Canadian Values

As Canadians, some of our values as a country are: equality, when one respects everyone’s rights, beliefs, and cultural differences and everyone has the right to speak out and express their own ideas even when others may disagree; we also value freedom of thought, speech, religion and freedom of peaceful assembly; we value peace and we are proud of our non-violent society; law and order is also valued as we respect democratic decision making.

When most people from different countries think of Canada they usually think: living in igloos, “eh”, how polite we are, maple syrup, and hockey. When Canadians think of being Canadian, we tend to think of our Charter Rights and Freedoms, welcoming Immigrants and refugees, Tim Hortons; we also love watching are playing hockey outside or inside, and recently the Raptors and “We The North” have given us another reason to be proud of being Canadian.

In my opinion Canada is the best country in the world is filled with a lot of proud citizens.  I believe that Canadians are proud of the Charter Rights and Freedoms. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms are very important to a lot of people that live in Canada. There are lots of Immigrants and refugees that come to Canada and for them to have freedom is very important as it is something they may not have had in their previous country.  In Canada, we accept everyone.  We believe that everyone is important and valued.  People who come to Canada with different religious or cultural values are also accepted and included.  Although we want people to become Canadian, they are encouraged to keep their cultural values. We are privledged to live in a country that relies on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

I consider myself Canadian not just because I am a citizen but because my whole family is Canadian as well, my ancestors came from Wales to Canada over four generations ago. I am truly a Canadian in the way that I treat others.  I believe everyone should be accepted for who they are and should be respected because of that.  I also really enjoy learning about different cultures and I love hearing stories of how people ended up living in Canada.  My family are also huge hockey fans (they play and watch hockey) and of course, Tim Hortons is the hot beverage of choice. We often give thanks and appreciation for being able to live in such a beautiful and respectful country.  Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms are one of many reasons why we are proud to be Canadian.  Can Canada improve?  Absolutley.  We have a long way to go in our treatment of our indigenous people.  I think that we have the foundation set and I am hopeful that there will be progress made soon so every person in Canada will also consider themselves proud to live here.

Wharnsby, Tim. "Canada coach Ducharme learned his own golden rule." CBC, 6 Jan.

   2018, www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/

   canada-sweden-world-juniors-championship-wharnsby-1.4475730. Accessed 8

   Jan. 2018.

Durham Immigration Portal. "What are Canadian values?" Durham Immigration

   Portal, 2010, www.durhamimmigration.ca/creating%20community/Pages/

   WhatareCanadianValues.aspx. Accessed 2018.

Canadian Values

As Canadians we recognize Canada to be a multicultural society valued by “equality, freedom, and respect for all individuals in society” (Welcome Peterborough). Canada, a large country, is separated by regions. Each region has its own traditions, but are cherished and shared throughout Canada as a whole. Because equality, freedom, and respect are valued by Canadians: this is what “make[s] Canada an attractive place to live” (Durham). Canada has developed laws that enforce the importance of our values. The Charter of Rights and Freedom guarantees (Parlement of Canada): freedom of religion, of thought, of expression, of the press, and of peaceful assembly; the right to participate in political activities and the right to a democratic government; the freedom to move around and live within Canada, and to leave Canada; legal rights such as the right to life, liberty and security; equality rights; and language rights. Over the years Canada has developed in unifying and ensuring all Canadians are respected and treated as equals. Canada’s values of equality, respect and freedom have positively affected Canada’s improvement on providing education and eventually providing financial support to all races; the change in opportunities for women and immigrant's ability to be apart of our political system; gender equality in accepting woman into the workplace; and acceptance of multiculturalism where all races and religions feel safe and accepted in Canada. Because we are such a diverse county, more people have wanted to come over. Since 1982, when the Charter of Rights and Freedom was to affect, Canada’s population gained almost 12 million more Canadians (Worldometers). I believe Canada is a safe, happy place to live, and I witness our values taken place everyday whether its at school, work, the grocery store, ect. As a Canadian woman I am thankful for the change in rights and freedom over the years because I now have the privilege to a decent education and job around people genuinely accepted. I also am thankful that my children will grow up in a diverse country where everyone is valued as equals, respected, and have freedom to achieve their dreams. I believe all countries should be lucky enough to experience what all Canadians have the pleasure of living with everyday.

Works Cited

"Canada Population." Worldometers, www.worldometers.info/world-population/canada-population/.

"Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms." Parlement of Canada, lop.parl.ca/About/Parliament/Education/ourcountryourparliament/html_booklet/canadian-charter-rights-and-freedoms-e.html.

"Canadian Values." Welcome to Peterborough, www.welcomepeterborough.ca/Settling/Canadian_Values.htm.

"What Are Canadian Values." Durham Immigration Portal, www.durhamimmigration.ca/creating%20community/Pages/WhatareCanadianValues.aspx.

Canadian Values

Canadian Values 

To be Canadian is a wonderful thing, we have values that not many other countries have. For example according to Allison Doyle’s article in 2017 Canada in ranked 10th in the world for best countries to work in. This being because of an average income of $47843 and an unemployment rate of 6.8%. In Canada we have a great education system, In fact the number one education system in the world, this being because since age five we have free education in primary and secondary school. Another good thing about Canada is our free health care. Canada has the second best most well developed public health care system in the world. Considering all this Canada is ranked second in the best countries to live in, in 2017.

Sports In Canada 

I am very appreciated not only because of our employment, education, and health care but because of our sports in Canada.

With me being a Canadian born kid who loves sports, I have grew up playing many sports and cheering for my favourite teams. Growing up I have played Basketball which was created by Canadian Dr, James Naismith. Lacrosse which is the summer national sport of Canada invented by indigenous Canadians. Hockey which of course is our national winter sport, Canada Has a total of 41 gold medals, Over the year Canada has had a lot of talent in hockey. A few of them are Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, and most recently Connor McDavid. I played soccer which is the most popular sport in the world and now one of the most popular sports among Canadian children. Most important a sport that I feel like not a lot of Canadian kids are getting exposed to is golf. Golf in Canada is fairly new but has produced some amazing talent including the 2003 masters winner Mike Weir, Adam Hadwin, Graham DeLaet, David Hearn, Brooke Henderson, and many more.  That is why I am proud to be Canadian

Works Cited

The Balance. www.thebalance.com/best-countries-to-work-in-4134402. Accessed 11

     Jan. 2018. 

Canada. www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/sport-canada.html. Accessed

     11 Jan. 2018. 

Google. images.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl. Accessed 11 Jan. 2018. 

US News. www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-education. Accessed 11 Jan.

     2018.

Canadian Values

There are many great and amazing aspects of Canada that sets it apart from the rest of the world. Canada consists of: people who are very kind hearted, a safe place to live, a good government in my personal opinion, and amazing view to go and see all around the country; those are just a few things that make Canada such a great place to stay and live. When you become Canadian it comes with some standards, per say, some tasks and responsibilities that you are assumed to follow. Such as, always holding the door for as many people that need it, say sorry when you did not do anything wrong, and saying thank you and please at least 4 times when talking to someone. Other parts of the world just naturally think that Canadians are polite and they are very right, but the reason we are so polite to others is because we realize how much we have in Canada to be grateful for.

When I speak about my country to anyone else I speak with real pride because I am proud of everything that we have accomplished like free healthcare; Free healthcare started for Canada on July 1, 1968, though in 1962 it was born in Saskatchewan, but was not Canada wide at this point.

Canada has very good quality of life for Canadians and the reason we have this in Canada is because everyone is equal and there are no minorities in the eyes of our government. We have very good and fair rights for everyone such as freedom of speech, freedom to be and do anything you want. Canada is a free country and that is what I am most proud of about Canada. We always, no matter what, treat people equally.

Canada is quite separate from the rest of the world being that it is special to live in Canada, also it is a privilege to live here, and call yourself a Canadian. I have already covered healthcare but that is only one of the things that separates us from other places in the world. All Canadians have the right to an education, to be able to learn about anything they desire. Where in Pakistan girls do not have the right to learn and receive and education.

Works Cited

Taylor, Doug. “The Birth of Medicare.” Canadian Demension, 3 July 2012, canadiandimension.com/articles/view/the-birth-of-medicare. Accessed 10 Jan. 2018.

Tour De Stfu. “10 Nation That Do Not Let Girls Go to School.” TourDesTFU, 10 Feb. 2016, www.tourdestfu.com/2016/02/10-nations-that-dont-allow-girls-to-go.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2018.

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.

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