Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 04.djvu/143

* CANADA. 115 CANADA. partioiilai'ly into the Xew England States. There is a decided tendency on the part of many Cana- dians to pass back and forth across the boundary according to seasonal changes in the labor mar- ket. The population of Canada includes a large variety of race elements, and the process of amalgamation has been much less active than in the United States. The groat expanse of area and the sparseness of the inhabitants admits of isolation, and is largely resjionsible for the lack of amalg;imation. The French, who were the first settlers, located principally along the Saint Lawrence, in what is now the Province of Quebec, and their descendants still constitute a large majority of the inhabitants of that province. In the determination of the policy of the British Government formerly, and of the Dominion to- day, the presence of this French element has been and is a main consideration. The French language is still commonly spoken, and is even permitted and often heard in the Dominion Par- liament. The French were the hunters and trap- pers of the early days, and in this capacity scattered throughout the vast domain, mingling freely and amalgamating with the Indians, which accounts for the population of half-breeds so largely represented in JIanitoba and the North- west Territories. The French Canadians are well represented also in the recent Western coloniza- tion. In the other Eastern provinces people of British descent are in the great majority — the Scotch in Xova Scotia and the English in the other three. The Irish are well represented in the larger cities. The eastern townships of Quebec were settled by loyalists from the revolt- ed American colonies, who emigrated there dur- ing or following the time of the American Revo- lution. Ontario received a large contingent of the Xew England opponents to the War of 1812. In 1900 the Indians in Canada were estimated at 90.000, as follows: British Columbia, 24.523; JIanitoba and the Northwest Territorv within treaty limits, 24,468 ; Ontario, 20,703 ; X'orthwest Territories outside of treaty limits, 14,506; Que- bec, 10,785; X'ova Scotia. 2018; New Brunswick, 1639; Prince Edward Island, 308. The number seems to be decreasing, but, owing to the uncer- tain accuracy of the early enumerations, it is impossible to ascertain the amount of the de- crease. The care of the Indians is in the hands of the Indian Department of the Dominion Gov- ernment, which has a superintendent of Indian affairs in each province. Reser'ations are pro- vided for the different tribes, but the Indians are not necessarily confined to them. Special pro- visions, such as annuities and financial assist- ance, are provided for the Treaty Indians. Others, however, such as those of British Colum- bia, successfully support themselves. Acts passed by the chiefs and councilors for the regulation of local afTairs may be enforced if approved by the Government. Kights of franchise and full citizenship are given the tribes as they become sufficiently advanced in civilization. Much prog- ress is being made in this direction, especially by the tribes of British Columbia, yet hunting and fishing remain their chief occupations, though they work in many sawmills, fisheries, etc. Inter- tribal conflicts are of rare occurrence, nor has their relation with the General Government been characterized by so great a degree of friction as has prevailed in the United States. liclif/ioit. — There is no State Church, but to the Roman Catholic Church in Quebec are guaranteed the privileges enjoyed previous to British pos- session. This Church was the first and for a long time practically the only Church in the Canadian territory, and still includes the great mass of the population of Quebec, and over two- fifths of the total church membership of the Dominion. The Catholics are of least relative importance in Ontario and ilanitoba. The Metho- dists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans rank next in order of importance. While all these are well dis- tributed throughout the various provinces except Quebec, the Methodists are far in the lead in Ontario, but are exceeded by the Presbyterians in some of the other provinces, particularly Nova Scotia. Neither of the two latter de- nominations is divided into numerous factions, as in the United States. Of other denomina- tions, the Baptists and the Lutherans are the strongest. The leading sects have each one or more divinity scliools. The following table gives the membership of the leading denominations : DESOMINATIONS Anglicans Baptists , Baptists (Freewill) CoDfrregationalists, Lutheran Methodists Presli.Tterians Roman Catholics..., 616,000 680,300 257,400 292,400 45,100 24,200 28.100 28,200 63,900 92,300 847.700 916,800 755,300 842,300 1,992,000 2,228,900 Cities. — The per cent, of urban population is low. Winnipeg. Vancouver, and Sydney had the highest rate of increase during the last decade. The following gives the population of the princi- pal cities, as returned by the census of 1901: Jlontreal, 266.000; Toronto, 207.000: Quebec, 08,000; Ottawa, 59.000: Hamilton, 52,000; Win- nipeg, 42,000: Halifax. 40.000; Saint .John, 40,- 000; London, 38,000; Vancouver, 20,000. Education. There is no centralized system of education for the whole Dominion, each prov- ince being left to control its own educational matters. For a fuller statement, therefore, the reader is referred to the articles on the diff'er- ent provinces. In all provinces the schools are free, and in most provinces attendance is com- pulsory. Local trustees are elected to look after the separate schools, but a careful supervision is exercised by the provincial superintendent and his council. Especially noteworthy is the thorough and comprehensive school system of Ontario. In j)rovinces where Catholics have a strong representation (Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba), the denominational problem has been the most important one that has confronted the educational system, and in the case of JIani- toba it has been of a rather grievous nature. In Quebec there is a complete cleavage between the two sects, extending even to the council of public instruction, which is divided into Catholic and Protestant conuuittees, the former committee being composed of Roman Catholic bishops. In Ontario the educational council is not divided, but either sect, under certain conditions, can es- tablish separate schools. In Manitoba there are no separate schools, but religious instruction may Ihj given to those pupils whose parents may demand it. The exijense of the schools is met