CANADA’s Handbook
National Athem:
COUNTRY PROFILE
Quick Facts:
Location: North America
Capital: Ottawa, Ontario
Area: 9,984,670 km²
Population: 32,507,874 (2004)
Official Languages: English and French
ECONOMIC
-resembles US in market oriented system, pattern of production, and high living standards
-Growth of manufacturing, mining, and service sectors since WW2
-changed nation from rural to industrial and urban
-FTA (1989) and NAFTA (1994) allowed for a significant increase in trade and economic integration with the US
-economic slowness in the US 2001-02 negatively impacted Canadian economy
-Real growth averaged 3% 1993-2000, moderate recovery in 2002-03
-Unemployment is increased, with contraction in manufacturing and natural resource sectors
-Exceptional fiscal management has produced long-term budget surplus thus substantially reducing national debt
-public debate continues over how to manage rising cost of publicly funded healthcare system
-Trade makes up for about a third of GDP
Significant trade surplus with its main trading partner (US), which absorbs 85%+ of Canadian exports
-About 90% of the Canadian population lives within 160 km of US border
POLITICAL
Executive Branch:
Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II, represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON
head of government: Prime Minister Paul, Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN
Cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament
Elections: none; the monarchy is inherited; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor general.
Legislative Branch: Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Commons or elections: House of Commons
Judicial Branch:Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts.
Politics Party & Leaders:Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada [Stephen HARPER]; Liberal Party [Paul MARTIN]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON].
SOCIAL
Ethnic Groups: British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26%
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 36%, other 18%
Languages: English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%
INTRODUCTORY POSITION
Pertaining to the situation with the Middle East, we continue to support Israel, especially in its right to live in peace with its neighbors within secure boundaries as this has been at the core of our Middle East policy since 1948. By any means necessary, we will put forth our greatest efforts to help support any peace making settlements made throughout this crisis. We, as a nation, recognize Israel's right to assure its own security, and to take proportionate measures in accordance with international law, including human rights and international humanitarian law, to protect the security of its citizens from attacks by terrorist groups.
ROLE PROFILE
CANADA’S POSITION:Canada has been known universally an establishing force in the Palestinian-Israeli region and we pride ourselves playing such a fundamental role in the Middle East. We are avid believers in fairness, impartiality, and democracy, proving Canada to be one of the few nations in the world that thrive on its ability to play the role of a mediator and/or neutral party in such a heavily controversial and highly publicized international conflict.
CANADA’S GOAL: Our goal as a nation is to prove to the rest of the world [respectively to those which hold power over the conflict in the Middle East] that in order to find some order and create any ideals of peace the following must be obtained: a bilateral peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians, with the assistance of international parties. The conflict of Israeli-Palestinian confrontation is one that cannot be solved by military acts;we believe that a negotiated agreement by both parties is the most suitable decision
TIMELINE OF CANADA’S HISTORY
1811 – HBC granted area for Red River Colony
1812 – US declares war on Britain (War 1812)
1836 – First railway opens
1854 – Reciprocity Treaty Signed
1859 – Great Reform Convention
1864 – Charlottetown Conference
1867 – Confederation; John A. Macdonald becomes Canada’s first PM
1871 – Treaty of Washington; BC joins Confederation
1873 – North-West Mounted Police Form
1890 – ManitobaSchool Act
1896 – Klondike Gold Rush Begins
1899 – Participate in Boer War – Quebec is opposed
1910 – Laurier creates Canadian navy in Naval Service Bill
1914 – Britain declares war on Germany; automatically drawing Canada in (conscription)
1915 – Battle at Ypres
1917 – Battle of Vimy Ridge
1918 – Women vote
1919 – Winnipeg General Strike
1920 – Canada joins League of Nations
1921 – First woman elected
1929 – Stock Market Crash
1939 – Great Depression; Canada declares war on Germany
1942 – Japanese Relocation; Dieppe Raid
1944 – Normandy Landings (D-Day)
1945 – Canada joins the United Nations
1949 – Canada signs NATO treaty
1959 – St. Lawrence Seaway opened to commercial shipping
1960 – Quiet Revolution; Canadian Bill of Rights Approved
1961 – First Medical Plan
1964 – Flag Act passes
1965 – Canada and US sign Auto Pact
1970 – War Measures Act Invoked
1980 – “O Canada” officially adopted as anthem
1982 – Charter comes into effect
1989 – Free Trade with US in effect
1990 – Meech Lake Accord collapses
1995 – Quebec referendum votes against sovereignty
1999 – Nunavut becomes a territory
Click here to watch an interview with Paul Martin!
IN DEPTH REPORT
In response to the 9/11 attacks on the United States, Canada joined the War on Terror. We have contributed and continued to be a part of the international campaign against terrorism.
The cause of 9/11, has impacted the need for two new laws: the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Public Safety Act.
Canada has decided to join the fight against terror, to protect it’s people as well as uphold peace internationally.
Canada’s military contribution has included deploying 13,000 military personnel as of October 2001. We were the first US ally to deploy to the Northern Arabian Sea/Persian Gulf after September 11th. To date, 19 of our warships have been set out. We have been awarded 30 US Bronze Stars to Canadian service personnel for our efforts.
The Anti-Terrorism Act was legislation established to protect citizens against terrorist threats. This law will recognize, prosecute, convict and penalize terrorists. It will be used to detect as well as deter the financing of terrorist activities. Individuals who hold information associated to a terrorist group/offence with have to appear before authority to present that information. This act will ensure the protection of the country from terrorist activity.
We have pledge to the United States to join them in the fight against terrorism. We stress our commitment to fighting terrorism and to reviving and strengthening the Middle East Peace Process.