We understand Culture as a way of life, not only in relation to the arts. Canada has developed as a country by drawing on elements from three important cultures: the English, French and Indigenous. Today, quantitatively speaking, English culture continues to be the most influential. Nevertheless, throughout the 20th Century the country’s biggest cities, especially Toronto and Montreal, followed by Vancouver and Calgary, have received influences from cultures other than the English and French and have therefore become multicultural.

What is life like in Canada?

As is the case anywhere, people work hard when there is work to be done. Generally speaking, the work ethic and a culture of independence are very strong in Canada. Of course the country’s economic development provides jobs for almost everyone and young people generally start working while still at college. Outside the workplace people pursue their personal interests in a number of different ways. The Canadian mentality is inextricably linked to nature and the weather and it is for this reason that outdoor activities form an important part of the Canadian life-style.

Winter Activities

What about other cultures?

A major problem that immigrants face is adapting to what could be perceived as a “cold” culture. However, over time people do make friends and are able to enjoy both cultures. The people also tend to form friendships with people from similar cultures such as the Portuguese, Europeans, Asians and Italians, or simply people with similar preferences (as happens everywhere).

The country’s weather and geography have had a profound effect on Canadian culture and the Canadian mentality

We all know food is an important part of many cultures so the best places to live in Canada for people who enjoy food are the cities of Montreal and Toronto where you have easy access to all kind of restaurants and can get hold of those necessary spices for cooking. Vancouver is also an option as there is also now a considerable Latino and Italian population there that could support businesses selling the necessary ingredients for our cuisines. In these cities you can find almost anything you need to cook, from fresh calamari to tortilla dough; from arepas and pupusas to milk-candy  and Mexican chillies.

Obviously English and French cuisines are also popular. Québec has such typical dishes as French fries with poutine, and the English-speaking Canadians have a taste for steak and chicken pies. If there is such a thing as a typical Canadian dish we would say it is smoked salmon because it is popular throughout the country, in contrast with other dishes such as the above-mentioned poutine and buffalo meat which tend to be local delicacies.

As for eating out, in the big cities the choice is impressive. There are restaurants from all over the world, from Italian to Vietnamese, Indian, Argentinean, Mexican, Chinese, etc.

Canadian citizens are lucky enough to enjoy one of the highest living standards in the world and the quality of life for the approximately 30,400,000-population is admired by many foreigners.

The crime rate in Canada is one of the lowest in the world. For instance, in 2000 there were only 542 murders in the whole of Canada. (In contrast, according to the Police Department of California, US, in the city of Los Angeles alone there were 548 murders in the same year. In Dallas, Texas, according to the city’s Police Department, there were 227 murders in 2000, and in Miami, Florida, according to the town hall, there were 148 murders in 1998 and 107 in 1999). As for such crimes as kidnapping, there were none in Toronto in 2001. As a matter of fact, this crime does not even appear in Toronto Police statistics.

With respect to pollution, there is very little. In recent years there have been attempts to clean the lakes, especially Lake Ontario, and important progress has been made. Air pollution levels in the cities, while now reaching levels requiring precautionary measures, remain very low in comparison to urban centres in other countries. In addition, Canada has developed a world-famous industry for environmental care.

In any case, it does not really matter in which Canadian city you find yourself, there are always lakes, mountains and woods nearby where you can go to breathe fresh, clean air.

Reference: www.canadaenespanol.com/turismo.htm