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To understand Canada, it is important to know about the three major groups who are considered “founding peoples”: Aboriginal, French and British.


Today, the term “Aboriginal peoples” refers to three distinct groups:

• Indian refers to all “First Nations” people who are not Inuit or Métis.
• The Inuit are people who live in small, scattered communities across the Arctic.
• The Métis are a distinct group of people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, the majority of whom live in the Prairie provinces.

The ancestors of present day Aboriginal peoples are believed to have immigrated from Asia many thousands of years ago. They were established throughout the Americas long before the earliest Europeans landed.


Aboriginal treaty and territorial rights are guaranteed in the Canadian Constitution. For almost two centuries, between 1800 and 1980 the federal government tried various programs to assimilate Aboriginal children. The schools were poorly funded and some students were abused. During this time Aboriginal languages were prohibited. The government later formally apologized.


The English and French define the reality of day-to-day life for most people in Canada. The federal government is required by law to provide services throughout Canada in English and French.



Although they didn’t stay in Newfoundland for long, the earliest Europeans to settle in Canada were Vikings who built communities at L’Anse-aux-meadow, Newfoundland in the year 1000 CE. European did not start serious exploration of Canada until 1497.


The Acadians are the descendants French colonists who began settling in eastern Canada (called the “Maritimes”) in the 1600s. Between 1755 and 1763, during the war between Britain and France, the majority of Acadians were deported from their homeland. Many fled to the southern US where “Acadian” became “Cajun”. Today, there is still a thriving Acadian culture in the Maritime region of Canada.


The citizens of Quebec are called “Quebecers” or “Quebecois” and they are mostly descendents of 8,500 French colonists who settled during the 1600s and 1700s. In 2006, the House of Common recognized the Quebecois as “nation” within a united Canada.


There are also one million Anglo-Quebecers with a heritage of 250 years in Quebec.


The basic way of life in English-Canada was established by English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish settlers, soldiers and migrants from the 1600s to the 20th century. Generations of pioneers and builders of British origins, invested and endured hardship to build an enduring society here. They are referred to as “English Canadians.”

Since the official language of the United States was English, many of those who had been enslaved and fled the United States during the American Revolution and Civil War, came to eastern Canada and Ontario. Their path to Canada is called the “Underground Railroad” and it brought many English-speaking settlers of African origin to new communities in Canada.



The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects basic rights and freedoms.


The Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the basic rights and freedoms of all citizens. It protects any citizen who challenges the decisions of the government.


The Magna Carta was a charter issued by King John of England in 1215 to ensure certain freedoms.

Along with this is the tradition of “Habeas Corpus” is Latin and it actually means “You shall have the body.” It came from ancient English common law and today it means you can safely challenge the government.


The Magna Carta was a charter issued by King John of England in 1215 to ensure certain freedoms.


These traditions ensure:

• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of thought and ideas (also called “Freedom of conscience”)
• Freedom of peaceful assembly or freedom of association (the right to come together with other individuals). This is called “assembly”.

In 1982 the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms became part of the Canadian Constitution.

• Mobility Rights: the right to live and work anywhere, and to enter and leave the country freely;
• Aboriginal Peoples’ Rights
• Official Language Rights and Minority Language Educational Rights
• Multiculturalism: Canadians work hard to diversity
• Equality of Women and Men

List four rights Canadian citizens have.

• the right to enter and leave Canada freely (mobility rights, such as the right to live and work anywhere in Canada);
• the right to apply for a Canadian passport;
• the right to be educated in either official language;
• the right to vote in federal and provincial/territorial elections;
• the right to be a candidate in federal, provincial and territorial elections.

The responsibilities of citizenship are:

• To obey the law
• To take responsibility for yourself and your family
• To serve on a jury
• To Vote
• To help others
• To protect our heritage and environment.

One of Canada’s founding principles Is called “the rule of law” and it means that no one in our society, no matter who they are, is above the law.


To get a job and work hard to take care of yourself and your family is an important Canadian value.


Volunteering is a great way to learn about your community, as well as to learn new skills, develop existing skills, and make new friends. It is also a way to make new contacts for a new direction in which you may wish to work.

You can also participate in your community by getting a library card and using the libraries’ services and resources.


You can show that you car about our natural, cultural and architectural heritage by recycling. You can participate in cultural festivals and volunteer for community organizations


A jury is a group of citizens who are randomly selected to render an impartial verdict in a legal case.


Rarely, the government may call upon a citizen to participate in the legal system by being a member of a jury. If you are called to do so, you are legally required to serve.


Voting is one way citizens express their opinions. Most government officials are determined in elections. All citizens are responsible to vote in federal, provincial or territorial, and local elections.


There is no compulsory military service in Canada. However, serving in the regular Canadian Forces (navy, army and air force) or Canadian Coast Guard is a good career choice as well as a way to protect your community. There are also ways to serve part-time in local reserve forces.




Between 1534 and 1542, a famous French explorer, named Jacques Cartier, heard two captured guides speak the Iroquoian word kanata, meaning “village”. By the 1550s. The name Canada began to appear on maps.


While French explorers were building settlements along the east coast of North America in the 1600s, there was a large fort built in 1608 is what is now Quebec City. The French and the Aboriginal people collaborated in a vast fur trade economy which extended from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. This was called “New France”.


In 1670, King Charles II of England granted exclusive trading rights to a fur trading company, called the Hudson Bay Company or “The Bay”. The company was quite successful and the English-speaking areas became more wealthy and more populated than New France.


In 1759, British and French troops battled on the Plains of Abraham at Quebec City and the British defeated the French, marking the end of France’s empire in North America. To better govern the French-speaking residents of Quebec, the officials allowed religious freedom and established French Civil Law along side the British criminal code.


Following the battle in 1759, Britain renamed the colony “Province of Quebec”.


In 1776, when the thirteen British colonies to the south of Quebec declared independence and formed the “United States”, the region was again torn by war. More than 40,000 people loyal to the British Crown fled the American revolution to settle in Nova Scotia and Quebec. These people were called “Loyalists” because they wished to be under British rule. Joseph Brant, a Mohawk Indian, led thousands of Mohawk Indians into Canada. The Loyalists were Dutch, German, Scandinavian, Aboriginal as well as British. Among them, were also 3,000 African Loyalists, freedman and slaves. In 1792 some of these Nova Scotians moved to Sierra Leone in West Africa to start a new British colony.


In 1791, the Constitutional Act divided the large province of Quebec into Upper Canada (later named “Ontario”) which was mainly Loyalist, Protestant and English-speaking, and Lower Canada (later Quebec), mainly Catholic and French-speaking.


The Atlantic colonies together with Upper and Lower Canada (Ontario and Quebec) were known as “British North America”.


Slavery had existed in every culture all around the world. In 1793, Upper Canada became the first province in the Empire to engage formally in abolition (the struggle to end slavery). In 1833 slavery was officially abolished throughout the Empire.


The War of 1812 saw the defeat of Napoleon at sea by the British navy. But it was the Americans, who resented British interference with shipping, who attacked Canada and burned the Parliament buildings which were then located in Toronto. In retaliation, the British attacked and burned the White House in 1814. The war ended in 1814 with both sides agreeing to the present-day Canada-US border.


Several provinces came together to esta-blish the new country. The British Parlia-ment passed the British North America Act on July 1, 1867 and July 1st has since been celebrated as “Canada Day”. The states-men who established Canada are called the “Fathers of Confederation”.


Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick came together to form Canada in 1867.


In 1867, Sir John A. Macdonald became Canada’s first Prime Minister.


1870 – Manitoba, NWT [Northwest Territories]
1871 – British Columbia
1873 – Prince Edward Island
1998 – Yukon Territory
1905 – Alberta, Saskatchewan
1949 – Newfoundland and Labrador
1998 – Nunavut


When British Columbia joined Canada in 1871, the government promised to build a railroad “from sea to sea”. An enormous number of workers from China and parts of Europe built the railroad and faced systemic discrimination, including a “Head Tax”. In 2006, the government formally apologized for this policy. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) allowed Canada to be united, coast-to-coast.


In 1917, women across Canada were given the vote. Women in Manitoba became the first to vote in 1916.


No, many Canadians of Asian descent had been denied the right to vote. By 1948, all Asian-Canadians had received the right to vote. Aboriginal peoples were granted the vote in 1960.


In 1914, many thousands of Canadians volunteers shared in the battles. In April 1917, the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge with 10,000 killed or wounded. On November 11, 1918, when the armistice was signed, 60,000 Canadians had been killed and 170,000 wounded. November 11 is still honoured as Remembrance Day.

During World War II, 15,000 Canadian troops stormed Juno Beach. Approximately, one in ten Allied soldiers storming Normandy on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) was Canadian. More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders (Newfoundland did not join Canada officially until 1949) served in WW II.




The three main types of industries in Canada are natural resources, manufacturing and service. 


Over 70% of working Canadians now have jobs in the service industry.


Employment Insurance was introduced in 1940. The “Canada Pension Plan” was implemented in 1965.


The United States of America (USA) is Canada's largest trading partner. 


Central Canada, which is made up of Ontario and Quebec, is the industrial and manufacturing heartland of Canada.


The Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) are known for their fertile agricultural land and valuable energy resources.




Canada joined other countries in the West to form the “North Atlantic Treaty Organization” (NATO), a military alliance.


Yes, Canada has been a member of the United Nations for several decades. Canada joined many countries in the defence of South Korea in the Korean War (1950-53) and takes part in many UN-sponsored peace-keeping missions.




A group of artists informally banded together to share their vision of Canadian impressionism in landscape painting. They founded their group in 1920.


Three famous Canadian film makers are Atom Egoyan, Norman Jewison and Deny Arcand. Two world-famous media scholars who identified the relationship between a culture and its media were Harold Adams Innis and Marshall McLuhan.


Basketball was invented by a Canadian, James Naismith in 1891. Almost everywhere, when people of Canada, they think of hockey. Canadian athletes have dominated hockey and many cities have hockey museums which honour legendary hockey players. The main award in the hockey world is the “Stanley Cup”.

Canadian football, Canada’s second most popular sport, shares many characteristics with American football. The main award in the Canadian Football League (CFL) is the “Grey Cup”. There have been several famous runners, swimmers and skaters who have achieved Olympic medals as well.

Curling, Lacrosse and soccer are also very popular across the country.


Joseph-Armond Bombardier invented the snowmobile. Sir Sandford Fleming invented the worldwide system of standard time zones. Wilder Penfield was a pioneering brain surgeon. Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie invented the Blackberry. For more on Canadian inventions and inventors, visit a museum or library in your area.




There are three levels of government:
- Federal
- Provincial or territorial
- Municipal.


The three levels of government have different areas of responsibility. The responsibilities of federal and provincial governments were first defined in 1867 by the British North America Act.

In general, the federal government takes major responsibility for things that affect all of Canada, such as national defence, foreign policy and citizenship.

Provincial and territorial governments look after things such as education, health care and highways. They share responsibilities with the federal government in some areas.

Municipal (or local) governments take responsibility for areas that affect the local community such as policing, fire fighting, snow removal and recycling programs.


In Canada’s parliamentary democracy, the people elect members to the House of Commons in Ottawa, and to the provincial and territorial legislatures. These elected representatives are responsible for passing laws and keeping the government accountable for its actions and decisions.


The three parts of Parliament are The Queen, The House of Commons and The Senate.


The Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers. The House of Commons is made up Members of Parliament (MPs) elected by the people. Senators are appointed according to the wishes of the Prime Minister.


The people in each electoral district vote for a candidate of their choice. The candidate who receives the most votes becomes MP for that electoral district. 


- Federal - national defence, foreign policy, citizenship
- Provincial/Territorial - education, health care, highways
- Municipal (Local) - policing, fire fighting, snow removal, recycling.


A Constitutional Monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the ruler is limited by a constitution. Canada’s Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign, Queen or King. As Head of the Common-wealth, the Sovereign links Canada to the 52 other nations in the commonwealth.


Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Canada's Head of State.


In Canada, there is a clear distinction between the Head of State, the Sovereign, and the head of government, the elected Prime Minister who governs the country.


The Sovereign, Queen or King, is represented in Canada by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for 5 years. The Governor General appoints a Lieutenant Governor in each of the ten provinces, for 5 years.


Michaëlle Jean is the Governor General.


The current Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario is David C. Onley. 


A legislature is a provincial or territorial assembly where laws are passed. Members of the Legislature have several names. In Oshawa and Ontario they are called Members of the Provincial Parliament (MPPs).


Yes, each province has an elected legislature where laws are passed. The members of the provincial legislature in Ontario are called “Members of Provincial Parliament” or MPPs. In each province the Premier has a role similar to that of the Prime Minister in the Federal government.


STEP 1 — First Reading — The bill is considered read for the first time and is printed.
STEP 2 — Second Reading — Members debate the bill’s principle.
STEP 3 — Committee Stage — Committee members study the bill clause by clause.
STEP 4 — Report Stage — Members can make other amendments.
STEP 5 — Third Reading — Members debate and vote on the bill.
STEP 6 — Senate — The bill follows a similar process in the Senate.
STEP 7 — Royal Assent — The bill receives royal assent after being passed by both Houses.


Yes, each province has an elected legislature where laws are passed. The members of the provincial legislature in Ontario are called “Members of Provincial Parliament” or MPPs.




An electoral district is a geographic area assigned to one Member of Parliament [MP].


There are 308 electoral districts in Canada. 


We live in the Oshawa electoral district. 


You can vote in a federal election if you are:

• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old; and
• on the voters’ list.

The voters’ list comes from a neutral agency of Parliament called Elections Canada. When you apply for citizenship, you can consent to be on the list. Once an election has been called, Elections Canada will mail you a voters card.

The card will tell you when and where you vote, and it will tell you how to acquire an interpreter or other special services. You can also vote if you meet the above requirements but have been living outside Canada for less than 5 years or are working for the federal government, the Canadian Forces, or certain organizations outside Canada. 


If you do not receive a voter information card, call your local elections office to make sure you are on the voters list. If you do not have the number, call Elections Canada, in Ottawa, at 1 800 463-6868. 


In order to vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on voting day, and be on the voters list. 


“Secret ballot” means that no one can watch you vote. Your choices are protected. No one will know how you voted unless you tell them.


Any Canadian citizen 18 years or older may run in a federal election.


An electoral district is a geographic area assigned to one Member of Parliament [MP].


After an election, the leader of the political party who has won the election is appointed to lead the government. If his/her party has the majority of seats in the House of Commons, this is called a majority government. If his/her party has fewer than half of the seats, it is called a minority government.


Conservative Party


According to the Constitution, an election must be held within five years of the last election. Within this period, if the Prime Minister and the Party in power lose the support or “confidence” of the majority of MPs (regardless of political allegiance), then a “non-confidence” vote might be called. If this happens, it may result in another election being held before the five year deadline.


The Prime Minister chooses certain individuals to perform special functions and to advise the Prime Minister in certain important areas. Together with the Prime Minister these people form what is called “The Cabinet”. They are also called “Cabinet Ministers”.


There are basically three levels of government: Federal, Provincial and Municipal.

The ballot lists the names of the candidates in your electoral district in alphabetical order. 


You mark the ballot by writing an "X" in the circle beside the name of your chosen candidate.


There are 308 electoral districts in Canada. 


We live in the Oshawa electoral district. 


After an election, the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power. 


The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party with the most elected Members of Parliament. 


Conservative Party - Stephen Harper
Liberal Party - Michael Ignateiff
Bloc Québécois Parti - Gilles Duceppe
New Democratic Party - Jack Layton
Green Party - Elizabeth May


The opposition party is one of the parties in which the Prime Minister is not a member. The opposition with the most Members of Parliament becomes the Official Opposition.


The role of the opposition parties is to oppose or try to improve government proposals. 


At this time, the official opposition party is the Liberal Party. 


Conservative Party 


Senators are chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Governor General.


If you do not receive a voter information card, call your local elections office to make sure you are on the voters list. If you do not have the number, call Elections Canada, in Ottawa, at 1 800 463-6868. 


After an election, the party with the most elected representatives forms the new government. 


After an election, the results are made public on the Internet (www.elections.ca), on television, radio and in the newspapers.




The Canadian justice system is based on the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. This is called “The presumption of innocence”.


A court is a gathering of people, including a group of citizens called a “jury” and a judge.


The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court. It is the Federal Court and it makes decisions which affect everyone.


The provinces also have other courts which may also be called “appeals court” or the “Court of Queen’s Bench”.


The police exist to keep people safe and to enforce the law. You can ask the police for help in many situations.


Yes, there are different types of police in Canada. There are provincial police in Ontario called “OPP” and municipal police in the cities.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforce federal laws and serve as provincial police in all provinces except Ontario and Quebec.

Remember, the police are here to help you and you can always question the police about their service or conduct.


To get help with any legal matter, you need a lawyer. If you need help to find a lawyer, you can call Legal Aid Oshawa (905-576-2124) or visit them at the Oshawa Centre (419 King St W) or you can access more information at www.legalaid.on.ca.




The Crown in Canada has been a symbol of Canada’s history for 400 years. Canada has been a constitutional monarchy since 1867. The crown symbolizes this heritage.


The national flag of Canada has been a symbol of Canada since 1965. The maple leaf is Canada’s most popular symbol.


English and French are the two official languages. You must have adequate knowledge of English or French to become a Canadian citizen. This does not apply to people under 18 or over 54.


A Coat of Arms is an emblem which is an expression of national pride and is symbolic of heritage. Canada adopted an official coat of arms which says “From sea to shining sea” in Latin. Today, this emblem is seen Canadian money and sometimes on public buildings and govern- ment documents.


The parliament buildings in Ottawa are often used as a symbol of Canada. The beaver was adopted as a symbol of the Hudson’s Bay Company several hundred years ago. Today, the beaver is on the 5-cent coin. The maple leaf is also a frequently used symbol.


Canada’s National Anthem is called “O Canada”. There is an English version and a French version. Here is the English:






Canada is the 2nd largest country on earth! 10 million square kilometres.


Canada includes many geographical areas and five distinct regions.

• The Atlantic Provinces
• Ontario and Quebec
• The Prairie Provinces
• The West Coast
• The Northern Territories

Canada includes many geographical areas and five distinct regions.

• The Atlantic Provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador
• Ontario and Quebec: Ontario and Quebec
• The Prairie Provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
• The West Coast: British Columbia
• The Northern Territories: Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon

Ontario is home to 1/3 of all Canadians. It has10 million people.


Toronto is the capital city of Ontario.


About 150,000 live in Oshawa itself. There are 350,000 if you consider Oshawa’s suburbs. [“Greater urban area”].


The Mayor of Oshawa is the Honourable John Gray.


The Council of the City of Oshawa is made up of eleven members - one Mayor, seven Regional Councillors and three City Councillors.

Seven Regional Councillors are elected to represent those Wards or “areas” of the City to serve on both the Council of the City of Oshawa and the Council of the Regional Municipality of Durham.

As of October 25, 2010, all Councillors will be elected “at large”. This means that all Councillors, Regional as well as City Councillors, will be elected by electors across the entire City of Oshawa, not just the electors within one particular ward as in previous elections. As a result of being elected “at large” all Councillors will represent and work on behalf of all citizens in the City of Oshawa.


Oshawa has several districts and each one has a representative.

Last modified: 30.06.10 by Webmaster