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- Overview
- Economic Overview: As an affluent, high-tech
industrial society in the trillion dollar class, Canada resembles the US
in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and
affluent 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. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched
off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US.
Given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern
capital plant, Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Top-notch fiscal
management has produced consecutive balanced budgets since 1997,
although public debate continues over how to manage the rising cost of
the publicly funded healthcare system. Exports account for roughly a
third of GDP. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its
principal trading partner, the US, which absorbs about 85% of Canadian
exports. Canada is the US' largest foreign supplier of energy, including
oil, gas, uranium, and electric power.
CIA
Factfile.
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Cultural Profile
Canadians are very sensitive to being confused with the United
States, the converse is not such a problem. Be very careful of this one,
especially if coming from a country other that the US as the Canadian accent (if
English) is not that easy to distinguish, although totally obvious to US
residents and Canadians. Do not refer to the US as America, this is the
name of the continent of which Canada is by far the largest country.
Canada for the British is noticeably more British than the
USA. The English language differences are less, measurements are metric, and
the Queen is on the money. Quebec is French speaking, out of the tourist
spots and large cities you will encounter people who do not speak English.
All of Canadian government information is bilingual.
Some English language differences:
Table (verb): To bring up for discussion, as in a
session of Parliament, same meaning as in the UK but importantly opposite to
that in the USA, where table means to put to one side.
Washroom: Bathroom or restroom. Always a useful one to know!
Sweets are candies and there is no singular
version.
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Government
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Official Canada Government website
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Canada's Parliament
Promotes appreciation of the Parliament Buildings and the institutions they
house: the House of Commons, the Senate and the Library of Parliament.
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National
Archives
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Canada
Info
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Canadian
Statistics
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Agricultural Institute of Canada
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Canada Site The
starting point for access to departmental sites of the federal and provincial
government departments and agencies.
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Business Guide to Government Programs
The complete guide to all levels Canadian government financial assistance
programs available to new and expanding businesses.
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Embassies and consulates
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Russian Embassy in Canada
Provides basic contact information about the embassy of the Russian
Federation, including links to Russian travel visas.
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The Canadian Embassy in France
Explores doing business, touring, culture and politics in France. In both
French and English.
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The Canadian Embassy in Bangkok
Information on visas, immigration, travel, international
trade, education, current events, and the promotion of cultural exchange
between Canada and Thailand.
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Canadian Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg
Provides information on trade, culture, education, visas and Canada's role
in the liberation of Belgium in the First and Second World Wars.
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Canadian Consulate General in Buffalo
Promotes business development, investment, tourism, and information exchange
between Canada and the Niagara Frontier as well as providing consular
assistance to Canadians.
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Canadian Consulate General in Dallas
Promotes business development, investment, tourism, and information exchange
between Canada and the U.S. Southwest as well as providing consular
assistance to Canadians.
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South
African High Commission in Canada Provides an introduction to
news, business, politics and travel information in South Africa for
Canadians.
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British
High Commission in Canada Provides Canadians
with information about Britain. Includes the services offered by the High
Commission and its offices across Canada.
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Culture
Shock!: Canada by Pang Guek
Cheng, Robert Barlas (Contributor), Pang Guek Cheng-Chen
Part of the useful series on culture shock, a good
introduction and a well presented series for a first impression of
another culture. |
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