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The Canada Council for the Arts is a federal, arm’s-length Crown corporation created by an Act of Parliament in 1957. Its purpose is “to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.”
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Earl Andrew · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
In the 2021 Census, one in four Canadians had at least one mother tongue other than English or French, and one in eight spoke mainly another language at home, both the highest proportions on record. That year, 41.2% of Canadians could hold a conversation in more than one language.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Steve Harris from Toronto, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0 · Credit & context
More than 70 distinct Indigenous languages are spoken in Canada, and Cree languages and Inuktitut are the main ones. In the 2021 Census, 189,000 people reported at least one Indigenous mother tongue.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Fenerty at English Wikipedia · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
In March 2013, Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian to command a spaceship when he took command of the International Space Station. In 2001 he had become the first Canadian to venture outside a spacecraft in orbit.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: NASA · Photo licence: Public domain · Credit & context
Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space on Space Shuttle mission STS-41G aboard Challenger, 5–13 October 1984. He was one of the first six Canadian astronauts, selected in December 1983.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: NASA · Photo licence: Public domain · Credit & context
The Canadarm, a Canadian-built robotic arm for NASA’s Space Shuttle, was launched aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-2 on 12 November 1981.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: NASA · Photo licence: Public domain · Credit & context
In 1885, the government created a 26 km² Hot Springs Reserve around the Cave and Basin hot springs in Banff. On 23 June 1887, the reserve was expanded to 665 km² and became Rocky Mountains National Park, the first national park in Canada.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Sovernigo · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency of Parliament, headed by the Chief Electoral Officer. The position of Chief Electoral Officer was created in 1920 by the Dominion Elections Act, largely to end political partisanship in the administration of federal elections.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Can Pac Swire · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 and fighting ended with an armistice on 27 July 1953. More than 26,000 Canadians served on land, at sea and in the air, and 516 Canadians died.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jeangagnon · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Canadian horse was recognized as the national horse of Canada in April 2002 through the National Horse of Canada Act. The breed’s origins trace to 1665, when the King of France sent horses to New France.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Deinocheirus · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
It was long believed that King George V’s 1921 proclamation of Canada’s coat of arms designated red and white as the national colours, but the proclamation contains no such declaration. Canadian Heritage notes that red and white are not set in law as national colours but have become part of national identity through common use.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Sikander Iqbal · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, by dipping his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean on 12 April 1980. After 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, he was forced to stop outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, on 1 September 1980 because cancer had appeared in his lungs.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jeangagnon · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Canada adopted its first federal Official Languages Act in 1969. It declared English and French to be the two official languages of the Parliament and government of Canada.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Takipoint123 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The King is Canada’s head of State, and the Governor General is his representative in Canada. The Governor General carries out the duties of the head of State on behalf of the Sovereign and represents Canada at home and abroad.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Hayden Soloviev · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & context
The Bank of Canada Act received royal assent on 3 July 1934, and the Bank of Canada opened in March 1935 as a privately owned institution with shares sold to the public. It became publicly owned in 1938 and remains so today.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0 · Credit & context
On 6 June 1944, some 14,000 Canadians came ashore at Juno Beach in Normandy, under heavy enemy fire, to help establish an Allied beachhead. Veterans Affairs Canada reports that 359 Canadian soldiers were killed on D-Day.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: remiforall · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
CBC/Radio-Canada is a Crown corporation established by Parliament in 1936 as Canada’s national public broadcaster. Its current mandate is set out in the Broadcasting Act of 1991.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Arild Vågen · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Order of Canada was created in 1967, Canada’s centennial year. It honours people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation; its motto, Desiderantes meliorem patriam, means “They desire a better country.”
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Concierge.2C · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The Canadian Multiculturalism Act declares a federal policy recognizing cultural and racial diversity and the freedom to preserve, enhance and share cultural heritage. It also promotes full and equitable participation in Canadian society.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Ethan Sahagun · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & context
The National Film Board of Canada was created in 1939. This federal cultural agency produces and distributes original audiovisual works that reflect Canadian experiences and perspectives.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jeangagnon · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Michif is a distinct language associated with the Métis people and their history. Its development draws on French and Cree, but it is a language in its own right, not simply incorrect French or Cree.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jay Friesen · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Supreme Court of Canada is the country’s final court of appeal. Its work includes cases involving common law, civil law and constitutional questions, as well as advisory opinions on questions referred to it.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wladyslaw / Taxiarchos228 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The Bank of Canada is the country’s sole authority for issuing bank notes. Its responsibilities include their design, production and distribution.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wladyslaw / Taxiarchos228 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The July 1 holiday was formerly known as Dominion Day. Its name officially changed to Canada Day on 27 October 1982; the annual celebration remained on July 1.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Toy Dog Design from Toronto, ON, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context