Geography
Canada听is divided into . Our national capital is located in Ottawa, Ontario.听
Languages
English and French are Canada鈥檚 two official languages. All federal government departments and offices can serve you in either language. English is widely spoken throughout the country, while French is spoken mostly in Quebec and New Brunswick. In larger cities, you may hear Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili, Arabic, and many other languages. This is a reflection of the cultural diversity in Canada.
As 蓝莓视频 is an English-speaking institution, you're required to communicate and submit all coursework in English. 蓝莓视频 offers various courses and classes that can help you improve your English language skills. Renison University College鈥檚 English Language Institute has a number of English language programs available. If you need assistance with your English writing or communications skills, visit the Writing and Communication Centre. Writing instructors offer individual appointments, workshops听and events听for all graduate and undergraduate students.
Social Norms
While not all Canadians will fit into this description, we are known for:
- Being polite and reserved.
- Being on time - If possible, arrive early for your appointments and notify the office in advance if you'll be late. Being on time is important and lateness for meetings or听appointments is not acceptable.
- Waiting patiently - Canadians form lines behind one another and wait for service, rather than rushing in front of others.
- Respecting multiculturalism - Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Here you'll see people of all different ethnicities, cultures, religions听and countries of origin. Many Ontarians are multi-generational immigrants who may have retained their cultural identity or language.
Statutory holidays in Ontario
In Ontario, we celebrate several Canada-wide and province-specific holidays during the year. On national (statutory) holidays, universities, government departments听and most businesses听are closed. The transit system may operate on a limited schedule and,听if open, a grocery store may be听open for a short period of time.
New Year's Day
Date: January 1
厂颈驳苍颈蹿颈肠补苍肠别:听National holiday celebrating the first day of the new year.
What you can expect:听The University and most businesses are closed.
Family Day
Date: Third Monday of February
Significance:听A provincial holiday originally created to give people time to spend with their families.听
What you can expect:听The University and most businesses are closed.
Good Friday
Date: Friday before Easter
Significance:听Good Friday is听a provincial holiday.听According to Christianity, it is a celebration of the death听of Jesus Christ, but this holiday is widely celebrated by non-religious people as well.
What you can expect:听The University and most businesses are closed. Some people go to church on this day.听Many people听have their own听unique听traditions that they follow each year.
Easter
Date: Easter Sunday can fall in March or April
Significance:听Easter听is a national holiday. According to Christianity, it is a celebration of the rising听of Jesus Christ, but this holiday is widely celebrated by non-religious people as well.
What you can expect:听Some businesses are closed. Some听Christians go to church on this day.听Many people听have their own听unique听traditions that they follow each year.
Victoria Day
Date: Monday before May 25
Significance: A provincial听holiday celebrating the birth of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1901).
What you can expect: The University and most businesses are closed.
Canada Day
Date: July 1
Significance: A national holiday celebrating the birth of Canada.
What you can expect:听The University听and most businesses are closed. Many people watch or light fireworks in the evening to celebrate. Major celebrations take place in cities and towns across the country.听
Civic Holiday
Date: First Monday of August
Significance: A provincial holiday commonly referred to as the August long weekend.听
What you can expect:听The University听and most businesses are closed.听It is probably the busiest day on highways as many people听go camping and visit cottages or the beach.
Labour Day
Date: First Monday of September
Significance: A national holiday celebrating workers in Canada and around the world.
What you can expect:听The University and most businesses are closed. Many people mark the unofficial end of summer with a barbeque.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Date: September 30
Significance: This day recognizes the tragic legacy of residential schools, the missing children, the families left behind and the survivors of these institutions.
What you can expect:听Although听September 30 is not a holiday in Ontario, many Canadians听use this day to explore听the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis peoples.听
Thanksgiving Day
Date: Second Monday of October
Significance: A provincial听holiday.听The original idea is to give thanks for the past harvest season but for many Canadians听the tradition has changed over time and the focus is now to get together with family and friends.听
What you can expect:听The University and most businesses are closed. Many Canadians spend this day with their families and friends.
Christmas Day
Date: December 25
厂颈驳苍颈蹿颈肠补苍肠别:听Christmas is a national holiday. According to Christianity, it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but this holiday is widely celebrated by non-religious people as well.
What you can expect: The University听and most businesses听are closed.听In the weeks before Christmas, many听businesses put up decorations in their听windows and play Christmas carols.听Shopping malls become much busier leading up to the holiday as people select gifts for听their loved ones.听Many people听have their own听unique听traditions that they follow each year.
Boxing Day
Date: December 26
Significance: A provincial听holiday and the first day of boxing week sales (electronics, clothes and other items are sold at a discounted price).
What you can expect: The University and most offices are closed. However, the malls and stores听will be open and very busy.
