The native populations, the Inuits(?) and the Indians, represents less than 2% of the population as such, but about half the population in the Northwest Territories. The other population is 45% of English and 28% of French descent. The rest are immigrants from all over the world.
Even though English is the most spoken language, Canada has since 1969 had two official languages, French and English, which means that public offices and institutions has to attend in the language the consumer wishes. This bilingualism is probably a result of the particular rights, which the population of Quebec acquired when the brits captured Canada from the French. Quebec has remained a cohesive French speaking area.
Just like America, Canada was discovered long before it was discovered. As early as year 1000 the Scandinavians were cutting down trees, and in the 15th century the French, Spanish and Portuguese fishermen were fishing in Newfoundland. It is said that a misunderstanding caused the name Canada. The Indians used the word Kanata for settlement. Columbus understood this as the name of the country itself, and has since then been the official name.
In the 17th century, England and France became interested in the areas in North America, which was not already captured by Spain. The battles between the two countries in the 18th century had the consequence that Canada was assigned to the English Crown. After Americas independence in 1776 a lot of American settlers who wished to remain loyal to England moved up north and laid the foundation for the English dominated Canada. Due to the threats from the strong American north states, three Canadian colonies formed a Confederation in 1867, which the remaining colonies later on joined. As late as 1949 Newfoundland was incorporated as the 10th