Thread: Canada... can somebody explain it to me?

Now, folks, don't come marching in here thinking that I started this thread to make fun of Canadians or Canada itself... I just wish to know some whys and whens, ok? I live across the pond and I'm not too enlightened about your country that appears to have some quite unique characteristics.

So... in Canada there are 2 languages - french and english. Why is that?
And also how does it work, what kind of political structure Canada has? I've heard that despite the fact that it is an independent country, the head of state is the crowned head of the UK. And that appears to be the case with Australia too... can someone explain it to me? Fell free to add some info on Australia too...

Many thanks!

Here is some detailed info for you: Canada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'll give you the abridged answers to your questions:

English and French are the official languages of Canada - this came about from the two nations that fought over control of Canada for a hundred or so years: England and France. Although France ceded control to the English in the 1700s, the French influence (and language) remained. French is spoken more in Quebec (which is predominately French) and the Maritimes (from highest French density to least: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) as well as pockets of eastern Ontario, than elsewhere in the country.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and part of the Commonwealth (as is Australia). While the Queen of England is the official head of state, actual governing power is through elected parliamentary democracy i.e. the Queen has no say in our affairs and is only a figurehead.

Cheers,

Rick

Also, a little know fact that the head of state is not in fact the Queen of England, but the Queen of Canada...they just happen to be the same person.

We use the British Westminster parliamentary system here with jurisdictional divide between federal powers and provincial. There are 10 provinces in Canada, and 3 territories.

Mark

Ps. Oh, Rick, I think you forgot Newfoundland in there somewhere....

Good history lesson from my fellow Canadians.

Et oui il y a des francais au Nouveau Brunswick :P

Also NB is the only official bilingual province.

Originally Posted by Dups

Also NB is the only official bilingual province.

Good point Dups. As for my comments about French, sorry but I just had to knock the Bloc a bit (I'm thinking that only Canadians will get that).

Thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate it. It was all a bit foggy for me, but now I think I get it. But you have to admit... it's a strange political configuration. Not that it's a bad one, no, but... odd!
Thanks again! Feel free to ask about my country: Banana Republic! Err... I mean... Portugal! Heaven on Earth for politicians that like sun and freedom to be corrupt... in Europe!

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Good point Dups. As for my comments about French, sorry but I just had to knock the Bloc a bit (I'm thinking that only Canadians will get that).

No offence taken at all! I'm not Quebecois I'm a French Acadian Canadian!

Originally Posted by Dups

Also NB is the only official bilingual province.

This may be true but I had a girlfriend who was from Windsor, Ontario who was bisexual. She had a brother in Newfoundland who was a little slow. She used to say, "Newfies don't use ice cubes because the guy with the recipe died."

As far as I know, Canadia is an arctic wasteland populated by walking snowmen and Rabid Sasquatches, all running around on frozen ponds chasing littel disks of plastic and drinking excellent beer.

Or am I wrong?