Social and Business

Culture

Canada

Jasleen Kaur

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Contents
• Facts • Communication
• Social Culture • Behavior
• Equality • Business Customs
• Greetings • Meetings
• Introducing A • Business Structure
Person • Management Style
• Smoking Habits 

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Facts
• Canada lead to independence in
1867
• Canada is the second largest country
in the world, with 99,71,000 sq.
kms of land
• With only 6 people per square
kilometer, Canada has the 4th
lowest population density in the
world
• Canada does not own the North Pole
• Canada is bilingual, with English and 3
Provinces & Territories
• Alberta • Northwest Territories
• British Columbia • Nunavut
• Manitoba • Yukon
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• 4
5
Social Culture
• Canadian culture has historically
been influenced by British, French,
and Aboriginal cultures and
traditions
• It is also influenced by American
culture
• Majority of Canadians are Catholic or
Protestant
• Overall polite and slightly reserved
• The values of the country are largely
respect, peace and good 6
Equality
• Canada enjoys a society that is open
and relatively free of class
distinctions
• All people deserve the same rights
and respect, regardless of their
gender, race, religion, or cultural
background
• People usually resent comments that
seem disrespectful to anyone from
a particular background 7
Greetings
• A firm handshake is the usual contact
when first meeting a business
associate
• In Quebec, friends will kiss on both
cheeks when meeting and leaving
• In informal meetings, such as a party
or bar, most young people will
simply exchange greetings such as
"Hi!" or "How are you?"

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Introducing A Person
• In Canada, people use their given
name first and their surname
(family name) last
• Meeting someone older for the first
time, you should probably not use
the person's first name
• Use the surname, preceded by a
courtesy title such as: Ms., Mrs.,
Mr., or Dr.
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Smoking Habits
• Smoking is becoming unpopular and
is not permitted in most public
buildings
• Even when out at a bar or restaurant
ask your companion before lighting
up
• Many families do not allow smoking
in their homes

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Communication
• Communication is generally direct
and Canadians have no difficulty in
saying no
• Learn French, since it demonstrates a
long-term relationship
• Some Organizations may require
documents to be in both English
and French
• Canada is an egalitarian society
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Behavior
• Eye contact is important
• They keep their personal life separate
• Will not wait more than 10 to 15 mins
• It is not common to just arrive without
an invitation
• People stand in line when waiting for the
bus, to buy tickets, at the store or
bank
• “Canadians are just like Americans”,
Canadians find it offensive
• 12
Business Customs
• Canadian businesspeople are
conservative in manner, speech
and dress
• Punctual for meetings and
appointments
• Use of titles in all correspondence
• Take letters of introduction when
meeting someone for the first time
• The exchanging of business cards is
common practice 13
Meetings
• In comparison with meetings in the US,
meetings in Canada are relatively
more formal
• Meetings‘ usually follow one at a time
speaking and interruptions are
considered to be rude
• Everybody expects a 'democratic right'
to be allowed to present their opinion
• It is unusual for meetings to become
aggressive or heated as great
emphasis is placed upon being 14
Business Structure
• Canadian companies have
abandoned traditional hierarchical
approaches in favor of leaner,
flatter structures
• A business visitor is just as likely to
encounter a very flat, open system
• It is important to do as much
homework as possible on any
potential clients or suppliers before
initial contacts are made 15
Management Style
• Managers are not expected to
manage in an authoritarian or
paternalistic manner but are,
nonetheless, expected to be
decisive
• Mgt style could be characterized as
informal and friendly
• Managers will consult widely and
expect input from all concerned
parties. The final decision remains, 16
Thank You

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