Canada

E

Health and Welfare

All levels of government share the responsibility for social welfare in Canada. The federal government administers comprehensive income-maintenance measures, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Canada Assistance Plan, old-age security pensions, family allowances, youth allowances, and unemployment insurance, in which nationwide coordination is necessary. The federal government gives aid to the provinces in meeting the costs of public assistance; it also provides services for special groups, such as First Nations, veterans, and immigrants. Administration of welfare services is mainly the responsibility of the provinces, but local authorities, generally with financial aid from the province, often assume the provision of services. Provincial governments have the major responsibility for education and health services in Canada.

The Medical Care Act, passed in 1966, has permitted the federal government to contribute about half the cost of the Medical Care Insurance Programme (Medicare), with the respective province contributing the remainder. The programme establishes the following minimum criteria: (1) comprehensive coverage, to cover all medically required services rendered by doctors and surgeons; (2) universal availability to all residents; (3) portability, to cover temporary or permanent change in residence to another province; and (4) non-profit basis. In 2004 there were 477 people for every doctor and in 2007 the infant mortality rate was 5 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2001, 1.01 per cent of government expenditure was spent on health care. In July 2001, Canada became the first country to legalize marijuana use for chronic medical conditions.

F

Defence

The Canadian armed forces are integrated and are headed by the chief of the defence staff, who reports to the civilian minister of national defence. Under the defence staff are three major commands, organized according to function: the mobile command, the air command, and the maritime command. Canada is a member of NATO, and Canadian Forces Europe comprises the air and land forces allocated to support NATO in Europe. It also contributes troops to UN peacekeeping operations. In 2004 the Canadian armed forces included about 62,000 people.

G

International Organizations

Canada is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth of Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Organization of American States, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and NATO.

VI

History

The history of Canada was shaped by the encounter of its people with the rigours and riches of a vast new land. It was also marked by the achievements and conflicts of its diverse inhabitants—indigenous peoples and French, English, and other European immigrants. A pervasive influence was Canada’s southern neighbour, the United States.

A

A Meeting of Peoples

North America, from which the country of Canada emerged, received large waves of immigrants from both the West and the East over many thousands of years.