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Canada
- The Country
The Canadian Economy
Canadian Multiculturalism
Links to Major Cities within Canada
Canada
Land Mass
At 9 970 610 km², Canada is one of the largest countries in the
world.
Capital
Ottawa, in the province of Ontario.
Provinces and Territories
Canada has 10 provinces and 2 territories, each with its own
capital city (in brackets): Alberta (Edmonton); British Columbia
(Victoria); Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown); Manitoba (Winnipeg);
New Brunswick (Fredericton); Nova Scotia (Halifax); Ontario (Toronto);
Quebec (Quebec City); Saskatchewan (Regina); Newfoundland (St.
John's); Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) and Yukon Territory
(Whitehorse).
Geography
Diversity is the keynote of Canada's geography, which includes
fertile plains suitable for agriculture, vast mountain ranges, lakes
and rivers. Wilderness forests give way to arctic tundra in the Far
North.
Climate
There are of course many climatic variations in this huge country,
ranging from the permanently frozen icecaps north of the 70th parallel
to the luxuriant vegetation of British Columbia's west coast. On the
whole, though, Canada has four very distinct seasons, especially in
the regions lying along the U.S. border.
Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35 °C and higher, while
lows of -25 are not uncommon in winter. More moderate temperatures are
the norm in spring and fall.
National Parks and Historic Sites
The Canadian government has set aside more than 100 national parks
and historic sites in honour of the people, places and events that
have marked the country's history. Similarly, the provincial
governments may form provincial parks.
Canada's 37 national parks are spread throughout the country.
Banff, located on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, is
the oldest, having opened in 1885, while Vuntut in the northern Yukon
was established as recently as 1993.
Mountain Ranges
As one might expect, Canada's terrain incorporates a number of
mountain ranges: the Torngats, Appalachians and Laurentians in the
east; the Rocky, Coastal and Mackenzie ranges in the west; and Mount
St. Elias and the Pelly Mountains in the north. At 6050 m, Mount Logan
in the Yukon is Canada's tallest peak.
Lakes
The main lakes, in order of the surface area located in Canada,
(many large lakes are traversed by the Canada-U.S. border) are Huron,
Great Bear, Superior, Great Slave, Winnipeg, Erie and Ontario. Great
Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories is the largest lake situated
entirely in Canada; its area is 31 326 km².
Rivers
The St. Lawrence River, which is 3058 km long, provides a seaway
for ships from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The Mackenzie is
the longest river, flowing 4241 km through the Northwest Territories.
The Yukon and the Columbia, parts of which flow through U.S.
territory, the Nelson, the Saskatchewan, the Peace and the Churchill
are also major watercourses.
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Time Zones
Canada has six time zones. The easternmost, in Newfoundland, is
three hours and 30 minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The other
time zones are the Atlantic, the Eastern, the Central, the Rocky
Mountain and, farthest west, the Pacific, which is eight hours behind
GMT.
Political System
Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a
democratic parliament. The Parliament of Canada, in Ottawa, consists
of the House of Commons, whose members are elected, and the Senate,
whose members are appointed. On average, members of Parliament are
elected every four years.
National Emblem
The maple leaf has been associated with Canada since the 1700s. It
has become the country's most important symbol since the national flag
was introduced in 1965.
National Anthem
O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem on July 1, 1980,
a century after being sung for the first time.
Currency
The Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents.
Population
At the time of the June 1991 census, Canada's population was 27.3
million.
Main Cities
According to the 1991 census, the leading Canadian cities are
Toronto (3.89 million), Montreal (3.12 million), Vancouver (1.60
million), Ottawa-Hull, the National Capital Region (0.92 million) and
Edmonton (0.84 million).
Urban and Rural Population
The majority of Canadians, 76.6 percent, live in cities and towns,
while 23.4 percent live in rural areas. According to the 1991 census,
31 percent of the population (8.61 million people) live in the three
largest cities of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Life Expectancy
Women can expect to live almost 80 years, and men, 73, years
according to 1991 data.
Family Size
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At the time of the 1991 national census, the average family size
was 3.1, including 1.3 children.
Living Standard
Canada has one of the world's highest living standards. For
example, in 1991, 83 percent of Canadian households had at least one
car; 97.5 percent had colour televisions, and one out of five had a
computer.
Health Care and Social Security
All Canadians have free access to health care, with the exception
of dental services. Most people over 65 and social aid recipients
receive the majority of their prescription drugs free of charge.
Canada also has an extensive social security network, including old
age pension, family allowance, unemployment insurance and welfare.
Native Peoples
In 1991, 533 000 Canadians were either status or non-status
Indians, and over one million claimed to be of native descent: of
these, 783 980 were North American Indians, 212 650 were Métis and 49
255 were Inuit (formerly called Eskimos).
Ontario had the highest concentration of natives -- 243 550 -- but
the Northwest Territories had the highest proportion: more than 60
percent of its population is of native descent.
Only 295 032 Canadian natives live on reserves or in native
settlements.
Religion
The majority of Canadians are Christian. According to the 1991
census, Roman Catholicism has the most adherents (54.2 percent of
Canadians), followed by Protestantism. Other religions include
Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. About 3.4 million
people stated that they had no religious affiliation whatsoever.
Languages
English, the mother tongue of 16.1 million Canadians, and French,
the language of 6.5 million, are Canada's two official languages.
However, many Canadians have a mother tongue other than English or
French, including Italian, Chinese, German, Portuguese, Polish,
Ukrainian, Dutch, Greek or other languages.
Ethnic Origin
Canadians, including natives, who claim something other than
British or French as their origin represent 42 percent of the
population, or 11 million people. Among the largest ethnic are the
German, Italian, Ukrainian, Dutch, Polish, Chinese, South Asian,
Jewish, West Indian, Portuguese and Scandinavian.
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Culture
The native culture is the only truly indigenous culture of Canada,
since all other Canadians were originally immigrants. They began
moving to Canada in the 17th century, bringing with them their manner
of dress, food preferences and customs. Canada opened its doors to
immigration from all over the world in the early 20th century; in
1988, the multicultural character of the country was officially
recognized when the Government passed the Multiculturalism Act.
Education
The educational system varies from province to province and
includes six to eight years of elementary school, four or five years
of secondary school and three or four years at the university
undergraduate level. The 1991 census revealed that among Canadians
aged 15 and over, 56.9 percent had attended secondary school, 31.7
percent had gone to a trade school or other type of post-secondary
institution, and 1.9 million -- 11.4 percent of the population -- had
a university degree.
Sports
The most popular sports in Canada include swimming, ice hockey,
cross-country and alpine skiing, baseball, tennis, basketball and
golf. Ice hockey, Canadian football and baseball are the favourite
spectator sports.
Main Natural Resources
The principal natural resources are natural gas, oil, gold, coal,
copper, iron ore, nickel, potash, uranium and zinc, along with wood
and water.
Gross Domestic Product
The GDP measures the value of all goods and services produced by a
country during a year. Canada's GDP was C$ 688.5 billion Canadian
dollars in 1992.
Leading Industries
These include automobile manufacturing, pulp and paper, iron and
steel work, machinery and equipment manufacturing, mining, extraction
of fossil fuels, forestry and agriculture.
Exports
Canada's leading exports are automobile vehicles and parts,
machinery and equipment, high-technology products, oil, natural gas,
metals, and forest and farm products.
Imports
Canada imports machinery and industrial equipment including
communications and electronic equipment, vehicles and automobile
parts, industrial materials (metal ores, iron and steel, precious
metals, chemicals, plastics, cotton, wool and other textiles), along
with manufactured products and food.
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Economy and Trade
The Canadian economy is among the world's soundest. Fully
integrated into the global system, Canada is the eighth-largest
trading nation among the industrialized market economies and an active
partner in international investment.
The Canadian economy grew by 2.4 per cent in 1993 and it is
expected by the Government to expand by 3.5 percent in 1994. Despite
some increases early in 1994, interest rates are near historical lows.
This reflects a stable economy which, supported by wage moderation and
productivity gains, is capable of delivering sustained non-
inflationary growth.
Canada is a trading nation. About 29.3 per cent of the country's
total output of good and services (GDP) is exported -- mostly to the
United States, which is by far the country's biggest market, taking
80.3 per cent of Canada's merchandise exports in 1993, and supplying
73 per cent of its merchandise imports. In 1993, exports to the United
States increased by 20 per cent, while imports from the U.S. rose by
18 per cent. Canada and the United States are each other's most
important trading partner.
Total merchandise exports to all countries reached $187.3 billion
in 1993, growing by $24.7 billion or 15.2 per cent from their 1992
level. This represented the largest year- over-year increase since
1984. Total imports grew by $21.5 billion or 14.5 per cent in 1993,
reaching $169.5 billion.
Evolution of the Canadian Economy
Although Canada is known worldwide as a rich source of raw
materials and primary products such as wheat, oil, lumber and
minerals, in recent years the structure of the Canadian economy has
changed.
Over the past quarter of a century, resource exports have become a
less important part of Canada's trade mix, representing about 20 per
cent of Canadian exports now, compared with 40 per cent in 1963. Fewer
than 5.6 per cent of Canadian workers are now employed in primary
industries, compared with 13 per cent in 1963. A similar trend has
been occurring in the manufacturing sector.
As in many other industrial countries, there has been a shift in
employment toward services industries (including community, business
and personal), which now employ about two-thirds of the Canadian work
force. At the same time, the growing role of knowledge-based activity,
either within existing industry or as self-sustaining business, has
put pressure on industry and governments to strengthen job training
and to promote the acquisition of skills adapted to technological
requirements.
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Investment
Canada is an attractive place to invest. It offers access to a
stable business environment, a skilled workforce and superior
technology.
In a period of world wide deregulation when most domestic financial
markets have become more open to foreign capital, large pools of
international funds have been attracted by the conditions offered in
the Canadian financial market.
Research and Development (R & D) tax credits are flexible and
generous. On average, each dollar spent toward R & D in Canada
costs only $0.44, substantially lower than in the United States.
Canada not only offers the best treatment of R & D, but also
the lowest corporate tax rates of all G-7 countries (the Group of
Seven (leading industrialized countries) is comprised of Canada,
France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United
States).
Over the years 1970 to 1990, Canada has had the fastest rate of job
creation in the G-7 economies, while its inflation is currently at
less than two per cent annually, the lowest of the OECD (Organization
for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries.
Canadians are proud of the universal coverage provided by their
health care system. It offers everyone, rich and poor, access to
high-quality care. Health care is delivered at a substantially lower
cost than in the United States where many citizens do not possess
health insurance.
In 1991, the total cost of health care in Canada accounted for
$40.5 billion or almost 10 per cent of the country's gross domestic
product (GDP) (or US$2 140 per capita), with more than 70 per cent of
this total being spent by Government. The United States spent 13.2 per
cent of its GDP on health care, (US $2 867 per capita).
Major sources of foreign direct investment in Canada come from the
United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. Stock of
foreign direct investment in Canada amounted to $145.9 billion in
1993, compared to $114.9 billion in 1988, the period preceding the
Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement. Almost 64 per cent of the
1989-1992 flow of foreign direct investment into Canada originated in
the United States.
Because of the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement),
investors in Canada have preferential and secure access to both the
United States and Mexico. Besides providing an infusion of funds into
the economy, investment in Canada is bringing with it new technology,
new capacities in research, new kinds of jobs, and new technical and
managerial abilities.
The Labour Force
Of the G-7 countries, Canada registered the second best economic
performance in 1993. Similarly, on the labour market scene, only
Canada and the United States registered some overall employment growth
in 1993 (1.2 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively).
Employment in Canada is growing following job losses sustained in
the 1990-92 period of recession and slow recovery. The unemployment
rate is expected to decline in 1994.
As in other G-7 countries, the unemployment rate among young people
in Canada is high, about 18 per cent in 1993. To help youth prepare
for the challenges of the 1990s labour market and the new global
economy, Canada has launched a Youth Employment and Learning Strategy
that will help young people make the successful transition from school
to the permanent workforce.
GATT: Agreement on the Uruguay Round
On April 15, 1994, Canada signed the Final Act of GATT (the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) embodying the results of the Uruguay
Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Subject to approval by
Parliament, the signature indicates that Canada fully accepts the
results of the largest and most complex international trade
negotiations ever undertaken. About 120 countries have made
commitments to lower or eliminate tariffs and other barriers to trade.
The Round established the World Trade Organization (WTO), giving
Canada and the world community a powerful new vehicle to combat
protectionism and promote liberalized trade. Canada played a critical
role in proposing and developing the concept for the WTO which may
enter into force as early as January 1, 1995.
The results of the Uruguay Round will greatly increase Canadian
access to the European market and to the fast-growing markets of
Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
The North American Free Trade Agreement
Trade with other countries is crucial to Canada's prosperity. One
quarter of our output depends on international trade.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United
States and Mexico came into force on January 1, 1994. The NAFTA
improves access to these countries for Canadian goods and services and
guarantees our position as a prime location for investors seeking to
serve all of the North American continent.
Tariffs between Canada and the United States will be phased out by
1998. The 10- year reduction of most tariffs with Mexico is now under
way. The NAFTA also provides greater market access for service
industries and permits more mobility for professional and business
travellers among NAFTA countries.
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The European Union
The European Union (EU) countries taken together constitute
Canada's second- largest trading and investment partner. After the
United States and Japan, seven of Canada's top 10 export destinations
in 1993 were in Europe.
The EU is the world's largest importer, with imports from outside
the EU of $726 billion in 1992. Canada's merchandise trade with Europe
in 1993 was over $32 billion, accounting for almost 10 per cent of our
exports and 12 per cent of our imports.
Raw materials accounted for only 17 per cent of Canadian exports to
the EU in 1993. Ottawa, Ontario More than 75 per cent of our exports
to the EU are in the form of end products or manufactured goods.
Next to the United States and Japan, our biggest bilateral trading
partners are the United Kingdom and Germany. In 1993, Canadian exports
to the United Kingdom totalled $2.8 billion, while Canadian imports
from the United Kingdom were $4.4 billion. During the period
1989-1993, Canadian exports to Germany increased by 23 per cent,
whereas imports decreased by 6.4 per cent.
Some 23 per cent of direct foreign investment in Canada came from
Europe in 1993, while Canadians invested almost $23 billion in Europe.
Asia-Pacific
Canada's economic ties with the countries of the Asia-Pacific
region are becoming stronger and more diverse. This region contains
many of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
The Asia-Pacific region was the market for over $16.6 billion of
Canadian exports in 1993. Imports from the region were about $25.1
billion. Long-term commercial involvement will be important for
Canadian firms to maintain and expand markets.
To manage these important relationships, the Government of Canada
has been active in regional organizations. Canada is a member of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Co- operation (APEC) forum, which consults on
economic and trade issues in the region.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines.
As a group, these countries rank among Canada's top 10 export markets.
With a population of 337 million people, the ASEAN maintains a GDP
half that of China.
Canada is undertaking important initiatives to expand its trade
with specific markets. In May 1993, the Minister for International
Trade launched the Action Plan for Japan, a joint undertaking with the
private sector, to alert industry to the changing conditions,
encourage product adaptation, and assist with product promotion. In
1993, Japan purchased $8.5 billion worth of Canadian exports, an
increase of 13 per cent over the previous year.
China was Canada's sixth-largest trading partner during 1993.
Canadian exports are expected to continue to increase. Opportunities
exist for developing infrastructure and telecommunications,
encouraging industrial joint ventures, and expanding markets.
The Future
World markets are in transformation and offer varied trade,
technology and investment opportunities for Canadian business.
International economic development and investment flows will
increasingly affect Canadian lives and set the pace for global
economic change.
The export sector has been the most dynamic element recently in
stimulating economic growth in Canada. The fastest-growing new sectors
for Canadian export include chemicals, communications equipment,
computer software and specialized services.
Trade will continue to figure significantly in the creation of new
jobs. Each $1 billion in new exports translates into an estimated 9
000 jobs. At the same time, sound monetary and fiscal management,
including an effective and balanced approach to controlling Government
spending, will continue to ensure that Canada remains an attractive
place for investment and trade.
With its great natural resources, skilled labour force, and modern
capital plant, Canada, as an affluent, high-tech industrial society,
has excellent economic prospects.
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Multiculturalism
History
The groundwork for a multicultural Canada was laid early in the
country's history. Aboriginal society was multicultural and
multilingual. The first French and British explorers who came to
Canada in the 16th and 17th centuries interacted with the First
Nations to build a unique Canadian heritage.
During the final decades of the 19th century and the early years of
the 20th, many eastern and northern Europeans immigrated to Canada in
search of land and freedom. During this same period, large numbers of
Chinese and South Asians also came to Canada as labourers to work in
the mines, on the railroad or in service industries.
Individuals from all over the world have settled in Canada, making
it a truly multicultural country. In 1991, over 11 million Canadians
(including Aboriginals), or 42 per cent of the Canadian population,
reported having a least some ethnic origin other than British or
French. Among the larger groups are German, Italian, Ukrainian, Dutch,
Polish, Chinese, South Asian, Jewish, Caribbean, Portuguese and
Scandinavian.
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Education
Canada's education system has had to respond creatively to the
cultural diversity of the people. Over 60 languages are spoken by more
than 70 ethnocultural groups across the country. Many schools have
students from 20 or more distinct ethnocultural groups. In Toronto and
Vancouver, over half the students in public schools can speak
languages other than English or French.
Multicultural and anti-racist education programs challenge the
educational system at all levels to adapt itself to the diversity of
its clientele to ensure equity and inclusiveness. At school, teachers
bring their students to an understanding and appreciation of other
cultures.
Heritage language instruction is available in many communities. In
some provinces and communities, heritage language classes are
available in the schools. The federal government funds projects
designed to promote innovative approaches to the teaching of heritage
languages. It also supports the development of Canadian resources,
expertise and educational materials for heritage language schools.
In addition, the Government has programs to promote institutional
change in the educational system, multicultural research, ethnic
histories and other documentary resources, and the development of
courses and the creation of chairs of study on multiculturalism at
Canadian universities.
Media
Active for more than 80 years, ethnic newspapers flourish across
Canada. In Toronto alone, there are more than 100 daily, weekly,
monthly or quarterly ethnic- language publications. More than 40
cultures are represented in Canada's ethnic press; many of these
publications are national in scope.
Ethnic radio and television broadcasting in Canada is also
thriving. Nine radio stations in five cities broadcast a large
percentage of their weekly programming to specific ethnic groups,
notably Italian, Ukrainian, German, Greek, Portuguese and Chinese.
Toronto has a full-time ethnic television station. Three ethnic
specialty television services are licensed, and more than 60 radio
stations include ethnic broadcasting in their schedules. Numerous
cable companies carry programming in a variety of languages on
community channels.
Canada's Broadcasting Act, which obtained royal assent in
1991, enshrined the concept of access by minorities. The legislation
affirms that the Canadian broadcasting system should, through its
programming and the employment opportunities arising out of its
operations, serve the need of a diverse society and reflect the
multicultural and multiracial nature of Canada.
Business
Canada's diversity is increasingly recognized as an asset in both
the domestic and international market, and as a major contributing
factor to Canadian economic prosperity. Canadians who came here as
immigrants have gained international acclaim in the business world and
continue to make decisive contributions to Canada's wealth. According
to data compiled by Canadian Heritage:
- in 1988, they brought some $6 billion to Canada;
- they are 50 per cent more likely to be self-employed than other
Canadians;
- they save more, thereby expanding the pool of investment capital
available in the country;
- they tend to consume less in public services, and few of them
receive social assistance;
- immigrants have higher than average incomes and higher wages,
therefore they pay more in taxes.
As a result of these contributions, far from being a drain on
Canadian wealth, the average immigrant-headed household effectively
transfers about $210 annually to the Canadian born population.
Aware of the potential opportunities of diversity in the business
world, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce interacts with international
commerce organizations. The Government's Federal Business Development
Bank consults regularly with ethnocultural business associations in
major centres.
The Department of Canadian Heritage has published a directory of
contacts for businesses and governments wishing to network with the
Canadian ethnocultural business community on domestic or international
business matters.
The Arts
Artists with origins in all parts of the world now enrich the
Canadian cultural scene. For example, an increasing number of writers
of various ethnocultural origins have received national and
international recognition, including the Governor General's and Booker
prizes. Similarly, Canadians of diverse ethnocultural background are
making significant contributions to film, video, performance and
visual arts in Canada.
Multicultural Programs
Community-based organizations and coalitions, as well as
institutions, play a major role in the promotion of racial equity,
cross-cultural understanding and civic spirit. Their efforts are
supported by the Government's multiculturalism programs, which provide
financial help and advice to ethnocultural community groups, agencies
serving immigrants, immigrant women's groups and race relations
coalitions, among others, as well as Canadian institutions and, in
some cases, individuals.
Services to first-generation Canadians (citizens born elsewhere)
providing information about Canada are a large part of many
community-based programs. In partnership with the Canadian government,
various institutions, including the police, the media, health and
social services, unions and municipal governments, also participate in
education programs designed to improve race relations and help people
adapt to cultural diversity.
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Law and Policy
While Canada's history contains examples of injustices toward
minority groups, Canada's citizens, institutions and governments are
actively working toward eliminating discrimination.
To enable all members of Canadian society to exercise fully, and
with equity, their citizenship rights, responsibilities and
privileges, Canada has developed concrete, forward-looking programs
and laws.
In July 1988, the Government of Canada acknowledged and honoured
the changing face of the country in ground-breaking legislation, the Canadian
Multiculturalism Act. The Act states that every citizen,
regardless of origin, has an equal chance to participate in all
aspects of the country's collective life. The legislation is designed
to "encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic and
political institutions of Canada to be both respectful and inclusive
of Canada's multicultural character." The Act also gave the
federal government responsibility for promoting multiculturalism
throughout its departments and agencies.
The Canadian Multiculturalism Act is the culmination of a
series of developments over the past two decades.
- When multiculturalism became official government policy in 1971,
a modest grants program was set up to assist community groups,
coalitions, immigrant support networks and citizen advocacy
groups.
- In 1972, a minister of state for multiculturalism was appointed.
- In 1977, the Canadian Human Rights Act was passed. It
provides legal safeguards against discrimination based on several
grounds including race, national or ethnic origin, colour,
religion or sex.
- In 1981, the multiculturalism mandate was expanded to include
race relations.
- In 1982, multiculturalism and equality rights were enshrined in
Canada's Constitution in the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.
- In 1986, employment equity legislation was passed.
- In 1989, the Government launched an annual anti-racism campaign.
As well as federal government initiatives, since 1971 most
provinces have established their own formal multiculturalism policies
and programs.
Commitment
Canada's commitment to multiculturalism is more than words on paper
or laws in Parliament. Multiculturalism is woven into the very fabric
of Canadian life. By recognizing multiculturalism as a fundamental
characteristic of the country's identity and heritage, Canadians of
all cultural origins have the opportunity to contribute to the common
goals of equality, national unity, social harmony and economic
prosperity.
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