Multiculturalism & Canadian Identity

Canada was the first country in the world to make multiculturalism official government policy in 1971. Unlike the USA (Melting Pot — everyone merges into one identity), Canada follows the model of the "Cultural Mosaic": Each culture retains its identity and contributes as an equal piece to the overall picture.

The numbers speak for themselves: Over 20% of the population was born abroad (one of the highest rates worldwide). Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world — over half of the residents were not born in Canada, and over 200 languages are spoken. Vancouver has the highest proportion of Chinese residents outside Asia.

For travelers, this is a gift: In Toronto's Kensington Market, you can eat Jamaican patties next to Ethiopian injera, in Vancouver's Richmond, you'll find the best Cantonese cuisine in North America, and in Montréal's Mile End, Orthodox Jews, Portuguese families, and hipster start-ups coexist on the same street.

🏒 Hockey — the True Religion

If there's one thing that unites all Canadians — anglophone, francophone, indigenous, immigrant — it's ice hockey. Hockey is not just a sport in Canada — it is the national identity. Every child learns to skate before they can properly walk. The NHL season (October–June) dictates social life: When the Toronto Maple Leafs play, the bars are full. When the Montréal Canadiens play, the city comes to a standstill.

Experiencing an NHL game live — the speed, the intensity, the atmosphere — is one of the most intense sports experiences ever. Tickets: from 50 CAD (regular season), from 30 CAD for AHL games (second league). Tip: The Montréal Canadiens at the Centre Bell offer the most legendary atmosphere (but also the most expensive tickets).