The Italians are people who have made their mark in many parts of the world. They are very proud of their origin, their heritage. Italians are proud to present their "Italia"! - The heartland of art, beauty and knowledge; the land where great personalities such as Dante Alighieri, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo Galilei were born.

Italians left their country, Italy, and immigrated to Canada for a better life. They built bridges, railroads, buildings and streets. They worked in mines, factories and farms. They brought to this country their famous piazzas, their laughter, noise, and their love for music and art. What are the characteristics of the Italian people?

Family Life – A strong and united family is very important for Italians. The family represents the moral strength of society. The previous generations of Italians have valued a good and strong family, and they have tried to pass this on to the new generations.

Faith and Religion – The majority of Italians are Roman Catholics. They have been guided by their faith in God for more than 2000 years. The Italian people believe that faith is a personal thing and should be celebrated. The festivals are part of these celebrations and are connected to the saints.

Friendship – Italians are well known for their friendly nature. They are generous, gentle, warm, sociable and welcoming.

Heritage -- Italians are known for their culture and the rich history that includes art, literature, poetry, classic architecture, popular traditions, music and customs.

Language – Italian is a romance language. It has many different dialects. Italians speak their dialect as well as the official language. The Italian Canadian families have tried to preserve as much as possible of their language.