Religion in Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Religion in Canada encompasses a wide range of beliefs and customs that historically has been dominated by Christianity.[4][5] The constitution of Canada refers to God and the monarch carries the title of Defender of the Faith, however Canada has no official church and the government is officially committed to religious pluralism.[6] Freedom of religion in Canada is a constitutionally protected right, allowing individuals to assemble and worship without limitation or interference.[7]
Before the European colonization, a wide diversity of Indigenous religions and belief systems were largely animistic or shamanistic.[8] The French colonization beginning in the 16th century established a Roman Catholic francophone population in New France.[9] British colonization brought waves of Anglicans and other Protestants to Upper Canada, now Ontario.[10] The settlement of the West brought significant Eastern Orthodox immigrants from Eastern Europe and Mormon and Pentecostal immigrants from the United States.[11] The Jewish, Islamic, Jains, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist communities—although small—are as old as the nation itself.[12]
Rates of religious adherence have steadily decreased since the 1960s.[5] After having once been central and integral to Canadian culture and daily life,[13] Canada has become a post-Christian, secular state.[14][15][16] Although the majority of Canadians consider religion to be unimportant in their daily lives,[17] they still believe in God.[18] The practice of religion is generally considered a private matter throughout society and the state.[19]
According to the 2021 census, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with Roman Catholics representing 29.9 percent of the population having the most adherents. Christians overall representing 53.3 percent of the population,[lower-alpha 1] are followed by people reporting irreligion or having no religion at 34.6 percent.[20] Other faiths include Islam (4.9 percent), Hinduism (2.3 percent), Sikhism (2.1 percent), Buddhism (1.0 percent), Judaism (0.9 percent), and Indigenous spirituality (0.2 percent).[21] Canada has the second-largest national Sikh population, behind India.[22][23]