Canadian Geography 20F Notes
Hannah Umali
!! : This was made using my notes which included contents of the book ‘Canada In The
Contemporary World’. Please do not re-sell or take credit for this as they are MY notes. If there
is any you would like to point out to me or anything alse you want to see, feel free to contact me
about it. I hope you find this useful. :)
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Contemporary Canada
● Canada’s Identity:
○ Canada’s identity is deeply tied to its colonial history and the diversity that arose
from it. The country has developed a national narrative that includes a legacy of
Indigenous presence, French and British colonial influences, and a growing
immigrant population.
○ Canada's national identity is based on core values such as multiculturalism,
bilingualism, and respect for diversity. However, it also faces challenges in
maintaining unity among different regions, cultures, and political ideologies.
● Political System:
○ Canada is a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch (currently the King) is
the ceremonial head of state. In practice, Canada operates under a parliamentary
democracy, with executive power held by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
○ Canada’s political system follows the Westminster model, derived from the British
system. The Governor General represents the monarch in Canada, but the real
authority rests with the elected government officials.
● Regionalism and National Unity:
○ Regionalism is a significant feature of Canadian politics. The country is vast, and
each region has its own distinct geography, culture, and economic base.
Tensions often arise between the central government (in Ottawa) and provinces
like Quebec and Alberta, which have unique interests and priorities.
○ The Quebec Question is one of the most persistent issues in Canadian politics.
Quebec has a large French-speaking population, and there have been ongoing
debates about the degree of autonomy Quebec should have, including two
referendums (1980 and 1995) on Quebec sovereignty.
● Multiculturalism:
○ Canada is a "mosaic" rather than a "melting pot" because it encourages the
preservation of cultural identity while integrating people into Canadian society.
Multiculturalism was officially adopted in 1971 as government policy, celebrating
diversity and providing programs for immigrants.
○ The growing immigrant population brings both opportunities (such as diverse
perspectives and economic contributions) and challenges (such as integration,
housing, and access to education).
Hannah Umali
!! : This was made using my notes which included contents of the book ‘Canada In The
Contemporary World’. Please do not re-sell or take credit for this as they are MY notes. If there
is any you would like to point out to me or anything alse you want to see, feel free to contact me
about it. I hope you find this useful. :)
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Contemporary Canada
● Canada’s Identity:
○ Canada’s identity is deeply tied to its colonial history and the diversity that arose
from it. The country has developed a national narrative that includes a legacy of
Indigenous presence, French and British colonial influences, and a growing
immigrant population.
○ Canada's national identity is based on core values such as multiculturalism,
bilingualism, and respect for diversity. However, it also faces challenges in
maintaining unity among different regions, cultures, and political ideologies.
● Political System:
○ Canada is a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch (currently the King) is
the ceremonial head of state. In practice, Canada operates under a parliamentary
democracy, with executive power held by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
○ Canada’s political system follows the Westminster model, derived from the British
system. The Governor General represents the monarch in Canada, but the real
authority rests with the elected government officials.
● Regionalism and National Unity:
○ Regionalism is a significant feature of Canadian politics. The country is vast, and
each region has its own distinct geography, culture, and economic base.
Tensions often arise between the central government (in Ottawa) and provinces
like Quebec and Alberta, which have unique interests and priorities.
○ The Quebec Question is one of the most persistent issues in Canadian politics.
Quebec has a large French-speaking population, and there have been ongoing
debates about the degree of autonomy Quebec should have, including two
referendums (1980 and 1995) on Quebec sovereignty.
● Multiculturalism:
○ Canada is a "mosaic" rather than a "melting pot" because it encourages the
preservation of cultural identity while integrating people into Canadian society.
Multiculturalism was officially adopted in 1971 as government policy, celebrating
diversity and providing programs for immigrants.
○ The growing immigrant population brings both opportunities (such as diverse
perspectives and economic contributions) and challenges (such as integration,
housing, and access to education).
