See Also

Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest List of countries and outlying territories by total area

This is a list of the countries [i] of the world sorted by total area. ... 

 country by total area, occupying most of northern North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i] ... 

. Extending from the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

 to the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

 and northward into the Arctic Ocean Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean, located mostly in the Arctic [i] north polar [i] region, is the smallest ... 

, Canada shares land borders with the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 to the south and to the northwest. Inhabited first by Aboriginal peoples, Canada was founded as a union of British colonies British overseas territories

A British overseas territory is one of 14 territories which are under the sovereignty [i] of the United Kingdom [i] ... 

, some of which had been French colonies French colonial empires

France [i] had colonial [i] possessions, in various forms, since the beginning of the 17th century [i] ... 

. Canada gained independence from the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 in an incremental process that began in 1867 and ended in 1982 Canada Act 1982

The Canada Act 1982 is an Act of Parliament [i] passed by the British Parliament [i] that severed all re ... 

 maintaining Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

} |- | |} Elizabeth II is the Queen [i] of 16 independent sovereign [i] state [i] ... 

 as Head of State Head of State

Head of State or Chief of State is the generic term for the individual or collective office that s... 

.

Discussions

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Timeline

1535   Jacques Cartier Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier, was a French [i] explorer [i] popularly thought of as one of ... 

 discovers the Iroquois Iroquois

The Confederacy is a group of First Nations [i]/Native Americans [i] ... 

 city of Stadacona, Canada (now Quebec Quebec

Quebec, or Qubec in French [i], In 1898, the Canadian Parliament passed the first ... 

) and in May, the even greater Huron city of Hochelaga.

1578   Martin Frobisher Martin Frobisher

Sir Martin Frobisher was an English [i] seaman who made three voyages to the New World [i] to lo ... 

 sails from Harwich Harwich

Harwich is a town in Essex, England [i], located on the coast with the North Sea [i] to the east. ... 

, England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 to Frobisher Bay Frobisher Bay

Frobisher Bay is a relatively large inlet of the Labrador Sea [i] in the southeastern corner of Baffin Island [i] ... 

, Canada, eventually to mine fool's gold Pyrite

The mineral [i] pyrite, or iron pyrite, is iron disulfide, FeS2. ... 

, used to pave streets in London London

London is the capital [i] city of England [i] and of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

.

1603   Samuel de Champlain Samuel de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain was a French [i] geographer [i], draftsman [i], explorer [i] ... 

, French explorer, sails to Canada

1670   The Hudson's Bay Company Hudson's Bay Company

The Hudson's Bay Company is the oldest commercial corporation [i] in North America [i] and is one of th ... 

 is founded in England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, but located in Canada.

1733   Right of Canadians Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

 to keep Indian First Nations

First Nations is a term of ethnicity [i] used in Canada [i]. ... 

 slaves Slavery

Slavery is the social and legal designation of specific person [i]s as property [i] or chattel, for the ... 

 upheld at Quebec Quebec

Quebec, or Qubec in French [i], In 1898, the Canadian Parliament passed the first ... 

.

1759   Seven Years' War Seven Years' War

The Seven Years' War, some of the theatres [i] of which are called the Pomeranian War and ... 

 (French and Indian War French and Indian War

The French and Indian War was the nine-year North American chapter of the Seven Years' War [i]. ... 

): In Canada, British forces capture Fort Niagara Fort Niagara

Fort Niagara is a three hundred-year-old fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France [i] ... 

 from French, who subsequently abandon Fort Rouillé Fort Rouillé

... 

.

1760   Great Upheaval Great Upheaval

The Great Upheaval, also known as the Great Expulsion, The Deportation or the Acadian Exp... 

: New England New England

New England is a region of the United States [i] located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... 

 planters arrive to claim land in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a Canadian province [i] located on Canada [i]'s southeastern coast. ... 

 Canada taken from the Acadians Acadian

The Acadians are the descendants of the original French [i] settlers of parts of the northeaster ... 

.

1763   French and Indian War French and Indian War

The French and Indian War was the nine-year North American chapter of the Seven Years' War [i]. ... 

: The 1763 Treaty of Paris ends the war and France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 cedes Canada to Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe [i] and to the east of Ireland [i] ... 

.

1764   The English-language ''Quebec Gazette'' is established in Quebec City Quebec City

Quebec City or Qubec* [i] is the capital [i] of the Canadian [i] ... 

, Quebec Quebec

Quebec, or Qubec in French [i], In 1898, the Canadian Parliament passed the first ... 

, Canada. As of 2005, it is the oldest surviving newspaper Newspaper

A newspaper is a publication [i] containing news and information and advertising, usually printed on low ... 

 in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i] ... 

.

1775   American Revolutionary War: The Continental Congress bans trade with Canada.

   More Events >>


Quotations

As Canadian as possible under the circumstances.

Heather Scott, winner of a 1972 contest run by Peter Gzowski

Canada is a country built against any common, geographic, historic or cultural sense.

Pierre Trudeau, former Prime Minister of Canada.

Canada is the only country in the world where you can buy a book on federal-provincial relations at an airport.

we French & English never lost our civil war/ endure it still/ a bloody civil bore.

Earle Birney, "Can. Lit."

Canada and Mexico, as the saying goes, have one common problem between them.

J.C.M. Ogelsby

Canadians are the people who learned to live without the bold accents of the natural ego-trippers of other lands.

       More Quotes >>


Encyclopedia

Canada is the world's second-largest List of countries and outlying territories by total area

This is a list of the countries [i] of the world sorted by total area. ... 

 country by total area, occupying most of northern North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

. Extending from the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

 to the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

 and northward into the Arctic Ocean Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean, located mostly in the Arctic [i] north polar [i] region, is the smallest ... 

, Canada shares land borders with the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 to the south and to the northwest.

Inhabited first by Aboriginal peoples, Canada was founded as a union of British colonies British overseas territories

A British overseas territory is one of 14 territories which are under the sovereignty [i] of the United Kingdom [i] ... 

, some of which had been French colonies French colonial empires

France [i] had colonial [i] possessions, in various forms, since the beginning of the 17th century [i] ... 

. Canada gained independence from the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 in an incremental process that began in 1867 and ended in 1982 Canada Act 1982

The Canada Act 1982 is an Act of Parliament [i] passed by the British Parliament [i] that severed all re ... 

 maintaining Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

}
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Elizabeth II is the Queen [i] of 16 independent sovereign [i] state [i] ... 

 as Head of State Head of State

Head of State or Chief of State is the generic term for the individual or collective office that s... 

.

Canada is a federal Federation

A federation is a union [i] comprised of a number of partially self-governing states or ... 

 constitutional monarchy Constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchical [i] government [i] established under a constitution [i] ... 

 and parliamentary democracy Parliamentary system

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A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government [i] ... 

, consisting of ten provinces Provinces and territories of Canada

Provincial and territorial legislatures are unicameral [i], having no second chamber equivalent to the Canadian Senate [i] ... 

 and three territories Provinces and territories of Canada

Provincial and territorial legislatures are unicameral [i], having no second chamber equivalent to the Canadian Senate [i] ... 

, and defines itself as a bilingual Bilingualism in Canada

Bilingualism [i] in Canada [i] refers to laws and policies of the federal government – and some ot ... 

 and multicultural Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is an ideology [i] advocating that society should consist of, or at least allow and inc ... 

 nation; both English and French are official languages. A technologically advanced and industrialized nation, its diversified economy Economy of Canada

Canada [i] is one of the world's wealthiest nations, a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development [i] ... 

 relies heavily on an abundance of natural resources and on trade, particularly with the United States, with which Canada has had a long and complex relationship Canada-United States relations

Canada [i]-United States [i] relations were described by Canadian Prime Minister [i] ... 

.

Origin and history of the name


The name Canada comes from a First Nations First Nations

First Nations is a term of ethnicity [i] used in Canada [i]. ... 

 word, kanata, meaning "village" or "settlement". In 1535, inhabitants of the area near present-day Quebec City Quebec City

Quebec City or Qubec* [i] is the capital [i] of the Canadian [i] ... 

 used the word to tell Jacques Cartier Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier, was a French [i] explorer [i] popularly thought of as one of ... 

 the way to the village of Stadacona. Cartier used the word 'Canada' to refer to not only that village, but the entire area subject to Donnacona, Chief at Stadacona; by 1547, maps began referring to this and the surrounding area as Canada.

The French colony of Canada, New France New France

New France describes the area colonized [i] by France [i] in North America [i] during a period extending ... 

, was set up along the Saint Lawrence River Saint Lawrence River

The Saint Lawrence River is a large west-to-east flowing river [i] in the middle latitudes of North America [i] ... 

 and the northern shores of the Great Lakes Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are a group of five large lake [i]s in North America [i] on or near the Canada [i]-United States [i] ... 

. Later, it was split into two British colonies, called Upper Canada Upper Canada

Upper Canada was a British territory in what is now the Canadian [i] province of Ontario [i]. ... 

 and Lower Canada Lower Canada

Lower Canada was a British colony [i] on the lower Saint Lawrence River [i] ... 

 until their union as the British Province of Canada in 1841. Upon Confederation Canadian Confederation

Canadian Confederation [i], or the Confederation of Canada, was the process by which the federal [i] ... 

 in 1867, the name Canada was officially adopted for the new dominion, which was referred to as the Dominion of Canada until the 1950s. As Canada increasingly acquired political authority and autonomy from Britain United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

, the federal government increasingly used simply Canada on state documents and treaties. The Canada Act 1982 Canada Act 1982

The Canada Act 1982 is an Act of Parliament [i] passed by the British Parliament [i] that severed all re ... 

 refers only to Canada and, as such, is currently the only legal name. This was reflected again in 1982 with the renaming of the national holiday from Dominion Day to Canada Day Canada Day

Canada Day is Canada [i]'s national holiday [i]. ... 

.

History

Although Aboriginal tradition holds that the First Peoples inhabited parts of Canada since the dawn of time, archaeological studies date human presence in northern Yukon Yukon

The Yukon Territory is one of Canada's [i] northern territories [i], in th ... 

 to 26,500 years ago, and in southern Ontario Ontario

Ontario is the most populous and second-largest in area of Canada [i]'s ten provinces [i] ... 

 to 9,500 years ago. Europeans first arrived when the Vikings Viking

The term Viking commonly denotes the ship-borne explorers, traders, and warriors of the Norsemen [i] who ... 

 settled briefly at L'Anse aux Meadows L'Anse aux Meadows

L'Anse aux Meadows is a site on the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland [i], in Newfoundland and Labrador [i] ... 

 circa AD 1000. The next Europeans to explore Canada's Atlantic coast included John Cabot John Cabot

Giovanni Caboto , known in English [i] as John Cabot, was an Italian [i] navigator [i] ... 

 in 1497 and Martin Frobisher Martin Frobisher

Sir Martin Frobisher was an English [i] seaman who made three voyages to the New World [i] to lo... 

 in 1576, for England Kingdom of England

The Kingdom of England was a state [i] located in western Europe [i], in the southern part of the islan ... 

; and Jacques Cartier Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier, was a French [i] explorer [i] popularly thought of as one of ... 

 in 1534 and Samuel de Champlain Samuel de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain was a French [i] geographer [i], draftsman [i], explorer [i] ... 

 in 1603, for France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

. The first permanent European settlements were established by the French at Port Royal in 1605 and Quebec City Quebec City

Quebec City or Qubec* [i] is the capital [i] of the Canadian [i] ... 

 in 1608, and by the English in Newfoundland Newfoundland

Newfoundland is a large island off the east coast of North America [i], and the most populous part o ... 

, around 1610. European explorers and trappers brought European diseases that spread rapidly through native trade routes and decimated the Aboriginal population.



For much of the 17th century 17th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 17th century was that century [i] which lasted from ... 

, the English and French colonies in North America were able to develop in relative isolation from each other. French colonists extensively settled the St. Lawrence River Saint Lawrence River

The Saint Lawrence River is a large west-to-east flowing river [i] in the middle latitudes of North America [i] ... 

 valley, while English colonists largely settled in the Thirteen Colonies Thirteen Colonies

The Thirteen Colonies were thirteen British [i] colonies [i] in North America [i], ... 

 to the south. However, as competition for territory, naval bases, furs and fish escalated, several wars broke out between the French, English Kingdom of England

The Kingdom of England was a state [i] located in western Europe [i], in the southern part of the islan ... 

 and Native tribes. The French and Iroquois Wars erupted between the Iroquois Confederation Iroquois

The Confederacy is a group of First Nations [i]/Native Americans [i] ... 

 and the Algonquin, with their French allies, over control of the fur trade. A series of four French and Indian Wars French and Indian Wars

The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States [i] for a series of conflicts in North America [i] ... 

 were fought between 1689 and 1763; these culminated with a complete British victory in the Seven Years' War Seven Years' War

The Seven Years' War, some of the theatres [i] of which are called the Pomeranian War and ... 

. By the terms of Treaty of Paris in 1763, Britain gained control of all of France's North American territory east of the Mississippi River Mississippi River

The Mississippi River, derived from the old Ojibwe [i] word misi-ziibi meaning 'grea ... 

, except for the remote islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is a French [i] overseas community [i] consis ... 

.

Following the war, the British found themselves in possession of a mostly French-speaking, Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian [i] Church [i] ... 

 territory, whose inhabitants had recently taken up arms against Britain. To avert conflict, Britain passed the Quebec Act of 1774, re-establishing the French language, Catholic faith, and French civil law in Quebec. The act had unforseen consequences for Britain, however, as it angered many residents of the Thirteen Colonies, helping to fuel the American Revolution American Revolution

The American Revolution was a political movement that ended British [i] control ... 

. Following the independence of the United States, approximately 50,000 United Empire Loyalists United Empire Loyalists

The name United Empire Loyalists is given to those British Loyalists [i] who resettled in British North America [i] ... 

 moved to Quebec, Nova Scotia Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a Canadian province [i] located on Canada [i]'s southeastern coast. ... 

, Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is a Canadian [i] province [i] coextensive with the island [i]... 

 and Newfoundland. As they were unwelcome in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick New Brunswick

New Brunswick , is one of Canada's [i] three Maritime provinces [i], and the only officially bili... 

 was carved out of that colony for them in 1784. To accommodate the English-speaking Loyalists in Quebec, the province was divided into francophone Lower Canada Lower Canada

Lower Canada was a British colony [i] on the lower Saint Lawrence River [i] ... 

 and anglophone Upper Canada Upper Canada

Upper Canada was a British territory in what is now the Canadian [i] province of Ontario [i]. ... 

 under the Constitutional Act Constitutional Act of 1791

The Constitutional Act of 1791 was an Act [i] of the Parliament of Great Britain [i] w ... 

 in 1791.

Canada was a major front in the War of 1812 War of 1812

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America [i] and Britain [i] ... 

 between the United States and British Empire and its successful defence had important long-term effects on Canada War of 1812

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America [i] and Britain [i] ... 

, including the building of a sense of unity and nationalism among British North Americans. Large-scale immigration to Canada began in 1815 from Britain and Ireland. A series of agreements led to long-term peace between Canada and the United States, interrupted only briefly by raids made by political insurgents such as the Hunters' Lodges and the Fenian Brotherhood.

Following the failed Rebellions of 1837 Rebellions of 1837

The Rebellions of 1837 were a pair of Canadian [i] armed uprisings [i] that occurred in ... 

, which demanded responsible government, colonial officials studied the political situation and issued the Durham Report in 1839. One goal—which proved unacceptable for the alliance of anglophone and francophone reformers that had rebelled in 1837—was to assimilate the French Canadians into British culture. The Canadas The Canadas

The Canadas were two British [i] colonies, Upper Canada [i] and Lower Canada [i], now part ... 

 were merged into a single, quasi-federal colony, the United Province of Canada, with the Act of Union . The signing of the Oregon Treaty Oregon Treaty

The Treaty with Great Britain, in Regard to Limits Westward of the Rocky Mountains, also known as the ... 

 by Britain and the United States in 1846 ended the Oregon boundary dispute Oregon boundary dispute

The Oregon boundary dispute arose as a result of competing British and American claims to the Oregon Country [i]... 

, extending the border westward along the 49th parallel 49th parallel north

The 49th parallel of north latitude [i] forms part of the international boundary [i] ... 

 and ending joint occupation of the Oregon Country Oregon Country

Oregon Country or "Oregon" was a term that referred to a region of western North America [i] consisting ... 

/Columbia District. This led to the creation of the colony of Colony of Vancouver Island Colony of Vancouver Island

See main article Vancouver Island [i]
... 

 in 1849 and, with the outbreak of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, the colony of British Columbia Colony of British Columbia

The Colony of British Columbia was a crown colony [i] of British North America [i] from 1858 until 1871. ... 

 in 1858, but both were entirely separate from the United Province of Canada. By the late 1850s, leaders in Canada launched a series of western exploratory expeditions, with the intention of assuming control of Rupert's Land Rupert's Land

Rupert's Land was a territory in British North America [i], consisting of much of modern Canada [i]. ... 

 and the Arctic Arctic

The Arctic is the area around the Earth [i]'s North Pole [i], opposite the Antarctican [i] ar ... 

 region. The Canadian population grew rapidly due to high birth rates; high European immigration was offset by emigration to the United States, especially by French Canadians moving to New England New England

New England is a region of the United States [i] located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... 

.



Following the Great Coalition, the Charlottetown Conference Charlottetown Conference

The Charlottetown Conference was a conference held in Charlottetown [i]... 

 the Quebec Conference Quebec Conference, 1864

The Quebec Conference was the second meeting held in 1864 to discuss Canadian Confederation [i].
... 

 of 1864, and the London Conference of 1866, the three colonies—Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick—undertook the process of Confederation Canadian Confederation

Canadian Confederation [i], or the Confederation of Canada, was the process by which the federal [i] ... 

. The British North America Act created "one dominion under the name of Canada Canada's name

The name Canada has been in use since the earliest European settlement in Canada [i] and likely orig... 

", with four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. After Canada assumed control of Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory North-Western Territory

The North-Western Territory was a region of British North America [i] until 1870 [i]. ... 

, which together formed the Northwest Territories Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories is a territory [i] of Canada [i].
... 

 in 1870, inattention to the Métis led to the Red River Rebellion Red River Rebellion

The Red River Rebellion or "Red River Resistance" are the names given to the events surrounding the acti... 

 and ultimately to the creation of the province of Manitoba Manitoba

Manitoba is one of Canada [i]'s provinces [i]. ... 

 and its entry into Confederation in July 1870. British Columbia and Vancouver Island and the colony of Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is a Canadian [i] province [i] coextensive with the island [i]... 

 joined the Confederation in 1871 and 1873, respectively. To connect the union and assert authority over the western provinces, Canada constructed three trans-continental railways, most notably the Canadian Pacific Railway Canadian Pacific Railway

The Canadian Pacific Railway , known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a Canadian [i] Class I railway [i] ... 

, encouraged immigrants to develop the prairies with the Dominion Lands Act, and established the North West Mounted Police Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Mounties, also The RCMP acts as the federal police for all of... 

. As settlers went to the prairies on the railway and the population grew, regions of the Northwest Territories were given provincial status forming Alberta Alberta

Alberta is one of Canada [i]'s provinces [i]. ... 

 and Saskatchewan Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is the middle province [i] of Canada's [i] three prairie provinces [i] ... 

 in 1905.


Canada automatically entered the First World War World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and "The War to End All War... 

 in 1914 with Britain's declaration of war, and sent formed divisions, composed almost entirely of volunteers, to the Western Front to fight as a national contingent. Casualties were so high that Prime Minister Robert Borden Robert Borden

Sir Robert Laird Borden, PC [i] , KC [i] , GCMG [i] ... 

 was forced to bring in conscription in 1917; this move was extremely unpopular in Quebec, resulting in his Conservative party losing support in that province. Although the Liberals were deeply divided over conscription, they became the dominant political party.

In 1919, Canada joined the League of Nations League of Nations

The League of Nations was an international organization [i] founded after the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 [i] ... 

 in its own right, and in 1931 the Statute of Westminster confirmed that no act of the British Parliament Parliament of the United Kingdom

The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body [i] ... 

 would extend to Canada without its consent. At the same time, the worldwide Great Depression of 1929 Great Depression

The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn [i] which started in 1929 and lasting ... 

 affected Canadians of every class; the rise of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian [i] political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta [i] ... 

  in Alberta and Saskatchewan presaged a welfare state as pioneered by Tommy Douglas Tommy Douglas

Thomas Clement Douglas, PC [i], CC [i], SOM [i] ... 

 in the 1940s and 1950s. After supporting appeasement of Germany in the late 1930s, Liberal Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King

William Lyon Mackenzie King, OM [i], PC [i], LL.B [i] ... 

 secured Parliament’s approval for entry into the Second World War Military history of Canada during the Second World War

In 1939 Canada was a fully autonomous country, the most senior of the British Dominions, and a nation that was... 

 in September 1939, after Germany invaded Poland. The first Canadian Army units arrived in Britain in December 1939. The economy boomed during the war mainly due to the amount of military materiel Materiel

Materiel is a term used in English to refer to the equipment [i] and supplies [i] in military [i] ... 

 being produced for Canada, Britain, China and the Soviet Union. Canada finished the war with one of the largest militaries in the world. In addition, throughout the Vietnam War Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a conflict in which the Democratic Republic of Vietnam [i] and its al ... 

, thousands of American draft dodgers fled to and settled in various parts of Canada. Increased immigration, combined with the baby boom, an economic strength parallelling that of the 1960s United States, and reaction to the Quiet Revolution Quiet Revolution

The Quiet Revolution was a period of rapid change in Quebec [i], Canada [i], in the 1960s.
... 

 in Quebec, initiated a new type of Canadian nationalism.

At a meeting of First Ministers in November 1981, the federal and provincial governments agreed to the patriation Patriation

Patriation is a legal term particularly used in Canada [i], to describe a process of constitution [i]al ... 

 of the constitution, with procedures for amending it. Despite the fact that the Quebec government did not agree to the changes, on 17 April, 1982, Canada, by Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II, patriated its Constitution from Britain, thereby making Canada wholly sovereign, though the two countries continue to share the same monarch.

After Quebec underwent profound social and economic changes during the Quiet Revolution Quiet Revolution

The Quiet Revolution was a period of rapid change in Quebec [i], Canada [i], in the 1960s.
... 

 of the 1960s, some Québécois  began pressing for greater provincial autonomy, or partial or complete independence from Canada. Alienation between English-speaking Canadians and the Québécois over the language, cultural and social divide had been exacerbated by many events, including the Conscription Crisis of 1944. While a referendum on sovereignty-association Quebec sovereignty movement

[i] for [[Quebec]... 

 in 1980 was rejected by a solid majority of the population, a second referendum in 1995 1995 Quebec referendum

The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second, nearly identical referendum [i] in the Canadian [i] pr ... 

 was rejected by a margin of just 50.6% to 49.4%. In 1997, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled unilateral secession by a province to be unconstitutional Reference re Secession of Quebec

|-
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... 

; Quebec's sovereignty movement has continued nonetheless. , and a parliamentary democracy Parliamentary system

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A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government [i] ... 

 with a federal system Federation

A federation is a union [i] comprised of a number of partially self-governing states or ... 

 of parliamentary government Parliament

A parliament is a legislature [i], especially in those countries whose system of government is based on ... 

 and strong democratic traditions.

Canada's constitution Constitution of Canada

The Constitution [i] of Canada [i] is the supreme law in Canada. ... 

 governs the legal framework of the country and consists of written text and unwritten traditions and conventions. The Constitution includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a bill of rights [i] entrenched in the Constitution of Canada [i] ... 

, which guarantees basic rights and freedoms for Canadians that, generally, cannot be overridden by legislation of any level of government in Canada. It contains, however, a "notwithstanding clause", which allows the federal parliament and the provincial legislatures the power to override some other sections of the Charter temporarily, for a period of five years.

The position of Prime Minister Prime Minister of Canada

The Prime Minister [i] of Canada [i] , is the head of the Government of Canada [i].... 

, Canada's head of government, belongs to the leader of the political party that can obtain the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons Canadian House of Commons

The House of Commons is a component of the Parliament of Canada [i], along with the Sovereign [i]... 

. The Prime Minister and his or her cabinet are formally appointed by the Governor General Governor-General

A Governor-General is most generally a governor [i] of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above ... 

  However, the Prime Minister chooses the cabinet, and by convention, the Governor General respects the Prime Minister's choices. The Cabinet Cabinet of Canada

The Cabinet of Canada plays an important role in the Government of Canada [i] in accordance with the Westminster System [i] ... 

 is traditionally drawn from members of the Prime Minister's party in both legislative houses, and mostly from the House of Commons. Executive power is exercised by the prime minister and cabinet, all of whom are sworn into the Privy Council of Canada Queen's Privy Council for Canada

The Queen's Privy Council for Canada is the council of advisers to the Queen of Canada [i] ... 

 and become Ministers of the Crown. The Prime Minister exercises a lot of political power, especially in the appointment of other officials within the government and civil service. Michaëlle Jean Michaëlle Jean

Michalle Jean, CC [i], CMM [i], COM [i] ... 

 has served as Governor General Governor General of Canada

The Governor General [i] of Canada [i] is the representative of the Canadian Monarch [i] ... 

 since September 25, 2005 and Stephen Harper Stephen Harper

Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada [i] and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada [i]... 

, leader of the Conservative Party Conservative Party of Canada

The Conservative Party of Canada, colloquially known as the "Tories [i]", is a right-of-centre [i] ... 

, has served as Prime Minister since February 6, 2006.

The federal parliament Parliament of Canada

The Parliament of Canada is Canada [i]'s legislative branch [i], seated at Parliament Hill [i] ... 

 is made up of the Queen and two houses: an elected House of Commons and an appointed Senate Canadian Senate

The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada [i], along with the Sovereign [i] ... 

. Each member in the House of Commons is elected by simple plurality Plurality voting system

The plurality voting system is a system used to elect members of a parliament which is based on single m... 

 in a "riding" or electoral district; general elections are called by the Governor General when the Prime Minister so advises. While there is no minimum term for a Parliament, a new election must be called within five years of the last general election. Members of the Senate, whose seats are apportioned on a regional basis, are chosen by the Prime Minister and formally appointed by the Governor General, and serve until age 75.

Canada's four major political parties are the Conservative Party of Canada Conservative Party of Canada

The Conservative Party of Canada, colloquially known as the "Tories [i]", is a right-of-centre [i] ... 

, Liberal Party of Canada Liberal Party of Canada

The Liberal Party of Canada, colloquially known as the Grits, is a Canadian [i] federal political party [i] ... 

, New Democratic Party