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Becoming Canadian
Some Canadians immigrate from places where they have experienced warfare or conflict. Such experiences
do not justify bringing to Canada violent, extreme or hateful prejudices. In becoming Canadian, newcomers
are expected to embrace democratic principles such as the rule of law.
The basic way of life in English-speaking areas
was established by hundreds of thousands
of
English, Welsh, Scottish
and
Irish
settlers,
soldiers and migrants from the 1600s to the 20th
century. Generations of pioneers and builders of
British origins, as well as other groups, invested
and endured hardship in laying the foundations
of our country. This helps explain why
Anglophones (English speakers) are generally
referred to as
English Canadians.
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Celebration of Cultures,
Edmonton, Alberta
Pipes and drums in
Ottawa
(From Left to Right)
Ismaili Muslims in the
Calgary Stampede,
Alberta
Caribbean cultural
festival,Toronto, Ontario
Ukrainian Pysanka
Festival, Vegreville,
Alberta
Young Polish dancers in
Oliver, British Columbia
Diversity in Canada
The majority of Canadians were born in this
country and this has been true since the 1800s.
However, Canada is often referred to as a
land
of immigrants
because, over the past 200 years,
millions of newcomers have helped to build and
defend our way of life.
Many ethnic and religious groups live and
work in peace as proud Canadians. The largest
groups are the English, French, Scottish, Irish,
German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian,
Dutch, South Asian and Scandinavian. Since the
1970s, most immigrants have come from Asian
countries.