- The Canadian Culture -
Canadian Values Determine the Way of Life

The values of the Canadian culture embrace integrity, fairness, equality, and individual expression as fundamental to the Canadian way of living.

The Canadian way of living is very informal. Except for the most auspicious of occasions, the Canadian people like to live informally.

• hugging when greeting a friend is very common
• dress is casual, even in the workplace
• people address each other by first names
• a handshake is the normal form of greeting (for both genders) when introduced to someone new

The Canadian culture has a value of integrity. Canadians hold true to the belief that what you achieve in life should come from your own efforts and not as favours from others.

• cheating of any sort is frowned upon. In an education setting people who are found to be cheating on assignments or exams are expelled.
• it is a serious offense to even attempt to bribe a public official.
• if you make an error you are expected to admit to that mistake. If your error affected other people it is expected that you will apologize and try to make reparations.

The Canadian culture has a value of fairness.

• lining up to wait your turn is the norm in public offices, at the bank, or to get on public transport. This is sometimes called "queueing" and you may see signs that say "Start queueing here."


• a number system is often used when line-ups are expected. People will take a number and then wait for their number to be called in sequence.

The Canadian culture has a value of equality and all citizens expect the same opportunities and access to service regardless of age, gender, income, occupation, race, or sexual orientation.

• same sex marriages are legal.


• abortions are a legally insured health care service.


• human rights legislation exists in all provinces and territories to allow for enforcement of equal treatment under the law.


• children with disabilities attend regular schools.


• both parents are expected to participate in childcare and household duties.

The Canadian culture places a high value on personal privacy. There are laws that prevent the disclosure of private information of any sort.

• medical information cannot be disclosed, even to a family member, without the person's consent.


• private and public companies must have procedures in place to protect private information.


• individuals have the right to see information that public and private organizations have about them.

Canadian families have been changing rapidly in the last few decades.

• the divorce rate is almost at 50% and many couples live together and raise families without being legally married.


• Laws in most provinces now recognize a couple's legal status as common law after they have been together for a specific period of time usually one to two years.


• divorce can be requested by either partner and this request is normally approved by the courts as long as it is what both people in the marriage want.


• couples who are not legally married do not need to request a divorce if the relationship ends, however, if the couple is not in agreement over how to divide marital property or how to handle child custody then this would be settled through the court system.


• there are laws that provide for equal distribution of property between couples as long as that property was acquired as a couple.

The Canadian culture places a high value on individuality and individual expression.

• Canadian parents believe that their role is to prepare children who can live independently.


• Canadian children want to grow up to be different than their parents and to create a life that is uniquely their own and not a carbon copy of the life their parents led.


• public schools encourage personal expression of individuality and do not require uniforms.


• children are encouraged to express themselves, especially in the school system.


• Canadian parents would consider themselves unsuccessful in creating an independence in their offspring if the children were still living at home after their education was completed.


• one of the greatest fears of the elderly population is that they will become dependent on their children in later life.

The Canadian culture places a high value on peace and order.

• the Canadian constitution is based on the values of peace, order, and good government.


• gun control laws are in place. Canadian citizens see no reason for gun ownership outside of the sport of hunting.


• publicly run agencies such as schools, hospitals, and government offices have zero tolerance policies for harassment and abuse in the workplace.

It sounds like a great place to live doesn't it?

Canada is a great country and is highly rated as a desirable place to live.

Questions on the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam are more easily understood when the context of registered nurse practice is understood.

This explanation of some of the highlights of Canadian culture serves to provide a foundation for understanding the context of registered nurse practice in Canada.

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Read more about Canadian culture, symbols, and emblems

Read about the history of the Canadian flag.

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