Social mores and facts
The Canadian way of life is similar to that of other Western countries. The same applies to social life, which is similar to that of Western Europe, with a few exceptions.

Population
Canada today has a population of 38 million.
The population is multi-ethnic, with a majority of English and French speakers. There are also indigenous populations and immigrants from Asia and Europe.
57% of Canadians are of British origin, 21.7% are of French origin, followed by the Chinese community which represents the largest minority, followed by Italians, Germans, Spaniards, etc.
The Aboriginal Amerindian population represents 4.3% of the Canadian population.
As Canada is a multicultural country, behaviour and habits vary according to region and social background.

Language
Official language
English and French are the two official languages of Canada.
Quebec is French-speaking and French is also widely spoken in New Brunswick, eastern and northern Ontario and southern Manitoba. It’s French with a strong accent that you’ll have to get used to.
Also, the expressions are made up of old words, anglicisms and various neologisms. You may be a little confused at first: Quebecers say “bonjour” for goodbye, “bienvenue” for please, “char” for car, “breuvage” for drink… Be prepared to do a little terminology gymnastics that you will surely adopt!

Spoken language
English is the official language.
The various immigrant communities settled in Canada generally maintain an intermittent use of their language.
There are 4 main Aboriginal languages:
– Eskimo-Aleut (1 language) ;
– Iroquoian (6 languages);
– Algonquin (11 languages);
– Na-Dene (14 languages).

Religion
Canada is marked by great ethnic and religious diversity.
There is no official religion in Canada. The country advocates religious pluralism, although Christianity remains the most practiced religion. Its influence remains strong in some areas, notably in the organization of public holidays.
Canada recognizes the existence of God. The references in the preamble to the Constitution and in the national anthem in both the French and English versions bear witness to this.
Two-thirds of Canadians identify themselves as Christians: Catholics are the most numerous, followed by Protestants in the United Church of Canada. There are also Muslims, Orthodox, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Shiites and Aboriginal religions.
In Canada, religious indifference is up by 17%. Montreal, in particular, remains a city where a range of different cultures bubble up.

Rules for living in Canada
Behavior to adopt
Proud of their own identity and cultural richness, Canadians do not like to be compared to Americans.
Having good manners and respecting the rules of politeness are the first behaviors to adopt in Canada: say hello to others, smile, ask politely, be available to help others…
Try not to get angry and avoid complaining at the slightest personal dissatisfaction with poor service or when the metro doesn’t run. Canadians are peaceful people who do not like conflict situations. Always try to find a compromise when there is a problem.
When you go to a shop, the cinema or take a bus, stand in line.
At first glance, Canadians may seem cold and distant. This is just an impression. It’s a different culture and you’ll integrate gradually.
Avoid kissing a Canadian. Although Canadians are easy to talk to, they do not kiss each other. In Canadian culture, kissing is reserved for family and friends. Men never kiss each other, but women do.
In Canada, where service is rarely included, you should leave a tip of at least 15% of the amount of the bill before tax in restaurants, bars and hotels. Always leave 15% of the bill before tax to the waiter, baggage handler or chambermaid.

Rules of life in Canada: discussion
In Canada, people are less formal and more relaxed than in France. Be direct and get to the point in your discussions.
You can be on first-name terms with people without any problem while remaining polite and cordial. In fact, being on first-name terms is very common in French-speaking Canada, especially in restaurants and shops. So don’t be surprised if a salesperson or waiter says “hi” or “how are you?
If you are keen on political discussions, avoid as much as possible bringing up the issue of national sovereignty in Quebec, as this is a sensitive subject for Quebecers.

Rules for living in Canada: what not to do
– Throw rubbish on the ground;
– Walk in front of everyone else in a queue;
– Cross the road when the light is red;
– Crossing the road outside pedestrian crossings;
– drinking alcohol in a public place;
– expressing your affection too much in public;
– talking loudly and making big gestures;
– Comparing or confusing a Canadian with an American;
– Kissing a Canadian.

Rules of life in Canada: things to do
– Respect the rules: police, traffic regulations, etc.
– Be punctual for appointments. For Canadians, time is precious. Punctuality is therefore very important to them

– stand in line, like everyone else! Be patient in the queues…;
– leave a tip, minimum 15% of the bill before tax, in restaurants, bars and hotels;
– bring your own alcohol/drink when you are invited to a party at people’s homes;
– Respect the personal space of Canadians, which is larger than for Europeans;
– Take off your shoes when you enter someone’s home.