The Very Short Introductions Podcast Canada – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 27
Apr 22, 2021
Donald Wright, Professor of Political Science at the University of New Brunswick, discusses the complexity of Canada as not just one nation but three distinct ones: English Canada, Quebec, and First Nations. He explores Canada's vast geography against its relatively small population and highlights its rich linguistic diversity, with Toronto schools speaking 126 languages. Wright also delves into the themes of bilingualism, multiculturalism, and Indigenous agency, emphasizing a plural approach to Canadian history that includes everyday figures and significant literary voices.
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Episode notes
Vast Country, Small Population
- Canada is enormous in land but small in population, stretching six time zones across 10 million km².
- The country’s scale complicates simple generalizations about its identity and politics.
Everyday Multilingual Diversity
- Canada is highly diverse linguistically and culturally, with many first languages beyond English and French.
- Toronto public schools alone record 126 different languages, illustrating everyday multicultural reality.
Charter Embeds Pluralism
- Canada enshrines bilingualism and multiculturalism in its Charter of Rights and Freedoms as policy and value.
- The Charter uniquely includes multiculturalism and protects French language education rights.
