The second largest country in the world celebrates 150 years of nationhood. The British colonies of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were the first four provinces that formed the Confederation “The Dominion of Canada” on July 1st of 1867.
During the following years, they were annexing the different provinces and territories that today define the country. Manitoba and Northwest Territories (1870), British Columbia (1871), Prince Edward Island (1873), Yukon (1898) Saskatchewan and Alberta (1905). Newfoundland and Labrador (1949) and Nunavut (1999).
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary, a nationwide competition to design a logo was created and approximately 300 designers participated. Ariana Cuvin, a Chinese student of digital art at the University of Waterloo, was the winner of the Best Design Award with a representative logo of the popular Maple sheet.
The design of Ariana Cuvín reflects four diamonds at the base that symbolize the four original provinces, while the additional diamonds symbolize the other 3 territories and 6 provinces that make up Canada.
In its 150 years of the nation, Canada celebrates the cultural, linguistic and geographical diversity resulting from immigration.
Canada’s multicultural vocation was legally established in 1971 with Pierre Elliot Trudeau, the father of the current prime minister, who turned multiculturalism into state politics.
In 1998 Toronto adopted the slogan “Diversity: Our Strength”.
In the period 2015-2016 the population of Canada increased by 437,815 people, of whom 73% were immigrants, including more than 27,000 Syrian refugees. Because of this fact, the population reached 36.2 million inhabitants
According to Statistics Canada data, more than 20% of the country’s inhabitants are of foreign origin, which is why 232 different mother tongues have been identified in households. The Asian presence is the most predominant, emphasizing large population of Chinese, Indian, South Korean or Vietnamese origin.
The next July 1, Independence Day, a great celebration is expected throughout the country. This year’s “Canada Day” will be a very special celebration. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary, an endless amount of cultural activities are being prepared. This day is a national holiday and will be held on the following Monday, July 3, so on this date, so many of the shops will close their doors.
The great acceptance of cultures and lifestyles that has the Canadian society makes that thousands of immigrants choose Canada as a first option. A diverse country, cozy and with unparalleled natural beauty.