Why are Americans & Canadians of such different Ethnicities??

Question

I'm American, but I lived in Canada for a time, and one major, major difference I noticed between Americans and Canadians is that Canadians seem to be much more homogenous than Americans in terms of ethnicity. What I mean is that most Americans I know are made up of about 4 or 5 ethnicities -- and German, Irish, Polish and Italian seem to be the most common. However, most Canadians I know are of either English, Scottish or French stock, or some slight mix of these three. Why is it that two countries so similar have people of such different ethnic backgrounds???

Answer 1

i think that explains why queen elizabeth is still honored in canada even though they are a sovereign nation. strange canadians.

Answer 2

You have gotta be kidding me!!??

Okay, Canadians are multicultural, so they really aren't hung up on pedigrees like their American cousins. It really doesn't matter to them, and might not want to discuss it outside of the family.

Besides, you're the foreigner. You might see yourself as German/Polish/Irish/Italian/ Whatever, but you're not. You are the American. You aren't from across the ocean. You're from across the border. So don't presume to insinuate yourself through some obscure heritage you may have. Just be another New Canadian ;)

Plus, America is the "great melting pot", right? Canada has more new immigrants, so you have quite a few second or third generation Canadians.

But if that is the only major difference you've spotted, stick around. You'll learn alot more.

Answer 3

sounds like you might be out of nyc or boston, perhaps. doubt your idea of less mixes, but yes, the irish, english, scot, french, predominate canada but we were under the english for a much longer time. wouldn't it be great if everyone was a mixture of them all. maybe no racism then, but then it would be big ears, crooked nose, height, lack of height. there will always be a reason to think someone is different.
during the early days, the french kept much of their territory due to treaties and such. the scot, irish, english of that time often got land as a part of their wages, and perhaps retirement.

Answer 4

You must have a limited circle of friends, both in the US and in Canada. The demographics have changed, and English and Scottish are being outnumbered by Asians. Yes, there are a number of French people in Canada, largely because of Quebec, but there is also a large percentage of people, especially in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, of German stock.
In the US, there are a large number of people of English derivation, of Mexican derivation, and of Asian derivation.
Basically, the ethnicity of the two countries is fairly similar if you check the stats.

Answer 5

come from different place
i mean when Columbus come to America
different area of Europe come to different place of America
of people have different ethnicity