What is a Canadian?

During the twentieth century, there were many different types of people living in Canada, some in conflict with each other. There were the French-Canadians from the originally French colony of Quebec, the immigrants from Eastern Europe such as Ukraine and Russia, the Jewish immigrants from Europe who had fled from discriminatory governments. There were the Black Canadians who had escaped slavery, the white Canadians originally from British colonies, and the aboriginals, but what is a Canadian?

In the past, Canadians have not been quiet to share their distaste for immigrants, aboriginals, Jews, French-Canadians and black Canadians. In order to identify what a Canadian really is, it is important to look at the origins of Canada itself. Originally, two main world empires had established their colonies across Canada; the French, and the British. They fought for North American land in an attempt to control the fur trade in what is known as the Seven Years War. Britain eventually won, but enacted the Quebec Act, giving the French a right to live on the land and preserve their culture. This led to three types of Canadians already; the British, the French, and the Aboriginals who had previously lived on the land. As Canada developed it separated more and more from the British monarchy until it became its own independent country. Now Canada prides itself as a culturally diverse nation under the Queen. Because there are so many people living in Canada, the question is being asked, what makes someone a Canadian? Who really is a Canadian? To answer that question, in my opinion a Canadian is anyone with a legal citizenship and a love for syrup.