Development of Canadian Culture

Canadian culture is an umbrella term that encompasses the artistic, musical, literary, culinary, political and social elements that are representative of Canada, not only to its own population, but to people all over the world. Canada's culture has historically been influenced by European culture and traditions, especially British and French. Over time, elements of the cultures of
Canada's Aboriginal peoples and immigrant populations have become incorporated into
mainstream Canadian culture. It has also been strongly influenced by that of its linguistic,economic, and cultural neighbour the United States. These four influences have combined over centuries to form the modern culture of Canada, that will be discussed in more detail in this article. Canada's federal government has influenced Canadian culture with programs, laws and institutions. It has created crown corporations to promote Canadian culture through media, such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB),and promotes many events which it considers to promote Canadian traditions. It has also tried to protect Canadian culture by setting legal minimums on Canadian content in many media using bodies like the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).[1]. Canada’s culture, like that of most any country in the world, is a product of its history,geography, and political system. Being a country mainly of immigrants, Canada has been shaped by waves of migration that have combined to form a unique blend of customs, cuisine, and traditions that have marked the socio-cultural development of the nation. In this article, several
aspects of Canadian culture will be discussed. Though this article attempts to feature a variety of subjects pertinent to the culture of Canada, it is in no way exhaustive, and to gain a much deeper knowledge of Canada and its culture, one must also consult the other articles pertaining to Canada and its peoples.
Development of Canadian culture
Canadian culture is a product of Canada's historyand geography. Most of Canada's territory was inhabited and developed later than other European colonies in the Americas, with the result that themes and symbols of pioneers, trappers, and traders were important in the early development of Canadian culture.[2] TheBrit ish conquest ofQuebec in 1759 brought a largeFrancophone population under British rule, creating a need for compromise and accommodation, while the migration of United Empire Loyalists from the Thirteen Colonies brought in strong British and
Americaninflu ences. Although not without conflict, Canada's early interactions withnat ive populations were relatively peaceful, compared to the experience of native peoples in the United States. Combined with relatively late economic development in many regions, this peaceful history has allowed Canadian native peoples to have a relatively strong influence on the national culture while preserving their own identity.

Bilingualism and multiculturalism
French Canada's early development was relatively cohesive during the 17th and 18th centuries, and this was preserved by the Quebec Act of1774, which allowed Francophone culture to survive and thrive within Canada.[4] In1867, the British North America Act was designed to meet the growing calls for Canadian autonomy while avoiding the overly-strong decentralization that contributed to the Civil War in the United States.[5] The compromises made byMacdona ld and Cartier set Canada on a path to bilingualism,[6] and this in turn contributed to an acceptance of diversity that later led to bothmult icul turalis m and tolerance of First Nations culture and customs.

A Chinese gate in downtown Montreal.
Multicultural heritage is enshrined in Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In parts of Canada, especially the major cities of Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto (for example, in Toronto's Kensington Market area), multiculturalism itself is the cultural norm and diversity is the force that unites the community. In Quebec, cultural identity is strong, and many French-speaking Quebecer commentators speak of a Quebec culture as distinguished from English Canadian culture, but some also see Canada as a collection of several regional, aboriginal, and ethnic subcultures.While French Canadian culture is the most obvious example,Cel tic influences have allowed survival of non-English dialects in Nova Scotia andNewfoundland; however, the influence of Ulster immigrants to Toronto has had the effect of minimizing Irish influences in Ontario's culture, and highlighting British influences instead, until the1980s. Canada's Pacific trade has
also brought a largeChinese influence into British Columbia and other areas.
Canada's cultural diversity also creates an environment much more accepting ofga y andlesbian people than one finds in the United States or most other countries.[10] Canada has always placed emphasis on equality and inclusivness for all people. For example, in1995, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Egan v. Canada that sexual orientation should be "read in" to Section Fifteen of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of the Constitution of Canada guaranteeing equal rights to all Canadians. Following a series of decisions by provincial courts
and the Supreme Court of Canada, on July 20,2005, Bill C-38 received Royal Assent, legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada. Canada thus became the fourth country to officially sanction gay marriage worldwide, after The Netherlands,Belgium, andSpain. Furthermore, by2005, sexual orientation was included as a protected status in the human rights laws of the federal government and of all provinces and territories.

Aboriginal influences

Many native icons have been adopted by Canadians as a whole.
There were, and are, many distinct Aboriginal peoples across Canada, each with its own culture, beliefs, values, language, and history. Much of this legacy remains celebrated artistically, and in other ways, in Canada to this day. Part of the emblem of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics is aninukshuk, a rock sculpture that is made by stacking stones in the shape of a human figure that is a part ofInuit culture.
Multicultural elements
Multiculturalism, officially endorsed in Section Twenty-seven of the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, has a large influence on Canadian culture, which is post-ethnic and trans-national in character. According to the Department of Canadian Heritage.[1]
Canada's ethnic, racial and religious diversity is rapidly increasing. According to the 2001 census, more than 200 ethnic origins are represented in Canada. About 13.5 percent of the population is a member of a visible minority group and that proportion is expected to reach 20 percent by 2016. Immigration now accounts for more than 50 percent of Canada's population growth, with immigrants coming mainly from Asia and the Middle East. It is projected that, after 2025, Canada's population growth will be based solely on immigration.

Influence of American culture
Easy access to broadcast media has brought many American influences into Canadian culture since the mid-20th century. In reaction to this, Canadian broadcasters, in cooperation with the federal and provincial governments have attempted to emphasize Canadian culture and values on the airwaves. One example of this is the Heritage Moments commercials on television (which act as mini-history lessons). The Canadian government also gives money to programmers making Canadian tv shows. Defending and enhancing national culture is a major priority for the Canadian government. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the Department of Canadian Heritage having responsibility for promoting Canadian
culture. In certain regards, Canada and the United States share a similar culture, which can be defined as "North American." Canadians are exposed to much American culture, due to the proximity of the United States, a common linguistic bond shared between a majority (75%) of Canadians and
their neighbours to the south, and the fact that both countries are multi-ethnic immigrant societies that have shared populations for centuries. Most Canadians are familiar with American fast-food restaurants, television shows, movies, music, sports, and retail brands/stores. Some of these cultural elements (especially fast-food restaurants, movies, television, and music) are available in Canada, but their existence does not imply that equivalent domestic "Canadian versions" do not exist. Despite the close ties, Canadian culture can also sometimes seek to differentiate itself from that of the United States. This sometimes takes the form of mocking or insulting Americans, or embracing certain stereotypes of "American-ness" in the popular media, for example the television shows An American in Canada or Talking to Americans, or the popular "I am Canadian" ad campaign of Molson Breweries. The reverse is also practiced, with many Americans and American media mocking or insulting Canadians, or otherwise exaggerating