History of Canada in Timeline

Canada is North America's northernmost country, stretching from the Atlantic to Pacific and into the Arctic. It is the second-largest country globally by area, featuring the world's longest coastline and land border with the U.S. Canada exhibits diverse meteorological and geological regions. Its population exceeds 41 million, concentrated in urban centers like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, while vast areas remain sparsely populated. Ottawa serves as the capital.

1908: Anne of Green Gables

In 1908, L. M. Montgomery produced the first book in the series of children's novels, "Anne of Green Gables".

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1920: Group of Seven founded

In 1920, the Group of Seven was founded, aiming to capture the wilderness in their artwork.

1921: Percentage of the population that were landed immigrants or permanent residents in Canada.

The 2021 census indicated that 8.3 million people, or almost one-quarter (23.0 percent) of the population, reported themselves as being or having been a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada—above the 1921 census previous record of 22.3 percent.

1945: Canada becomes a founding member of the UN

In 1945, Canada became a founding member of the United Nations (UN).

1948: Canada ratifies the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

In 1948, Canada ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

1958: Canada forms NORAD with the United States

In 1958, Canada and the United States formed the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) together.

1961: Visible minority groups

In 1961, about 300,000 people, less than two percent of Canada's population, were members of visible minority groups.

1962: Canada launches its first satellite, Alouette 1

In 1962, Canada launched its first satellite, Alouette 1.

1974: Quebec's Official Language Act

Quebec's 1974 Official Language Act established French as the only official language of the province.

1976: 1976 Summer Olympics

Canada hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics.

1980: O Canada Official Anthem

In 1980, "O Canada" was adopted as the country's official anthem.

1982: Constitution Act, 1982, reaffirms Aboriginal law

In 1982, Section 35 of the Constitution Act reaffirmed the role of Aboriginal law and the rights it supports for Indigenous groups in Canada.

1984: Canada Health Act

Healthcare in Canada is guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act of 1984 and is universal.

1988: 1988 Winter Olympics

Canada hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics.

1988: Canada - United States Free Trade Agreement

In 1988, the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) eliminated tariffs between the two countries.

1989: Canada becomes a founding member of APEC

In 1989, Canada became a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).

1990: Canada joins the Organization of American States (OAS)

In 1990, Canada joined the Organization of American States (OAS).

1994: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) expanded the free-trade zone to include Mexico.

2003: Canada declines participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In 2003, Canada declined direct participation in the invasion of Iraq, adhering to its reluctance to engage in military operations not sanctioned by the United Nations.

2010: 2010 Winter Olympics

Canada hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.

2011: Visible minority population rose by 18.4 percent between 2011 and 2016.

Between 2011 and 2016, the visible minority population rose by 18.4 percent.

2015: FIFA Women's World Cup, Pan American Games, and Parapan American Games

In 2015, Canada hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Pan American Games and the Parapan American Games.

2015: OECD Average Student Score

In 2015, Canada was a well-performing OECD country in reading literacy, mathematics, and science, with the average student scoring 523.7, compared with the OECD average of 493.

2016: Homeschooling

As of 2016, just over 60,000 children are homeschooled in Canada.

2016: Visible minority population rose by 18.4 percent between 2011 and 2016.

Between 2011 and 2016, the visible minority population rose by 18.4 percent.

2016: 2016 Canadian census population figure

The 2021 Canadian census enumerated a total population of 36,991,981, an increase of around 5.2 percent over the 2016 figure.

2016: The Indigenous population grew by 9.4 percent from 2016 to 2021.

The Indigenous population representing 5 percent or 1.8 million people, grew by 9.4 percent compared to the non-Indigenous population, which grew by 5.3 percent from 2016 to 2021.

2017: Richard Wagner becomes Chief Justice of Canada

In 2017, Richard Wagner became the Chief Justice of Canada, leading the Supreme Court.

2018: Canada's trade deficit

In 2018, Canada had a trade deficit in goods of $22 billion and a trade deficit in services of $25 billion.

2020: Canada's Spending on Domestic Research and Development

In 2020, Canada spent approximately $41.9 billion on domestic research and development.

2021: Religion in Canada in 2021

According to the 2021 census, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with Roman Catholics representing 29.9 percent of the population having the most adherents.

2021: Non-official languages listed as first languages

As of the 2021 census, just over 7.8 million Canadians listed a non-official language as their first language.

2021: Canadian Trade in goods and services

In 2021, Canadian trade in goods and services reached $2.016 trillion.

2021: Healthcare Spending

In 2021, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that healthcare spending reached $308 billion, which was 12.7 percent of Canada's GDP.

2021: Average age in Canada

In 2021, the average age in Canada was 41.9 years, with a life expectancy of 81.1 years.

2021: Results from the 2021 Canadian census

Of the 36.3 million people enumerated in 2021, approximately 24.5 million reported being "White", representing 67.4 percent of the population.

2021: Canadian census self-reported ethnic origins

Respondents in the 2021 Canadian census self-reported over 450 "ethnic or cultural origins".

2021: Canadian census in 2021

The 2021 Canadian census enumerated a total population of 36,991,981, an increase of around 5.2 percent over the 2016 figure.

2021: Percentage of the population that were landed immigrants or permanent residents in Canada.

2021: The country's ten largest self-reported ethnic or cultural origins in 2021

The country's ten largest self-reported ethnic or cultural origins in 2021 were Canadian (accounting for 15.6 percent of the population), followed by English (14.7 percent), Irish (12.1 percent), Scottish (12.1 percent), French (11.0 percent), German (8.1 percent), Chinese (4.7 percent), Italian (4.3 percent), Indian (3.7 percent), and Ukrainian (3.5 percent).

2022: Education Report by OECD

According to a 2022 report by the OECD, over 56 percent of Canadian adults have attained at least an undergraduate college or university degree, making Canada one of the most educated countries in the world.

2022: Canada resettled more than 47,600 refugees

Canada resettled more than 47,600 refugees in 2022.

2022: Canada's military expenditure in 2022

In 2022, Canada's military expenditure totalled approximately $26.9 billion, representing around 1.2 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).