Canada

As a country and a culture, Canada is both vast and complex. Its media system is, not surprisingly, equally big and complicated. Shaped by its enormous geography, distinct history, and multicultural makeup, Canada is a democratic federal state, with two official languages—French and English—and an indigenous population that maintains its sovereignty (i.e., the right to self-government). Along with its advanced economy and ethnically diverse population, the country’s media system is modern and sophisticated. Canada’s media, a product of the country’s history, culture, and expansive northern landmass, play a vital role in meaning making and cultural production. The imprint and importance of media are particularly evident in the evolution of Canada and its deliberate nation-building efforts. Indeed, communication and media have[Page 250] played a crucial structural ...