1. Canada has a complex history with influences from indigenous populations and later French, British, and American settlers, which led some to believe Canada lacked a distinct culture. 2. However, others pointed to uniquely Canadian cultural aspects like poetry, paintings, and later beer as symbols of national identity. 3. Tensions between French- and English-speaking communities, especially in Quebec, have been a ongoing issue due to differences in language and culture.

3. Does Canada Have a Culture? History and Conflict: Canada is a ‘new world’ country. It’s landmass was first inhabited by the First Nations People . Then, it was “discovered” and colonised by French, English, Dutch, Irish, and United States’ “Americans”. Because of this history of many culture s , Canadians sometimes felt like they did not have a distinct culture. There’s a few other reasons Canadians felt they did not have their own culture.

5. 2. Canada was not formed all at once. Certain areas did not decide to become a part of the 1867 Confederation of the Dominion of Canada until they were ‘good and ready’. This meant that there were settlements which had established their own communities and identities. Because of the joining of Canada was essentially an act of parliament (and not an act of war, or a joining of culture) Canada never really created a culture that suited everyone’s culture.

6. We didn’t even all have the same language to share. That’s actually why Canada is bilingual : French and English are our main languages because we had a large populace of both (and no one wanted to give up their language !)

7. SO Canadians often felt like they didn’t have a “Canadian” Culture . There were a number of intellectuals discussing this; many people said our history was uninspiring and because we didn’t have a united culture, we didn’t have a culture! Many people said, “NO!”, we do have a culture. And they tried to articulate it. Poets Margaret Atwood and Robert Frost wrote about ‘snow’ and the Group of Seven painted our landscapes. I once took a university course that debated this topic all year. It was so boring. But, it didn’t unite us all…

8. In 1980 and 1997 , Quebec held a Referendum , to vote on whether or not Quebec should be a part of Canada anymore. Many of the French speakers in Quebec felt their French culture would do better outside of Canada. It was a very sad weekend for many Canadians. The votes were tallied. It was decided! Quebec would stay a part of Canada!

9. But this decision only came through in a marginal percentage. Because the votes were so even ( 50.58% "No" to 49.42% "Yes“) there was still a strong sentiment of dislike for English-Canada from French Canada. English Canada was mostly glad that they were staying (there are many natural resources in Quebec!) Overall, the Referendums left a “bad taste” in the mouths of many Canadians. Managing to promote French and English culture in Canada at the same time, has been a source of great tension ever since both cultures immigrated in the late 1700s.

11. But all of that Changed, when Canada found something they had in Common! Beer! This is the Molson Canadian Beer Company Advertisement that identified Canadians’ Culture in the most agreeable way!

15. O’ Canada Advance Australia Fair

18. This is an outdoor public ice rink for skating and playing pick-up hockey in winter.

19. These are snowshoes.

28. A Canadian Cat