As the powers in Europe fought so did their colonies in the "New World" as the locals took sides with the French or English while many found themselves fighting another's battle or continuing a war with a neighbor that had been ongoing for generations.
In 1763 France lost power over "New France" as the English took full control of the North American colonies. However the French in "New France" maintained their identity, religion, language, and customs.
In 1840 the French and English united to create one government and later, in 1867 they created their own country. After some growing pains and separation issues from the motherland, Canada finally gained full independence from the United Kingdom in 1982 with the Canada Act, making the English monarch the head of state, however solely in a nominal fashion.
During the 1800s and 1900s the population was more evenly distributed further to the west. During this same period, the French in Quebec have gone back and forth of whether to secede or not and the First Nations Peoples have gained greater rights, particularly in 1960 with full citizenship.
Since about 1990 immigration to Canada has become more diverse and much of the west coast, particularly Vancouver, has a strong Asian presence. Despite this diversity, the people still unite as one when the world watches and during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver the nation displayed their diversity, while demonstrating how each aspect was uniquely Canadian.