The document discusses Canada's rich cultural heritage, highlighting its multiculturalism and diverse population, which includes a significant proportion of immigrants. Canada adopted a policy of multiculturalism in 1971, promoting the preservation and sharing of cultural heritage. The country’s cultural landscape has been shaped by various traditions, making it an exemplary model of pluralistic integration.

1. If all of the world’s cultural heritage
was contained in a time capsule, what
would you include to demonstrate the
legacy of your country?
By Jessica C. Khairallah

2. Canada is a vast land
of 9.98 million square
kilometers, and a big
heart to go with it

3. When asked to describe Canada in one
word, people describe it as…
• Multicultural
• Beautiful
• Wealthy
• Peaceful
• Freedom
• Cold but warm
• Vibrant
• Proud
• Welcoming
• Strong
• Wild
• Tim Hortons
• Democracy
• Equality
• Maple
• Inclusive
• Hockey
• Polite
• Home
• Beaver
• Resourceful
• Large

4. Culture is the heart of the nation
• Canada is a cultural mosaic and represents a
unique and successful example of pluralistic
integration in the world.

5. An example for the world
• Canada was the first country in the world to
adopt a policy of multiculturalism in 1971. The
policy advocated for the “freedom of all members
of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and
share their cultural heritage.” These ideas are
also reflected in the Canadian Human Rights Act,
given royal assent in 1977 and later the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, signed in 1982.

6. Cultural Diversity
• Canada is a nation built by immigrants from all
over the world.
• Throughout history, Canada’s culture has been
influenced by European traditions especially
British, French, and aboriginal cultures, and
over the past three decades, it has been
spiced up with Asian, Middle Eastern and
African cultures.

7. Highest proportion of foreign-born in
the G8
• In 2011, Canada had a foreign-born population of about
6,775,800 people. They represented 20.6% of the total
population, the highest proportion among the G8 countries.

8. Top source countries for newcomers
• Immigrants come mainly from the Philippines,
China, United States, Pakistan, the United
Kingdom, Iran, South Korea, Colombia and
Mexico.

9. Languages other than English or French
spoken by immigrants included Chinese,
Tagalog, Spanish, Punjabi and Arabic.
58.06%
21.73%
20.20%
FIRST LANGUAGES IN CANADA
ENGLISH
FRENCH
OTHER

10. Canada has a vibrant cultural sector,
with numerous cultural institutions,
a diverse publishing industry, a
talented music industry, a dynamic
cultural media industry and critically
acclaimed film and television
industries.

11. The value in diversity
• Pluralism encourages openness and different
ways of thinking. Newcomers fit in with more
ease and locals enjoy the mix. It also allows
for a more effective reach worldwide, as
Canadians who understand many cultures can
better participate in international trade,
education, and diplomacy.

12. Canada is great!
Come and visit!

13. Sources
• https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-
enm/2011/as-sa/99-010-x/99-010-x2011001-
eng.cfm
• http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/natio
nal/divided-canada-stands-to-lose-what-
makes-it-great/article26848363/
• http://www.possiblecanadas.ca/the-same/
• http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TT_Co
mpetitiveness_Report_2013.pdf#page=486