Brief Summaries of
ABOUT CANADA Issues
CANADA AND THE PACIFIC BASIN
Canada, despite traditional relationships with the West, has
gradually developed connections with the countries of the East,
first through war and then trade. The development of a marketing
plan through partnership of government and business has led to
strong economic ties with Asia, but has also produced challenges in
matters of trade balance. Trade links have been followed by
academic links and increasing numbers of Asians now come to Canada
to study and to live.
WORK AND UNIONS
Work is a fundamental part of our lives. But the nature of work
has changed from the labour of one individual who produces a
completed product or result to piecework in large impersonal
factories and to more and more work done by machines. This has led
to the creation of unions to protect workers' interests. Unions
themselves have undergone transformations and their position has
weakened over the years in the face of increased unemployment due
to mechanization, greater contracting out of work by employers, and
by government imposition of wage controls. New concepts of profit-sharing, "quality circles",
and greater democracy in the workplace
are now under experimentation.
AGING AND THE CANADIAN POPULATION
Greater life expectancy due to improved health care has created an
ever-increasing population of senior citizens. Many see the
elderly as a burden to society, who will require more long-term,
expensive care at public expense. In recent years the phenomena of
aging has been studied and novel ways have been adopted to keep
seniors as independent as possible with a variety of support
systems. It is increasingly acknowledged that seniors have a great
deal to contribute to society as volunteers, counsellors and
citizens.
INNOVATION IN CANADA
The concept of innovation is defined, followed by a number of
examples of innovations developed in Canada. The steps of taking
an idea from its inception to the marketplace is traced; the risks
involved in this process and the need for government support in
encouraging innovation are discussed. It is feared that a high
technology trade deficit and a low level of industrial research and
development may endanger the economic competitiveness of Canada in
the world market.
POVERTY
The need for a clear definition of poverty is essential to a
discussion of its causes and consequences. The degrees of poverty,
pockets of poverty, and the relativity of poverty based on location
are explained and comparisons with poverty in other countries are
made. The need to dispell myths about the lack of motivation of
the poor, the discontinuation of programs of disincentive, and
research on the "culture of poverty" are suggested as elements of
a solution that lifts people from their condition rather than
merely maintains them in it.
MULTICULTURALISM
Attitudes toward multiculturalism and immigration policy have
altered over time. Immigration is traced from early aboriginal
migration, through French and British settlers, to the more
generalized arrivals of new Canadians from all over the world.
Economic factors have often determined immigration patterns. As
immigrants become more culturally diverse, the challenges of
assimilation become greater. Creating policies to insure racial
tolerance and respect for cultural differences along with a
continued emphasis on citizen integration and national unity are
the challenges of a growing Canadian ethnic diversity.
CANADA AT THE MOVIES
Films are meant to entertain but can also serve to represent to a
society its culture. Canada has consumed a great deal of American
culture through Hollywood films and television. Realization of a
need to depict and preserve Canadian identity led the Canadian
government to financial support and encouragement of movies and TV
programming with greater Canadian content. The high cost of film
production and the tremendous competition from below the border
have made this a difficult challenge, nevertheless, Canadians
regularly produce films that receive world recognition.
THE CHANGING CANADIAN ECONOMY
The computer is offered as an example of how a new technology can
dramatically change an economy and indeed a society because of the
way in which it alters work patterns. The history of the effects
of the steam engine, electricity, and the internal combustion
engine is outlined. Obsolescent job displacement and delayed
economic benefits to workers and society often accompany the
introduction of new technology. Finding new ways to deal with
these old phenomena are required.
DEFENDING CANADA
Recent changes in the world balance of power have affected the
focus and mandate of Canada's military. Though Canada has never
been in direct danger of invasion, it has always allied itself with
great military powers for a variety of reasons -- historic,
patriotic, and economic. Canada is well-respected for its
peacekeeper image and has acted as mediator in many conflicts.
Recent international conflicts, where a clearcut enemy has not been
present, have led to major challenges to the design and deployment
of our military forces.
CANADA'S NATIVE PEOPLES
The presence of Native peoples long before the white man and the
diversity of their environment and culture are outlined.
Aboriginal relationships with white inhabitants of Canada, both
positive and negative, are traced to the present. The renewal of
cultural and spiritual heritage is discussed with emphasis on
trends toward greater autonomy and self-determination.
CANADA'S FISHERY
Canada's rich east coast fishing stocks have attracted fishers for
centuries and have contributed to the settlement of our country.
But advanced fishing technology and lack of serious regulation of
quotas has decimated fish stocks. On the west coast there have
been cultural clashes over disputed Native claims to tribal fishing
rights. The east coast economy is suffering the consequences of
overfishing and the challenge of enforcing strict limits to save
species from extinction has brought fishing nations to the edge of
conflict.
CANADA'S LEGAL TRADITION
There are three traditions of law in Canada based on the nation's historical roots: the common law of
British tradition; the Quebec civil code, tracing its roots back to ancient Roman law and French
custom; and Native law, based on tribal custom, practiced for centuries. The division of powers
between public and private law are also discussed. The origins and implications of the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms are explored and compared with the American Bill of Rights and its
administration.
CANADA'S CITIES
Key Canadian cities are examined to determine reasons for the
development, success, or failure of urban centres. Historical
origins, location, resource bases, economic strengths, and changing
ethnic make-up all combine to create a city's character. Factors
such as development of effective mass transportation, pollution and
waste, and depersonalization of community structure are all
challenges to be faced by modern Canadian cities.
About Canada
This document created on January 16, 1996. This document last
updated March 29, 1996. For information regarding the About Canada
publication contact jgoodric@mailserv.mta.ca