Canadians possess a lifestyle that is very particular to Canada. In the heart of Western civilization but also starkly northern, Canada is a unique blend of first world nation meets the Great White North with a high quality of life. The whole world recognizes Canadian stereotypes and symbols, including the maple leaf, the flannel clothes, the hockey gear and the uniquely Canadian accent. Some of these things are as prevalent as the stereotypes would have you believe while others are embellished.

Canadian winters play a very significant part in the Canadian lifestyle. The cold that sets in during fall and retreats during spring is part of the national identity and rhythm of Canada. Few other countries know how to navigate a harsh winter like Canada does. Everywhere in Canada receives snow in the winter in different amounts, with no exceptions. Areas like the warm Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, the Badlands of Alberta and the temperate climate of Vancouver have mild winters, while areas such as Northern Alberta and the Yukon can reach bone chilling temperatures of below 60 or 80. Needless to say, the Canadian population is well adjusted to cold winters, and knows how to meet them head on with winter clothes, toques, skis, sleds and snow shoes. Snow is a way of life in Canada. In many places in Canada, the cold winter conditios give way to addiction and substance abuse, such as addiction Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Whitehorse.

The outdoors are another large consideration to Canada. The cold, rugged, moist land of Canada is not quite as desirable to live in as the land in the United States, yet the land mass itself makes Canada the second biggest country in the world. This leaves Canada with a small population compared to the size of the country itself. That means that almost all Canadian cities are surrounded by many miles of wilderness. Most Canadians are used to seeing bears and deer not far from home, as well as having to trek through thick, non-plowed snow after a storm. Canada is heavily wooded and full of thick vegetation in all its cities. Most Canadians grow up climbing trees and running around forests.

Canadians are frequently referred to as a nation of people who have the good fortune of being surprised when something goes wrong. This is because, since Canada’s formation in 1867, the Canadian population has maintained a stable way of life and has had far less involvement in wars and global conflict than the United States. Canada is situated in land that was slightly less desirable than the United States, resulting in a smaller population that did not have to compete as violently for their right to the land. Canada is considered a federal monarchy with many socialist values, and the population does indeed have strong social sensibilities and awareness. Being smaller in population, less influential and slightly more out of the way than the United States, Canada has had the privilege of more privacy than its neighbor to the south. All of these factors have resulted in a stable economy, way of life and cultural climate for Canada.

This is where Canadians get their reputation for being so polite and agreeable. When political, economical and social matters remain fairly predictable, everyone is happy and accommodating. This is not to say that Canadians are passive, however. Canadians are fiercely patriotic people, with a loyalty to their country that is a matter of principle. They take pride in their cultural identity and the ways that Canada is unique among nations. Canadians are also self aware enough to know how fortunate they are to be Canadian. Canada is consistently voted to be a country with one of the best qualities of life in the world, and Canadians do not take this for granted. They honor this privilege with a strong sense of responsibility to their social systems so that everyone may continue to enjoy this quality of life. On the whole, the cleanliness, respect for personal safety and property, and respect for civil obligations is much higher than in other countries. Canadians protect their way of life and balance collectivism and individualism in equal parts.