Culture

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, seen here at Expo 67, are the federal and national police force of Canada and an international icon.

Canadian culture has historically been heavily influenced by English, French, Irish, Scottish and Aboriginal cultures and traditions, and over time has been greatly influenced by American culture because of its proximity and the interchange of human capital between the two countries. Many forms of American media and entertainment are popular, if not dominant in Canada; conversely, many Canadian cultural products and entertainers are successful in the US and worldwide. Many cultural products are now marketed toward a unified "North American" market, or a global market generally.

The creation and preservation of distinctly Canadian culture has been partly influenced by federal government programs, laws and institutions such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

A Kwakwaka'wakw totem pole and traditional "big house" in Victoria, BC.

As Canada is a geographically vast and ethnically diverse country, there are cultural variations and distinctions from province to province and region to region. Canadian culture has also been greatly influenced by more recent immigration of people from all over the world. Many Canadians value multiculturalism, indeed some see Canadian culture as being inherently multicultural. Multicultural heritage is enshrined in Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

National symbols are influenced by natural, historical, and First Nations sources. Particularly, the use of the maple leaf, as a Canadian symbol, dates back to the early 18th century and is depicted on its current and previous flags, the penny, and on the coat of arms. Other prominent symbols include the beaver, Canada goose, common loon, the Crown, and the RCMP.

Canada's official national sports are ice hockey (winter) and lacrosse (summer). Hockey is a national pastime, and is by far the most popular spectator sport in the country. It is also the most popular sport Canadians play, with 1.65 million active participants in 2004. Canada's six largest metropolitan areas - Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton - have franchises in the National Hockey League (NHL), and there are more Canadian players in the league than from all other countries combined. After hockey, other popular spectator sports include Canadian football and curling. The Canadian Football League (CFL) is the nation's second most popular professional sports league, and plays a large role in Canada's national identity . Golf, baseball, skiing, soccer, volleyball, and basketball are also widely played at youth and amateur levels, but professional leagues and franchises are not as widespread. Canada will host the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.

ANNOTATIONS

Commensurate - соответствующий

Comprehension Check Exercises

I. Fill in the blank with the correct word:

1. Canada's two official languages, English and French, are … of 59.7% and 23.2% of the population.

2. The public has the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive … in either English or French.

3. French is mostly spoken in Quebec, but there are substantial francophone populations mainly in ….

4. Canadian culture has historically been heavily influenced by ….

5. Canadian cultural products and entertainers are successful in ….

6. After hockey, other popular spectator sports include Canadian ….

7. Many forms of American media and entertainment are popular ….

II. Find out whether the statement is true or false according to the information in the text:

1. The population of Montreal is predominantly francophone, with a significant anglophone community.

2. English and French have no equal status in federal courts, Parliament, and in all federal institutions.

III. Questions:

1. What started a process that led to Canada redefining itself as an officially "bilingual" nation?

2. What should one do to become a citizen of Canada?

3. What province is bilingual in Canada?

4. Where is the largest French population?

5. What are the Canadian symbols?

6. What are Canada's official national sports?

IV. Do you remember?

1. What significant non-official first languages do you know?

2. Name Canada's six largest metropolitan areas.

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