Democracy is a form of government or accord by society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. Canada exhibits a democratic government that protects the interests and demands of minority groups, who are free from discrimination and their rights and privileges are valued equally to those of the majority. Through political, human and cilvil rights, social well-fare systems, and international relations, Canada has formed a strong governmental institution that fosters an inclusive democracy. Between 1945-2014, the Canadian identity transitioned to an inclusive democratic society defined by domestic social reforms and international commitments to the global community

In the last seventy years, Canada developed lawful political, human and civil rights within the nation and in the global community. In May of 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organizations, to draw up the United Nations Charter. Canada participated in the San Francisco conferences as a founding member of the Unite Nations. The Charter strived for collective security to avoid war, to develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international co-operation in solving international problems and promoting and encouraging respect for human and civil rights. Canada’s participation in the United Nations was instrumental in a global reputation of humanitarian contributions. Canada’s dedication to fundamental human rights internationally, upheld Canadian core democratic values. Canada’s federal government crafted a new Canadian Constitution that domestically improved the civil rights of every citizen. Authorized in 1982, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guaranteed the rights of individuals by enshrining those rights and certain limits on them in the highest form of government. The Charter created a social and legal revolution in Canada; expanding the rights of minorities, and transforming the nature of criminal investigations and prosecutions. The Charter legitimized the identity of every citizen and strived for equality among all Canadians. Minorities that were previously marginalized by the predominate Canadian culture were included by the charter, as the constitution dissolved the division of ethnic, social and political groups. Canada’s involvement in the United Nations, and implementation of a new constitution amounted to an inclusive democratic identity. This all encompassing identity was recognized within the nation, and globally.

Canada implemented social welfare systems that unified the nation, and defined it as a social democratic state. In 1965, Lester B. Pearson introduced the Canadian Pension Plan and Student loans. The pension plan was created to financially support retiring Canadians. CPP is an earnings related public pension that transfers income from workers to the retired. Later in 1965, the Pearson government offered student loans for Canadian’s who could not afford to go to University. Pearson invested in the younger generation, Canada’s future. Education was extended to all Canadians, not just the wealthy, and in turn, Canada would come to be a more educated nation. Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson believed that the state had a role to play in ensuring social security and equality in education. In 1966, the federal government introduced the "Medical Care Act," which insured health services such as hospital service, physician services and surgical-dental services. This act was later implemented in 1968, making universal health care a reality for all Canadians.Pearson brought the nation together by extending social welfare throughout the country. The state was now investing taxpayers dollars into well fair programs. CPP, Student loans, and Medi Care transitioned and strengthened the Canadian democratic institution and identity by investing in Canadian citizens.

Canada’s peacekeeping efforts created a nationalistic identity for Canadians, by humanitarian and democratic values. Under the United Nations, Canada undertook leading roles in peace missions in the Rwandan genocide from 1993 to 1996. The Canadian forces could not prevent the worst of the horrific violences between the Hutus and Tutsis, but did remain in the country to help the country by clearing mines and refugee resettlement before leaving the devastated country in 1996. At times, more than 400 Canadian soldiers would find themselves in the midst of some of the worst violence that could be imagined while taking part in international peace efforts to try to bring some stability to the embattled African nation. In 2001 after 9/11, the Canadian Government sent Canadian troops to Afghanistan. The Canadian troops in Afghanistan to defended Canada’s national safety, by battling terrorism and ensured Canadian leadership in a world affair. Canadian peacekeeping role also aimed to rebuild Afghanistan’s democracy, and livelihood. These peacekeeping initiatives proved the Canadian identity as an inclusive democratic society, conscious of the peace, safety and governmental success throughout all nations.

Between 1945-2014, the Canadian identity was defined by domestic social developments and international involvements in the global community which form an inclusive democratic nation. These defining characteristics of the Canadian identity were developed through political, social and civil right advancements, social welfare system’s growing, and international relations. Canada enshrined key democratic values throughout the nation, and reflected these principles in their global relations.