2.1.1 Who We Are

Canada has a reputation around the world as a strong and free nation, and Canadians are proud of what makes them different. The country carries a constitutional tradition older than any other that has never been broken. It is also the one constitutional monarchy on the North American continent. Its public institutions rest on a promise of Peace, Order, and Good Government. Those words come from the British North America Act, the first constitutional document of the country, passed in 1867. Together these ideas explain why stable, lawful rule matters so much here.

Key Facts

World's oldest constitutional tradition, unbroken
The only constitutional monarchy on the North American continent
Peace, Order, and Good Government — words from the 1867 British North America Act

Canadians have long put their faith in hard work, fair play, enterprise and ordered liberty. Those habits helped them build a rich society in a tough, demanding land. The country reaches from the Atlantic shore in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northwards to the Arctic Circle. Poets and songwriters have praised it as the “Great Dominion”. To understand what being Canadian means, start with the three founding peoples: Aboriginal, French and British. Each of the three shaped the country that exists today.

Key Facts

Core values: hard work, fair play, enterprise, ordered liberty
Land runs Atlantic to Pacific and north to the Arctic Circle
Poets hailed Canada as the “Great Dominion”
Three founding peoples: Aboriginal, French and British

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