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Canadian Army
200px Badge of the Canadian Army
Active	1867 — Present
Country	Canada
Allegiance	Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada
Type	Army
Size	35,500 total personnel Land Force Atlantic Area Land Force Quebec Area Land Force Central Area Land Force Western Area
Part of	Department of National Defence Canadian Forces
Headquarters	National Defence Headquarters
Motto	Vigilamus pro Te (We Stand on Guard for Thee)
March	"Celer Paratus Callidus"
Engagements	Wolseley Expedition Second Boer War World War I World War II Korean War October Crisis Persian Gulf War Oka crisis War in Afghanistan
Commanders
Chief of the Defence Staff	General Walter Natynczyk CMM, MSC, CD
Commander, Canadian Army	Lieutenant-General Peter J. Devlin, CMM, MSC, CD
Deputy Commander	Major-General A.J. Howard, CD
Insignia
Flag of the Canadian Army

The Canadian Army (French: Armée canadienne) is the branch of the Canadian Forces responsible for land warfare. In 2011, the Army comprised 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers.^[1] It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada and is also responsible for the largest component of the Primary Reserve, the Army Reserve. The Commander Canadian Army is Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin.

The term "Canadian Army" has been traditionally applied to the land forces of Canada's military from Confederation in 1867 to the present. However, the name Canadian Army was only officially used beginning in 1940. In 1965, as a precursor to the unification of the navy, army, and air force, all army units were placed under a new entity called Mobile Command. In 1968 the Canadian Army ceased to exist as a legal entity as the navy, army, and air force were merged to form a single service called the Canadian Forces. Mobile Command was renamed Land Force Command in a 1993 reorganization of the Canadian Forces. In August 2011, Land Force Command reverted to the pre-1968 title, the Canadian Army.^[2]

History[link]

Prior to Confederation in 1867, the British Army, which included Canadian militia units, defended Canada in wartime. After 1867, a Permanent Active Militia was formed, and in later decades several regular bodies of troops were created, their descendants becoming the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and the Royal Canadian Regiment. Regular Canadian troops participated in the North West Rebellion in 1885, the South African War (Second Boer War) in 1899, and, in much larger numbers, constituted the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I.

In 1940, during World War II, the Permanent Active Militia was renamed the Canadian Army (Active), supplemented by the non-permanent militia, which was named the Canadian Army (Reserve). The Army participated in the Korean War and formed part of the NATO presence in West Germany during the Cold War. In the years following its unification with the navy and air force in 1968, the size of Canada's land forces was reduced, but Canadian troops participated in a number of military actions with Canada's allies, including the Gulf War in 1991 and the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, as well as peacekeeping operations under United Nations auspices in various parts of the world.

Notably, despite Canada's usual strong support of British and American initiatives, Canada's land forces did not directly participate in the Vietnam War or the Iraq War.

Structure[link]

Command of the Army is exercised by National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. The Army is divided into four regional command areas:

• Land Force Atlantic Area
• Land Force Quebec Area
• Land Force Central Area
• Land Force Western Area

Each area is responsible for the regular army and reserve forces located within its geographical purview. All except Land Force Atlantic Area has a regular army mechanized brigade group under its command, together with between two and three reserve brigades.

Each mechanized brigade group contains three infantry battalions, an armoured regiment, an artillery regiment, and a combat engineer regiment. Each brigade group also contains a service support battalion, signals squadron and military police platoon.

In addition to the four regional command areas, the Land Force Doctrine and Training System, commanded by a major-general and headquartered at McNaughton Barracks, CFB Kingston, Ontario, is responsible for the supervision, integration and delivery of Army training and doctrine development, including simulation and digitization. It includes a number of schools and training organizations, such as the Combat Training Centre at CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick, and the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre at CFB Wainwright, Alberta.^[3]

Leadership[link]

The senior appointment within Canadian Land Forces was entitled Chief of the General Staff until 1964 when the appointment became Commander, Mobile Command with the unification of Canada's military forces.^[4] The position was renamed Chief of the Land Staff in 1993.^[5] Following the renaming of the Canadian Army in 2011, the position became Commander Canadian Army.

Officers are selected in several ways:

• The Regular Officer Training Plan, where candidates are educated at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) or at civilian Canadian universities.
• Direct Entry officer Plan, for those who already hold a university degree or technology diploma.
• Continuing Education Officer Training Plan, addresses shortages in certain officer occupations, and is intended to attract candidates who are otherwise qualified for service as officers, but who lack a degree. Candidates complete their degrees while serving in the Army.^[6]
• University Training Plan (Non-Commissioned Members), designed to develop selected serving non-commissioned members for service as career officers in the Regular Force. Normally, candidates selected for this plan will attend RMC or a civilian university in Canada.^[7]
• Commissioning From the Ranks Plan, provides officers to augment the number of officers commissioned through other plans and applies exclusively to those who have acquired some military experience and possess the necessary qualities that make them suitable for employment as officers.^[8]
• Special Requirements Commissioning Plan, is designed to meet the needs of the officer occupations. It allows the Canadian Forces to profit from the skills and experience of senior non-commissioned members and may provide an opportunity for career advancement for selected deserving Chief Warrant Officers.^[9]
• Subsidized special education, which includes the Medical Officer Training Plan or Dental Officer Training Plan.^[10]

In addition there were other commissioning plans such as the Officer Candidate Training Plan and Officer Candidate Training Plan (Men) for commissioning serving members which are no longer in effect.

Occupational training for Canadian Army officers takes place at one of the schools of the Combat Training Centre for Army-controlled occupations (Armour, Artillery, Infantry, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, etc.) or at a Canadian Forces school, such as the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics or the Defence Public Affairs Learning Centre for officers from career fields controlled outside the Army.

Regular force[link]

Canadian infantry and armoured regimental traditions are strongly rooted in the traditions and history of the British Army. Many regiments were patterned after regiments of the British Army, and a system of official "alliances", or affiliations, was created to perpetuate a sense of shared history. Other regiments developed independently, resulting in a mixture of both colourful and historically familiar names. Other traditions such as battle honours and colours have been maintained by Canadian regiments as well. Approximately two-thirds of the Regular Force is composed of anglophone units, while one third is francophone.

Reserve infantrymen train in urban operations circa 2004. Reserve training focuses on real world situations and the needs of the Regular Force who rely on the Reserves for augmentation on operational deployments.

Between 1953 and 1971, the regular Canadian infantry consisted of seven regiments, each of two battalions (except the Royal 22^e Régiment, which had three, the Canadian Guards which had four battalions between 1953 and 1957 and the Canadian Airborne Regiment, which was divided into three "commandos"). The three present regular infantry regiments were augmented by three further regiments each of two battalions:

• The Canadian Guards
• The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
• The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada

Following the unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968, the Regular Force battalions of the QOR and the Black Watch were dissolved (their Militia battalions remained in Toronto and Montreal, respectively), the Regular regiment of The Fort Garry Horse was disbanded and the Canadian Guards were reduced to nil strength.

The 1st Battalion of the Canadian Guards was disbanded on 1 October 1968. On 6 July 1970, the 2nd Battalion The Canadian Guards was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle, with the unit's soldiers and officers becoming the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.

On 1 July 1970, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada were reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle, and the Reserve Force battalion automatically relinquished its numerical designation.

On 15 September 1968, the 2nd Battalion the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle, while when the 1st Battalion was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle on 27 April 1970, with the unit's officers and soldiers forming the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. The Reserve Force battalion automatically relinquished its numerical designation at that time.

The Canadian Airborne Regiment was disbanded in 1995.^[11]

The Regular Force regiment of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's), formed in 1957, was converted to a mixed Regular and Reserve “Total Force” unit with the close-out of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Lahr, Germany in 1994, before reverting to a Reserve regiment in 1997.^[12]

The regular forces currently consist of the following regiments:

Infantry[link]

Regular Force infantry regiments and battalions of the Canadian Army are:

1. The Royal Canadian Regiment
   • 1st Battalion (CFB Petawawa) – mechanized infantry
   • 2nd Battalion (CFB Gagetown) – mechanized infantry
   • 3rd Battalion (CFB Petawawa) – light infantry and parachute company
2. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
   • 1st Battalion (CFB Edmonton) – mechanized infantry
   • 2nd Battalion (CFB Shilo) – mechanized infantry
   • 3rd Battalion (CFB Edmonton) – light infantry and parachute company
3. Royal 22^e Régiment
   • 1^er Bataillon (CFB Valcartier) – mechanized infantry
   • 2^e Bataillon (Quebec City) – mechanized infantry
   • 3^e Bataillon (CFB Valcartier) – light infantry and parachute company

Artillery[link]

Canada's regular field artillery has traditionally been called the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Canada currently has four Regular Force regiments:

• 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (CFB Shilo)
• 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (CFB Petawawa)
• 5^e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada (CFB Valcartier)
• 4th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (CFB Gagetown)

Armour[link]

Regular Force units include:

• The Royal Canadian Dragoons – CFB Petawawa, Ontario
• Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) – CFB Edmonton, Alberta
• 12^e Régiment blindé du Canada – CFB Valcartier and Trois-Rivières, Quebec

Combat engineers[link]

• 1 Combat Engineer Regiment – CFB Edmonton, Alberta
• 2 Combat Engineer Regiment – CFB Petawawa, Ontario
• 4 Engineer Support Regiment – CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick
• 5 Combat Engineer Regiment – CFB Valcartier, Quebec

Electronic warfare[link]

Canadian officers inspect a Browning Hi-Power

• 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment – CFB Kingston, Ontario
  • 2 Electronic Warfare Squadron (Regular)
  • 772 Electronic Warfare Squadron (Reserve)

Reserve force units[link]

A Canadian soldier fires the current issue C7A2 rifle at the range with a C79A2 sight. This particular example is missing the standard TRIAD mount.

1. Land Force Atlantic Area
   • 36 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 36 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
     • 36 Canadian Brigade Group (NS) Band (music)
     • The Halifax Rifles (RCAC) (armoured) (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
     • The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC) (armoured) (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)
     • 1st (Halifax-Dartmouth) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (artillery) (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
     • 84th Independent Field Battery, RCA (artillery) (Yarmouth, Nova Scotia)
     • 45 Engineer Squadron (combat engineer) (Sydney, Nova Scotia)
     • The Princess Louise Fusiliers (light infantry) (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
     • The West Nova Scotia Regiment (light infantry) (Aldershot, Nova Scotia)
     • The Nova Scotia Highlanders (light infantry) (Truro, Nova Scotia)
     • The Cape Breton Highlanders (light infantry) (Sydney, Nova Scotia)
     • 36 Service Battalion (service and support) (Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia)
   • 37 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 37 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
     • 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) (armoured) (Moncton, New Brunswick)
     • 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (artillery) (Saint John, New Brunswick)
     • 56 Engineer Squadron (combat engineer) (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)
     • 1st Battalion, The Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton and York) (light infantry) (Fredericton, New Brunswick)
     • 2nd Battalion, The Royal New Brunswick Regiment (North Shore) (light infantry) (Bathurst, New Brunswick)
     • 1st Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment (light infantry) (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)
     • 2nd Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment (light infantry) (Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador)
     • 37 Service Battalion (service and support) (Saint John, New Brunswick and St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)
   • 72 Communications Group - Halifax, Nova Scotia
     • 721 Communication Regiment (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)
     • 722 Communication Squadron (Saint John, New Brunswick)
     • 723 Communication Squadron (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
     • 724 Communication Squadron - active unit (Oromocto, New Brunswick)
     • 725 Communication Squadron (Glace Bay, Nova Scotia)
     • 728 Communication Squadron (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)
   • 5 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador)
   • 3 Intelligence Company (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
   • 3 Military Police Regiment (Canada) Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
2. Land Force Quebec Area
   • 34 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 34 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters (Montreal)
     • The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) (Armoured) (Montreal)
     • Le Régiment de Hull (RCAC) (Armoured) (Hull)
     • 4^e Bataillon, Royal 22^e Régiment (Light Infantry) (Laval)
     • 6^e Bataillon, Royal 22^e Régiment (Light Infantry) (Saint-Hyacinthe)
     • Le Régiment de Maisonneuve (Light Infantry) (Montreal)
     • Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal (Light Infantry) (Montreal)
     • The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada (Light Infantry) (Montreal)
     • The Canadian Grenadier Guards (Light Infantry) (Westmount)
     • The Canadian Grenadier Guards (Light Infantry) (Montreal)
     • The Royal Montreal Regiment (Light Infantry) (Westmount)
     • 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Montreal)
     • 34 Combat Engineer Regiment (Combat Engineer) (Westmount)
     • 34 Service Battalion (Service and Support) (Saint-Hubert)
     • 34th Signals Regiment (Montreal) Signals (Support) (Montreal)
   • 35 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 35 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
     • Sherbrooke Hussars (Armoured) (Sherbrooke)
     • 12^e Régiment blindé du Canada (Militia) (armoured) (Trois-Rivières)
     • Le Régiment de la Chaudière (Light Infantry) (Lévis)
     • Le Régiment du Saguenay (Light Infantry) (Chicoutimi)
     • Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke (Light Infantry) (Sherbrooke)
     • Les Fusiliers du Saint-Laurent (Light Infantry) (Rimouski)
     • Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Light Infantry) (Quebec City)
     • 6^e Régiment d'artillerie de Campagne, ARC (Artillery) (Lévis)
     • 62^e Régiment d'artillerie de campagne, ARC (Artillery) (Shawinigan)
     • 35 Combat Engineer Regiment (Combat Engineer) (Quebec City)
     • 35 (Quebec) Service Battalion (Service and Support) (Quebec City)
   • 71^e Communications Group (Montreal)
     • 712 Communication Squadron - Montreal
     • 713 Communication Regiment - Beaport
     • 714 Communication Squadron - Sherbrooke
   • 2 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group - Richelain
   • 4 Intelligence Company - Montreal
3. Land Force Central Area
   • 31 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 31 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters (London, Ontario)
     • 1st Hussars (Armoured) (London and Sarnia, Ontario)
     • The Windsor Regiment (Armoured) (Windsor, Ontario)
     • The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment) (Light Infantry) (Hamilton, Ontario)
     • The Lincoln and Welland Regiment (Light Infantry) (St. Catharines and Welland, Ontario)
     • 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (Light Infantry) (London and Stratford, Ontario)
     • The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada (Light Infantry) (Cambridge and Kitchener, Ontario)
     • The Essex and Kent Scottish (Light Infantry) (Windsor and Chatham, Ontario)
     • The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) (Light Infantry) (Hamilton, Ontario)
     • 11th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Guelph and Hamilton, Ontario)
     • 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Brantford,St. Catharines and Simcoe Ontario)
     • 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins) (Combat Engineer) (St. Thomas and Waterloo, Ontario)
     • 31 Service Battalion (Service and Support) (Windsor, London and Hamilton, Ontario)
   • 32 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters (Toronto)
     • The Governor General's Horse Guards (Armoured) (Toronto)
     • The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) RCAC (Armoured) (Toronto and Aurora, Ontario)
     • The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (Light Infantry) (Toronto (Downtown and Scarborough), Ontario)
     • The Royal Regiment of Canada (Light Infantry) (Toronto, Ontario)
     • The Grey and Simcoe Foresters (Light Infantry (Owen Sound and Barrie, Ontario)
     • The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment) (Light Infantry) (Brampton, Oakville and Georgetown, Ontario)
     • 48th Highlanders of Canada (Light Infantry) (Toronto, Ontario)
     • The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Own) (Light Infantry) (Toronto, Ontario)
     • 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Toronto, Ontario)
     • 32 Combat Engineer Regiment (Combat Engineer) (Toronto, Ontario)
     • 32 (Toronto) Service Battalion (Service and Support) (Toronto, Ontario)
   • 33 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 33 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters (Ottawa, Ontario)
     • The Ontario Regiment (RCAC) (Armoured) (Oshawa, Ontario)
     • Governor General's Foot Guards (Light Infantry) (Ottawa, Ontario)
     • The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment (Light Infantry) (Kingston, Ontario)
     • The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (Light Infantry) (Belleville, Peterborough and Cobourg, Ontario)
     • The Brockville Rifles (Light Infantry) (Brockville, Ontario)
     • Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (Light Infantry) (Cornwall, Ontario)
     • The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Light Infantry) (Ottawa, Ontario)
     • The Algonquin Regiment (Light Infantry) (North Bay and Timmins, Ontario)
     • 2nd Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada (Light Infantry) (Sudbury, Ontario)
     • 30th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Ottawa, Ontario)
     • 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Sault Ste Marie, Ontario)
     • 1st Air Defence Regiment (Lanark & Renfrew Scottish), RCA (Air Defence Artillery) (Pembroke, Ontario)
     • 33 Combat Engineer Regiment (Combat Engineer) (Ottawa, Ontario)
     • 33 Service Battalion (Service and Support) (North Bay, Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie Ontario)
   • 2 Operational Support Group (Toronto, Ontario)
     • 700 Communication Squadron (Borden, Ontario)
     • 705 Communication Squadron (Hamilton, Ontario)
     • 709 Communication Regiment (Toronto, Ontario)
     • 763 communication Regiment (Ottawa, Ontario)
     • 772 Electronic Warfare Squadron (Kingston, Ontario)
   • 3 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (Borden, Ontario)
   • 2 Intelligence Company (Toronto, Ontario)
   • 2 Intelligence Platoon (Ottawa, Ontario)
4. Land Force Western Area
   • 38 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 38 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
     • The Saskatchewan Dragoons (Armoured) (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan)
     • The Fort Garry Horse (Armoured) (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
     • The Royal Regina Rifles (Light Infantry) (Regina, Saskatchewan)
     • The North Saskatchewan Regiment (Light Infantry) (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
     • The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (Light Infantry) (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
     • The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment (Light Infantry) (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
     • The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada (Light Infantry) (Winnipeg)
     • 10th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Regina, Saskatchewan)
     • 26th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Brandon, Manitoba)
     • 116th Independent Field Battery (Artillery) (Kenora, Ontario)
     • 38 Signals Regiment (Communications) (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thunder Bay, Ontario and Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan)
     • 38 Service Battalion (Service and Support) (Regina, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, Manitoba and Thunder Bay, Ontario)
   • 39 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 39 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters (Vancouver, British Columbia)
     • The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) (Armoured) (Vancouver, British Columbia)
     • The British Columbia Dragoons (Armoured) (Kelowna, British Columbia)
     • The Rocky Mountain Rangers (Light Infantry) (Kamloops, British Columbia)
     • The Royal Westminster Regiment (Light Infantry) (New Westminster, British Columbia)
     • The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (Light Infantry) (Vancouver, British Columbia)
     • The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) (Light Infantry) (Victoria, British Columbia)
     • 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Victoria, British Columbia)
     • 15th Field Regiment, RCA (Artillery) (Vancouver, British Columbia)
     • 39 Combat Engineer Regiment (Combat Engineer) (Vancouver, Chilliwack and Trail, British Columbia)
     • 39 Signals Regiment (Communications) (Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo, British Columbia)^[13]
     • 39 Service Battalion (Service and Support) (Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia)
   • 41 Canadian Brigade Group
     • 41 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters (Calgary, Alberta)
     • The South Alberta Light Horse (Armoured) (Edmonton and Medicine Hat, Alberta)
     • The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) (Armoured) (Calgary, Alberta)
     • The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) (Light Infantry) (Edmonton, Alberta, and Yellowknife, N.W.T.)
     • The Calgary Highlanders (Light Infantry) (Calgary, Alberta)
     • 20th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (Artillery) (Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta)
     • 20th Independent Field Battery, RCA (Artillery) (Lethbridge, Alberta)
     • 41 Combat Engineer Regiment (Combat Engineer) (Edmonton, Alberta)
     • 41 Signals Regiment (Communications) (Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer, Alberta)
     • 41 Service Battalion (Service and Support) (Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta)
   • 73 Communications Group
     • 731 Communication Squadron - Active Unit (CFB Shilo)
     • 742 Communication Squadron - Active Unit (CFB Edmonton)
   • 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (Victoria, British Columbia)
   • 6 Intelligence Company (Edmonton, Alberta, Vancouver, British Columbia and Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Army bases and training centres[link]

This section requires expansion.

Equipment[link]

This section requires expansion.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2010)

Canada is an industrial nation with a highly developed science and technology sector. Since the First World War, Canada has produced its own infantry fighting vehicle, anti-tank guided missile and small arms for the Army. Regular and reserve units operate state-of-the-art equipment able to handle modern threats through 2030–2035. Despite extensive financial cuts to the defence budget between 1960s–2000s, the Army is relatively well equipped.^[14] The Army currently operates approximatively 10,500 utility vehicles including G-wagon and 7000-MV and also operates approximately 2,700 armoured fighting vehicles including the LAV-III and the Leopard 2.^[15] The Army also operates approximatively 150 field artillery pieces including the M777 howitzer and the LG1 Mark II.^[16]

Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle from the 12^e Régiment blindé du Canada

In the near future between 2011 to 2017 (see also the list of Future Canadian Forces projects), the Army will receive a new family of combat vehicles including 138 close combat vehicles meant to accompany the main battle tank into combat and to increase combat capabilities of Army. Army will also receive a new family of tactical armoured patrol vehicles which will eventually replace the RG-31 Nyala and Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle. The dismounted soldiers will be equipped with the long-awaited Integrated Soldier System designed to improve command execution, target acquisition and situational awareness. Army will receive a new family of engineering vehicles especially designed to clear pathways for troops and other vehicles through minefields and along roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices. This new family of vehicles will eventually replace the aging fleet of AEV Badger, ARV Taurus and AVLB Beaver.

Army infantry uses the C7 Rifle or C8 Carbine as the basic assault rifle, with grenadiers using the C7 with an attached M203 grenade launcher, and the C9 squad automatic weapon. Newer variants of the C7/C8 family have since been integrated into common use throughout the Canadian Forces. The C7 has most recently been updated in the form the C7A2. The major internal components remain the same, however, several changes have been made to increase versatility of the rifle. Changes include adding a TRI-Ad rail mount system to the front iron sight which allows accessories such as laser designators and tac lights to be added. Also, the fire control selector lever has been made ambidextrous in addition to the cocking lever. A much needed 4-position telescopic butt-stock has been added to better accommodate different sized shooters. But, perhaps most obviously the rifle has undergone some aesthetic changes, moving away from the traditional all black rifle to one with olive green in the hand guards, pistol grip and sight cover.^[17]

Uniforms, load bearing and protective equipment[link]

Canada's battledress developed parallel to that of the British from 1900 to 1968, though always with significant differences, and then increasingly followed the American pattern of separate uniforms for separate functions, becoming distinctively "Canadian" in the process. Prior to unification in 1968, the uniforms of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) were similar to their counterparts in the forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, save for national identifiers and some regimental accoutrements. With unification in 1968 all branches started wearing a new rifle green coloured service uniform. The present distinctive environmental uniforms in different colours for the navy, army and air force were introduced in the late 1980s and have a different cut and colour than their pre-1968 counterparts.

Soldiers from the Royal Canadian Regiment

Meals[link]

Field kitchens and catering are used to feed members of the Canadian Army personnel at bases and overseas operation centres. For personnel on patrol away from bases, they are supplied Individual Meal Pack.The IMP (Individual Meal Pack) is used by the Canadian Forces and Canadian cadets. Other types of rations are used by the Canadian Forces, notably fresh rations, or cooked meals provided directly from the kitchen or by haybox. There are also patrol packs, which are small high-protein snack-type foods (such as beef jerky or shredded cheese) and boxed lunches (consisting of assorted sandwiches, juice, fruit, pasta and a dessert) provided for soldiers to consume in situations in which meal preparation is not possible.

Rank structure[link]

Comparison of ranking structure available at Ranks and insignia of NATO. Not shown are the various appointment badges for specialist positions such as master gunner, drum major, etc. Many ranks are associated with specific appointments; for example a regimental sergeant major is usually a chief warrant officer. The title of master corporal also, technically, refers to an appointment and not a rank. Some ranks may have different names depending on the customary tradition of certain army corps, and may not appear here. Two commonly heard examples are the rank of Sapper, referring to a trained private in the combat engineers, and Trooper, referring to a trained private in the armoured trade. In addition, in the artillery, the ranks Trained Private through Master Corporal are represented by Gunner, Bombardier, and Master Bombardier respectively.

Insignia[link]

Commander-in-Chief

Commander-in-Chief

Officers

NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D)	Student Officer
Canada	No Equivalent	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant	No Equivalent	Officer Cadet
		Général	Lieutenant-général	Major-général	Brigadier-général	Colonel	Lieutenant-colonel	Major	Capitaine	Lieutenant	Sous-lieutenant		Élève-Officier

Non-Commissioned

NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4		OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Canada	50px
	Chief Warrant Officer						Master Warrant Officer		Warrant Officer		Sergeant						Master Corporal						Corporal		Private						Private Recruit
	Adjudant- chef						Adjudant- maître		Adjudant		Sergent						Caporal- chef						Caporal		Soldat						Soldat Recrue

Battles involving the Canadian Army[link]

The Canadian Army has participated in the following campaigns as a combatant:

Note: The Canadian army was involved in the battle of the Medak Pocket, but actual type of involvement is under dispute

Publications[link]

• Canadian Military Journal
• Canadian Army Journal

See also[link]

Canadian Armed Forces portal

• History of the Canadian Army
• Canadian Forces
• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
• Regimental nicknames of the Canadian Forces
• Intelligence Branch (Canadian Forces)
• Permanent Active Militia
• Non-Permanent Active Militia
• Primary Reserve

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Canadian Forces Army

• Canadian Army Website - Official website of the Canadian Army
• Faces of War: The Canadian Army at Library and Archives Canada
• army.ca - Army.ca a web forum and interactive wiki dealing with both current and historical issues related to the Canadian Army.
• Battle Honours in the Canadian Army by J.R. Grodzinski
• Canadiansoldiers.com

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Canadians

1st row: Shanawdithit, Aatsista-Mahkan, Louis Riel, Sir John A. Macdonald, Lester B. Pearson 2nd row: Celine Dion, Thomas D'Arcy McGee, John Diefenbaker, Linda Evangelista, Patrick Chan 3rd row: Russell Peters, Cassie Steele, Michaëlle Jean, David Suzuki, Tommy Douglas
Total population
Canada 34,839,000 (Est.[Note 1])
Regions with significant populations
United States 1,003,850 [1] Hong Kong 200,000 [1] United Kingdom 72,518 [1] Taiwan 52,500 [1] Lebanon 45,000 [1] People's Republic of China 20,000 [1] Australia 27,289 [1] Italy 23,487 [1] France 18,913 [1] Greece 12,477 [1] Egypt 10,000 [1] South Korea 8,763 [1] Mexico 7,943 [2] New Zealand 7,770 [1] Switzerland 7,519 [1] Philippines 7,500 [1] Portugal 7,326 [1] Japan 7,067 [1] Netherlands 8,427 [1] Belgium 4,145 [1] Norway 2,290 [1] Ireland 4,081 [1] Spain 3,810 [1] Denmark 2,752 [1] Sweden 2,742 [3]
Languages
Official languages are English (Canadian English) and French (Canadian French). Numerous indigenous American languages are also recognized.
Religion
Multiple denominations

Canadians (singular Canadian) are the people who are identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be genetic, residential, legal, historical, cultural or ethnic. For most Canadians, several (frequently all) of those types of connections exist and are the source(s) of them being considered Canadians.

Aside from the Aboriginal peoples, who according to the 2006 Canadian Census numbered 1,172,790, 3.8% of the country's total population,^[4] the majority of the population is made up of Old World immigrants and their descendants. After the initial period of French and then British colonization, different waves (or peaks) of immigration and settlement of non-aboriginal peoples took place over the course of nearly two centuries and continues today. Elements of Aboriginal, French, British and more recent immigrant customs, languages and religions have combined to form the culture of Canada and thus a Canadian identity. Canada has also been strongly influenced by that of its linguistic, geographic and economic neighbour, the United States.

Canadian independence grew gradually over the course of many years since the formation of the Canadian Confederation in 1867. World War I and World War II in particular gave rise to a desire amongst Canadians to have their country recognized as a fully-fledged sovereign state with a distinct citizenship. Legislative independence was established with the passage of the Statute of Westminster 1931, the Canadian Citizenship Act of 1946 took effect on January 1, 1947, and full sovereignty was achieved with the patriation of the constitution in 1982. Canada's nationality law closely mirrored that of the United Kingdom. Legislation since the mid 20th century represents Canadians' commitment to multilateralism and socioeconomic development.

Population[link]

Canadians make up 0.5% of the world's total population,^2010[5] having relied upon immigration for population growth and social development.^[6] Approximately 41% of current Canadians are first or second generation immigrants,^[7] meaning one out of every five Canadians currently living in Canada was not born in the country.^[8] Statistics Canada projects that, by 2031, nearly one-half of Canadians above the age of 15 will be foreign-born or have one foreign-born parent.^[9]

Immigration[link]

The French originally settled New France in present-day Quebec and Ontario, during the early part of the 17th century.^[10] Approximately 100 Irish-born families would settle the Saint Lawrence Valley by 1700, assimilating into the Canadien population and culture.^[11][12] The French also settled the Acadian peninsula alongside a smaller number of other European merchants, who collectively became the Acadians.^[13] During the 18th and 19th century; immigration westward (to the area known as Rupert's Land) was carried out by French settlers (Coureur des bois) working for the North West Company, and by British (English and Scottish) settlers representing the Hudson's Bay Company.^[14] This led to the creation of the Métis, an ethnic group of mixed European and First Nations parentage.^[15]

The British conquest of New France was proceeded by small number of Germans and Swedes who settled alongside the Scottish in Port Royal, Nova Scotia, while some Irish immigrated to the Colony of Newfoundland.^[16] In the wake of the 1775 invasion of Canada by the newly-formed Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, approximately 60,000 United Empire Loyalist fled to British North America, a large portion of whom migrated to New Brunswick.^[17] After the War of 1812, British (included British army regulars), Scottish and Irish immigration was encouraged throughout Rupert's Land, Upper Canada and Lower Canada.^[18]

Between 1815 and 1850 some 800,000 immigrants came to the colonies of British North America, mainly from the British Isles as part of the great migration of Canada.^[19] These included some Gaelic-speaking Highland Scots displaced by the Highland Clearances to Nova Scotia.^[20] The Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s significantly increased the pace of Irish immigration to Prince Edward Island and the Province of Canada, with over 35,000 distressed individuals landing in Toronto in 1847 and 1848.^[21][22] Beginning in late 1850s, Chinese immigrants into the Colony of Vancouver Island and Colony of British Columbia peaked with the onset of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush.^[23] The Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 eventually placed a head tax on all Chinese immigrants, in hopes of discouraging Chinese immigration after completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway.^[24]

The population of Canada has consistently risen, doubling approximately every 40 years, since the establishment of the Canadian Confederation in 1867.^[25] From the mid to late 19th century Canada had a policy of assisting immigrants from Europe, including an estimated 100,000 unwanted "Home Children" from Britain.^[26] Block settlement communities were established throughout western Canada between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some were planned and other were spontaneously created by the settlers themselves.^[27] Canada was now receiving a large amount of European immigrants predominately Italians, Germans, Scandinavians, Dutch and Ukrainians.^[28]

100,000 +

50,000 - 99,999

20,000 - 49,999

10,000 - 19,999

Legislative restrictions on immigration (such as the Continuous journey regulation and Chinese Immigration Act) that had favoured British and other European immigrants were amended in the 1960s, opening the doors to immigrants from all parts of the world.^[29] While the 1950s had still seen high levels of immigration by Europeans, by the 1970s immigrants increasingly were Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Jamaican and Haitian.^[30] During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Canada received many American Vietnam War draft dissenters.^[31] Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s Canada's growing Pacific trade brought with it a large influx of South Asians, that tended to settle in British Columbia.^[32]

In 2009, Canada received 252,179 "permanent residents" - the top ten source countries were China (29,049), the Philippines (27,277), India (26,122), the United States (9,723), the United Kingdom (9,566), France (7,300), Pakistan (6,214), Iran (6,065), South Korea (5,864), and Morocco (5,222).^[33] These countries were followed closely by Algeria (4,785), United Arab Emirates (4,640), and Iraq (4,567) with Sri Lanka, Colombia, and Germany each contributing over 4,000 individuals.^[33] Immigrants of all backgrounds tend to settle in the major urban centres.^[34][35]

The majority of illegal immigrants come from the southern provinces of the People's Republic of China, with Asia as a whole, Eastern Europe, Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East all contributing to the illegal population.^[36] Estimates of illegal immigrants range between 35,000 and 120,000.^[37] A 2008 report by the Auditor General of Canada Sheila Fraser, stated that Canada has lost track of approximately 41,000 illegal immigrants whose visas have expired.^[38]

Citizenship[link]

Members of the first official Canadian Citizenship ceremony held at the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa,
3 January 1947

Canadian citizenship is typically obtained by birth in Canada, birth abroad when at least one parent is a Canadian citizen and was born in Canada, or by adoption abroad by at least one Canadian citizen.^[39] It can also be granted to a permanent resident who lives in Canada for three out of four years and meets specific requirements.^[39] Canada established its own nationality law in 1946 with the enactment of the Canadian Citizenship Act, which took effect on January 1, 1947.^[40] The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, was passed by the Parliament of Canada in 2001 as Bill C-11, which replaced the Immigration Act of 1976 as the primary federal legislation regulating immigration.^[41] Prior to the conferring of legal status on Canadian citizenship, Canada's naturalization laws consisted of a multitude of Acts beginning with the Immigration Act of 1910.^[42]

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada there are three main classifications for immigrants: Family class (closely related persons of Canadian residents), Economic class (admitted on the basis of a point system that account for age, health and labour-market skills required for cost effectively inducting the immigrants into Canada's labour market) and Refugee class (those seeking protection by applying to remain in the country by way of the Canadian immigration and refugee law).^[43] In 2008, there were 65,567 immigrants in the family class, 21,860 refugees, and 149,072 economic immigrants amongst the 247,243 total immigrants to the country.^[7] Canada resettles over one in 10 of the world’s refugees^[44] and has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world.^[45]

The majority of Canadian citizens live in Canada; however, there are approximately 2,800,000 Canadians abroad as of November 1, 2009.^[46] This represents about 7.5% of the total Canadian population. Of those abroad the United States, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, China, and Lebanon have the largest Canadian diaspora. Canadians in United States are the greatest single expatriate community at over 1 million in 2009, representing 35.8% of all Canadians abroad.^[47] Under current Canadian law, Canada does not restrict dual citizenship but Passport Canada encourages its citizens to travel abroad on their Canadian passport, so they can access Canadian consular services.^[48]

Ethnic ancestry[link]

Canada has thirty four ethnic groups with at least one hundred thousand members each, of which eleven have over 1,000,000 people and numerous others are represented in smaller amounts.^{[Note 2]} According to the 2006 census, the largest self-reported ethnic origin is Canadian/Canadien (32%),^{[Note 3]} followed by English (21%), French (15.8%), Scottish (15.1%), Irish (13.9%), German (10.2%), Italian (4.6%), Chinese (4.3%), North American Indian (4.0%),^{[Note 4]} Ukrainian (3.9%), and Dutch (Netherlands) (3.3%).^[49] In the 2006 census, over five million Canadians identified themselves as a member of a visible minority. Together, they make up 16.2% of the total population: most numerous among these are South Asian (4.0%), Black (2.5%), and Filipino (1.1%).^[49] Aboriginal peoples are not considered a visible minority under the Employment Equity Act,^[50] and is the definition that Statistics Canada also uses.

Map of the dominant self-identified ethnic origins of ancestors per census division of 2006.^{[Note 2]}

Canadian[Note 3]   English   French   Scottish   German

Italian   North American Indian[Note 4]   Ukrainian   East Indian   Inuit

For a complete list see: Canadian ethnic groups

Culture[link]

A 1911 political cartoon on Canada's bicultural identity showing a flag combining symbols of Britain, France and Canada; titled "The next favor. 'A flag to suit the minority.'"

Canada's culture, like that of most any country in the world, is a product of its language(s), religion(s), political and legal system(s). Being a settler nation, Canada has been shaped by waves of migration that have combined to form a unique blend of art, cuisine, literature, humour and music.^[51] Today, Canada has a diverse makeup of nationalities and constitutional protection for policies that promote multiculturalism rather than cultural assimilation or a single national myth.^[52] In Quebec, cultural identity is strong, and many French-speaking commentators speak of a Quebec culture as distinguished from English Canadian culture.^[53] However as a whole Canada is a cultural mosaic a collection of several regional, aboriginal, and ethnic subcultures.^[54][55] Canadian society is often depicted as being "very progressive, diverse, and multicultural".^[56]

Canadian government policies such as official bilingualism, publicly-funded health care, higher and more progressive taxation, outlawing capital punishment, strong efforts to eliminate poverty, an emphasis on multiculturalism, imposing strict gun control, leniency in regard to drug use, and, most recently, legalizing same-sex marriage are social indicators of how Canada's political and cultural evolution differ from that of the United States.^[57] American media and entertainment are popular, if not dominant, in English Canada; conversely, many Canadian cultural products and entertainers are successful in the United States and worldwide.^[58] The Government of Canada has also influenced culture with programs, laws and institutions. It has created Crown corporations to promote Canadian culture through media and has also tried to protect Canadian culture by setting legal minimums on Canadian content.^[59]

Monument to Multiculturalism by Francesco Pirelli in Toronto; four identical sculptures are located in Buffalo City, Changchun, Sarajevo, and Sydney

Canadian culture has historically been influenced by Aboriginal, French and British cultures and traditions. Most of Canada's territory was inhabited and developed later than other European colonies in the Americas, with the result that themes and symbols of pioneers, trappers, and traders were important in the early development of the Canadian identity.^[60] First Nations played a critical part in the development of European colonies in Canada, particularly for their role in assisting exploration of the continent during the North American fur trade.^[61] The British conquest of New France in the mid 1700s brought a large Francophone population under British Imperial rule, creating a need for compromise and accommodation.^[62] The new British rulers left alone much of the religious, political, and social culture of the French-speaking habitants, guaranteeing the right of the Canadiens to practise the Catholic faith and to the use of French civil law (now Quebec law) through the Quebec Act of 1774.^[63]

The Constitution Act of 1867 was designed to meet the growing calls of Canadians for autonomy from British rule, while avoiding the overly-strong decentralization that contributed to the Civil War in the United States.^[64] The compromises made by the Fathers of Confederation set Canadians on a path to bilingualism, and this in turn contributed to an acceptance of diversity that later led to both multiculturalism and the recognition of Aboriginal contributions to Canadian society.^[65][66]

The Canadian Forces and overall civilian participation in the First World War and Second World War helped to foster Canadian nationalism,^[67][68][69] however in 1917 and 1944 conscription crisis's caused a considerable rift along ethnic lines between Anglophones and Francophones.^[70] As a result of the First and Second World Wars, the Government of Canada became more assertive and less deferential to British authority.^[71] With the gradual loosening of political ties to the United Kingdom and the modernization of Canadian immigration policies, in the 20th century immigrants with African, Caribbean and Asian nationalities have added to the Canadian identity and its culture.^[72] The multiple origins immigration pattern continues today with the arrival of large numbers of immigrants from non British or French backgrounds.^[73]

Multiculturalism in Canada was adopted as the official policy of the government during the premiership of Pierre Elliot Trudeau in the 1970s and 1980s.^[74] The Canadian government has often been described as the instigator of multicultural ideology because of its public emphasis on the social importance of immigration.^[75] Multiculturalism is administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage and reflected in the law through the Canadian Multiculturalism Act^[76] and section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.^[77] In parts of Canada, especially the major urban areas, multiculturalism itself is the cultural norm and diversity is a force that unites the community.^[78][79]

Religion[link]

Canada as a nation is religiously diverse, encompassing a wide range of groups, beliefs and customs.^[80] The preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms references "God", and the monarch carries the title of "Defender of the Faith".^[81] However Canada has no official religion and support for religious pluralism (Freedom of religion in Canada) is an important part of Canada's political culture.^[82][83] With Christianity on the decline, having once been central and integral to Canadian culture and daily life;^[84] it has been recently suggested that Canada has come to enter a post-Christian period in a secular state, where the practice of religion has "moved to the margins of public life", with irreligion in Canada on the rise.^[85]

The 2001 Canadian census reported that 77.1% of Canadians identify as being Christians; of this, Catholics make up the largest group (43.6%).^[87][88] The largest Protestant denomination is the United Church of Canada (9.5%), followed by the Anglicans (6.8%), Baptists (2.4%), Lutherans (2%), and other Christians (4.4%).^[88] About 16.5% of Canadians declare no religious affiliation, including agnostics, atheists, humanists, and other groups. The remaining 6.3% are affiliated with non-Christian religions, the largest of which is Islam (2.0%), followed by Judaism (1.1%).^[87][88]

Before the arrival of European colonists and explorers, First Nations followed a wide array of mostly animistic religions.^[89] During the colonial period, the French settled along the shores of the Saint Lawrence River, specifically Latin rite Roman Catholics, including a number of Jesuits dedicated to converting Aboriginals; an effort that eventually proved successful.^[90] The first large Protestant communities were formed in the Maritimes after the British conquest of New France, followed by American Protestant settlers displaced by the American Revolution.^[91] The late nineteenth century saw the beginning of a large shift in Canadian immigration patterns. Large numbers of Irish and Southern Europeans immigrants were creating new Roman Catholic communities in English Canada.^[92] The settlement of the west brought significant Eastern Orthodox immigrants from Eastern Europe and Mormon and Pentecostal immigrants from the United States.^[93]

The earliest documentation of Jewish presence in Canada are the 1754 British Army records from the French and Indian War.^[94] In 1760, General Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst attacked and won Montreal for the British. In his regiment there were several Jews, including four among his officer corps, most notably Lieutenant Aaron Hart who is considered the father of Canadian Jewry.^[94] The Islamic, Sikhism and Buddhism communities although small, are as old as the nation itself. The 1871 Canadian Census (first "Canadian" national census) indicated thirteen Muslims among the populace,^[95] with approximately 5000 Sikh by 1908.^[96] The first Canadian mosque was constructed in Edmonton in 1938, when there were approximately 700 Muslims in Canada.^[97] Buddhism first arrived in Canada when Japanese immigrated during the late 19th century.^[98] The first Japanese Buddhist temple in Canada was built in Vancouver in 1905.^[99] The influx of immigrants in the late 20th century with Sri Lankan, Japanese, Indian and Southeast Asian customs, has contributed to the recent expansion of the Sikhism and Buddhist communities.^[100]

Languages[link]

Approximately 98% of Canadians can speak English and/or French.^[101]

  English - 57.8%

  English and French (Bilingual) - 17.4%

  French - 22.1%

  Sparsely populated area ( < 0.4 persons per km²)

A multitude of languages are used by Canadians, with English and Canadian French, a dialect of old French, (the official languages) being the mother tongues of 59.7% and 23.2% of the population respectively.^[101] Approximately twenty percent or over six million people in Canada list a non-official language as their mother tongue.^[102] Some of the most common first languages include: Chinese (3.1%), Italian (1.4%), German (1.2%), Spanish (1.2%), Punjabi (1.1%), Tagalog (0.9%), Tamil (0.8%), Gujarati (0.6%).^[103] Less than one percent of Canadians (just over 250,000 individuals) can speak an aboriginal language. About half this number (129,865) reported using an aboriginal language on a daily basis.^[104]

English and French are recognized by the Constitution of Canada as official languages.^[105] Thus all federal government laws are enacted in both English and French with government services available in both languages.^[105] Two of Canada's territories give official status to indigenous languages. In Nunavut, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun are official languages alongside the national languages of English and French, and Inuktitut is a common vehicular language in territorial government.^[106] In the Northwest Territories, the Official Languages Act declares that there are eleven different languages: Chipewyan, Cree, English, French, Gwich’in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey and Tłįchǫ.^[107] Multicultural media offers specialty television channels, newspapers and other publications in many minority languages, that are widely accessible across the county.^[108]

In Canada, as elsewhere in the world of European colonies, the frontier of European exploration and settlement tended to be a linguistically diverse and fluid place, as cultures using different languages met and interacted. The need for a common means of communication between the indigenous inhabitants and new arrivals for the purposes of trade and (in some cases) intermarriage led to the development of Mixed languages.^[109] Languages like Michif, Chinook Jargon and Bungi creole tended to be highly localized and were often spoken by only a small number of individuals who were frequently capable of speaking another language.^[110]

See also[link]

Canada portal

	Book: Canada
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

• Canuck
• Demographics of Canada
• List of Canadians
• Persons of National Historic Significance

Notes[link]

References[link]