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Non-official languages are widely spoken in
Canadian homes. Chinese languages are the
second most-spoken at home, after English, in
two of Canada’s biggest cities. In Vancouver,
13% of the population speak Chinese languages
at home; in Toronto, the number is 7%.
The great majority of Canadians identify as
Christians. The largest religious affiliation
is Catholic, followed by various Protestant
churches. The numbers of Muslims, Jews, Hindus,
Sikhs and members of other religions, as well as
people who state “no religion” are also growing.
In Canada the state has traditionally partnered
with faith communities to promote social welfare,
harmony and mutual respect; to provide schools
and health care; to resettle refugees; and to
uphold religious freedom, religious expression
and freedom of conscience.
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.
Together, these diverse groups, sharing a
common Canadian identity, make up today’s
multicultural society.
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Discover Canada
(From Left to Right)
Christmas in Gatineau | Chinese-Canadian war veterans |
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Québec City | Chinese New Year
celebration, Vancouver
Olympian Marjorie Turner-Bailey of Nova Scotia is
a descendant of black Loyalists, escaped slaves
and freed men and women of African origin who
in the 1780s fled to Canada from America, where
slavery remained legal until 1863