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Canada Introduction

The Best Country in the World!
The United Nations has rated Canada the top country in the world for the past four years. Quality of life in Canada is extremely high. Canada provides a comfortable standard of living, good health care, social security, public education, low crime rates, a stable and growing economy, and a clean environment.

Canada is a free and democratic society. The Canadian constitution, called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, guarantees everyone the rights to equality, mobility, freedom of speech, assembly and association.

People around the world consider Canada a generous, peaceful and compassionate nation. Canadians are viewed as honest, friendly and polite. A 1997 survey of people in 20 countries found that the majority placed Canada in the top ten list of countries where they would like to live.

A Nation Built on Immigrants
Canada is a nation built on immigrants. Canada receives approximately 200,000 to 250,000 immigrants a year. It is a multicultural society that celebrates its differences. Canada has two official languages, English and French. More than 17% of the population speaks a different language.

Unlike many countries, Canada accepts dual citizenship.

Immigration at a glance

Some facts about immigrants and immigration:

More than a quarter of a million people immigrate to Canada annually
One out of six Canadians was born outside of this country
One in eight immigrants has dual citizenship
More than half of immigrants aged 25 to 64 have a post-secondary degree
Male immigrants experience an unemployment rate of 15 to 21 percent in the first five years after arrival while women experience a rate of 20 to 26 percent
A majority of immigrants end up in sales, service or processing jobs
Twenty-six percent of immigrants come from Asia: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines, and Japan
Nine out of ten immigrant seniors over the age of 65 live with their relatives, compares to 6.7 out of ten Canadian-born seniors
Eighty-five percent of immigrants become Candian citizens. About 150,000 immigrants become citizens every year

A Beautiful Country
As the second largest country in the world, Canada is a land of great beauty. With its Atlantic and Pacific costs, vast forests, mountain ranges, lakes and vast prairie, Canada is rich in its natural resources. Canada contains 38 national parks, 1000 provincial parks, and approximately 50 territorial parks.

Canadian Politics

Canada is an independent constitutional monarchy and has three tiers of government: federal, provincial, and municipal (for towns and cities).

Federal Government

Canada's head of state is the Queen of England. She is represented by the Governor general in Canada and has a mainly symbolic role.

The federal government is responsible for such national matters as foreign affairs, national defence, trade and commerce. It also shares many powers with the provincial governments.

The political party with the most elected members forms the federal government and its leader becomes the Prime Minister. The party with the second largest number of elected members becomes the Official Opposition, and its role is to offer constructive criticism to the government. The four best known political parties are:

The Progressive Conservative Party

The Liberal Party

The New Democratic Party

The Conservative Alliance

The federal government is based in the capital city of Ottawa, Ontario and derives its power from three bodies

The Cabinet, consisting of individuals or "Minister's appointed by the Prime Minister, each responsible for a government department (such as Finance or Immigration).

The House of Commons, composed of 295 publicly elected representatives or "Members of Parliament" (MPs) from different areas of the country.

The Senate, consisting of 104 individuals appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Provincial Government

The Queen is represented in each province by the Lieutenant-Governor.

The provincial governments are responsible for such matters as education, transportation, health, and social services.

The provincial political party with the most elected members forms the government and its leader becomes the Premier. The number and names of parties vary according to province. Each provincial capital city has a parliament (called the Legislature everywhere except Quebec, which calls it the National assembly), which functions similarly to the federal House of Commons.

Each elected member represents an area of his or her province and is called an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) except in Ontario (MPP - Member of Provincial Parliament) and Quebec (MNA - Membre de l'Assemblee nationale). Although the number varies, most provinces average about 75 members.

Municipal Government

A municipal government controls such local matters as police, schools, garbage collection, and property taxes. Officials are elected for the City Council, and various other boards such as Education and Parks and Recreation. The leader of a municipal government is called a mayor, and other representatives are called councillors.

The Court System

In Canada, federal, provincial, and municipal governments pass laws. The courts interpret and enforce the laws, but are separate from the government. There are different types of courts dealing with different areas of the law (Family Court, for example). The Canadian court system consists of three levels: trial courts, appeal courts, and the Supreme Court of Canada, which is the court of final appeal

From the time the first French and British explorers interacted with Canada's aboriginal population, Canadians have banded together to build a unique nation.
Canada is a land filled with natural wonders and serene beauty. The influences of geography and climate played an important role throughout Canada's development. Canada also enhances its liveliness with a multitude of governmental agencies which reflects in its vibrant arts and culture dimension and it's population.

Land Mass

Canada is the world's second-largest country (9 093 507 km2), surpassed only by the Russian Federation.
Capital Ottawa, in the province of Ontario.
Provinces and Territories
Canada has ten provinces and three territories, each with its own capital city (in brackets): Alberta (Edmonton); British Columbia (Victoria); Manitoba (Winnipeg); New Brunswick (Fredericton); Newfoundland (St. John's); Nova Scotia (Halifax); Ontario (Toronto); Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown); Quebec (Quebec City); Saskatchewan (Regina); Northwest Territories (Yellowknife); Nunavut (Iqaluit); 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 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. Canada's most populous regions, which lie in the country's south along the U.S. border, enjoy four distinct seasons. Here, daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35°C and higher, while lows of minus 25°C are not uncommon in winter. More moderate temperatures are the norm in spring and fall.
Parks and Historic Sites
Canada maintains 39 national parks, which cover about 2 percent of the country's landmass. Banff, located on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, is the oldest, having been established in 1885; Tuktut Nogait, in the Northwest Territories, was established in 1996. There are about 850 national historic sites, designated in honour of people, places and events that figure in the country's history. Canada also has over 1 000 provincial parks and nearly 50 territorial parks.
Mountain Ranges
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 5959 metres, Mount Logan in the Yukon is Canada's tallest peak.
Lakes
There are some two million lakes in Canada, covering about 7.6 percent of the Canadian landmass. 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. The largest lake situated entirely in Canada is Great Bear Lake (31 328 km2) in the Northwest Territories.
Rivers
The St. Lawrence (3 058 kilometres long) is Canada's most important river, providing a seaway for ships from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The longest Canadian river is the Mackenzie, which flows 4 241 kilometres through the Northwest Territories. Other large watercourses include the Yukon and the Columbia (parts of which flow through U.S. territory), the Nelson, the Churchill, and the Fraser - along with major tributaries such as the Saskatchewan, the Peace, the Ottawa, the Athabasca and the Liard.

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 Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Rocky Mountain and, farthest west, Pacific, which is eight hours behind GMT.

Political System

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a democratic system of government. 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.
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Canada's Constitution contains a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which sets out certain fundamental freedoms and rights that neither Parliament nor any provincial legislature acting alone can change. These include equality rights, mobility rights and legal rights, together with freedoms such as speech, association and peaceful assembly.
National Emblem
The maple leaf has been associated with Canada for some time: in 1868, it figured in coats of arms granted to Ontario and Quebec, and in both World Wars, it appeared on regimental badges. Since the 1965 introduction of the Canadian flag, the maple leaf has become the country's most important national symbol.
The Canadian Flag
Several people participated in designing the Canadian flag. Jacques St. Cyr contributed the stylized maple leaf, George Bist the proportions, and Dr. Gunter Wyszechi the colouration. The final determination of all aspects of the new flag was made by a 15-member parliamentary committee, which is formally credited with the design. After lengthy debate, the new flag was adopted by Parliament. It officially became the national flag on February 15, 1965, now recognized as Canada's Flag Day.
National Anthem
O Canada was composed in 1880, with music by Calixa Lavallée and words by Judge Adolphe-Basile Routhier. In 1908, Robert Stanley Weir wrote the translation on which the present English lyrics are based. On July 1, 1980, a century after being sung for the first time, O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem.

Most people's conception of Canada goes little beyond appreciating its vastness, recognizing its flag and identifying a few well-known physical features. And while it's true that the majority of travelers are attracted by the opportunity to explore Canada's wilderness areas, natural wonders and low-key rural charm, there is a lot more to Canada than maple trees, Niagara Falls and wide open spaces.

It's the edginess between Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions that gives the nation its complex three-dimensional character. Add to this a constant infusion of US culture and a plethora of traditions brought from Europe, Asia and Latin America by migrants, and you have a thriving multicultural society very much in the process of forming its own identity. Those expecting Canada to be a blander counterpart of the USA should check their preconceptions at the door - Canada's wild northern frontier, which has etched itself into the national psyche, and its distinct patchwork of peoples have created a country that is decidedly different from its southern neighbor.

Full country name: Canada
Area: 9,976,000 sq km (3.9 million sq mi)
Population: 31,280,000
Capital city: Ottawa (pop: 1,010,500)
People: British descent (28%), French descent (23%), Italian descent (3%), aboriginal peoples (2%), plus significant minorities of German, Ukrainian, Dutch, Greek, Polish and Chinese descent
Languages: English, French and 53 native languages
Religion: Catholic (45%), Protestant (36%) and minorities from most of the world's major religions
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Prime Minister: Jean Chrétien
Governor-General: Adrienne Clarkson

GDP: US$774 billion
GDP per head: US$25,000
Annual growth: 3%
Inflation: 3%
Major products/industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas
Major trading partners: USA, Japan, EU (UK, Germany, Netherlands), China and South Korea

Facts for the Traveler
Visas: Most western visitors don't need a visa to visit Canada. Travelers from South Africa, China, North Korea, Taiwan, Eastern European and developing countries do require them. Entry stamps for visits of up to six months are free.
Health risks: Giardia, Rabies and Lyme Disease (in wooded regions)
Time: There are six time zones ranging from Newfoundland Standard Time in the East (GMT/UTC -3.5) to Pacific Standard Time in the West (GMT/UTC -8). During Daylight Saving Time (Apr-Oct), the range is -2.5 to -7)
Electricity: 110/120V 60Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Tourism: 50 million visitors (approx) per year, 90% of whom are US citizens

When to Go
Spring, summer and autumn are all ideal for touring, though if you want to ski you'll naturally have to come in winter or early spring. For campers and those who want to visit the far north, the summer months of July and August are best. Summer is also when many of the country's festivals take place. Note that the peak tourist season is between mid-June and mid-September. Although spring and autumn have fewer crowds, lower prices and a more relaxed pace than the summer months, some visitor-oriented facilities and attractions may be closed during these shoulder seasons.

Events
The Quebec City Winter Carnival, which takes place during the last two weeks of February, features parades, ice sculptures, a snow slide, dances and music. Ottawa's three-week Winterlude fetes all things snowy in February. The Montreal Jazz Festival at the end of June and the Ottawa International Jazz Festival in July both attract international and local players. Two major events in Toronto held in June are Caribana, a cultural exchange offering ethnic music, dance and food, and the Gay Pride Day Parade through the downtown area. In September, there's the Toronto International Film Festival. Calgary hosts the popular Calgary Stampede in July, the highlight of which is the chuck wagon race and rodeo. In the west, Victoria celebrates the First Peoples' Festival in August with traditional craftwork, dancing and war-canoe rides.

Public holidays
January 1 - New Year's Day
3rd Monday in February - Family Day (Alberta)
Monday nearest March 17 - St Patrick's Day (Newfoundland)
March/April - Good Friday & Easter Monday
Monday nearest April 23 - St George's Day (Newfoundland)
Monday before May 24 - Victoria Day (except in the Atlantic Provinces)
June 24 - Fête Nationale (Québec)
Monday nearest June 24 - Discovery Day (Newfoundland)
Monday nearest July 13 - Orangeman's Day (Newfoundland)
1st Monday in August - Civic Holiday
3rd Monday in August - Discovery Day (Yukon)
1st Monday in September - Labor Day
2nd Monday in October - Thanksgiving
November 11 - Remembrance Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 26 - Boxing Day

Money & Costs
Currency: Canadian dollar

Meals

Budget: US$5-15
Mid-range: US$15-30
Top-end: US$30 and upwards

Lodging
Budget: US$15-30
Mid-range: US$30-80
Top-end: US$80 and upwards
Widely different income levels in Canada mean you can find accommodation, food and entertainment to suit any budget. In general the three northern territories are the costliest, followed by Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Québec and Atlantic Canada will put the least pressure on your wallet. For most visitors, the largest expense will be accommodation. Food prices are generally much lower than those in Western Europe, but are a little higher than those in the USA. If you stay in budget accommodation and eat in cafes, expect to spend around US$45 a day, not including long-distance transport. If you stay in motels and eat at restaurants occasionally, you're looking at around US$80 a day.

It's best to change money at companies such as Thomas Cook, which specializes in international transactions. If you can't find a money exchange office or booth, try a bank. American Express and Thomas Cook are the best travelers' checks to have, and you should make sure they are either in US or Canadian dollar denominations. Credit cards are widely accepted, especially Visa, MasterCard and American Express. ABMs (ATMs) are common throughout Canada, with the Interac system the quickest and most convenient way to replenish cash.

A 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST) is applicable to all transport, accommodation, restaurant meals and just about anything else you're likely to purchase, including newspapers. On top of this, in most of Canada, a provincial sales tax also must be paid. This can, in some provinces, add 15% to the quoted price, so factor it into your expenses so you don't get a nasty surprise at the cash register.

It's considered normal to tip 10-15% of the bill. Tips are usually given to waiters, cab drivers, hairdressers, hotel attendants and, by savvy drinkers, bar staff.

Economy—overview
As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada started the 1990s in recession, and real rates of growth have averaged only 1.1% so far this decade. Because of slower growth, Canada still faces high unemployment—especially in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces—and a large public sector debt. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, however, Canada will enjoy better economic prospects in the future. The continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas is raising the possibility of a split in the federation, making foreign investors somewhat edgy.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$658 billion (1997 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 3.5% (1997 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$21,700 (1997 est.)

GDP—composition by sector
agriculture: 3%
industry: 31%
services: 66% (1997)
Inflation rate—consumer price index: 1.8% (1997)

Labor force
total: 15.3 million (1997)
by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing 16%, agriculture 3%, construction 5%, other 1% (1997)
Unemployment rate: 8.6% (December 1997)

Budget
revenues: $106.5 billion
expenditures: $117.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7 billion (1996)
Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas

Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (1997 est.)

Electricity—capacity: 113.645 million kW (1995)

Electricity—production: 532.64 billion kWh (1995)

Electricity—consumption per capita: 17,448 kWh (1995)

Agriculture—products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported

Exports
total value: $208.6 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
commodities: newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts; telecommunications equipment
partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China
Imports
total value: $194.4 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
commodities: crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, computers; telecommunications equipment and parts
partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
Debt—external: $253 billion (1996)

Economic aid
donor: ODA, $1.6 billion (1995)
note: ODA and OOF commitments, $10.1 billion (1986-91)
Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents

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