This chapter describes what makes Canada distinct and introduces the three founding peoples: Aboriginal, French and British. It also covers diversity and what newcomers are expected to embrace.
Key facts to know
Canada’s three founding peoples are Aboriginal, French and British.
Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America and has the oldest continuous constitutional tradition in the world.
The phrase “Peace, Order and Good Government” comes from the British North America Act of 1867.
Aboriginal peoples include three distinct groups: First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Aboriginal and treaty rights are in the Canadian Constitution. Territorial rights were first guaranteed by the Royal Proclamation of 1763.
From the 1800s until the 1980s many Aboriginal children were placed in residential schools. The federal government formally apologized to former students in 2008.
About half of First Nations people live on reserve land, in about 600 communities. The other half live off reserve, mainly in cities.
Newcomers are expected to embrace democratic principles such as the rule of law and to leave violent, extreme or hateful prejudices behind.
Most Canadians have been born in Canada since the 1800s, yet Canada is called a land of immigrants because millions of newcomers helped build it.
Test tip: Expect questions on the three founding peoples and on the three Aboriginal groups. They are short and easy to get right.
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These notes summarize the official Discover Canada guide in our own words. Always check the current edition of the guide on canada.ca. Discover Canada Prep is independent and not affiliated with IRCC.