Chapter 2: Who Canadians Are

Canada is one of the most diverse countries on earth — and that diversity is not accidental. It is the product of thousands of years of Aboriginal history, centuries of French and British settlement, and wave after wave of immigration from every corner of the world. This chapter explores what it means to be Canadian: where the country’s identity comes from, who its founding peoples are, how its two official languages shape everyday life, and what its multicultural society looks like today.

What to Expect in This Chapter

This chapter introduces the three founding peoples of Canada — Aboriginal, French and British — and explains why each group is essential to understanding the country’s history and identity. It explores the distinct communities within each group, from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis to the Acadians, Quebecers and the English-speaking communities that built much of the country.

From there, the chapter turns to the broader diversity of modern Canada — its many ethnic and religious communities, its two official languages and the principles of multiculturalism that hold it all together. By the end of this chapter, you will have a clear picture of who Canadians are and why Canada’s identity is shaped the way it is.

Why This Chapter Is Important for the Citizenship Test

The citizenship test expects you to understand the makeup of Canadian society at a meaningful level. Questions in this area go beyond simple facts — they ask you to understand why Canada works the way it does: why it has two official languages, what the three founding peoples contributed, and what rights and responsibilities come with living in a multicultural society.

This chapter also lays essential groundwork for Chapter 3, Canada’s History. The communities introduced here — the Métis, the Acadians, the Loyalists, the Francophones — are the same communities whose stories drive the historical narrative. Understanding who they are makes the history far easier to follow and remember.