About Canada
Canadian Way of Living
-Very diverse in its people, its landscape, its climate, and its way of life. -Live by important values-guide and influence much of our everyday life. Values of pride, a belief in equality and diversity and respect for all individuals in society. -Women, men, children and seniors are all equally respected in Canada. -A friendly, caring, peace loving and secure society in which to live. -For 9 consecutive years, United Nations survey found Canada to be among the top three places in the world to live. -Canada earned particularly high marks for its access to education, high life expectancy (due to universal health care system); and low crime and violence rates. -Canada continues to remain in the top five on the list. -Canada's largest cities -- Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal -- have been recognized as world-class cities in which to live and work, for their cleanliness and safety and for their cultural activities and attractive lifestyles. |
History of Canada
-The first inhabitants of Canada were native Indian peoples, primarily the Inuit (Eskimo).
-The Norse explorer Leif Eriksson probably reached the shores of Canada (Labrador or Nova Scotia) in 1000, but the history of the white man in the country actually began in 1497, when John Cabot, an Italian in the service of Henry VII of England, reached Newfoundland or Nova Scotia.
-Canada was taken for France in 1534 by Jacques Cartier Quebec was founded. France's colonization efforts were not very successful
-Because of the valuable fisheries and fur trade, a conflict developed between the French and English;
-1713 Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and Nova Scotia (Acadia) were lost to England.
-During the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), England extended its conquest, and the British general James Wolfe won his famous victory over Gen. Louis
Montcalm outside Quebec on Sept. 13, 1759
.-The Treaty of Paris in 1763 gave England control.
-The first inhabitants of Canada were native Indian peoples, primarily the Inuit (Eskimo).
-The Norse explorer Leif Eriksson probably reached the shores of Canada (Labrador or Nova Scotia) in 1000, but the history of the white man in the country actually began in 1497, when John Cabot, an Italian in the service of Henry VII of England, reached Newfoundland or Nova Scotia.
-Canada was taken for France in 1534 by Jacques Cartier Quebec was founded. France's colonization efforts were not very successful
-Because of the valuable fisheries and fur trade, a conflict developed between the French and English;
-1713 Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and Nova Scotia (Acadia) were lost to England.
-During the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), England extended its conquest, and the British general James Wolfe won his famous victory over Gen. Louis
Montcalm outside Quebec on Sept. 13, 1759
.-The Treaty of Paris in 1763 gave England control.
Geography
-Area: 9,976,140 km2 -Second largest country -made up of ten provinces & 3 territories -80% of people live in cities/town within 100 kilometers of the US border |
Religion
-4/5 are Christian -Catholics=45% -Protestants=35% Others: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism |
Languages
-Two official languages: English-59% & French (1st language)-23% |
Political System
-Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor General Michaëlle Jean -Head of Government: Prime Minister Stephen Harper -Constitutional monarchy & a federal state with democratic parliament -Parliament: House of Commons (members elected) and Senate (members appointed) |
Economy
-Economic freedom score is 80.2, making its economy the 6th freest in the 2014 Index. Its overall score is 0.8 -Canada continues to be the freest economy in the North America region -A transparent and stable business climate makes Canada one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations. -Openness to global trade and commerce is firmly institutionalized, and the economy has rebounded relatively quickly from the global recession. -The financial system has remained stable, and prudent regulations have allowed banks to withstand the global financial turmoil with little disruption |
The people of Canada
-Population: 32.5 million
-Vast majority (77%) living in cities and towns
-China & India are the largest sources of immigrants
-Canada very diverse! With the help of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. These laws say that all Canadians are free to promote and share our multicultural heritage
-Aboriginal people of Canada: has additional rights to protect their own cultures, languages & become self-governing
-Population: 32.5 million
-Vast majority (77%) living in cities and towns
-China & India are the largest sources of immigrants
-Canada very diverse! With the help of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. These laws say that all Canadians are free to promote and share our multicultural heritage
-Aboriginal people of Canada: has additional rights to protect their own cultures, languages & become self-governing
Immigration Issues
Canada has an average of 250,000 per year immigration intake!
It is the highest per capita in the world!
It has been destructive to the nations economy
Causes many Canadians to be unemployed since they are competing for a limited amount of jobs
Cause over crowding, grid-locked environmental disasters in major cities
Immigrants are more likely than native born Canadians to have lower incomes initially
Canada has an average of 250,000 per year immigration intake!
It is the highest per capita in the world!
It has been destructive to the nations economy
Causes many Canadians to be unemployed since they are competing for a limited amount of jobs
Cause over crowding, grid-locked environmental disasters in major cities
Immigrants are more likely than native born Canadians to have lower incomes initially