About Canadian Culture: French influence in Canada

Culture and Canadian Identity

Culture describes the practices, values, possessions, and other characteristics that distinguish people of a certain society or group. It defines social groups and gives people the ability to abide by societal norms. Due to the fact that there are opposing viewpoints on the aforementioned issue, the topic of Canadian culture is extremely debatable.

Canadian Masterpieces of Art and Literature

Canadian masterpieces of art and literature serve as the first proof of culture (Kellett-Betsos, Hayne, & Meizei, 2012). For instance, the subjects of literary works eloquently depict Canadian politics and society. In support of Canadian culture, the government has also updated existing national emblems and introduced new ones. For example, Canadian national flag has been modified to portray the countries culture. Additionally, the government has passed regulations and legislation which remarkably support of the Canadian culture. Therefore, it is clear that Canada has its culture based on the fact that the national symbols, literature which portray Canadian culture.

The Role of National Symbols

Besides, the Canadian government has employed the use of tax measures, Canadian content requirement, financial incentives, and regulation on foreign investment with the aim of promoting Canadian culture. For instance, the country has national symbols such as a flag, Canadian Horse, Beaver, and Maple which are objects depicting the culture of the people. The official national symbols such as Canada flag have been modified and changed to emphasize on Canadian culture. Initially, the symbols had references to their colony, the United Kingdom. Notably, in 2011, the government changed some names in Canada military to emphasize on Canadian cultural heritage. For example, land command changed to Canadian Army, Air land command to Royal Canadian Army, and Maritime power to Royal Canadian Army. Also, a piece of Canadian five cent is a national symbol that shows that Canada has a culture. Therefore, the national symbols that are used across the country portray the culture of Canadians hence revealing that Canada has its culture.

Canadian Literature

Similarly, Canadian literature profoundly represents the Canadian culture. Early literature works in Canada such as masterpieces by Leonard Cohen, Bliss Carman, and Margaret Atwood among the others have Canadian nature perspective as well as reflect Canada position in the world (Kellett-Betsos, Hayne, & Meizei, 2012). Although the literature is presented in English or French, the themes reflect the history of Canada, frontier life as well as the culture of the country. By the twentieth century, the authors and writers in Canada explored Canadian political themes and incorporated them into their literary works (Kellett-Betsos, Hayne, & Meizei, 2012). Notably, literature in Canada is categorized according to province or region, literacy periods, Aboriginal peoples, and by the author’s social, cultural origins. Therefore, it is evident that Canadians have their culture.

Television, Radio, and Film Industries

On the same note television and radio programs are directed towards promoting the culture of the country. The heritage of Canada supports culture promotion in film industries, sound recording, radio, and television by encouraging them to produce, create, and disseminate contents in Canadian culture. For instance, the federal government has influenced culture by creating the Canada Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The media has a lot of events and programs that reflect the culture of Canadians hence depicting that Canada has a culture of its own. Therefore, by the fact that stations support airing of local shows that promote the culture of Canadians, it is clear that the country has its culture and it is the reason behind incorporating culture in film production and other programs

The Role of Theaters

Furthermore, theaters in Canada specialize in the manufacture of plays that reveal the authentic culture of the people across the country. Notably, the Great Canadian Theatre Company established in 1975 plays a significant role in promoting the culture of Canadians. As a matter of fact, the theater has attracted many tourists who visit the country to learn much about the Canadians culture. The Toronto Theatre District is noted as the Canada’s largest city show as well as it is ranked in the third position worldwide which plays arts portraying the cultural heritage of the native citizens. Henceforth, it is evident that Canadians have a well-established culture of their own as evidenced by the films played at the national theaters.

Opposing Viewpoints on Canadian Culture

On the other side, scholars argue that Canadians do not have their culture. Firstly, Canadian culture is greatly influenced by the European culture mainly French and British (Malcolm, 2016). The first and the Second World War attributed to the adoption of British culture. Canada widely uses French and British linguistic and cultural identities. According to Constitution Act of 1867, section 133, French and English languages were authorized to be employed in the Parliament of Canada. Additionally, the First Official Language Act of 1969 gave the two dialects the priority to be used in the Canada government. However, the government failed to prefer other local languages in Canada other than adopting foreign languages (Malcolm, 2016). Up to date, Canada uses the two dialects as the official languages in the parliament and across the country instead of their traditional languages. The act portrays that the country does not fully have their culture since they still follow European culture in the expense of their indigenous culture.

Multiculturalism in Canada

Also, Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, implemented multiculturalism policy in 1971. Later on, the Multiculturalism Act was passed in the parliament as a law in 1988 with the aim of enhancing and promoting multiculturalism in Canada (Paris, 2016). According to the law, all the Canadian citizens were affirmed to be valued and dignified regardless of their language, ethnic origins as well as religious affiliation (Todd, 2015). The federal government henceforth recognizes the diversity of culture among the Canadian citizens as well as it protects every culture across the nation. By so doing, Canada government fails to promote its indigenous culture. Precisely, the Multiculturalism Act inhibits Canada from promoting their local culture rather they adopt new cultures from the foreigners (Todd, 2015). Up to date, Canada embraces new culture regularly due to large groups of people migrating to the country.

Music Industry and Immigration

On the contrary, Canada does not have its culture as depicted in the music industry. According to O’Connor (2012), Canada music reflects multi-cultural influences due to the high rate of immigration in the country as well as historical influence by the European culture. As a matter of fact, Canada employs talented individuals from all over the globe to boost the countries music industry. Music composers, as well as the musicians, produce music which does not entirely portray the culture of the Canadians since not all of them originate from Canada. In fact, the music is heavily influenced by the culture of Americans. Additionally, due to global competition, Canada culture has been neglected to produce music that can meet worldwide expectations. Remarkably, scholars argue that Canada does not have its culture due to various reasons. Firstly, the country practices multiculturalism. Immigrants in Canada have an excessive freedom to exercise their culture due to protection by the law. Also, according to 1969 Canadian First Language Act, French and English were preferred over the native languages (Malcolm, 2016). The act alienates native languages over the different dialects.

Influence of Immigration on Canadian Culture

On the same note, the culture of Canadians is exceedingly influenced by immigrants. Canada adopts an open immigration policy which attracts people of diverse cultures to migrate to the country. Also, the Canadian public, as well as the major political parties, encourage immigration, especially for economic integration (Bloemraad, 2012). Notably, previous studies depict that cultural industries in Canada employ approximately six hundred thousand people from all over the globe to work as actors, producers, and writers among others. By doing so, the country encompasses diverse people with differences in religions, languages, customs and beliefs. Due to Multiculturalism, the immigrant’s culture becomes incorporated into the traditional Canadian culture (Bloemraad, 2012). Therefore, it is evident that immigration leads to the adoption of new culture hence failing to embrace the traditional culture. Therefore, as long as the country gets immigrants, Canada will never have their culture unless there are strict laws on regulating immigrant’s diverse cultures (Greenberg, 2012).

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is still disputable whether the Canadians have culture. For instance, the modification of national symbols such as national flag clearly depicts that Canadians have a culture. The colonial culture references in the symbols have been changed, and Canadian culture, as well as heritage, is portrayed in the new modifications. Also, literature and arts work undoubtedly reveal Canadian culture. The themes of the novel works written by different authors describe the politics and culture of the Canadian people (Kellett-Betsos, Hayne, & Meizei, 2012). On the same note, theaters specialize in the production of plays that support Canadian culture which evidently indicates that Canada has a culture of their own. Currently, radios and television have been regulated by the government to air programs that support Canadian culture. Remarkably, repetitive playing of programs that support the culture of the country improves the efficiency of practicing the culture. Also, the government has played a significant role in regulating, promoting and supporting the Canadian culture through tax incentives, Canadian content requirement as well as instituting rules on foreign investment. Therefore, from the scholarly works, it is evident that Canada has its culture and the government is fully supporting the country to practice its culture to a greater extent. However, music, immigration issues, and multiculturalism demonstrate the absence of the culture.

References

Bloemraad, I. (2012). Multiculturalism has been Canada’s solution, not its problem. Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/multiculturalism-has-been-canadas-solution-not-its-problem/article4330460/

Greenberg, A. (2012). French influence in Canada. Retrieved from: https://bonjourparis.com/uncategorised/french-influence-canada/.

Kellett-Betsos, K., Hayne, D. M., & Meizei, K. (2012). Canadian literature. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/art/Canadian-literature

Malcolm, C. (2016). Trudeau says Canada has no ‘core identity.’ Retrieved from: http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/14/trudeau-says-canada-has-no-core-identity

O’ Connor, J. (2012). Multiculturalism in its controversial glory: Is Canada a ‘Country without a core culture’?. Retrieved from http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/multiculturalism-in-its-controversial-glory-is-canada-a-country-without-a-core-culture

Paris, A. (2016). Canadians must never take multiculturalism for granted. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/canadians-must-never-take-multiculturalism-for-granted/article30773630/

Todd, D. (2015). Is Canada a blank slate, with no culture? Retrieved from: http://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/is-canada-a-blank-slate-with-no-culture-many-beg-to-differ