Culture of Canada

Canadian culture is a term that embodies the artistic, culinary, literary,

humour, musical, political and social elements that are representative of
Canada and Canadians. Throughout Canada's history, its culture has been
influenced by European culture and traditions, especially British and French,
and by its own indigenous cultures. Over time, elements of the cultures of
Canada's immigrant populations have become incorporated into mainstream
Canadian culture. The population has also been influenced by American culture
because of a shared language, proximity and migration between the two
countries.
Canada is often characterised as being "very progressive, diverse, and
multicultural". Canada's culture draws influences from its broad range of
constituent nationalities, and policies that promote a just society are
constitutionally protected. Canadian Government policies such as publicly
funded health care; higher and more progressive taxation; outlawing capital
punishment; strong efforts to eliminate poverty; an emphasis on cultural
diversity; strict gun control; and most recently, legalizing same-sex marriage
are social indicators of Canada's political and cultural values.
Symbols
Official symbols of Canada include the maple leaf, beaver, and the Canadian
Horse. Many official symbols of the country such as the Flag of Canada have
been changed or modified over the past few decades in order to 'Canadianize'
them and de-emphasise or remove references to the United Kingdom.
Humour
Canadian humour is an integral part of the Canadian Identity. There are several
traditions in Canadian humour in both English and French. While these
traditions are distinct and at times very different, there are common themes
that relate to Canadians' shared history and geopolitical situation in the
Western Hemisphere and the world. Various trends can be noted in Canadian
comedy. One trend is the portrayal of a "typical" Canadian family in an ongoing radio or television series. Other trends include outright absurdity, and
political and cultural satire. Satire and self-deprecation are arguably the
primary characteristics of Canadian humour.
Literature
Canadian literature is often divided into French- and English-language
literatures, which are rooted in the literary traditions of France and Britain,
respectively.[94] Canadas early literature, whether written in English or French,
often reflects the Canadian perspective on nature, frontier life, and Canadas

position in the world, for example the poetry of Bliss Carman or the memoirs of
Susanna Moodie and Catherine Parr Traill. These themes, and Canada's literary
history, inform the writing of successive generations of Canadian authors, from
Leonard Cohen to Margaret Atwood.

Canadian authors have accumulated numerous international awards. In 1992,

Michael Ondaatje became the first Canadian to win the Man Booker Prize for
The English Patient. Margaret Atwood won the Booker in 2000 for The Blind
Assassin and Yann Martel won it in 2002 for the Life of Pi. Carol Shields's The
Stone Diaries won the Governor General's Awards in Canada in 1993, the 1995
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and the 1994 National Book Critics Circle Award. In
2013, Alice Munro was the first Canadian to be awarded the Nobel
Prize in Literature for her work as "master of the modern short story".
Munro is also a recipient of the Man Booker International Prize for her lifetime
body of work, and three-time winner of Canada's Governor General's Award for
fiction.
Theatre
Canada has had a thriving stage theatre scene since the late 1800s.[102]
Theatre festivals draw many tourists in the summer months, especially the
Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, and the Shaw Festival in
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The Famous People Players are only one of many
touring companies that have also developed an international reputation.
Canada also hosts one of the largest fringe festival the Edmonton International
Fringe Festival.
Canada's largest cities host a variety of modern and historical venues. The
Toronto Theatre District is Canada's largest, as well as being the third largest
English-speaking theatre district in the world. In addition to original Canadian
works, shows from the West End and Broadway frequently tour in Toronto.
Music
The Music of Canada has reflected the multi-cultural influences that have
shaped the country. Aboriginals, the French, and the British have all made
contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The country has produced its
own composers, musicians and ensembles since the mid-1600s. From the 17th
century onward, Canada has developed a music infrastructure that includes
church halls; chamber halls; conservatories; academies; performing arts
centers; record companys; radio stations, and television music-video channels.
The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture
because of its proximity and migration between the two countries. Canadian

rock has had a considerable impact on the development of modern popular

music and the development of the most popular sub-genres.
Sport
Sports in Canada consists of a variety of games. Although there are many
contests that Canadians value, the most common are Ice hockey, Lacrosse,
Canadian football, basketball, soccer, curling, baseball and ringette. All but
curling and soccer are considered domestic sports as they were either invented
by Canadians or trace their roots to Canada.
Ice hockey, referred to as simply "hockey", is Canada's most prevalent winter
sport, its most popular spectator sport, and its most successful sport in
international competition. It is Canada's official national winter sport.[151]
Lacrosse, a sport with indigenous origins, is Canada's oldest and official
summer sport.[151] Canadian football is Canada's second most popular
spectator sport,[152] and the Canadian Football League's annual
championship, the Grey Cup, is the country's largest annual sports event.
Cuisine[edit]

A small sampling of Canadian foods. Clockwise from top left: Montreal-style

smoked meat, Maple syrup, Poutine, Nanaimo bar, Butter tart, Peameal bacon
Main article: Canadian cuisine
Canadian cuisine varies widely depending on the regions of the nation. The
former Canadian prime minister Joe Clark has been paraphrased to have noted:
"Canada has a cuisine of cuisines. Not a stew pot, but a smorgasbord."[158]
There are considerable overlaps between Canadian food and the rest of the
cuisine in North America, many unique dishes (or versions of certain dishes)
are found and available only in the country. Common contenders for the
Canadian national food include Poutine[159][160][161] and Butter tarts.[162]
[163] A noteworthy fact is that Canada is the world's largest producer of Maple
syrup.[164]

The three earliest cuisines of Canada have First Nations, English, and French
roots, with the traditional cuisine of English Canada closely related to British
and American cuisine, while the traditional cuisine of French Canada has
evolved from French cuisine and the winter provisions of fur traders.[165] With
subsequent waves of immigration in the 18th and 19th century from Central,

Southern, and Eastern Europe, and then from Asia, Africa and Caribbean, the
regional cuisines were subsequently augmented.[165] The Jewish immigrants
to Canada during the late 1800s also play a significant role to foods in Canada.
The Montreal-style bagel and Montreal-style smoked meat are both food items
originally developed by Jewish communities living in Montreal.[166]