Canada- Facts And Figures Essay Example

yearly educational expenditures.

The Canada Student Loans Program is crucial in supporting students who lack sufficient resources to continue their education. It offers loan guarantees and interest subsidies for full-time post-secondary students. Additionally, provinces have their own programs offering loans and bursaries. Moreover, the Canada Millennium Scholarships, initiated in 2000 with an initial endowment of $2.5 billion, will provide scholarships to over 100,000 students annually for a decade.

The federal government is implementing its biggest ever financial commitment to ensure equitable access to higher education with average yearly scholarships of $3,000. An individual has the chance to receive a total of $15,000 over four academic years, which could potentially reduce their debt by 50%. Canada's public schools educate approximately five million children. In certain provinces, children can start kindergarten at age four and progress to elementary grades at age six. The elementary curriculum focuses on fundamental subjects like language, math, social studies, introductory arts, and science. High school programs commonly offer two distinct pathways.

The first option is focused on preparing students for university, while the second option aims to prepare them for post-secondary education at a community college or institute of technology, or for employment. There are also specialized programs available for students who are unable to complete the standard courses of study. In most provinces, schools now have the authority to set, administer, and grade their own exams. However, in certain provinces, students must pass a graduation exam in specific key subjects in order to progress to the post-secondary level. Admission to university is determined by course selection and grades achieved in high school, with requirements varying between provinces. Additionally, separate schools and private schools offer

alternatives for parents dissatisfied with the public education system.

In certain provinces, religious groups have the right to establish their own schools. The majority of these schools are Roman Catholic and in 1995 they accounted for approximately 25% of Canada's public school enrollment. These schools provide a comprehensive parochial curriculum from kindergarten through high school in specific provinces. Additionally, there are over 250,000 students enrolled in private or independent schools that offer various curriculum options based on religion, language, or academic standing. Overall, Canada's elementary and secondary education systems employ almost 300,000 full-time teachers.

Teachers typically undergo extensive professional training, which involves a four to five-year study period. This entails obtaining a Bachelor of Education degree, often requiring completion of university studies and an additional year dedicated to education. The issuance of teaching licenses is the responsibility of provincial departments of education. Historically, post-secondary education in Canada was predominantly delivered by private universities affiliated with religious organizations.

During the 1960s, there was an increasing demand for more diverse options in higher education, leading to the establishment of publicly operated non-university institutions for post-secondary education. Currently, Canada has approximately 200 technical institutes and community colleges, along with around 100 universities. These institutions collectively enroll about 1 million students. Thanks to significant government subsidies, student fees only account for about 11% of the total cost of Canadian post-secondary education. The teaching and research quality at Canada's universities are highly esteemed globally, evidenced by notable achievements such as McGill University's neurological breakthroughs by Wilder Penfield and the University of Toronto's discovery of insulin by Frederick Banting, C.H. Best, J.J.R.

According to Macleod and J.B. Collip, Canadian universities presently have a full-time student

enrollment surpassing 500,000. The student population at each institution varies greatly, with some having fewer than 1,000 students while others have more than 35,000. In terms of gender representation, women are adequately represented as they receive over half of all degrees conferred.

Canada's school system is seen as a valuable national asset, with a strong and widespread belief in education evident through significant financial investment in public education. Canada is recognized globally for its high per capita spending on education, reflecting the ongoing commitment to investing in education and reaping the benefits of improved quality of life. The country's standard of living, opportunities for growth, and reputation as a place that values intellectual achievement and success have all been positively influenced by the high level of education. It is worth noting that Canada has the second-largest landmass in the world at 9,970,610 km2, surpassed only by Russia.

Canada is a country situated in North America. Its capital city is Ottawa, which is located in the province of Ontario. Canada consists of 10 provinces and 3 territories, each with their own respective capital city. The provinces include Alberta (with Edmonton as its capital), British Columbia (with Victoria as its capital), Prince Edward Island (with Charlottetown as its capital), Manitoba (with Winnipeg as its capital), New Brunswick (with Fredericton as its capital), Nova Scotia (with Halifax as its capital), Nunavut (with Iqaluit as its capital), Ontario (with Toronto as its capital), Quebec (with Quebec City as its capital), Saskatchewan (with Regina as its capital) and Newfoundland and Labrador(with St. John's serving as the provincial capitol). The territories encompass Northwest Territories(with Yellowknife serving as the territorial capitol) and Yukon Territory(with

Whitehorse serving as the territorial capitol). In terms of geography, Canada possesses a diverse landscape including fertile plains for agriculture, expansive mountain ranges, and numerous lakes and rivers.

Canada's landscape transforms from wilderness forests to Arctic tundra when traveling north. The country's climate exhibits noteworthy variations, featuring icy icecaps above the 70th parallel and abundant vegetation along the west coast of British Columbia. In Canada's southern regions, which are densely populated and share a border with the United States, there are four clearly defined seasons.

The temperature in this area can vary greatly, reaching as high as 35C in summer and as low as -25C in winter. However, during spring and fall, the temperatures are more moderate. Parks and Historic Sites Canada is tasked with managing 38 national parks, which account for about 2% of the country's landmass. The oldest national park in Canada is Banff, situated on Alberta's eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and established at an earlier time.

Canada's first national park, Banff National Park, was established in Alberta in 1885. Tuktut Nogait became a national historic site in the Northwest Territories in 1996. The country has a total of 836 national historic sites that honor significant people, places, and events in Canada's history. In addition to these sites, there are over 1000 provincial parks and nearly 50 territorial parks across Canada. The terrain of the country showcases various mountain ranges such as the Torngats, Appalachians, Laurentians (in the east), Rocky, Coastal, Mackenzie ranges (in the west), and Mount St. Elias and Pelly Mountains (in the north). Amongst these mountains stands Mount Logan in Yukon with an impressive height of 6050 m.

Lakes in Canada make

up approximately 7.6% of the country's landmass, totaling around two million. The major lakes found within Canada, listed in terms of surface area within the country (with some spanning the Canada-U.S. border), include Huron, Great Bear, Superior, Great Slave, Winnipeg, Erie, and Ontario. Notably, Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories is the largest lake completely situated within Canada, covering an area of 31,326 km2. In terms of rivers, the St.

Canada is home to several important rivers. One of them is the Lawrence River, which spans 3058 km and serves as a seaway for ships traveling from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The country's longest river, the Mackenzie River, flows through the Northwest Territories and stretches over 4241 km. Other notable watercourses include the Yukon and Columbia rivers (which partially cross U.S. territory), as well as the Nelson, Churchill, and Fraser rivers. These significant rivers are accompanied by major tributaries like the Saskatchewan, Peace, Ottawa, Athabasca, and Liard rivers.

In terms of time zones, Canada has a total of six. The easternmost zone in Newfoundland is three hours and 30 minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Canada has multiple time zones, including Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific. The Pacific time zone is GMT-8. Additionally, Canada functions as a constitutional monarchy and federal state with a democratic parliament. Situated in Ottawa, the Parliament of Canada consists of the elected House of Commons and appointed Senate. Elections for members of Parliament occur approximately every four years.

Canada's constitution incorporates a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which comprises a collection of essential freedoms and rights that cannot be modified by Parliament or any provincial legislature acting independently.

These rights encompass equality rights, mobility rights, legal rights, as well as freedoms like speech, association, and peaceful assembly. Moreover, the maple leaf has long been linked with Canada. It was included in coats of arms granted to Ontario and Quebec in 1868 and featured on regimental badges during both world wars. Since the introduction of the Canadian flag in 1965, the maple leaf has become the most prominent symbol of the country.

The Canadian flag was designed by a group of individuals who each brought their own expertise. Jacques St. Cyr contributed the distinct design of the maple leaf, George Bist handled the proportions, and Dr. Gunter Wyszechi worked on determining the color scheme.

The design of the new flag was ultimately decided by a 15-member parliamentary committee and they are formally acknowledged for it. After extensive discussions, Parliament approved the new flag. On February 15, 1965, it became the official national flag, which is now celebrated as Canada's Flag Day. The Canadian national anthem, O Canada, was composed in 1880 by Calixa Lavalle with lyrics by Judge Adolphe-Basile Routhier.

In 1908, Robert Stanley Weir translated the text that serves as the foundation for the current English version of O Canada. Exactly one century after its first performance, on July 1, 1980, O Canada was officially designated as the national anthem of Canada. The Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents and is considered the official currency. As of the summer of 1996, Canada's population had surpassed 30 million people. The major cities in Canada, as of July 1, 1996, include Toronto with a population of 4.44 million, Montreal with a population of 3.36 million,

Vancouver with a

population of 1.89 million and Ottawa-Hull (the National Capital Region) with a population of 1.03 million.

Distribution of Population: The majority, 77 percent, of Canadians live in urban areas.

Family Size: According to the 1996 national census, the average family consists of 3.1 individuals with 1.2 children.

Living Standard: Canada ranks sixth globally for standard of living based on per capita gross domestic product (GDP). It is below the United States, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, and Japan. However, when considering factors like life expectancy and education that contribute to quality of life along with GDP per capita, Canada's ranking tends to improve.

Health Care and Social Security: Canada provides free basic health care services at the point of delivery (excluding dental services). Individuals over 65 years old and social aid recipients generally receive prescription drugs without charge. Moreover, Canada has a comprehensive social security network that includes benefits such as an old age pension, family allowance, unemployment insurance, and welfare.

According to the Constitution Act, 1982, approximately 3% of Canadians in 1996 were Aboriginal Peoples, including North American Indian, Metis, or Inuit. Of this percentage, around 69% identified as North American Indian, while Metis and Inuit accounted for 26% and 5%, respectively.

Based on the 1991 census data, Christianity was practiced by over 80% of Canadians in terms of religion. Among Christians, Catholics represented approximately 47% of the population while Protestants comprised roughly 36%. Furthermore, Canada also had a presence of other religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism Sikhism,and Buddhism.

Approximately 12.5% of the population, the second largest religious group after Roman Catholics, identifies as non-religious. Languages Canada recognizes two official languages: English, spoken by roughly 59% of Canadians as their first language,

and French, spoken by 23%. Additionally, 18% of the population has a mother tongue other than English or French, including languages like Chinese, Italian, German, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Ukrainian, Arabic, Dutch, Tagalog, Greek, Vietnamese, Cree, Inuktitut or others. The Official Languages Act designates French and English as the official languages of Canada and includes provisions to support the English and French linguistic minority communities.

Canada's federal institutions provide bilingual services to reflect the equality of its two official languages. In 1996, approximately 19% of the population reported "Canadian" as their sole ethnic origin, with 17% reporting only British Isles ancestry and 9% reporting only French ancestry. Approximately 10% reported a combination of British Isles, French, or Canadian origin, while another 16% reported an ancestry that included British Isles, French, or Canadian along with another origin. About 28% of the population reported origins other than British Isles, French, or Canadian. The education system in Canada varies across provinces and consists of six to eight years of elementary school, four or five years of secondary school, and three or four years at the undergraduate level in university. According to the 1996 census, among Canadians aged 15 and above, roughly 23% had completed secondary school, around 9% held bachelor's degrees, and approximately 6% had advanced degrees.

Sports Canada's most popular sports include swimming,
ice hockey, cross-country and alpine skiing, baseball, tennis, basketball and golf.
Ice hockey and lacrosse are Canada's national 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.
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.

Canada's leading exports include automobile vehicles and parts, machinery and equipment, high-technology products, oil, natural gas, metals, and forest and farm products. Additionally, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is a national cultural institution that has been operating since 1936. The CBC is known for its public broadcasting services, which aim to help Canadians appreciate their nation and understand the Canadian experience. Currently, the CBC runs two core national television networks (one in English and one in French), four national radio networks (two in French and two in English), radio and television services for the North in English, French, and eight aboriginal languages. They also have two self-supporting specialty cable television services (one in English and one in French), as well as an international shortwave radio service that broadcasts in seven languages. Operating under the Broadcasting Act, the CBC provides a wide range of programming that informs and entertains Canadians from coast to coast.

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a public agency established in 1939 that creates and distributes films and other audiovisual works reflecting Canada to Canadians and the world. The NFB serves as a hub for filmmaking, video technology, and preserving a significant part of the country's audiovisual heritage. It has gained recognition with over 3,000 accolades at major festivals and has been honored with nine Oscars, along with an honorary Oscar acknowledging its commitment to artistic, creative, and technological excellence in all areas of filmmaking. Recent NFB productions encompass documentaries, animation shorts, CD-ROMs, and interactive videos. Founder John Grierson envisioned a national cinema that

captures the entirety of Canada, its people, and its purpose. This early vision persists through the NFB's work, contributing to the formation of the Canadian identity and realization of the national dream.The Canada Council, established by the Parliament of Canada in 1957, is an independent organization aimed at supporting and promoting the arts. It provides grants and services to professional artists and art organizations in various fields including music, writing, publishing, dance, theatre, visual arts, and media arts.

The Council gives out approximately 4,200 grants in various disciplines each year, as well as around 10,700 payments to authors through the Public Lending Right Commission. In addition, the Council manages the Killam Program, which offers scholarly awards and prizes, and also presents prestigious accolades such as the Glenn Gould Prize, the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prizes, and the Governor General's Literary Awards. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Public Lending Right Commission both operate under the Council. Established by Parliament in 1967, Telefilm Canada (Canadian Film Development Corporation) is a crown corporation.

Telefilm's role in Canada is different from that of the National Film Board. While the National Film Board is a producer and distributor, Telefilm serves as a funding agency. Over the years, Telefilm has provided financial support for approximately 600 feature films and 1,500 television shows and series. This significant investment has played a crucial role in developing the Canadian industry into a multibillion-dollar enterprise.

Furthermore, Telefilm's support has had a positive impact internationally, allowing Canadian talent and culture to gain recognition on a global scale. Films and projects backed by Telefilm Canada have achieved great success at international film festivals, earning more than

1,600 awards in 35 different countries.

Among those who truly appreciate Telefilm's contributions are the audiovisual artists themselves, who understand the profound influence it has had on Canadian culture. Filmmaker Denys Arcand, known for his acclaimed work "The Decline of the American Empire," reflects on the importance of Telefilm from his perspective in Quebec, but his sentiments resonate across all Canadian provinces: "The existence of Telefilm determined the existence of a Quebec film industry."

In a province like Quebec, the presence of Telefilm is crucial for the existence of film. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is responsible for funding university-based research and graduate training in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC was established as an independent body in 1977 and is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Industry. SSHRC supports research and training in areas such as health care, social and legal issues, culture and heritage, economics, and the environment, thereby contributing to Canada's social and economic development. This research not only serves academic interests but also provides essential knowledge for making informed decisions that impact our standard of living and quality of life.

The National Gallery of Canada, founded in 1880, houses the most significant collection of Canadian and European art in the country. The gallery building itself, located on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, is a remarkable work of art. It features a magnificent design made of rose granite, towering glass, and steel, with over 30,000 square metres of well-designed space filled with natural light.

The National Gallery is dedicated to promoting and showcasing Canadian art by organizing exhibitions in various museums worldwide. Its permanent collection includes Canadian, Inuit, European, American, Asian,

and contemporary art, providing the Canadian public with extensive access to a wide range of high-quality artworks. The Canadian Museum of Civilization, located near Parliament Hill across the Ottawa River, is renowned for its exceptional facilities. Designed by Douglas Cardinal and opened in 1989, the museum's architecture harmoniously blends with its natural surroundings and internal representation of the passage of time. With a collection dating back to 1842 and a long-standing tradition of anthropological research since 1910, the museum serves as a prominent hub for studying the history of human life in Canada.

Activities at the Canadian Museum of Civilization are centered around four main areas of research: archaeology, ethnology, folklore, and history. With over 1.3 million visitors annually, it is the largest and most popular museum in the country. The Canadian War Museum, which was established in 1880 and is situated at 330 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, is adjacent to the National Gallery. It showcases both permanent and temporary exhibits highlighting Canada's contributions in times of war and peacekeeping.

Canada's military history is brought to life through the display of various artifacts from different eras, including its time as a French colony and its involvement in modern peacekeeping missions. Visitors can explore the past through life-size dioramas, exhibits, and an impressive collection of war art. Beyond words, the museum offers a profound understanding of how Canadians fought and the impact it had on their country. Additionally, it serves as a memorial and tribute to all Canadians who have served in both war and peacekeeping efforts.

National Library of Canada, located at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa, is responsible for acquiring, preserving, and promoting Canada's published heritage. Its

main goal is to build and maintain the world's most comprehensive collection of Canadiana for the benefit of all Canadians, both now and in the future. The library houses a wide range of materials including books, periodicals, sound recordings, manuscripts, and electronic documents. Originally established in 1953 as part of the federal government, it currently houses approximately three million items. Particularly notable focuses of the collection are Canadian music, newspapers, and official government publications.

The Library is a leading centre for Canadian rare books, city directories, literary manuscripts, and literature for children and adults. The National Archives of Canada, founded in 1872, contains millions of records that bring the past to life, including texts, photographs, films, maps, videos, books, paintings, prints, and government files. It serves as the collective memory of the nation, preserving an essential part of Canada's heritage and making it available to the public through various means such as publications, exhibitions, special events, and reference and researcher services. Additionally, public records play a crucial role in upholding rights, substantiating claims, and maintaining justice.

The National Archives, located at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa, is Canada's leading bicultural theatre for the performing arts. The National Arts Centre (NAC), designed by Fred Lebensold, is situated on the banks of Ottawa's Rideau Canal. The NAC features three superb performance halls—the Opera, the Theatre, and the Studio—with a combined seating capacity of over 3600. This prestigious institution has played a vital role in shaping the careers of numerous Canadian artists by consistently promoting artistic excellence, diversity, and youth. Throughout the year, the NAC provides the public with access to a wide range of arts and entertainment, including complete

seasons of dance, English and French theatre, music, and variety shows. Notable attractions at the NAC include Festival Canada, an annual summer celebration of the performing arts, as well as the internationally acclaimed National Arts Centre Orchestra.

In 1997, the Angus Reid Group supervised a survey conducted by professional survey research firms. The survey polled 5,700 adults living in 20 countries, including Canada. It was conducted in 24 different languages and aimed to provide insights into global attitudes towards Canada, as well as Canadian perspectives. Overall, the survey indicates that Canada is highly regarded worldwide. Notably, participants from all 20 countries listed Canada as one of the top ten countries they would choose to live in, after their home country.

Canada is highly regarded by residents of France, the United States, and the United Kingdom due to the strong political, cultural, and trading relationships it maintains with these countries. This is evident in the fact that Canada was ranked as the top choice for people in the United States and France as their desired place to live, following their own countries. These findings align with the United Nations Human Development Report of 1995, 1996, and 1997, which declared Canada as the best country in the world to live in based on its overall quality of life. Additionally, Canadians themselves express satisfaction with their country and quality of life. A majority of Canadians (90% of those surveyed) ranked Canada as one of the top three places to live.

The quality of life in Canada is highly valued due to the degree of personal freedom, health care, the environment, and the peaceful nature of the country. Canada is primarily known

worldwide for its natural beauty, including wide-open spaces, mountains, trees, and lakes. Canadians are also recognized for their environmentally responsible practices. Additionally, people from various countries generally perceive Canadians as honest, friendly, polite, well-educated, interesting, and healthy.

Canada is renowned worldwide as a contemporary and progressive nation with a generous and open society. It is a country that offers equal opportunities for all individuals to grow and develop according to their own paths, adhering to its international commitments. Although in half the surveyed countries, the majority of respondents were unable to find any faults with Canada, some concerns were raised by certain nations. The foremost issue highlighted was Canada's climate, which drew attention from the French, British, Australians, and Chileans. Canadians take pride in respecting and valuing our cultural diversity.

Canada is widely recognized as a nation that values and celebrates diverse cultures. The country's reputation for welcoming people from all backgrounds is an important aspect of its global image. Canada is known for its compassion towards its citizens and its commitment to assisting countries in need. Many Canadians believe that our healthcare system is one of the best in the world. Additionally, our extensive social assistance programs are highly regarded. In 15 out of the 20 surveyed countries, the majority agreed that Canada significantly contributes to global peacekeeping efforts.

Our neighbors in Central and South America, as well as those surveyed in the United States, highly praised Canada for its generosity in providing aid to poorer countries. The majority of Canadians believe that we excel compared to other affluent nations in offering assistance to developing nations. More than half of the other 19 countries surveyed also shared

the view that Canada is more generous than other developed countries. Multiculturalism and ethnic/racial diversity are integral aspects of Canadian society, which has always been inclusive and varied, and will continue to grow in diversity.

Approximately 40% of the Canadian population already has a non-British, non-French, or non-Aboriginal origin. The concept of Multiculturalism refers to the recognition and acceptance of cultural diversity. Canada was the first country to implement a multiculturalism policy in 1971. Subsequently, the Employment Equity Act was passed in 1986 and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in 1988. These policies were established based on Canada's longstanding commitment to human rights and acknowledge the importance of embracing and appreciating the country's diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds.

The Canadian Multiculturalism Act directs the federal government to strive for equality in various aspects of the country's life, including the economy, society, culture, and politics. The government's multiculturalism policy aims to foster an inclusive society that values respect, equality, and the full participation of all citizens regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, or religion. Canada's approach to multiculturalism has been recognized as a model by other countries, as highlighted in a recent report by the UNESCO World Commission on Culture and Development. Canada is now widely acknowledged as a global leader in this field. In 1997, the department of Canadian Heritage revamped the federal Multicultural Program with three primary goals: Identity.

Fostering a society where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel a sense of belonging and connection to Canada is crucial for civic participation. By actively involving citizens in shaping the future of their communities and the country, we can promote social justice. Our aim is to create a nation that

provides fair and equitable treatment to everyone while respecting and accommodating individuals from all origins. To achieve these goals, we conduct campaigns and promotional activities that work towards improving public understanding of multiculturalism and racism. These ini