A great religious diversity
Today's multicultural Canada has been built through waves of immigration, which have enriched both its history and its religious landscape. However, it was not really until the 1960s that people began to talk about openness and pluralism, as immigration became much more diverse.
Ontario is the most immigrant-receiving province in the country and its capital, Toronto, is the most multicultural city in Canada. All faiths are represented here, from Islam to Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism and Buddhism. As a result, temples, synagogues, mosques, churches and other places of worship are readily available throughout Toronto, including the city's many ethnic neighbourhoods. Other large Ontario cities also have many faith groups, such as Canada's capital, Ottawa, but Christianity is often in the majority far from major urban centres and in French-speaking areas.Spirituality among Aboriginal people
Before the arrival of the first French settlers in the 16th century, the various Aboriginal nations that populated the territory practiced their own spirituality. This spirituality promoted harmony and interdependence among all forms of life, known as the great circle of life. For example, food, which was considered a gift from the spirits of animals, was considered sacred. Therefore, meals were accompanied by rituals, songs and drumming, and ended with a thanksgiving dance called "makoucham".
It should be noted that Aboriginal spirituality is based primarily on animism, a belief in a spirit or life force that animates living things, objects and natural elements, as well as in protective genies. Aboriginal legends that still circulate today often refer to this belief.Religion in 21st Century Ontario
The province's positions on the issue of religious neutrality and accommodation practices related to cultural differences are at odds with those of its neighbour, Quebec. Ontario has, moreover, on a number of occasions rebelled against its bills to establish a Quebec charter of values or to prohibit the wearing of religious symbols by certain public officials in positions of authority, openly criticizing Quebec to anyone who wants to hear it.
As proof of Ontario's openness, local politician Jagmeet Singh was the first Sikh to wear a turban to become a member of the Ontario legislature. From MPP for the Bramalea-Gore-Malton region in the Greater Toronto Area, he is now leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, another first for a party in federal politics.
