Who We Are | Discover Canada Guide

This chapter answers a deceptively simple question that runs through the study guide: what makes someone Canadian, and where does that identity come from?

Three founding peoples

Discover Canada is explicit that the country was founded by three peoples: Aboriginal peoples, who were here first; the French, who established the first permanent European settlements; and the British, whose institutions shaped Canada's system of government. Later waves of immigration from around the world added further layers to this foundation, but the guide consistently frames these three groups as the historical starting point.

Official languages and bilingualism

Canada has two official languages, English and French, both with equal status in federal institutions under the Official Languages Act. New Brunswick is the only province that is officially bilingual at the provincial level; Quebec's official language is French, and the remaining provinces and territories operate mainly in English, though services in French are often available. Nunavut also recognizes Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun as official languages territorially.

Multiculturalism as policy, not just description

Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy, in 1971, and later entrenched it in the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1988). This means diversity is not simply tolerated but actively protected and promoted by law, on the basis that Canadians of every background should feel free to keep their heritage while sharing a common civic identity and set of values.

Symbols of shared identity

Even with this diversity, Discover Canada points to shared symbols and institutions, the Crown, Parliament, the Charter, national holidays such as Canada Day, that unite Canadians across linguistic and cultural lines. Understanding "Who We Are" for the test means being able to describe both the diversity and the shared civic framework that holds it together.