Final answer:
Canada's English and French influences stem from its history of early colonisation by both France and Britain. Following a series of wars in the 1680s, Britain took over New France (present-day Canada), causing a divide between French-speaking and English-speaking Canadians. Though English is the lingua franca in most regions, French-speaking communities, especially in Quebec, have retained their cultural roots.
Step-by-step explanation:
Canada's English and French influences were deeply engendered by its history, primarily due to early colonisation by France and Britain. In the 1530s, the French colonised the region now called Canada, dubbing it New France. They focused their activities around the St. Lawrence River valley and the Great Lakes region, including present-day Ontario. Britain claimed dominance over the eastern coast of North America in the 1680s and eventually took over New France following a series of wars. Consequently, this created a divide between French Canada and British Canada that is still evident today.
Interestingly, the cultural differences between French-speaking Canada and the rest of Canada have often led to political conflicts. In Quebec, the French-speaking majority felt threatened by the dominance of English and, as a protective measure, declared French as the province's only official language. This past French influence also explains why, as of 2006, 22 percent of Canadians spoke French as their primary language.
However, English is the lingua franca across most of Canada, stemming from Britain's colonial dominance. When the United States gained independence from Great Britain, many English loyalists migrated to Canada, cementing the predominance of the English language.
Learn more about English and French influences in Canada