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.

Canadian Values

Being Canadian comes with many values and privileges that are often overlooked by Canadians. Some of the values that we should be honoured to receive are equality, diversity, health, safety and democracy. Canada does not discriminate against different races, sexuality, and for the most part, gender. In the Canadian Charter Of Rights and Freedoms, it states that “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit… without discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical ability” (P.E Trudeau, 1981). I really love that Canada is a free country, open to equal opportunity for everyone to strive, and that is why I believe many people immigrate here. Although Canada is claimed to be an equal country, there are gaps in that statement, as Canadian women earned 87 cents an hour for every dollar made by men in 2015 (Israel, 2017). Canada is not perfect, but contains significant less flaws than many other countries that would be so grateful to earn any significant amount of money for hard labouring jobs. Canada’s free health care is one of the biggest privileges, in my opinion, that Canadians receive. Our medicare system provides Canadian residents with reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services without paying out-of-pocket. Canada is among only 5 countries to provide free health care, although many countries have attempted and failed. I personally believe that being Canadian is more than just being the stereotypical polite, hockey playing igloo inhabitant, but being Canadian is about accepting everyone, feeling safe to show expression, being confident that there is always a place to go to keep warm, heal up, or get the education needed to strive. To the rest of the world, we will always be known as the snow shoeing, moose loving, hockey playing, igloo living country, which does not bother me at all because some of the stereotypes are true, in a way. I find Canadians to be much nicer than Americans, as everytime I visit the United States, I am baffled by the amount of people that do not say thank you when someone has held the door for them, or do not drive with respect for others on the road. I know that not all Canadians are polite and friendly, but I find that most of them are. Hockey is also an association to Canada, and it is very true that our country exhibits some of the best hockey players in the world, and people are brought closer together by watching them strive and celebrating the game themselves. I have played hockey my whole life, so I can really relate that hockey is a big part of me, and a big part of Canada’s culture.

Works Cited

Fisher, Max. “Here’s a Map of the Countries That Provide Universal Health Care (America’s Still Not on It).” The Atlantic, edited by The Atlantic, The Atlantic Monthly Group, 28 June 2012, www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/06/heres-a-map-of-the-countries-that-provide-universal-health-care-americas-still-not-on-it/259153/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2018.

Government of Canada. “Canada’s health care system.” Government of Canada, edited by Government of Canada, 22 Aug. 2016, www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-health-care-system.html. Accessed 7 Jan. 2018.

Trudeau, P.E. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 1981. Historica Canada, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2018.

University of Waterloo. “Reflecting Canadian values.” Canadian Index of Wellbeing, edited by

University of Waterloo, 7 Jan. 2018, uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/about-canadian-index-

wellbeing/reflecting-canadian-values. Accessed 7 Jan. 2018.

Canadian Values

When you are travelling abroad and people hear you speak English, they usually assume that you are from America. Immediately, you become defensive and correct them, making sure they know that you are Canadian. Why is this?

As a nation, we are proud of our identity. However,

many of us cannot articulate what it means to be Canadian, only that our country is different, and better than, the United States.

Living in the shadow of our neighbour to the South, the United States, we are greatly influenced by their culture. We are both free, democratic societies, and we have strong ties to each other, but the two countries are very different. The best way to highlight these differences is to compare Canadian values to those of Americans.

“We like the cold and don’t complain,” is how my brother describes being Canadian (J. Roud). In this country, winter can be brutal. Most of us would not say that we actually enjoy being cold, but without winter we would not have many of our favourite things, such as: hockey, skiing, maple syrup, and there would be no need for Tim Horton’s coffee for warmth. Even if we do not like the cold, we stay quiet because we are too nice and polite, two traits not often used when describing Americans.

Another one of the main factors that sets these two great nations apart is the government structure and economy. One follows a belief in a social welfare system, while the other pushes more individualism and capitalism. This can be seen in its most basic form in the two countries’ slogans: “Peace, Order, and Good Government” in Canada, and “The Pursuit of Happiness” in the US. When asked what the biggest difference between the two countries is, my mom says, “America is more capitalist, while Canada takes a more socialist approach,” (A. Roud). Many Canadians are happy to say that they have always had universal healthcare and can go to the doctors without paying out of pocket, while this is still a contentious issue for the States, making us more fortunate. This does come at a price though, namely much higher taxes.

Continuing, Canadians also like to believe that our society is a cultural mosaic, or “The Tossed Salad,” people can come and live here without full assimilation. In contrast, America is viewed as “The Melting Pot,” where immigrants are encouraged to become “American.” This shows how the United States is proud of its culture and history and would like to share that with others without altering it, while Canada has the desire to grow its roots, learn from other cultures, and change with its people.

However, even though modern Canada is influenced by America in many ways, and we may seem so similar, Canadians do have a distinct culture. The three main differences are: our passions, our government, and our diversity of citizens. As a nation, we are proud to be Canadians, and deserve to be, because of this great land we call our home.

Works Cited

Roud, Amanda. Interview. 6 Jan. 2018.

Roud, Jack. Interview. 4 Jan. 2018.

Unknown. American Influence. Wikimedia Commons, upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Flag_map_of_Canada_and_United_States_%28American_Flag%29.png.

---. Canadian Starter Pack. StarterPack Memes, www.starterpackmemes.com/img/uploads/2476_canadian-stereotypes.jpg.

---. Diversity. Blogspot, 1.bp.blogspot.com/_dan-4F-nkSo/TOdVZ9M8BsI/AAAAAAAABKE/A7ZAsNIUOdc/s1600/AmericaIsMessyFoodEitherWay.jpg.

---. I Am Canadian. Huffington Post, o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/1200x630/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fi.huffpost.com%2Fgen%2F1210718%2Fimages%2Fh-MOLSON-I-AM-CANADIAN-RETURNS-628x314.jpg.

---. North America Flag Map. Viktoria, viktoria.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/depositphotos_51647815-North-America-Map-With-Flags.gif.

---. Polite Meme. WannaJoke, wanna-joke.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/funny-picture-canadians-are-too-polite.jpg.

Canadian Values

Canadian Values

By: Kylie Conroy

Like every country, Canada has values that are very important to us. Canadians value; diversity, fairness, health, education, and safety to just state a few. As a Canadian I feel that Canada's values reflect on the values I have.

I feel that to be a Canadian, you obtain values that as a whole, the country believes as well. Not just saying that you have those values but also showing that and appreciating what Canada does to support their values.

Canada's values attract people to immigrate to our country because they believe in the same values or wish to live somewhere where these things are represented. The same as any country, Canada has pull factors; things that make you want to go to a country. We have free healthcare and education, but with that comes the large amount of taxes we have to pay to have these things free. Canada also represents freedom and safety to others and acceptance so that when immigrants do decide to move here they want to stay and they enjoy it.

(Click below)
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/06/29/we-asked-canadians-to-describe-canada-in-one-word-they-did-not_a_23006738/?utm_hp_ref=ca-canadian-values

In the video above you realize that Canada is home to many different people. With people choosing their words to describe Canada, they chose multiculturalizm and diversity, therefore we have many people and different cultures from around the world that chose to come to Canada. They are happy and everyone else is happy they did. Somebody also chose hockey as their word, hockey brings the country together as a whole. 

We can describe what Canada is but when asked what it means to be Canadian, that is very broad, we don't necessarily know what it means to be Canadian. From the dictionary a Canadian is "a native or inhabitant of Canada." So, yes we live in Canada but what does it mean to you? Most just express themselves in the stereotypes like friendly and polite but being like that doesn't make you Canadian, that just makes you a kind person. Although Canada is filled with kind people, to be Canadian is something deeper, that we don't discriminate, we don't judge due to differences because Canada is a diverse country that includes all. Canada has many different cultures, traditions, languages, and religions that all combine together to support the values we have of: freedom, fairness, health and education, safety, and diversity.

I love to be Canadian and I embrace it, as Canada is very diverse, we still value the same things as a whole and we are a distinct type of people that I am proud to be familiarized with. Although we do have our problems like anywhere else, it's the way we are trying to change is what makes people the most proud.

Works Cited

arms holding canadian flags. Next Stop Canada, nextstopcanada.ca/success-next-stop-canada-immigrants/. Accessed 8 Jan. 2018.

Canada map made of words. Muskoka Language International, www.mliesl.com/our-values.html. Accessed 8 Jan. 2018.

"Canadian Values." Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_values. Accessed 8 Jan. 2018.

Reflecting Canadian Values. Canadian Index of Wellbeing. uwaterloo, uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/about-canadian-index-wellbeing/reflecting-canadian-values. Accessed 7 Jan. 2018.

Canadian values

         The Canadian values can not be identified as one thing because we do not have one identity: Canada is a salad; not a melting pot. It is hard to categorize our identity because of its diversity: there is no one culture, religion, language, or values.

         To be Canadian means more than just being born to it, or choosing to live in it; it is more than fulfilling the Canadian stereotypes. Being Canadian means to have acceptance, and tolerance of others different from oneself even if it is opposing to one’s own beliefs. This is the main thing that will impact how we are seen. By not judging others by their differences equality is created. By having equality creates fairness in rights, and how we treat one another. Although these are the Canadian values they are not always followed. We can not expect a country to be perfect because people are not perfect.

         I do not believe there is a country that is Perfect because there is always something lacking. Setting that aside, I think based on quality of life Canada is the best. Canada is a safe country. It has free healthcare and this allows people to get their basic necessity of health for free. We have access to an education system for all people. Canada has a genuine belief in equal rights for all people and this slowly being accomplished. There are some problems: the wage gap, mistreatment of our indigenous people, and our high taxes.

         Canada is different from other countries because, although it is a newer country, it has its own traditions, values, and history. Canada is a country of acceptance and that is why many choose to immigrant rather than other places.           

         I am Canadian because I believe in all the values Canada has: equality, acceptance, tolerance, and fairness. I believe there are improvement that need to be made for our indigenous people, and their communities. There are too many people struggling in this economy, and employment but that is harder to fix.

        Overall I think Canada is an amazing country to live in, and I am proud to be Canadian.

       






"Canadian Values." Www.wikipedia.org, 5 Dec. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
     Canadian_values. Accessed 7 Jan. 2018.
Best Countries. www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/canada. Accessed 7 Jan. 2018.

Canadian Values

Why is Canada the best country in the world to live in? It is because our education and healthcare are so prosperous and thriving that it differentiates us from any other country.

Healthcare

Our healthcare is free which means Canadian citizens have access to all hospitals and medical services, when needed, without paying with their own money. “The roles and responsibilities for the healthcare are shared throughout the Provincial, territorial, and Federal government” (Government of Canada). Each province and territory has their own medicals plans, but the Federal government looks over all of it and supports health research, health promotion and protection, and disease monitoring and prevention.  The provincial and territorial plans must provide all their residents' reasonable medical access based on their medical need and not on their ability to pay.   Unlike the United States not providing equal care to minorities, Canada has health care available to all aspects of the minority including Indigenous Peoples living on reserves, Inuit, serving members of the Canadian Forces, eligible Veterans, inmates in Federal penitentiaries, and some groups of refugee claimants. This truly emphasizes that Canada is different than other countries and it is one of the many aspects that define Canada: multiculturalism, rights and freedoms, education, equality and diversity.  

Education

Along with our free healthcare, there is free education through the public school system. There is also adult secondary education programs available for those who have not completed their elementary or secondary education.  Some teach how to read or write and others get you a high school diploma. However, each province and territory has official criteria that students will be taught in each grade. By law, all children must go to school, and if “[someone is] enrolling in a Canadian school for the first time, the school or board will assess them and then decide what level they should be placed at and whether they need free support such as English or French language classes” (Government of Canada). Canada values equality even in the education part and this is why it is another thing that defines us and differentiates us. Even in most schools, there are mixed classes which means boys and girls learn together. In a few low economic countries, girls are not even allowed to go school or are separated from boys. We believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to a greater future.

Overall Canadian citizens are very fortunate that we have a good education and healthcare system that are free and not discriminative. It differentiates us from many countries in the world as only a few have free education or health care while we have both. We are about equality, diversity, and having resources available to those who need it.

Works Cited

ASA Overseas Education Specialist. Canadian Education System. 2018. ASA Overseas Education Specialist, 2018, www.asa-edu.com/abroad-can1.php. Accessed 5 Jan. 2018.

Casale, Cecilia Rivera, Ph.D. “Disparities in Healthcare Quality Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups.” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Oct. 2014, archive.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhqrdr10/minority.html. Accessed 4 Jan. 2018.

Government of Canada. “Canada’s Health Care System.” Government of Canada, 22 Aug. 2016, www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-health-care-system.html. Accessed 19 Dec. 2017.

---. “School Life in Canada.” Government of Canada, 17 May 2017, www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/enrol-school/student-life.html. Accessed 4 Jan. 2018.

O’Mahen, Patrick. n Ontario Health Insurance Plan ID card. 2013. Blogger, Patrick O’Mahen, 9 Oct. 2013, themakeshiftacademic.blogspot.ca/2013/10/worthwhile-Canadian-initiative-health.html. Accessed 5 Jan. 2018.

Canadian Values

Canadian Values

Every country has values that are important to it and that sets it apart from others. Canada has its own important values that may not be fully shared with other societies. Some of these values attract other people to come live in Canada -one of the reasons why my great grandparents came to Canada. Canadian values include freedom, respect for cultural differences and a commitment to social justice. We are proud of the fact that we are a peaceful nation. Canadians try to understand and appreciate the cultures, customs and traditions of all Canadians, whether they were born in Canada or came here from another country.

People may ask, is Canada the best country in the world to live in? Canada has its advantages and disadvantages. As we all know, Canadians get free healthcare so we do not have to pay for medical care except for dental care, prescription drugs and glasses.  However, our taxes are somewhat high. The average Canadian pays about 42% of personal income tax.

And others may ask, what makes Canadians different from other societies? Canada has long been recognized for its peacekeeping role around the world. Canadians are seen polite, maybe too polite. We often say sorry or excuse me even when other people bump into us.

I am proud to be Canadian because I live in a country where amazing people were born, for example: Terry Fox, who battled Cancer and wanted to help others who suffers from it by running across Canada to raise money; Viola Desmond, who was the first Canadian woman to appear on our currency and was a pioneer of Black rights in Nova Scotia; and finally, Lester B. Pearson, who is the only Canadian to win a Nobel prize.

Canada is an amazing place to live in. Canadian have values that others in different countries would die to have. We are lucky that we live in a country that respects all different ethnicities.

Works Cited

Global news. globalnews.ca/news/3511306/top-10-most-influential-canadians/.

Quora. www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-living-in-Canada.

Theatlantic.com. www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/10/what-if-america-had-canadas-healthcare-system/381662/.