The face of Canada is changing rapidly. One in three Canadians will belong to a visible minority by 2031, according to Stats Can. Once largely a nation of staid rural folk, today much of our population lives in competitive, fast-paced urban centres. And our economy, like all those of developed countries, is on the brink of a major green shift. Or is it? In this package of three mini-documentaries, The National investigates our assumptions about ourselves as a society, what Canadians are getting right and where we need improvement.

HOW TOLERANT ARE WE?
Canada has a reputation for being welcoming and tolerant, but cross burning in Halifax and mosque building in Prince George, along with other featured stories, draw a complex picture.

HOW GREEN ARE WE?
As Canadians, how do we help or hinder our green cred? A B.C. family’s efforts to get down to one garbage can per month and the public relations battle to rebrand the oil sands are diverse points in this exploration.

HOW NICE ARE WE?
Being friendly and peaceful is a much-touted part of Canadian identity. A Winnipeg man who fled the Congo and a Vancouver parking meter attendant offer unique perspectives on how close we come to this ideal.