What influence does British culture, language etc., have on Canadian life?

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Imaka

As you can tell from the answers you have already had, there is still tons of British influence in Canadian life. We are members of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and we even still sing God Save the Queen sometimes. We follow what happens with the royal family. Many of us watch the BBC for world news - and we understand them. We feel closer to the queen than we do to the US president. We participate in the Commonwealth Games, the world's second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. We have a Governor General, who is the queen's representative.

So while we are influenced by many cultures, particularly French and aboriginal, as well as by the many cultures of the people who are relatively new Canadians, we maintain an important connection to the United Kingdom.

badger123ca

Canadian spelling more closely reflects British spelling than American. (colour - color)
Boxing Day holiday in December is a result of the country's British heritage.
Queen Elizabeth is our head of state (although that's primarily a titular role - she is not involved in the actual governing of the country)
Our parliamentary democracy system of government.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

shoredude2

As Canada has become more multi-cultural, the British influence lessens. But there are still some things, since much of Canada's history is as British North America.

There's still a parliament with a prime minister with the queen as head of state as opposed to a prime minister. The words Royal and Crown which are still used in government, like the Royal Canadian Mint and Crown Lands. Use of British spellings, as opposed to those used by the neighbouring US. Still considering a gallon an imperial gallon (even though it's not litres), not a US gallon.

Mathew H

-Queen as head of state.
-Parliamentary democracy based off the British model.
-Union jacks or St. George's Cross on most Provincial flags.
-The language that 80% of us speak.
-Member of the Commonwealth.

physical

The use of the English language.
British etiquette.

scubabob

It depends on the part of the Country you're asking about. I live 1 mile away from what was the hotbed of rebellion in 1837. That was anti British and many of the original rebel families I grew up with and went to school with are my pals. This is Ontario. Primarily of UK origin...originally. :)
I'm not quite sure of what you're asking about here. Do we have high tea? Some do, most don't. Do we say Zee or Zed? We say Zed.
Canadians tend to ..well...be Canadian. We ARE of British and French origin( those of us that have family history here). Mixing it up is good though.
What have we been given? A Parliamentary Democracy with the added bonus of having a Sovereign head of state. That's an element of "British Life" that I'm very happy to have. It includes Canada in the Commonwealth of Nations. A very "kewl" club.
Language wise? If you said someone was a tosser..I'd know what you meant. Put it in the boot? Same thing, I'd know. What's a fortnight? I know, but I doubt an American would. The Loo? Hell yeah, but I reckon an American might be looking for a guy named Lou. Interesting, eh?