BQ is not left-wing, they're former Mulroney Conservatives
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===History===
===History===
[[File:LanseAuxMeadows LargeBuilding.JPG|thumbnail|L'anse Aux Meadows, a former Viking settlement on Newfoundland]]
[[File:LanseAuxMeadows LargeBuilding.JPG|thumbnail|L'anse Aux Meadows, a former Viking settlement on Newfoundland]]
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The main wave of prehistoric settlers that came into the Americas from Northeast Asia via Alaska are thought to have arrived around 15,000 years ago, although the first migrants may have arrived around 30,000 years back and the last about 5,000. The present theory as to the expansion of the prehistoric settlers currently is a southward migration along the coast with branching populations moving east and, later on, north. By this theory, the longest established cultures are the
pacific
coast
tribes and the most recently established are the Arctic cultures.
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The main wave of prehistoric settlers that came into the Americas from Northeast Asia via Alaska are thought to have arrived around 15,000 years ago, although the first migrants may have arrived around 30,000 years back and the last about 5,000. The present theory as to the expansion of the prehistoric settlers currently is a southward migration along the coast with branching populations moving east and, later on, north. By this theory, the longest established cultures are the
Pacific
Coast
tribes and the most recently established are the Arctic cultures.
The first confirmed European contact with Canada was just after 1000CE; Vikings under Leif Erikson certainly reached Newfoundland and there are some controversial indications that they also sailed far up the St Lawrence and South along what is now the US coast but were beaten in their exploration by the Irish. The next confirmed group were the Portuguese who had fishing outposts along the Atlantic coast by the early 1500s. However, neither group built permanent settlements.
The first confirmed European contact with Canada was just after 1000CE; Vikings under Leif Erikson certainly reached Newfoundland and there are some controversial indications that they also sailed far up the St Lawrence and South along what is now the US coast but were beaten in their exploration by the Irish. The next confirmed group were the Portuguese who had fishing outposts along the Atlantic coast by the early 1500s. However, neither group built permanent settlements.
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After the American War of Independence, during which the thirteen colonies became independent from the British as the United States of America, there was considerable migration to Canada by people who wanted to remain part of the British Empire. They are known in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, though Americans might call them Tory traitors. Other substantial waves of immigration were ex-soldiers, mostly Scots, after the Napoleonic wars and many Irish from about the time of the potato famine onwards.
After the American War of Independence, during which the thirteen colonies became independent from the British as the United States of America, there was considerable migration to Canada by people who wanted to remain part of the British Empire. They are known in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, though Americans might call them Tory traitors. Other substantial waves of immigration were ex-soldiers, mostly Scots, after the Napoleonic wars and many Irish from about the time of the potato famine onwards.
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The British and Americans fought a war in 1812 which saw invasions in both directions between the US and Canada
; in some ways the war can be considered a draw, since no boundaries changed as a result
. Some of the hotter heads on both sides had quite ambitious goals — drive the British out of North America entirely and annex Canada into the US, or reverse the effects of the American Revolution a few decades earlier and bring the US back into the Empire. Neither side got anywhere near achieving such goals, and both ideas were thoroughly discredited by the end of the war
. This change was very important in creating the national identities of both the US and Canada
. The US national anthem was written about one of the battles in this war.
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The British and Americans fought a war in 1812 which saw invasions in both directions between the US and Canada. Some of the hotter heads on both sides had quite ambitious goals — drive the British out of North America entirely and annex Canada into the US, or reverse the effects of the American Revolution a few decades earlier and bring the US back into the Empire. Neither side got anywhere near achieving such goals, and both ideas were thoroughly discredited by the end of the war. The US national anthem was written about one of the battles in this war.
+
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Americans consider the war a draw, since no boundaries changed as a result. Canadians don't necessarily see it that way as fending off an large-scale US annexation of Canadian territory, particularly on the valuable Niagara Peninsula, is heralded as a historic British-Canadian military victory.
The 1850 introduction of the US ''Fugitive Slave Act'', a federal law which angered abolitionist northern states by allowing negros to be abducted by slavecatchers and forcibly returned to slavery in the [[south (United States of America)|south]], led to the establishment of an [[Underground Railroad]] of disparate routes leading north to freedom in Canada's Niagara Peninsula or other British Empire outposts, such as [[Nova Scotia]].
The 1850 introduction of the US ''Fugitive Slave Act'', a federal law which angered abolitionist northern states by allowing negros to be abducted by slavecatchers and forcibly returned to slavery in the [[south (United States of America)|south]], led to the establishment of an [[Underground Railroad]] of disparate routes leading north to freedom in Canada's Niagara Peninsula or other British Empire outposts, such as [[Nova Scotia]].
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The British established the first colony on the Pacific coast of Canada in 1849, when the colony of [[Vancouver Island]] was chartered with [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Fort Victoria]] as the capital. The colony of [[British Columbia]] was later established in 1858. Subsequently, the colony of Vancouver Island was merged into British Columbia in 1866.
The British established the first colony on the Pacific coast of Canada in 1849, when the colony of [[Vancouver Island]] was chartered with [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Fort Victoria]] as the capital. The colony of [[British Columbia]] was later established in 1858. Subsequently, the colony of Vancouver Island was merged into British Columbia in 1866.
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The colonies of [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], [[Nova Scotia]] and [[New Brunswick]] federated to from the self-governing British dominion of Canada in 1867, with each former colony becoming a province of Canada. Subsequently, the federation was greatly expanded. A huge territory called Rupert's Land — all the land whose rivers drain into Hudson's Bay, much of Canada and parts of a few US states — was granted by the British crown to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1670. In 1870, the newly formed Dominion of Canada purchased it. That more than doubled the sizes of existing provinces Ontario and Quebec and led to the creation of new provinces Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. [[Manitoba]] joined the federation in 1870, followed by [[British Columbia]] in 1871, [[Prince Edward Island]] in 1873, and [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Alberta]] in 1905. Following World War II, the former [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Dominion of Newfoundland]] became the final province to join the Canadian federation in 1949.
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The colonies of [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], [[Nova Scotia]] and [[New Brunswick]] federated to from the self-governing British dominion of Canada in 1867, with each former colony becoming a province of Canada. Subsequently, the federation was greatly expanded. A huge territory called Rupert's Land — all the land whose rivers drain into Hudson's Bay, much of Canada and parts of a few US states — was granted by the British crown to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1670. In 1870, the newly formed Dominion of Canada purchased it. That more than doubled the sizes of existing provinces Ontario and Quebec and led to the creation of new provinces Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. [[Manitoba]] joined the federation in 1870, followed by [[British Columbia]] in 1871, [[Prince Edward Island]] in 1873, and [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Alberta]] in 1905. Following World War II, the former [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Dominion of Newfoundland]] became the final province to join the Canadian federation in 1949
. Canada's newest territory, Nunavut, was created in 1999 from part of the existing [[Northwest Territories]]
.
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Canada's relation with the UK is somewhat complex. It was the British parliament's British North America Act in 1867 that officially established the country and the British monarch is still King or Queen of Canada, with a Governor General representing him or her on the ground. However, this is a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch "reigns but does not rule"; the real governing power is Parliament. There were changes in 1931 which made Canada more-or-less fully independent of the [[United Kingdom]]. One notable difference was that in World War I, there were Canadian regiments in the British Army under British generals, but by World War II there was a Canadian Army with its own generals; Canadians and Newfoundlanders made significant contributions in both wars. Another significant change is that since the 1960s all the Governors General have been Canadians; prior to that they were all British and often noblemen.
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Canada's relation with the UK is somewhat complex. It was the British parliament's British North America Act in 1867 that officially established the country and the British monarch is still King or Queen of Canada, with a Governor General representing him or her on the ground. However, this is a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch "reigns but does not rule"; the real governing power is Parliament. There were changes in 1931 which made Canada more-or-less fully independent of the [[United Kingdom]]. One notable difference was that in
the Great War (
World War I
)
, there were Canadian regiments in the British Army under British generals, but by World War II there was a Canadian Army with its own generals; Canadians and Newfoundlanders made significant contributions in both wars. Another significant change is that since the 1960s all the Governors General have been Canadians; prior to that they were all British and often noblemen.
In 1982, the UK passed the Canada Act, with Canada simultaneously passing the Constitution Act, ending any residual power the British parliament may have had to pass laws for Canada.
In 1982, the UK passed the Canada Act, with Canada simultaneously passing the Constitution Act, ending any residual power the British parliament may have had to pass laws for Canada.
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The Queen remains the nominal head of state, with an appointed Governor-General as her representative in Canada. In practice, the Queen's role is largely ceremonial, with the Prime Minister wielding the most authority in government.
The Queen remains the nominal head of state, with an appointed Governor-General as her representative in Canada. In practice, the Queen's role is largely ceremonial, with the Prime Minister wielding the most authority in government.
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There are four main parliamentary parties at the federal level: the Conservative Party (right of centre), the Liberal Party (left of centre), the New Democratic Party (left), and the Bloc Québécois (a
left-wing, Québécois nationalist
party that promotes the separation of Quebec from Canada
and does not
run
candidates outside of Quebec). Only the Conservatives (currently) and the Liberals (more often) have ever been the national government, though the NDP have governed various provinces. The Bloc – who are for obvious reasons regarded somewhat negatively in other parts of the country – do not participate in provincial-level politics, but another provincial-level
sovereigntist
party, the Parti Québécois, has won provincial elections and formed the government in Quebec on several occasions.
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There are four main parliamentary parties at the federal level: the Conservative Party (right of centre), the Liberal Party (left of centre), the New Democratic Party (left), and the Bloc Québécois (a
regional
party that promotes the separation of Quebec from Canada
,
running
no
candidates outside of Quebec). Only the Conservatives (currently) and the Liberals (more often) have ever been the national government, though the NDP have governed various provinces. The Bloc – who are for obvious reasons regarded somewhat negatively in other parts of the country – do not participate in provincial-level politics, but another provincial-level
sovereignist
party, the Parti Québécois, has won provincial elections and formed the government in Quebec on several occasions.
===Culture===
===Culture===
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===Indigenous People===
===Indigenous People===
[[File:Tsuu Tsina parade.JPG|thumbnail|Native Americans in traditional costumes at the Calgary Stampede]]
[[File:Tsuu Tsina parade.JPG|thumbnail|Native Americans in traditional costumes at the Calgary Stampede]]
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The terms "Aboriginal" ("Autochtones" in French) or "First Nations" are used as catch all terms for all indigenous people of Canada. Most Aboriginal communities are rural and not used to tourists
(note that some
so-called reserves may restrict access to residents or invited guests – watch for signage at the entrances to these areas, which can range from official advisories to crude handmade signs saying "Stay out". Visitors to Canada with an interest in Aboriginal culture should seek out an Aboriginal cultural centre in a city. Be aware that tension exists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in some areas, though outright violence is extremely rare.
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The terms "Aboriginal" ("Autochtones" in French) or "First Nations" are used as catch all terms for all indigenous people of Canada. Most Aboriginal communities are rural and not used to tourists
.
Some
so-called reserves may restrict access to residents or invited guests – watch for signage at the entrances to these areas, which can range from official advisories to crude handmade signs saying "Stay out"
. More often, non-native visitors are accepted or welcomed; on many reserves, heavily-taxed commodities (such as petrol or cigarettes) are offered to the public at reduced prices
. Visitors to Canada with an interest in Aboriginal culture should seek out an Aboriginal cultural centre in a city. Be aware that tension exists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in some areas, though outright violence is extremely rare.
The First Nations peoples's traditions, language, history, and way of life vary based on background and location. Some will be offended by the term "Indian", though they may use it themselves (note this differs from the US where "Indian" appears to be much more widely accepted). The term "Native" may also cause offence among some. "First Nations" is the safer politically-correct term.
The First Nations peoples's traditions, language, history, and way of life vary based on background and location. Some will be offended by the term "Indian", though they may use it themselves (note this differs from the US where "Indian" appears to be much more widely accepted). The term "Native" may also cause offence among some. "First Nations" is the safer politically-correct term.