Lesson 3 of 3 · 4 min read
Canada is a land of immigrants with a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, religions, and identities, and the law guarantees equal treatment for all Canadians.
Canada's population reflects a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. It is often called a land of immigrants, though most Canadians today were born in the country, a pattern that has held true since the 1800s.
Immigration patterns have shifted over time. Since the 1970s, most immigrants to Canada have come from Asian countries. Canada's largest ethnic groups include English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian, Dutch, South Asian, and Scandinavian.
Many languages besides English and French are spoken in Canadian homes. In two of the biggest cities, Chinese languages are second only to English: about 13% of people in Vancouver and 7% in Toronto speak them at home. On religion, the great majority of Canadians identify as Christians, with Catholic as the largest single affiliation. The numbers of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and people who identify with no religion are all growing.
Canada's approach to diversity has deep roots. Governor General John Buchan, the 1st Baron Tweedsmuir (who served from 1935 to 1940), described this idea of "unity in diversity": immigrant groups, he said, "should retain their individuality and each make its contribution to the national character," and each could learn "from the other, and … while they cherish their own special loyalties and traditions, they cherish not less that new loyalty and tradition which springs from their union."
Canada's diversity also includes gay and lesbian Canadians, who enjoy the full protection of and equal treatment under the law, including access to civil marriage.
Canada's regions and communities each carry their own identities, but all Canadians share the protections and responsibilities of citizenship, regardless of background.
Key facts
Canada is often called a land of immigrants, though the majority of Canadians have been born in the country since the 1800s.
Since the 1970s, most immigrants to Canada have come from Asian countries.
The largest ethnic groups in Canada include English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian, Dutch, South Asian, and Scandinavian.
In two of Canada's biggest cities, Chinese languages are the second most-spoken at home after English: about 13% of people in Vancouver and 7% in Toronto speak them at home.
The great majority of Canadians identify as Christians, with Catholic as the largest religious affiliation; the numbers of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and people with no religion are growing.
Canada's diversity includes gay and lesbian Canadians, who enjoy the full protection of and equal treatment under the law, including access to civil marriage.
Answer all 3 to mark this lesson done.
1. Since the 1970s, most immigrants to Canada have come from which region?
2. In Vancouver and Toronto, which languages are the second most-spoken at home after English?
3. What protection does the law guarantee gay and lesbian Canadians, according to the guide?
HomelandCanada