Canadian values

Canadian values are the shared beliefs and ideas that many people in Canada live by. Most Canadians think that important values include human rights, respect for the law, and gender equality. They also value fairness, social justice, freedom, and treating others with respect. In Canada, people often care about being polite and understanding different cultures because the country has many people from around the world.

Canadians usually support liberal ideas about social and political matters. The country has laws that protect the idea of a "just society." This includes things like health care that anyone can afford, taxes that take more from people who earn a lot, and not allowing the death penalty. Canada also focuses on helping others, supporting cultural diversity, and allowing people to get married no matter their gender.

Even though Canada has many positive values, there are still challenges. Some groups of people, like Indigenous communities and people with disabilities, sometimes face unfair treatment. There are also discussions about how to best support migrants, refugees, and protect freedom of religion and language, especially in places like Quebec.

Surveys

Further information: Canadian identity § Surveys, and Multiculturalism in Canada § Statistics and surveys

In 2020, most Canadians agreed on important values like human rights, respect for law, and gender equality. Many also valued Indigenous culture and ethnic and cultural diversity. Only about half felt strongly about having both English and French as Canada's official languages. Women and younger people were more likely to support diversity and gender equality.

Women were more likely than men to support values like respect for Indigenous cultures, ethnic and cultural diversity, and gender equality. Younger Canadians also valued these aspects more, while older Canadians valued respect for the law more. Education level also mattered; those with higher education strongly supported gender equality and diversity more than those with less education. Quebec showed the highest support for gender equality and having both English and French as official languages.

Data from 2020 showed that immigrants who arrived in Canada at age 13 or older mostly shared values like human rights and respect for the law. Younger immigrants had lower percentages. Canadian-born citizens generally had lower percentages across these values.

Across different provinces, views varied. In Canada overall, more immigrants than Canadian-born individuals felt that human rights were respected. In the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba, the differences were similar.

The perception of shared values changed based on how long immigrants had been in Canada. Those who had been in the country for 0 to 5 years showed high percentages feeling there was strong adherence to human rights. After 20 years or more, this dropped. Over the years, perceptions of respect for the law, gender equality, linguistic duality, ethnic and cultural diversity, and respect for Indigenous culture also declined.

The 2013 survey showed older Canadians were less confident that shared values were upheld, especially regarding ethnic and cultural diversity. Younger people showed more belief in these shared values. Women were generally less confident than men that Canadians shared specific values.

According to a 2020 survey, Canadians had mixed views on social issues. Most supported accessible doctor-assisted dying, but opinions on abortion rights were divided. Views on religion in public life varied. Most Canadians were against public prayers during government meetings but supported public sector employees wearing religious symbols.

Cultural diversity remained a complex issue. While Canada has a history of multiculturalism, more people supported newcomers adapting to mainstream society. Younger Canadians, however, tended to favor cultural diversity.

Economic opinions were split, with half supporting free-market ideas and half calling for more government regulation. Views on women in top management roles were also divided. There was a generational gap in views on security versus civil liberties. Confidence in media reporting was low. Canadians agreed on some issues like assisted dying and LGBTQ rights, but remained divided on abortion, economic policies, and religion in public affairs.

The 2016 poll showed changes in values, beliefs, and identity among Canadians based on regions and demographics. While many agreed on social and economic matters, opinions differed on immigration and multiculturalism. About two-thirds were happy with how newcomers integrated into communities, but many felt minorities should adapt more to mainstream culture.

Economic inequalities caused different opinions among provinces about contributions to national revenue. Job satisfaction varied by region. Canadians were divided on government's role in the economy.

Debates continued around balancing environmental issues and economic expansion, especially regarding oil sands in Alberta. While many saw the oil industry as important for the economy, local views on its environmental impact differed.

The 2016 survey asked Canadians what they were proud of about Canada. Nearly one in four mentioned equality, equity, and social justice. This was followed by Canada’s role as peacekeepers, and values like multiculturalism, diversity, and bilingualism. Other sources of pride included health, education, family, rights and freedoms, safety, and gun control, along with appreciation for nature and the environment.

Canadians prioritized rights and freedoms, respect for others, kindness, and compassion.

According to a 2014 report, Canadians valued freedom, equality, and loyalty to their nation. They also highly valued civility and social etiquette.

A 1991 survey identified Canadian values such as equality and fairness, consultation and dialogue, accommodation and tolerance, diversity, patriotism, freedom, peace, and nonviolent change.

Further information: Canadian foreign aid

A 2024 survey indicated Canadians supported Canada's global engagement, especially providing international assistance. Another poll found 81% of Canadians supported Canada providing Official Development Assistance funding. Additionally, 77% believed it was important for Canada to help other countries in need.

Canada's constitution

Further information: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms § The Charter and national values

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution of Canada. It helps shape Canadian values and bring the country together. It stands for the core value of freedom.

According to John Kirton, Canada's constitution includes six key values that unite Canadians. The first is globalism, meaning Canadians see themselves as part of a connected world. The second is multiculturalism, showing respect for all cultures. The third is openness to the world. The fourth is anti-militarism, meaning peaceful solutions are preferred. The fifth is environmentalism, where protecting the environment is important. The sixth is working together with other countries.

Lydia Miljan says that core Canadian values include self-reliance, limited government, and traditional family values.

Monarchy

Main article: Monarchism in Canada

Michael Ignatieff linked Canadian values to loyalty to the Crown. The Conservative Party also saw support for the monarchy of Canada as a key value. Richard Gwyn suggested that “tolerance” is important in defining Canadian identity.

Shaping foreign policy

Further information: Foreign relations of Canada and Canadian peacekeeping

John Diefenbaker, Canada’s Prime Minister, was careful about using Canadian values to decide foreign policies. Lester Pearson, another Prime Minister, called for a foreign policy based on Canadian values.

Under Brian Mulroney, Canada’s foreign policy began to include development and security issues.

Stephen Harper wanted to make Canada more self-reliant and responsible in foreign policy. Canadians see their role in peacekeeping as an important contribution to the world.

Education

See also: Education in Canada

Canadians place high value on knowledge, creativity, and morality in schooling.

Public universities

Further information: Higher education in Canada

Most colleges and universities in Canada are public universities, funded by provincial governments.

Publicly funded health care

Main article: Healthcare in Canada

Universal, publicly funded health care is seen by many Canadians as a basic value. It ensures health care for everyone.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in Canada

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, promoted by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, was adopted in 1982. The Charter guarantees political rights and civil rights for all people in Canada. It aims to unite Canadians around shared principles of equality and freedom.

Multiculturalism

Main article: Multiculturalism in Canada

Canada’s diverse population has led to a strong focus on multiculturalism. This concept allows people to keep their cultural values while also following Canadian norms.

Andrew Griffith notes that most Canadians believe that people born outside Canada can be good citizens. Canadians see multiculturalism as a unifying force.

Gender equality and the role of women

Further information: History of women in Canada

Canadian courts have ruled that violence against women cannot be justified by religious or cultural beliefs.

Egalitarianism, social equality, and peace

Both Liberal and Conservative politicians have claimed to represent Canadian values. Ideas about fairness, social equality, and peace have become widely accepted as “Canadian values.”

International comparisons

Further information: International rankings of Canada

When sociologist Seymour Martin Lipset studied Canada in the late 1940s, he thought Canadian and American values were very similar. But he later found some differences. By 1968, he said Canadian values are between those of Britain and the United States.

Lipset looked into why the two countries are different, which led to many studies. He noted that Canada scores lower than the U.S. in areas like individualism and risk-taking. He thought these differences came from Canada’s history, especially as a place for people who left the American Revolution.

Leaders like Jean Chrétien and Justin Trudeau have spoken about Canadian values. Chrétien talked about moderation, sharing, and compassion. Trudeau mentioned openness, respect, and equality as important Canadian values.

Religion also affects values. Lipset observed that most Canadians belong to Catholic, Anglican, or Protestant churches, while many Americans are Baptists or part of more conservative evangelical groups. These religious differences help explain some of the different behaviors and beliefs between the two countries.

Regional cultures matter too. Some researchers say Quebec tends to be left-liberal, the Southern U.S. more conservative, and the rest of both countries fall in between.

Invocation

Memorials

The idea of Canadian values is used in memorials, like the Memorial to the Victims of Communism: Canada, a Land of Refuge in Ottawa. This memorial was built to help people remember those who came to Canada for safety, fairness, and freedom. It was expected to be finished in 2018.

Ms. Mélanie Joly, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, said that monuments show what Canadians believe in and who they are. She thought the old government made the project too hard, so her new government changed where it would be built and used less money for it.

Quebec

Charter of the French Language

The Charter of the French Language makes French the official language of Quebec. All government papers must be in French. Schools from kindergarten to high school should teach in French.

Quebec Charter of Values

The Charter of Values was an idea from August 2013 by the government in Quebec. It suggested that government workers should not wear big symbols that show their religion. This idea did not become a law because the government changed before it could be voted on.

Justin Trudeau, who supports the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, did not agree with this idea. He said that stopping someone from wearing certain clothes because of their religion does not fit with Quebec or Canadian values. This idea was not important during the time of COVID-19.

Distinct society

Some people wanted to change the Canadian Constitution to add the words "distinct society" to the Constitution Act, 1867. This would show that Quebec is special compared to the rest of Canada.

Controversy

It can be hard to decide what values all Canadians share because there are many different ideas about what is important.

Some people have talked about cultural practices that are not allowed in Canada. The government made laws to stop these practices.

Some scholars think that believing strongly in "Canadian values" might cause problems. They also talk about how Canada values multiculturalism.

Some politicians have suggested checking if new immigrants agree with Canadian values, such as being open to different religions and cultures.

Contemporary issues

Further information: Human rights in Canada § Human rights abuses

Some groups in Canada face unfair treatment. For example, Indigenous women and girls have faced safety issues. Many First Nation communities still struggle to get clean drinking water.

People with disabilities in Canada sometimes have fewer chances to get an education or find jobs. Canada welcomes many refugees but has been criticized for how some are treated while waiting for their cases to be processed.

In the province of Quebec, laws like Bill 101 and Bill 21 have caused debate. These laws aim to protect the French language and secular values but have raised questions about fairness for people of different faiths.