In 2010, about 34 million people lived in
Canada. As a nation, Canada has three founding
peoples: Aboriginal, French and British. However,
throughout the nation’s history, immigration
has also played an important role in building
Canadian society.
Founding peoples
“Aboriginal peoples” are people whose ancestors
lived in Canada before the arrival of European
explorers, pioneers and settlers. The term refers
to three distinct groups: First Nations (sometimes
called “Indians”), Inuit and Métis. Aboriginal
peoples live across Canada in their own
communities as well as in cities. They have
interesting cultures and make important
contributions to Canadian society.
In 2010, about 34 million people lived in
Canada. As a nation, Canada has three founding
peoples: Aboriginal, French and British. However,
throughout the nation’s history, immigration
has also played an important role in building
Canadian society.
“French Canadians” include Acadia's,
Quebecois and smaller French-speaking
communities across Canada. The Acadia's are
descendants of French colonists who settled
400 years ago in what is now the Atlantic Region.
Quebecois (“Quebecois” in French) are the
inhabitants of Quebec. Most are French-speaking
descendants of French settlers from the 1600s
and 1700s who brought with them the great
traditions of French civilization. Quebecois
maintain a unique identity, culture and
language. In 2006, the Canadian Parliament
recognized that the Quebecois form a nation
within a united Canada. One million English speaking
Anglo-Quebecois form an important
part of Quebec society.
Most “English Canadians” are descended from
the hundreds of thousands of English, Welsh,
Scottish and Irish settlers, soldiers and migrants
who came to Canada from the 17th to the
20th century. Generations of these pioneers
helped to bring British political institutions and
traditions to Canada, such as our Westminster
parliamentary system, our constitutional
monarchy and the common law.
Carrying on the tradition
Most Canadians today were born in Canada
and are the descendants of the original founding
peoples. However, over the past 200 years, many
newcomers have helped to build and defend this
country’s way of life. Today, various ethnic and
religious groups live and work in peace as proud
Canadians. Until the 1970s, most immigrants
came from European countries. Since then,
the majority have come from Asian countries.
Today, approximately 20 percent of Canadians
were born outside Canada. In Toronto, Canada’s
largest city, this number is over 45 percent.
Immigrants like you are a valued part of
Canada’s multicultural society.
For more information on the Canadian people,
read CIC’s Discover Canada publication
available at www.discovercanada.gc.ca.
