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 (86%), respect for law (80%), and gender equality (81%). Many also valued Indigenous culture (68%) and ethnic and cultural diversity (67%). Only 55% 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 agree with values like respect for Indigenous cultures, ethnic and cultural diversity, and gender equality. Younger Canadians also placed more value on these aspects, while older Canadians valued respect for the law more highly. Education level mattered too; 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 (70.1%) and respect for the law (67.3%). Younger immigrants (ages 0 to 12) had lower percentages, such as 56.5% for human rights and 43.6% for respect for the law. Canadian-born citizens generally had lower percentages across these values.

Across different provinces, views varied. For example, in Canada overall, 67.1% of immigrants felt that human rights were respected, compared to 54.9% of Canadian-born individuals. In the Atlantic provinces, it was 60.0% for immigrants and 54.4% for Canadian-born; in Quebec, 65.0% and 56.6%; in Ontario, 67.9% and 55.3%; and in Manitoba, 71.3% for immigrants and 48.1% for Canadian-born.

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 (76.7%) feeling there was strong adherence to human rights. After 20 years or more, this dropped to 61.9%. 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, with confidence declining as age increased. 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; many preferred a secular approach, while others wanted more recognition of faith. 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, with older Canadians more willing to compromise civil liberties for security. Confidence in media reporting was low, with about half believing news media accurately conveyed information. 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, with regions like Alberta and Atlantic Canada less satisfied compared to Quebec and Manitoba. Canadians were divided on government's role in the economy, with equal numbers supporting free markets or more regulation.

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, leading to polarized national opinions.

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 (19%), and values like multiculturalism, diversity, and bilingualism (12%). Other sources of pride included health, education, family, rights and freedoms (4%), safety, and gun control (4%), along with appreciation for nature and the environment.

Canadians prioritized rights and freedoms, respect for others, kindness, and compassion. Outcomes for non-Canadians focused mostly on these three values, with 16% emphasizing them as most significant. This was followed by respect for others (12%) and kindness and compassion (11%). Eight percent mentioned equality, equity, social justice, tolerance, and acceptance.

According to a 2014 report, Canadians valued freedom, equality, and loyalty to their nation. They also highly valued civility and social etiquette, rating "respect for human rights and freedoms" and "equality and equal access to basic needs" as top priorities.

The 2012 Canadian Index of Well Being listed values like fairness, inclusion, democracy, economic security, safety, sustainability, diversity, equity, health.

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 (part of the Constitution of Canada) was meant to help shape Canadian values and bring the country together. As Professor Alan Cairns noted, the federal government aimed to create a shared Canadian identity through this Charter. Former premier of Ontario Bob Rae said that the Charter serves as a symbol for all Canadians because it stands for the core value of freedom.

According to John Kirton, Canada's constitution includes six key values that unite Canadians both at home and around the world. These values set Canadians apart from people in other nations and influence their policies. The first value is globalism, which means Canadians see themselves as part of a connected world community. The second is multiculturalism, showing a commitment to diversity and respect for all cultures. The third is openness to the world, including welcoming different languages, legal systems, and sharing ideas. The fourth value is anti-militarism, meaning Canadians prefer peaceful solutions over using military force. The fifth is environmentalism, where Canadians believe protecting the environment is very important. The sixth value is working together with other countries to make the world a better place.

Lydia Miljan, a political scientist, says that core Canadian values include self-reliance, limited government, and what are often called traditional family values.

Monarchy

Main article: Monarchism in Canada

Michael Ignatieff, the Liberal leader from 2009 to 2011, linked Canadian values to a long-standing loyalty to the Crown. The Conservative Party in 2009 also saw support for the monarchy of Canada as a key Canadian value. Richard Gwyn suggested that “tolerance” has become more important than “loyalty” in defining Canadian identity.

Shaping foreign policy

Further information: Foreign relations of Canada and Canadian peacekeeping

John Diefenbaker, Canada’s Conservative Prime Minister from 1957 to 1963, was careful about using Canadian values to decide foreign policies. For example, Lester Pearson, the Liberal Prime Minister from 1963 to 1968, called for a foreign policy based on Canadian values and interests in 1967.

Under Conservative Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993, Canada’s foreign policy began to include development and security issues. Mulroney’s policies helped reshape Canada’s “moral identity” after the Cold War, showing the world Canadian values and culture.

Stephen Harper, Prime Minister from 2006 to 2015, wanted to make Canada more self-reliant and responsible in foreign policy. During a Canada Day event, he said Canada’s strengths lie in being a confident partner, a brave ally, and a caring neighbor.

Canadians see their country’s role in peacekeeping as one of their top contributions to the world.

Education

See also: Education in Canada

Compared to the United States, Canada’s education has historically focused more on training leaders for churches and government, following British traditions. In 1960, only 9.2 percent of Canadians aged 20 to 24 were in higher education, compared to 30.2 percent in the United States. Even at secondary school, fewer students were enrolled in Canada.

Canadians place high value on knowledge, creativity, and morality in schooling, while Americans focus more on physical development, citizenship, and social skills.

The United States emphasizes vocational and technical education, while Canadian schools often resist including these types of programs.

Public universities

Further information: Higher education in Canada

Most colleges and universities in Canada are public universities, funded by provincial governments but not owned by them. In the United States, public universities are owned and controlled by state governments, and there are many private universities, like Harvard and Yale.

Publicly funded health care

Main article: Healthcare in Canada

Universal, publicly funded health care is seen by many Canadians as a basic value that ensures health care for everyone, no matter where they live. In the 1990s, surveys showed that one in three Canadians said they were most proud of Canada’s health-care system. When asked if they would support joining with the U.S. if it meant having a private health-care system, most Canadians said “no.”

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, no matter where they live or what their background is. It aims to unite Canadians around shared principles of equality and freedom. Trudeau believed the Charter defined Canada as a society where everyone is equal and shares fundamental values based on freedom.

Multiculturalism

Main article: Multiculturalism in Canada

Canada’s diverse population has led to a strong focus on multiculturalism. Sociologist N. M. Sussman explains that this concept allows people to keep their cultural values while also following Canadian norms. Immigrants in Canada often maintain ties to both their home culture and Canadian culture more than immigrants in countries like Australia or the United Kingdom.

Andrew Griffith notes that 89 percent of Canadians believe that people born outside Canada can be just as good citizens as those born in Canada. This view developed because Canada needed workers from similar cultural backgrounds, but this need wasn’t always met. Today, Canadians see multiculturalism as a unifying force, expecting newcomers to embrace Canadian values.

After World War II, Canada did not view multiculturalism as a positive value. People from different ethnic backgrounds faced discouragement from settling permanently. Women from England and Scotland had fewer restrictions because they were seen as suitable partners for white Canadian men. In 1947, Prime Minister Mackenzie King pushed for restrictions on immigration from Asian countries to protect Canada’s existing population makeup and avoid interracial marriages. In 1953, a law introduced by the Liberal party enforced these restrictions, ranking people from different parts of the world based on discriminatory standards.

This law changed in 1962 under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, shifting focus to economic needs and introducing fair admission criteria. In 1966, Lester B. Pearson’s Liberal government added anti-discrimination to immigration law. The new law took effect in 1976. In 1987, the Reform Party tried to bring back older views on Canada’s ethnic makeup, but opinions remained divided.

The official state policy of multiculturalism is often seen as one of Canada’s biggest achievements and a key part of Canadian identity.

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. In a court case, a judge stated that claims of cultural or religious reasons for harmful actions hold no weight in Canadian law.

Egalitarianism, social equality, and peace

Both Liberal and Conservative politicians, as well as socialist and left-wing groups, have claimed to represent Canadian values. Ian MacKay argues that ideas about fairness, social equality, and peace have become widely accepted as “Canadian values” thanks to the influence of rebel and radical movements over time.

International comparisons

Further information: International rankings of Canada

When sociologist Seymour Martin Lipset began studying Canada in the late 1940s, he thought Canadian and American values were almost the same. But as he dug deeper, he found differences. By 1968, he concluded that Canadian values sit between those of Britain and the United States, not just like the U.S.

Lipset explored why the two countries differ, sparking many studies. He pointed out that Canada scores lower than the U.S. in areas like individualism, risk-taking, and strong national pride. He believed these differences came from Canada’s history as a place for Loyalists who fled the American Revolution, creating a more conservative culture.

Leaders like Jean Chrétien and Justin Trudeau have talked about Canadian values. Chrétien highlighted moderation, sharing, and compassion. Trudeau spoke about openness, respect, and equality as shared Canadian values, calling Canada a “post-national” state without a single core identity.

Religion also plays a role. Lipset noted that most Canadians belong to Catholic, Anglican, or Protestant churches, while many Americans are Baptists or belong to more conservative evangelical groups. These religious differences help explain some of the varying behaviors and beliefs between the two countries.

Regional cultures also matter. 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 has been used for memorials, such as the Memorial to the Victims of Communism: Canada, a Land of Refuge in Ottawa. This memorial was built to help people remember the suffering of many victims who fled to Canada looking for safety, fairness, and freedom. The memorial was expected to be finished in 2018.

Ms. Mélanie Joly, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, said that monuments help show what Canadians believe in and who they are. She felt that the old government made the project too difficult, 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 (French: La charte de la langue française, also known as loi 101 [Bill 101]) makes French the official language of Quebec. It says that all government papers must be written in French and that schools from kindergarten to high school should teach in French.

Quebec Charter of Values

The Charter of Values (French: Charte de la laïcité or Charte des valeurs québécoises, also known as Bill 60) was an idea from August 2013 by the government in Quebec. It suggested that people working for the government should not wear big symbols that show their religion. This idea did not become a real law because the government changed before it could be voted on.

Justin Trudeau, who supports the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (French: La Charte canadienne des droits et libertés), 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 certain cultural practices that are not allowed in Canada, like early or forced marriages. The government made laws to stop these practices, and some people talked about ways to report them.

Some scholars think that believing strongly in "Canadian values" might cause problems, like thinking Canadians are better than others or hurting relationships with other countries. 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. A survey found that more than half of Canadians think too many new immigrants are not adopting Canadian values.

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 serious safety issues, leading to a special investigation from 2016 to 2019. Many First Nation communities still struggle with not having clean drinking water, even though this is a right recognized worldwide.

People with disabilities in Canada often face challenges, such as 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. There are also concerns about how police treat certain groups of people, sometimes using more force than needed.

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.