ABSTRACT
Canada’s existence has long been a defiance of both geography and history. Nearly all the 30 million Canadians live in a 3,000-mile-long strip of land bordering the United States; but, despite strong American influences, they have maintained a separate identity. In a sense, however, it has been a double identity. Historically, Canada’s origins were bilingual. About 30% of Canadians speak French; around 40% are of British or Irish origin, and most immigrants of other origins have chosen to learn and speak English. ‘Visible minorities’ of primarily Asian origin have increased through immigration to 20% of the population.
