In 1914 Germany attacked Belgium and • Women get to Vote:
France, then Britain declared war. Then – Dr. Emily Stowe (1st woman in Canada to practice
Ottawa formed the Canadian Expeditionary medicine) founded women’s Suffrage movement.
Force (Canadian corps).
– 1916: Manitoba became the 1st province to grant
– More than 600,000 Canadians served in the voting rights to women.
war (mostly volunteers). In total 60,000 were
killed & 170,000 wounded. – 1917: Federal govt of Sir Robert Borden gave
women the right to vote in Federal elections, first to
– Canadian corps captured Vimy Ridge in April nurses in the battle front, then to women who were
1917 with 10,000 killed or wounded. April 9 is related to men in war.
celebrated as the Vimy day.
– 1918: Most Canadian female citizens aged 21+
– (1914-1920) Ottawa interned 8000+ former were granted the right to vote in federal elections.
Austro-Hungarian subject (mainly Ukrainian
men) as “enemy aliens” in 24 labor camps, – 1921: Agnes MacPhail (farmer & teacher )
although Britain advised against it. became first woman MP.
– 1940: Thanks to Therese Casgrain, women could
vote in Quebec.
• Between the wars • WWII
– After WWI, The British commonwealth of – It began in 1939. Then Canada joined the
nations was established. allies.
– Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, and – More than a million Canadians and
several African and Caribbean countries Newfoundlanders served in WWII. 44,000 were
were in the association. killed.
– Roaring twenties, were boom times with – Canadian fought bravely but lost in the
prosperity. defense of Hong Kong against Japan (1941),
and on coast of France (1942).
– 1929: Stock market crash and great
depression (The dirty thirties). – Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
– Unemployment reached 27% in 1933. – 130,000 allied air crew trained in Canada.
– Bank of Canada was created 1934. – Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)
– Immigration dropped and many refugees – The state of war and public opinion in B.C. led
were turned including Jews trying to flee to the relocation of Canadians of Japanese
Nazi Germany (1939). origins without compensation.
– Remembrance day: 11th hour, 11th day, 11th – Govt of Canada apologized in 1988 for
month (November 11). wartime wrongs and compensated the
victims.
Modern Canada
• Trade and economic growth • Canada and Quebec
– General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade – 1960: Quebec quiet revolution (Many Quebecers
(GATT), is now “The world Trade Organization” sought to separate from Canada).
(WTO)
– 1963: parliament established the Royal commission
– 1947: Discovery of oil in Alberta. on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.
– 1951: for the first time Canadian can afford – 1969: Official languages act, French and English
adequate food, shelter and clothing. services in the federal govt across Canada.
– (1945-1970): one of the strongest economies – 1970: Canada helped found La Francophonie, an
among industrialized nations. international association of French-Speaking
countries.
– 1940: Unemployment insurance introduced
by the federal government, – Quebec sovereignty defeated in referendum in
the province in 1980.
– 1927: old age security was devised.
– 1995, defeated again.
– 1965: Canada and Quebec pension plans.
• A changing Society
• International Engagement
– In 1948, Japanese Canadians gained the right to
– North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). vote.
– North American Aerospace Defense – Aboriginal people were granted the right to vote
command (NORAD). in 1960.
– 500 dead and 1000 wounded Canadian – By 1960 1/3 of the Canadians had origins that
when participating with UN in the Korean war were neither British nor French.
(1950-53).
• Arts and culture in Canada – Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest hockey
players of all time, played for Edmonton Oilers
– Group of Seven founded in 1920 developed from 1979 to 1988.
a style of painting to capture the rugged
wilderness landscapes. – 1980: Terry Fox, a British Columbian who lost his
right leg to cancer at the age of 18, began
– Les Automatistes of Quebec were pioneers “Marathon of the hope” to raise money for
of modern abstract art. cancer.
– Quebec’s Louis-Philippe Hebert was a – In 1985, Rick Hansen, from BC, circled the globe
celebrated sculptor of historical figures. in a wheelchair to raise fund for spinal cord
– Kenojuak Ashevak pioneered modern Inuit research.
art with etchings, prints, and soapstone – Marshal McLuhan and Harold Innis were pioneer
sculptures. thinkers.
– Basket ball was invented by Canadian – Since 1989, Canadian Space Agency and
James Naismith in 1891. Canadian astronauts have participated in space
– In 1996, Donovan Bailey became a world exploration.
record sprinter and double Olympic gold – Nobel Prize-winning scientists: Gerhard Herzberg,
medalist at the Olympic summer games. John Polanyi, Sidney Altman, Richard E. Taylor,
– Chantal Petitclerc became a world Michael Smith and Bertram Brockhouse.
champion wheelchair racer and
Paralympic gold medalist.
• Canadian Discoveries and Inventions:
– Alexander Graham Bell: telephone
– Joseph-Armand Bombardier: snowmobile
– Sir Sandford Fleming: standard time zone.
– Matthew Evans and Henry Woodward: first
electric light bulb.
– Reginald Fessenden: sent the first wireless
message in the world (contributed in
Radio).
– Dr, Wilder Penfield: pioneering brain
surgeon at McGill “The greatest living
Canadian”.
– SPAR Aerospace/ National research
council: invented Canadarm, robotic arm
used in outer space.
– Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie: blackberry.
– Sir Fredrick Banting of Toronto and Charles
Best discovered insulin.
How Canadians
govern themselves
 Federal state
• There are Federal, provincial, territorial, • The federal govt and the provinces share
and municipal govts. jurisdiction over agriculture and
immigration.
• Responsibilities of the federal and
provincial govts were defined in 1867 in • Federalism allows different provinces to
British North America Act (the adopt policies tailored to their own
constitution act, 1867). populations, and give provinces the
flexibility to experiment with new ideas
• Federal govt is responsible for matters of and policies.
national and international concerns:
(defense, foreign policy, interprovincial • Every province has its own elected
trade and communications, currency, legislative Assembly like the house of
navigation criminal law and citizenship). commons in Ottawa.

• Provinces are responsible for: municipal • The three territories don’t have status of
govts, education, health, natural provinces but their govts and assemblies
resources, property and civil rights, and carry out the same functions.
highway.
Parliamentary democracy
• People elect members to the house of • Provincial legislatures comprise:
commons in Ottawa and to the territorial – The Lieutenant governor,
and provincial legislatures.
– and the elected assembly.
• These representatives are responsible for:
passing laws, approving and monitoring • Prime minister:
expenditures, and keeping the govt – Selects the cabinet ministers
accountable.
– Responsible for the operations and policy.
• Cabinet ministers are responsible to the
elected representatives (They must retain • House of commons:
the confidence of the house) and have – Representative chamber.
to resign if defeated in a non-confidence
vote. – Consists of members elected by people

• Parliament consists of: • Senators:

1. Sovereign (Queen or King) – Appointed by the governor general on the
advice of the prime minister.
2. Senate
– Serve until age 75.
3. House of commons
• Both HOC and senate consider and review
bills (proposals to new laws).
Making laws
 Constitutional monarchy
• Canada’s head of state is a hereditary • Each provincial and territorial government has an
Sovereign. elected legislature where laws passed.
– Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
• As a head of commonwealth, the sovereign
links Canada to 53 other nations. – Members of national assembly (MNAs)
– Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs)
• Head of government is the prime minister.
– Members of the house of assembly (MHAs).
• The sovereign is represented in Canada by the
Governor General, who is appointed by the
sovereign on the advice of the prime minister
(usually for 5 years).
• In each of the ten provinces, the sovereign is
represented by the Lieutenant Governor who is
appointed by the Governor General on the
advice of the prime minister (5 years).
• Executive, legislative and judicial branches
work together with some creative tensions.
• The premier in each province has a role similar
to that of the prime minister.
• The commissioner represents the federal
government and plays a ceremonial role.
Federal Elections
Federal elections
• Under legislation passed by the • Voter’s list is created from the national
parliament, federal elections must be register of electors by a neutral agency of
held on 3rd Monday in October every 4 parliament called elections Canada.
years following the most recent elections.
• Once an election has been called, voters
• Prime minister may ask the governor receives information card from election
general to call an earlier election. Canada.

• 308 electoral districts, also known as • The card tells when and where to vote, and
ridings or constituencies, each of which is the number to call for an interpreter.
a geo area represented by a MP.
• Even if you are not in the list or don’t receive
• Citizens in each riding elect one MP. a card, you still can be added to the list
anytime even at the day of vote.
• Canadians who are 18+ years or older
may run in a federal election. • Secret Ballot:
– Canadian law secures the right to a secret
• You can vote if you are: ballot. No one has the right to ask you how you
– Canadian vote.
– 18+
– On the voter’s list
 After an election:
• The leader of political party with the • The PM and the cabinet ministers are
most seats is invited by the Governor called the Cabinet.
general to form the govt.
• Other parties that are not in power are
• This leader becomes the PM. called the opposition parties.

• If the party holds at least half of the • The opposition party with the most
seats, this govt is called majority govt. members of the house of commons is the
official opposition or her/his majesty’s
• If it holds less than half of the seats, then loyal opposition.
it is a minority govt.
• Current parties:
• PM will run the govt as long as they
– Conservative party
have the support or confidence.
– Liberal party
• When the majority of the house of
– New democratic party
Commons vote against a major govt
decision, the party’s power is defeated
and the PM will ask the governor
general for early elections.
Voting procedures
1. Voter information card ( confirms your name is in the voter list, when,
where to vote)
2. I didn’t get a card (call local office or election Canada)
3. Advance poll and special ballot (if you don’t want to vote in the
election day)
4. On election day (go to polling station)
5. Marking the ballot (mark X)
6. Voting is secret
7. The ballot box (poll official tear off the ballot number and give your
ballot back to you)
8. The election results
Other levels of
Government in Canada
The justice system
 The justice system
• Canadian justice system founded on the
presumption of innocence (everyone is • Police:
innocent till proven guilty).
– To keep people safe and enforce
• Courts: the law.
– Supreme court of Canada is our country’s – You can ask the police for help in
highest court. many situations.
– Federal court of Canada deals with – Types of police in Canada:
matters concerning the federal govt.
– There are appeal or trial court (sometimes – Provincial police in Ontario,
called court of Queen’s Bench or the Quebec, and municipal police in all
supreme court). provinces.
– Other courts include (provincial courts, – RCMP enforces federal laws all over
family courts, traffic courts, and small Canada.
claims courts).
– RCMP serves as Federal police
except in Ontario and Quebec.
Canadian symbols
 Canadian symbols
• Canadian Crown: • Maple leaf:
– Symbol for 400 years. – Best known symbol.
– Crown is a symbol for govt (parliament,
– By French Canadian in the 1700s
legislatures, courts, police, & the forces)
– Appeared in Canadian uniform and
• Flags: insignia since 1850s.
– Canadian flag raised 1st time in 1965.
• Fleur-de-lys
– Red-white-red pattern (from the flag of the
royal military college founded 1876) – Lily flower (adopted by French king in
– Red-white: national colors since 1921. 496)

– The Canadian Red Ensign served as the – Symbol for French royalty for 1000+
Canadian flag for about 100 years. years.
– Provinces and territories also have flags. – Revived at Confederation
• Canada has been a constitutional monarchy in its own – Included in the Canadian red ensign.
right since the confederation (1867- queen Victoria).
– 1984: Quebec adopted its own flag
• Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022) based on the cross and the flower.
Canadian symbols
• Coat of arms and motto:
– After first world war.
– A mari usque as mare : from sea to sea.
– Arms contains symbols of : England, France, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as red maple
leaves.
– Arms can be seen on dollar bills, govt documents, and public buildings.

• Parliament buildings:
– Towers, arches, sculptures and stained glass embody the French, English and Aboriginal
traditions and the gothic revival architecture.
– Completed in the 1860s. Centre block destroyed (fire in 1916) and rebuilt in 1922.
– Library is the only part remaining of the original building.
– Peace tower completed in 1927 (memory of WWI)
– Memory chamber within the tower contains books of remembrance.
• The Provincial legislatures are architectural treasures.
• Quebec National assembly: French empire style.
• In other provinces: Baroque, Romanesque and neoclassical. Reflects the Greco-Roman
heritage.
 Canadian symbols
• Popular sports: • Official languages:
– Hockey (National winter sport) – English and French
– Ice hockey developed in the 1800s. – Anglophones and Francophones have
lived together in partnership and
– National hockey league plays for the creative tension for 300+ years.
championship Stanley cup.
– Parliament passed the official language
– Cup was donated by Lord Stanley in act in 1969, with three objectives:
1892.
1. Establish equality between English and
– Canadian flag raised 1st time in 1965. French in parliament, govt of Canada,
and institutions,
– Women hocky competes for Clarkson
2. Maintain and develop official languages
cup, established in 2005 by Adrienne minority communities in Canada, and
Clarkson (26th governor General and 1st
Asian origin) 3. Promote equality of French and English.

– Canadian football comes 2nd.

– Other games: Curling, Lacrosse, Soccer.
 Canadian symbols
• The beaver: • Royal Anthem:
– Adapted by Hudson’s bay company – God save the Queen (or King)
centuries ago.
– Can be played on any occasion when
– Became emblem of St. Jean Baptiste Canadian wish to honor the sovereign.
society. In 1834 and was adopted by
other groups.
• Order of Canada and other honors:
– Can be seen on the 5 cents.
– Official awards are called honors.
– On the coat of arms of Saskatchewan
and Alberta, and cities like Montreal – Consisting of: orders, decorations, and
and toronto. medals.

• National Anthem – Canada started its own system with the

order of Canada in 1967:
– Proclaimed national anthem: 1980.
(The centennial of Confederation)
– First sung in Quebec city in 1880
 Canadian symbols
• The Victoria cross: • Able Seaman William Hall of
– The highest honor available. Horton:
– Awarded for the most conspicuous – Nova Scotia (parents were US slaves)
bravery, daring or preeminent act of – First black man to award VC.
valor or self-sacrifice, etc.
– Awarded for his role in the siege of
– Has been awarded to 96 Canadians Lucknow during Indian Rebellion
since 1854. 1857.

• Corporal Filip Konowal:

• Lieutenant Alexander Roberts
– Born in Ukraine.
Dunn:
– Battle of Hill 70 (1917)
– First Canadian to award the cross,
was born in Toronto. – First member of Canadian corps not
– Served in the British army (charge born in the British empire to award
of light brigade at balaclava 1854) VC.
in the Crimean war.
 Canadian symbols: Victoria cross
• Flying Ace Captain Billy Bishop • Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray:
– Born in Owen sound, Ontario. – A navy pilot born in Trail, B.C.
– Earned the VC in the royal corps – Killed while bombing and sinking a
during the WWI. Japanese warship in August 1945.
– Became later an honorary air – Last Canadian to receive VC to date.
marshal of the royal Canadian air
force.

• Captain Paul Triquet of

Cabano, Quebec:
– Leading his men and a handful of
tanks in the attack on Casa
Berardi (Italy -1943 - WWII)
– Became later a Brigadier.
Holidays and important days:
Canada’s economy
Trading nation
Facts: Three Types of industry
• Canada trades with other • Service industry
countries.
• Manufacturing industry
• NAFTA (North American Free
Trade Agreement) signed • Natural Resources industry.
between Canada and USA in
1988, and Mexico joined in 1994.
Relationship with USA
• 444 million people and I$ trillion
• At Blaine in the State of Washington, the Peace Arch,
trade in 2008.
inscribed with the words
• Canada is part of G8 (USA, UK,
Germany, Italy, France, “children of a common mother”
Canada, Japan and Russia)
“brethren dwelling together in unity,”

• This symbolizes our close ties and common interests.

Canada’s Regions
 Canada’s regions
• Atlantic provinces: • West cost
– Newfoundland and Labrador : St. John’s. – British Columbia: Victoria
– Prince Edward Island : Charlottetown.
• Northern Territories:
– Nova Scotia : Halifax.
– Nunavut: Iqaluit
– New Brunswick: Fredericton.
– Northwest Territories: Yellowknife
• Central Canada – Yukon Territory: Whitehorse
– Ontario: Toronto
– Quebec: Quebec city

• The prairie provinces Canada’s population is 34

– Alberta: Edmonton Million
– Manitoba: Winnipeg
– Saskatchewan: Regina
Atlantic provinces
• Newfoundland and Labrador:
– Most easterly point in North America (its own time zone)
– Natural beauty and heritage linked to the sea.
– Oldest colony of the British Empire.
– Fisheries, coastal fishing villages and distinct culture.
– Off-shore oil and gas, and hydro-electric resources.

Prince Edward Island

– Smallest province
– Beaches, red soil and agriculture (potatoes).
– Confederation bridge (one of longest continuous multi-span bridges in the world)
– Story of Anne of Green Gables (Orphan story)
Atlantic provinces
• Nova Scotia
– Most populous Atlantic province
– Rich history
– Highest tides (Pay of Fundy)
– Ship-building, fisheries and shipping.
– Halifax is Canada’s larges east coast port with ice free deep water. It played a
role in trade and defense and it is home to Canada’s largest naval base.
– Celtic and Gaelic traditions.
– Coal mining, forestry and agriculture, off-shore oil and gas
– 700 Annual festivals (the spectacular military tattoo)
Atlantic provinces
• New Brunswick
– Appalachian range
– Founded by the United empire loyalists.
– 2nd largest river system on North America’s Atlantic coastline (St. John’s river sys)
– Forestry, agriculture, food processing, mining, and tourism.
– Saint John is the largest city, port and manufacturing center (not the capital
though).
– Moncton is the principal Francophone Acadian center.
– Fredericton is the historical capital.
– The only officially bilingual province.
– About one third of the people lives and works in French.
– Street festivals and Cultural music.
 Central Canada
• More than half the population of Canada (Great Lakes, St. Lawrence river)
• Central Canada and the industrial and manufacturing heartland.
• Cold winter, warm humid summer.
• Produce more than ¾ of the Canadian manufactured goods.
• Quebec
– Nearly 8 million people (majority near St. Lawrence river)
– More than ¾ speak French as first language.
– Forestry, energy, mining, pulp and paper.
– Huge supply of fresh water (Canada’s largest producer of hydro-electricity)
– Pharmaceuticals, aeronautics, films, music.
– Montreal (Canada’s 2nd largest city, the world’s 2nd French speaking city after Paris)
 Central Canada
• Ontario
– over 12 million people (more than 1/3 of Canada’s population)
– Toronto (largest city in Canada)
– Niagara (vineyards, wines and fruit crops)
– Founded by the united empire loyalists
– Has largest speaking populations after Quebec.
– 5 great lakes between Ontario and USA ( Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior has
the larges freshwater lake in the world.
 The Prairie Provinces
• Manitoba
– Agriculture, mining, hydro-electric power.
– Winnipeg (most populous city)
– Exchange district has the most famous street intersection (portage & Main).
– Western Canada’s largest Francophone community at 45000
– Important center of Ukrainian culture (14 % Ukrainian origins)
– Largest Aboriginal population 15%.

• Saskatchewan
– Once called “Breadbasket of the world” and “the wheat province”
– 40% of the arable land, and largest producer of grains and oilseeds.
– World’s richest deposits of uranium and potash
– Regina is the capital and home to training RCMP.
– Saskatoon is the largest city and headquarters of mining industry.
 The Prairie Provinces
• Alberta
– Most populous prairie province
– Lake Louise: Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (4th daughter of queen Victoria)
– National parks (Banff established 1885)
– Large producer of oil and gas.
– Agriculture and cattle ranches makes Canada one of the world’s major beef
producers.
 West coast
• British Columbia
– Pacific coast
– Westernmost province
– 4 million people
– Port of Vancouver is our gateway to Asia pacific
– About ½ of the goods are forestry (lumber, newsprint, pulp, and paper products)
– Mining, fishing, and fruit orchards and wine industry of the Okanagan valley.
– 600 provincial parks.
– Largest Asian communities
– Chinese and Punjabi the most spoken languages in the cities after English.
– Victoria (the capital): touristic city and headquarters of the navy’s pacific fleet.
 Northern Territories
• Nunavut and Yukon contain 1/3 of the land, but only 100000 people.
• Gold, lead, copper, diamond and zinc. Oil and gas too.
• Land of the midnight sun.
• Long cold winter and short cool summer.
• Much of the north is Tundra (vast rocky arctic plain)
• No trees on tundra due to harsh weather. Frozen soil.
• People do hunting, fishing, and trapping.
• Inuit art.
 Northern Territories
• Yukon • Nunavut
– 1890s gold rush ( thousands of miners came – Meaning (our land) in Inuktitut
to Yukon)
– White Pass and Yukon Railway opened from – Established 1999 from Eastern
Skagway in Alaska to the Whitehorse in 1900 part of Northwest territories
for tourism. including former district of
– Coldest temperature ever recorded in Keewatin.
Canada (-63 c) – Capital is Iqaluit (was Frobisher
Bay)
• Northwest Territories
– Made up in 1870 from Rupert’s land and the – Martin Frobisher is an English
Northwestern territory. explorer who penetrated the
uncharted Arctic for Queen
– Yellowknife has 200000 people is called the Elizabeth in 1576.
diamond capital of North America.
– 50 % are aboriginal (Dene, Inuit, and Metis) – The 19-member Legislative
Assembly chooses a premier
– Mackenzie River (4200 km) 2nd longest in and ministers by consensus.
North America and drains 1.8 million km2.
– 85% Inuit (speaking Inuktitut)
 Government
• Head of state: Charles III • Provincial (Alberta):
– Lieutenant Governor : Salma Lakhani
• Governor General : Mary Simon
– Premier: Danielle Smith
• Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau – Provincial party in power: Conservatives
– Opposition in Alberta: Rachel Notley
• Party in power: Liberal
– My provincial representative: Prasad
• Leader of the opposition: Pierre Panda (Calgary Edgemont)

Poilievre – Mayor of Calgary: Jyoti Gondek

• Official opposition party: Conservatives

• My federal district: Calgary
Confederation
• My Federal MP : Len Webber