Canadian Values

Canada defines itself as an accepting, diverse country where minorities are given freedom of speech and equal rights to the general population. Our country’s values revolve around the equality of all Canadians no matter their race, religion, age, or gender. We encourage the immigration of non-Canadians into Canada, and we give all Canadians the freedom to express themselves without the fear of punishment. Our country is opposed to the discrimination of minorities and is supportive of individual’s self expression. In comparison to other countries, Canada’s acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles is unparalleled.

Unlike some countries around the world, Canada welcomes the immigration of foreigners. With an average of approximately 235,000 people entering the country per year, Canada is ranked within the top five countries for the highest immigration rate (Statistics Canada). With the constant flow of immigrants being accepted into Canada, the number of foreign-born citizens and first generation Canadians is steadily increasing. The 2011 census showed that Canada’s population was comprised of 7,217,300 people who originate from over 200 countries outside of Canada; overall, first generation Canadians make up 22.0% of the total population (Statistics Canada). Forming nearly one quarter of the country’s total population, Canada is home to the largest percent of immigrants in the world (Kirk). With 17.4% as second generation Canadians and 60.7% as third generation or more, Canada remains a diverse country where cultures from all around the world are represented (Statistics Canada). Our country solidifies itself as a place where all people are embraced and multiculturalism is celebrated.

Home to a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds, Canada frowns upon the ill treatment of any citizen; we do our best to ensure that every person is treated with fairness and respect. As defined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, no person should be discriminated based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental disability. Canada values the equal treatment of all residents. The right to same-sex marriages marriages differentiates Canada from other countries. As one of the first three countries to legalize same-sex marriages, Canada remains one of only 25 countries where it is legal. The right to freely express oneself without restraint is a major Canadian value.

In addition to not discriminating against race, Canadians also discourage sexism and promote gender equality, though it is an area where the government can improve. Out of the 34 countries in the OECD, Canada has the seventh largest wage gap between men and women in 2014 ("The Facts"). In 2014, women earned and average of 87 cents for every dollar earned by a man ("The Facts").  Though the wage gap is decreasing in Canada, it still needs to disappear in order for gender equality to be reach.

Either escaping poverty or lured by the equal rights and freedoms of all our residents, people come to Canada with hopes of a better quality life. Canada provides its residents a place where multiculturalism, freedom of speech, and self expression are its major values.

Immigrant Percentage Within Countries' Population

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/12111108/Mapped-Which-country-has-the-most-immigrants.html

Works Cited

“The Facts about the Gender Wage Gap in Canada.” Canadian Women’s Foundation, www.canadianwomen.org/the-facts/the-wage-gap/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2018.

“Generation Status: Canadian-Born Children of Immigrants.” Statistics Canada, 15 Sept. 2016, www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-010-x/99-010-x2011003_2-eng.cfm.

Kirk, Ashley. “Mapped: Which country has the most immigrants?” The Telograph, 21 Jan. 2016, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/12111108/Mapped-Which-country-has-the-most-immigrants.html.

“150 years of Immigration.” Statistics Canada, 29 June 2016, www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-630-x/11-630-x2016006-eng.htm.

My Ancestry

The recent generations of my family were born in Ontario, but once traced back six generations, I learned that the family on my father’s side descended from England and Ireland. My grandfather on my mom’s moved from Sri Lanka to Toronto; there he met my grandmother.
My ancestors on my father’s side from England and Ireland, though the majority of the recent ones were born in Ontario, Canada. After calling my grandparents, we were able to trace back our heritage about six generations, because our family tree had been recorded on ancestry.ca. Due to parts not being documented, there were some gaps in our family tree and ancestors who we were unable to trace back. As a young child, my great-great-great-great grandmother came from Canada with her parents. The reasons as to why she came here is unknown, but my grandmother hypothesizes: “it was for the land and opportunities available or to escape poverty and war” (Allen). Also on my grandmothers side, my great-great-great grandfather was born in Ireland, as were the generations before him. We weren't able to track my grandfather's relatives out of Canada, but the one's we did find were born in Ontario: Markhom, New Liskard, Stouffville, Scarborough, and Toronto. We do not maintain a direct connection to my Irish and English ancestors, because of all the generations between us, but we do continue to document our origins.

The family on my mother's side came to Canada more recently, though it was harder to date back because there's no written documentation and both my grandparents have passed. During his twenties, my grandfather was given the opportunity to move to a commonwealth country; with a brother already living in Halifax and another in Markham, my grandfather chose Canada. We do not maintain a connection to our Sri Lankan ancestry because my mom lived her mother when her parents divorce and she was never taught by her father. While being fluent in both English and Tamil from Sri Lanka, my grandfather only ever spoke English; he never felt the need to teach his children Tamil. He also never passed along any traditional cuisine or recipes; unable to say the ingredients in English, the language barrier prevented my grandfather from teaching his children about his culture (Allen). Over time, language and distance disconnected us from our roots.

Being seventh-generation Canadian on one side, my ancestors had all been assimilated into the Canadian culture; the connection to my original ethnic roots is very distant. I still highly value my roots because they are my history, I just do not partake in any traditions. Only visiting my grandparents around holidays, we do not get to frequently discuss our origins and their history; I had little prior knowledge of our family history. I hope one day have the opportunity to pass along my new knowledge of our ancestry to my own grandchildren.

Works Cited

Allen, Lesa. Interview. 2 Dec. 2017.

Allen, Nelda. Interview. 26 Nov. 2017.

Christmas Advent Calendars

Lindt Advent Calendar
http://www.lindt.co.uk/shop/ seasonal-chocolates/advent- calendars/lindt-advent- calendar

Every year at the start of December, each person in my family receives a Lindt chocolate advent calendar containing twenty-five compartments for the twenty-five days leading up to Christmas. Every morning after December 1st, we open a numbered door on the box, starting at number one, and get to eat the chocolate behind it; the variety of chocolate flavours contained are: milk, white, dark, peppermint, toffee or caramel; depending on the date relative to Christmas, the flavour and actual size of the chocolate varies; the contents of the calendar ranges from chocolate balls, squares, and bells, to chocolate snowmen, Santas and reindeers as it gets closer to Christmas. “We used to do advent calendars occasionally as a kid,” my father explained. “Some years, my mother would make them, and in later years we would buy premade ones from the store. My siblings and I used to get really excited waiting for Christmas, so this was a way to give us a little excitement each day leading up to the big day. I continued with this tradition when we had kids of our own” (Allen).

First Printed Advent Calendar:
http://www.weihnachtsmuseum. de/en/die-ausstellung/advent /adventskalender

The tradition of advent calendars dates back to mid-19th century Germany when Christians made chalk marks on doors or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas. In the early 1900’s, the first printed advent calendar was produced by German Gerhard Lang. Lang’s calendar was inspired by one his mother made him as a child. He received twenty-four candies sewn into the lid of a box, and was allowed to eat one each day during the advent period: the four week period beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast day of St. Andrew on November 30. The countdown of the “advent’ or “coming” of Christmas was originally began as a time for converts of Christianity to prepare for baptism, but is now more commonly associated with the anticipation of the anniversary of Christ’s birthday on December 25. Eventually, the popularity of Lang’s calendar began to spread, and by the end of the 1930s, they were being sold by several publishers around the globe.

Lindt Chocolates:
http://mostlyaboutchocolate. com/lindt-christmas-treats- collection/

Today, most advent calendars include paper doors that open to reveal image, Bible verse, or piece of chocolate. The daily gift receive is a fun way for kids to enjoy the devastating month-long wait leading up to Christmas, and it is something I plan to continue as my family’s tradition.  

Works Cited

Allen, Scott. “A Brief History of Advent Calendars.” Mental Floss, 1 Dec. 2010, mentalfloss.com/article/26522/brief-history-advent-calendars. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.

Allen, Steve. Interview. 25 Oct. 2017.

Sellmer Verlag, Richard. “History of Advent Calendar.” Traditional Advent Calendars, sellmer-verlag.de/history.htm. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.

Wohlfahrt, Käthe. “Advent Calendars.” Deutches Weihnachtsmuseum, www.weihnachtsmuseum.de/en/die-ausstellung/advent/adventskalender. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.