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Ontario Day to Day
8
Workbook 2010
EXERCISE
1775 – 1899
For each of the two time periods shown below name the countries of
origin for three large groups of immigrants to Canada.
1900 – 1960
These early settlers were later joined by thousands of
Americans loyal to Britain during the American Revolu-
tionary War (1775-1783). The British Loyalists settled
mostly in what is today Southern Ontario, the Eastern
Townships of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Thousands more English, Scottish and Irish arrived in the
1800s. These immigrants were encouraged to settle in
Canada after the War of 1812 by the colonial governors
of Canada, who were worried about another American
invasion attempt. Irish immigration to Canada increased
dramatically during the Potato Famine of 1846 to 1849.
Another wave of immigration came mostly from conti-
nental Europe – Ukrainians, and others – peaking prior to
World War I, between 1910 and 1913 (with over 400,000
in 1913 alone). Ukrainian Canadians now account for the
largest Ukrainian population outside of Ukraine and Rus-
sia.
Yet another wave came from Europe later in the 20th
century—this time mostly Germans, Italians, Portuguese,
Polish and Dutch, peaking in 1957 (282,000), making Can-
ada a more multicultural country with many immigrants
whose mother tongue was neither English nor French.
The current wave of immigration includes many more
from South and East Asia, as well as newcomers from
the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. Today, Canada
has one of the highest per capita immigration rates in the
world. As many as 275,000 new immigrants arrive each
year in Canada.
Given its immigration history, Canada’s people and cultures are understandably diverse. To promote harmony in this
‘cultural mosaic’, Canada maintains strong values of equality, diversity, and respect for all individuals in society. These
values are reflected in Canada’s policy of multiculturalism.
Multiculturalism means that English, French and Aboriginal cultures share the spotlight with the cultures of Asia,
Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. It affirms the value and dignity of all Canadians,
regardless of their racial or ethnic origins, their language or their religious affiliations. It promotes racial and ethnic
harmony, encourages cross-cultural understanding, and discourages hatred, discrimination and violence.
Some people come to Canada with a history of hatred or distrust toward a particular ethnic group. Promoting hatred is
not permitted in Canada. You have the right to preserve your own ethnicity in Canada. You must also respect others’
right to do the same.
Note that Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the freedom of religious expression. Almost every faith
is represented in Canada; the right to hold any religious belief implies that you, as a permanent resident or citizen in
Canada, must be tolerant of the beliefs of others.
MULTICULTURALISM