About Quebec

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Take this opportunity to learn about the Canadian province of Quebec.

The Basics

Known as “la belle province” (the beautiful province) to its locals, Quebec is Canada’s largest province and home to approximately 7,600,000 people. Quebec is a vibrant multicultural province, often earning it recognition as the “Europe of North America”. Quebec is also famous for its vast forests, rolling hills and countless waterways. In fact, Quebec has over 1,000,000 lakes and waterways, giving it more fresh water than any other province.

Quebec is the only province whose official language is French. The capital city is Quebec City (670 000). Quebec is also home to Canada’s second largest city, and the second largest French speaking city in the world, Montreal (3.6 million people). Other major cities are all located in proximity to the St. Lawrence river (which links Quebec and Montreal to the Atlantic Ocean) and include Trois-Rivieres, (48,419) Sherbrooke, (152,100), Chicoutimi-Jonquiere (162 500) and Hull (62,339). Since the end of World War II, more than 650,000 immigrants from over 80 countries have moved to Québec, particularly to the multicultural city of Montreal.

Quebec Economy and Employment

Québec's economy is highly industrialized and diversified. The province itself is home to the 38th largest economy in the world. Quebec’s advanced manufacturing sector produces a wide variety of products for export, such as air traffic control equipment, software, subway trains, helicopters, compact disks, air purifiers and toys. Montreal, the province's commercial capital, has developed competitive industries in space and aeronautics, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, energy, transportation and finance. Montreal has also recently become known for its software startups, most notably with regards to the entertainment industry and follows Vancouver as a major movie-production center.

 In addition, the Province of Quebec is very rich in natural resources. Quebec produces more than a third of Canada's pulp and paper products and a large percentage of its soft lumber. Thanks to Quebec’s abundant hydroelectric generating capacity, the state-owned energy sector produces and sells large quantities of hydro-electricity to neighbouring provinces and the United States, a field the province has acquired much expertise in. Agriculture revenue is also considerable in the province. International exports now account for 20 percent of the province's gross domestic product.
Quebec is steadily rebounding from a period of economic recession that saw unemployment on the rise. During this period of uncertainty some major Canadian companies shifted headquarters away from Montreal. Today after a decade of stability the province’s economy is steadily adding jobs and attracting new companies with its highly skilled workforce. The unemployment rate currently sits at approximately 7.2%, which represents a 33 year low for the province.

Quebec Standard of living

The average earnings for a family in Quebec is approximately $48000 per year, leaving it very near the Canadian average. The province boasts an excellent standard of living however thanks to its affordable cost of living. The cost of living in Quebec is lower than the Canadian average, particularly when it comes to housing. Montreal is among the most affordable major cities in North America.
While Quebec has among the highest provincial personal income tax rates at over 24%, these taxes translate into publicly provided services that contribute to high standards of living in the province. Publicly provided healthcare and heavily subsidized transportation, post-secondary education and cultural services ensure that all Quebeckers have access to these important contributors to a high standard of living.  However, the federal tax rate is abated in Quebec, and the minimum wage is second highest in the country at $7.60/ hr.

Quebec Residential Housing

Quebec has one of the most affordable housing markets in Canada. The average cost of a house in Montreal is below $200,000, despite the city’s large population. This makes Montreal one of the most affordable cities of its size in North America. Even more affordable, houses in the capital Quebec City cost on average 35% less than they do in Montreal. Despite a recent real estate boom, rental costs have remained considerably lower than in Toronto and Vancouver. However, the average percentage of household income taken up by ownership costs is slightly above the Canadian average, ranging from 27-42% depending on the type of dwelling involved.

Quebec Education

Quebec is home to one of the most affordable and comprehensive educational systems in North America. According to Canadian law, all Canadian citizens under the age of 20 are entitled to an education through the end of secondary school at no direct cost to the user. Quebec has publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in both French and English as the language of instruction. Under Quebec’s Charter of the French Language however, students must attend French-language schools unless they, their parents, or their siblings have previously attended English language schools. This regulation is part of an effort to preserve the French language in Quebec within a mostly English-speaking country. All French-language schools offer English as a second language beginning in Grade 1. This regulation does not apply to private schools in Quebec. The province has the highest rate of private school attendance of any Canadian province.
Quebec has a public school system that is unique within Canada. While most Canadian provinces offer publicly funded schools through to the end of Grade 12, Quebec’s secondary school students receive their diplomas after Grade 11. After completing secondary school, Quebec students may attend free pre-university or vocational programs through the province’s CEGEP (Collège d'Enseignement Général et Professionel) system. These schools offer, with free tuition, either 2 year pre-university programs or 3 year vocational programs for diplomas. Quebec chose this structure for their educational system in order to ensure that at least some amount of post-secondary education is universally accessible.
The system of universities in Quebec includes a network of institutions that offer world-class education in both official languages. Montreal itself is home to four sizable universities, giving it the highest percentage of university students in its population of any major North American city except Boston. Most notably, McGill University and L’Université de Montreal are well renowned around the world for their scholarship and research, producing numerous Nobel prize winners.  In addition, Concordia University and Bishop’s University, and L’école des Hautes Etudes Commerciales and L’Université de Laval offer competitive and well-respected educational programs. The average yearly tuition paid by Quebec students is the lowest in Canada, and the province offers a number of generous student aid-programs.

Quebec Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province.
Health care in Quebec is universally available to all residents at no cost to the individual. The Quebec Health Care plan covers the full cost of all necessary medical services for all citizens and most permanent residents in Quebec. This coverage includes doctor examinations, medical testing, emergency care, hospital care and emergency dental care.

Quebec History

The province of Quebec received its name from the aboriginal inhabitants of the province. The word comes from the Mi’kmaq language, however Algonquian, Iroquoian and Inuit groups also resided in large numbers in the territory of present-day Quebec. The name Quebec means “strait, narrows”, referring to the portion of the St. Lawrence River that narrows near Quebec City.
Quebec would in turn become one of the first areas of North America to be explored by Europeans. Jacques Cartier would begin the French presence in the area in 1534. The first successful permanent French settlement in Quebec would be established some 70 years later by a group led by Samuel de Champlain. The colonists at Quebec city established an economy trading goods with the Iroquois and Algonquian nations in exchange for furs. From the early 1600’s on Quebec would be a major destination for French settlement as well as a launching point for exploration of other areas of Canada.
The mid 1700’s marked an important period of transition for Quebec. After a series of battles, British forces defeated the French General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm at the Plains of Abraham outside of Quebec City in 1759. The result of this battle was that France ceded all of its colonial territories in Canada to Great Britain, and Quebec was no longer under French control. This set the stage for Quebec to become one of the 4 founding provinces of Canada in 1867.
In the mid 20th century Quebec underwent a period of modernization that has become known as the “quiet revolution”. During this time the province shifted from a more traditional agricultural society towards a modern, urban one. This period saw the standard of living in the province improve, a long with an increased awareness of Quebec’s distinct cultural and linguistic heritage.

Quebec Culture

Quebec is home to a vibrant culture that plays a key role in attracting visitors from throughout Canada and across the world.  On the one hand, strong efforts to keep the province’s Francophone heritage alive ensure that one can find arts, cuisine and cultural events that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In addition, immigration to the province from all over the world has helped to produce a multicultural society that features elements from all of the many cultural groups that have made the province their home. These two factors combine to create a thriving culture that offers something for everyone.
Quebec City, the province’s political and administrative capital, has some of the most well-preserved historic sites in North America. The old city in its entirety is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Alongside the historic cobblestone roads is a major modern city that is home to more than its fair share of leaders in creative and academic fields.  The large majority of Quebec City’s residents speak French.
As the province’s largest city, Montreal is known worldwide for its unique multicultural vibe. Since its inception Montreal has been home to sizable communities of both English and French speakers, making it a truly bilingual city. In addition, over time Montreal has welcomed hundreds of thousands of immigrants as one of the top destinations for newcomers to Canada.  The contribution of these individuals to Montreal’s culture can be seen easily while walking down the streets of the city, where one can observe a mosaic of cultures from all over the world.
Montreal is known as a city of festivals, hosting numerous events each year which attract visitors from all over the world. While Montreal winters can be cold, Montrealers show their appreciation of the sun by filling the summer with as much outdoor activity as possible, with street festivals, concerts and various other activities. Among these events, the Just for Laughs comedy festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Canadian Grand Prix are some of those known worldwide, attracting the world’s top performers and athletes.

Quebec Demographics

At over 7.5 million residents, Quebec’s population accounts for nearly one quarter of Canada’s total. Of this total approximately 3.6 million live in the Montreal area, while the capital of Quebec City is home to over 670 000. While a century ago Quebec the majority of Quebeckers lived in rural areas, today 80% of the province’s residents live in urban areas.
With one of the lowest birth rates in Canada, nearly all of Quebec’s future growth can be expected to come from immigration. Today immigrants come to lives in Quebec from all over the world, with the majority settling in either Montreal or Quebec City. Many Canadian immigrants from francophone countries choose to settle in Quebec, notably from France and a sizable Haitian population. Quebec is also home to large communities of individuals of Italian, Greek, Arab, Irish, Chinese and South Asian origin, among others.

Quebec Immigration

According to the Canada-Quebec Immigration Agreement, the Province of Quebec selects the immigrants that settle within its borders.  Just as the Federal Skilled Worker Program does, the Quebec immigration program uses a points-based system to assess applications of individuals who wish to settle in the province. Though the categories are slightly different than the federal ones, in much the same way the system is meant to evaluate which immigrants are most likely to become economically established after arriving in Canada. After receiving a positive assessment from the Government of Quebec, immigrants are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate which approves them for immigration pending medical and security clearances.
Today Quebec welcomes approximately 45000 immigrants each year. With the province’s economy growing and the birth rate declining, immigration to Quebec can only be expected to grow in the future. Immigrants come to Quebec each year from over 100 countries, helping to contribute to the multicultural character of the province, and driving the Quebec economy.

Quebec Government

Canada’s government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of Quebec has its own democratically-elected legislature known as the National Assembly of Quebec, which is located in the capital of Quebec City. There are 125 members elected to the Quebec National Assembly, each representing the interests of a specific geographic district. The current government is led by Premier Jean Charest of the Quebec Liberal Party.
As one of Canada’s founding provinces and the only province with a Francophone majority, Quebec’s provincial government has a significant degree of control over its affairs. One example of this of course is the Quebec government’s control over the selection of immigrants that live in the province. In recent decades the government of Quebec has exercised its power to help strengthen the unique culture of the province, including legislation encouraging business to be conducted in French. While in 1980 and 1995 the province held referendums on the possibility of separating from Canada, in each of these votes the people of Quebec voted to remain a part of Canada. In recent years sovereignty has not been a major political issue, and is unlikely to resurface in the near future.

Quebec Major Cities

Montreal
As the second largest city in Canada, Montreal attracts a large number of immigrants each year to live and work in the area. The Greater Montreal Area is home to approximately 3.6 million people, which includes nearly half of the population of the province of Quebec. Immigrants account for nearly 30% of the total population of Montreal. The city boasts representation from 120 different cultural communities with origins on each of the world’s continents.
Montreal is the economic capital of Quebec, home to major international corporations and some of Canada’s most important industries. While manufacturing remains an important sector for the city’s economy, it is being outpaced by the rapid growth of advanced technology sectors. Aerospace, Life Sciences and Information Technology are all major employers in the Montreal area. Montreal’s advanced industries are quickly becoming world leaders in their fields.
Montreal is a city that is both lively and vibrant as well as clean and safe. Montrealers take advantage of the many artistic and cultural events that take place throughout the city all year, including a year-round lineup of festivals that attract the world’s top talents. With extensive parks located throughout the city, Montrealers also enjoy natural beauty and outdoor recreation just a short walk from major business and cultural areas. This combination of qualities makes Montreal one of Canada’s top destinations for immigrants.
Quebec City
As the political and administrative capital of Quebec, Quebec City welcomes thousands of newcomers each year from all over the world. The Capital Region is home to approximately 670 000 people. Many of the people who work in Quebec City choose to live in one of the many smaller communities that surround the capital, a situation that allows them to experience the best of both worlds.
The majority of the residents of the Quebec City region are employed in the information and service sector. As the provincial capital, government administration is a major employer, as are the region’s Universities and colleges. Tourism in Quebec City is a major industry as well, as the area has been recognized by major international organizations for both its history and natural beauty.

About Alberta

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Take this opportunity to learn about the Canadian province of Alberta.

The Basics

Alberta is the westernmost of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces. Often known as Canada's "energy province,” Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, and growing quickly. The bulk of this population resides in Alberta’s two largest cities; Edmonton (which serves as the provincial capital) and Calgary each have a population of over 1 million residents. Alberta is a world leader in the oil and gas industry but is also home to a vibrant and fast-growing industrial and service economy. Thanks to the opportunities provided by this economic growth, Alberta has become one of the top destinations for immigration to Canada. Today Alberta is arguably Canada’s most prosperous province, and is recognized world-wide for its high standard of living.

Alberta Economy and Employment

After over a decade of high growth rates, Alberta remains filled with potential for further economic expansion. Alberta’s economy is driven by its booming energy industry, a major employer in the province. The energy industry accounts for over 275 000 jobs in the province both directly and indirectly. This sector is expected to grow even further as technological advances allow the development of the oil sands in the north of the province. Alberta’s high rate of economic growth is not limited however to the energy industry, as the province boasts a diversified economy. Alberta’s manufacturing sector has doubled in size in the last decade, and innovation is spurring new industries that make Alberta a strong competitor in global markets. Beyond oil and gas forestry remains an important industry, worth over $4 billion annually.  Alberta has also traditionally been home to large farming and ranching industries, which remain an important part of the province’s culture and economy.
With the rapid pace of economic development in the province, Alberta is a great place to find work in Canada.  Alberta enjoys the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 3.9%, well below the national average of 6.8%. When this low unemployment rate is combined with low natural population growth and record-setting numbers for job creation, the result is that there are many job opportunities available for immigrants in the province. In recent years the province has increased the number of permanent resident immigrants as well as temporary foreign workers living and working in the province, yet the unemployment rate continues to decline. International surveys consistently rank Calgary and Edmonton among the top cities in the world to work. On top of the availability of jobs, people enjoy working in Alberta thanks to its high standard of living.

Alberta Standard of Living

Thanks to low levels of unemployment and high demand for workers, Alberta’s average wage and salary rates are highly competitive with the rest of Canada. The minimum wage in Alberta approaches the Canadian average at 7.00$/hr. Most noteworthy, Albertan families have the highest average combined income in Canada at approximately 61 000$/yr.
Albertans also have the lowest personal taxes in Canada, thanks to the wealth of natural resources. Based on a two-income family with two children, earning an income of 60 000$, Albertans pay $3,583 less in taxes than residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and $990 less than residents of Ontario. Alberta's personal tax advantage results from a low single rate tax system, including the highest basic and spousal exemptions in the country, no general sales tax, the lowest gasoline tax rate among the provinces, and low property taxes. What this all translates to is more income remaining for families to spend on living expenses.
Alberta enjoys a very low crime rate that makes its cities and towns pleasant places to live and safe to raise a family. In addition, the province’s natural beauty, including vast forests and the Rocky Mountains contribute to a desirable living environment. The standard of living in Alberta is one of the most important factors in attracting immigrants to the province.

Alberta Residential Housing

Alberta has one of the more affordable housing markets for major cities in Canada. Although the high rate of migration to the province as well as increased incomes for Alberta residents has created a surge of demand that has brought a rise in prices, the province remains an affordable place to buy or rent housing. With home builders putting up new homes at a fast pace, housing costs are expected to decline in the next few years.
The average house price in Alberta is approximately 38% to 48% less than in Toronto and Vancouver. (Edmonton: 179, 610 $; Calgary: 222 860$). Overall, the percentage of household income taken up by housing costs is below the Canadian average, varying between 18-28% depending on the type of accommodation. For more information on finding a place to live when you move to Alberta, this Government of Alberta site is rich in information for buying or renting homes.

Alberta Education

Alberta has a renowned education system, from kindergarten right through to its universities, which produce world-leading research. In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. When you move to Alberta, your children will have a choice of a several different schooling options, all funded by tax dollars and without fees. Aside from the main public school system, there are also francophone schools for education in French, as well as a Catholic school system. At the cutting edge, Alberta also has online/virtual education programs as well as alternative schools available as educational options. Some in the province elect to send their children to private schools, however the vast majority use the public schools which are of high quality.
Alberta’s publicly funded postsecondary education system has a total of 24 institutions, including four universities with over 104,500 full- and part-time students in total. The province’s per student and per capita spending on basic education continues to be among the highest in Canada.
Albertans pay on average 5000$ per year on tuition for post-secondary education. This rate is among the highest in Canada. However the Government of Alberta has several programs in place to help ease the burden and to help you save for your child’s education after they complete high school. In 2005, the Alberta Centennial Education Plan was launched. The plan will contribute $500 to the Registered Education Savings Plan of every child born to Alberta residents in 2005 and beyond. The program is designed to give parents an incentive to start planning and saving for their child’s post-secondary education as early as possible. In 2004, total assistance to Alberta students was about $439 million,

Alberta Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province.  Alberta, like the rest of Canada, has universal, publicly funded health care. Approximately 3500$ per capita is spent each year on health care in the province, which is among the highest in Canada.

Alberta History

Alberta joined Canadian confederation as a separate province in 1905. The province is named after the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Before it gained provincial status, Alberta had been governed as a region of the North-West territories. Until 1868 the province’s territory, along with other large portions of what today makes up Canada were controlled by the Hudson’s Bay Company of Canada.
Before the arrival of European settlers in the 1700’s the indigenous First Nations of Alberta inhabited the area for over 8000 years. Many of these indigenous peoples were displaced by European settlement of the area, however indigenous communities remain and are an important part of Albertan history.
Alberta entered Canadian confederation as a province along with its neighbour to the East, Saskatchewan, in 1905. In its early history Alberta was mostly a province of farmers, along with some mining. The province was hit hard by the depression of the 1920’s but recovered with some strong government intervention. The oil and gas boom which continues to benefit the province today began in 1947. Thanks to the prosperity from this natural wealth, Alberta was able to invest in its economy and education to create the strong and diverse modern economy found in the province today.

Alberta Culture

Alberta has a unique and vibrant culture that has been shaped by immigrants that have settled in the province. Throughout the province but especially in the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton, one can find the culture, cuisine, music and arts of communities from all over the world. One example of this immigrant culture on display is Calgary’s Carifest, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture in the province.
Thanks to the fusion of all of these communities’ cultures, Alberta’s cities are cosmopolitan in their own right. In 1988, Calgary was on display to the whole world when they hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Edmonton is known for its excellent festivals, especially the Edmonton Fringe Festival, the second largest of its kind in the world after the one in Edinburgh. Edmonton is also known for the West-Edmonton mall, the largest indoor shopping mall in the world.
Alberta’s culture also retains a degree of influence from its history of frontier settlement and traditional farming. The greatest example of this “cowboy culture” is the Calgary Stampede, the annual summer festival that features such events as bull-roping and rodeos. The Stampede itself and the celebrations that surround it draw over 1.2 million visitors each year.

Alberta Demographics

Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, approximately one tenth of the total population of Canada. About two thirds of this population is centered in the province’s two biggest cities, with just over 1 million living in each of the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas. After these cities, significant population centers include Red Deer (83000), Lethbridge (75000), Medicine Hat (57000) and Grand Prairie(47000). In total over 80% of the province’s population lives in urban areas.
Immigration has played a crucial role in shaping the makeup of Alberta. As a result of larger waves of immigration earlier in the province’s development a large proportion of the province’s residents identify heritage from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, and France. Alberta also has large communities of South Asian and Chinese heritage. As immigration to Alberta today reaches some of its highest levels ever, the province continues to become more and more diverse.
The majority of Albertans identify as Christian. The province however is largely secular, with over 44% of residents reporting in the most recent census that they had not attended a place of worship in the past year. Alberta is also home to many people of the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist faiths. In fact, Edmonton is home to the oldest Mosque in North America.

Alberta Immigration

Alberta is one of the most popular destinations today for immigrants to Canada thanks to its quality of life and economic opportunities. According to an agreement with the Government of Canada signed in May 2007, the province will play an increased role in selecting immigrants who will settle in the province. While the exact form that this role will take remains to be determined, the Alberta Ministry of Employment Immigration and Industry is expected to have greater involvement in decision-making when it comes to attracting immigrants and nominating for immigration individuals who possess skills that are needed in Alberta.

Alberta Government

Canada’s government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of Alberta has its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Alberta Legislative Assembly) which is found in the provincial capital of Edmonton. The current government of the province is led by the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta, headed by Premier Ed Stelmach who was sworn into office in December of 2006. Premier Stelmach replaced former Premier Ralph Klein, who stepped down between elections after leading Alberta for over 10 years. As with any Canadian province, Alberta has wide control over its health, education and other services. Thanks to the natural resource wealth in the province, the Government of Alberta is able to provide high quality services while collecting the lowest levels of taxes in Canada.

The Major Cities

Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fifth largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is also one of the fastest-growing ones, growing by nearly 16% between 1996 and 2001. The city is home to a diverse multi-cultural array of residents. While the majority of Calgarians identify with European heritage, people from all over the world live in Calgary. Some notably large communities are the Chinese-Canadian population (6% of Calgary) and the South Asian population (4.2%). The Aboriginal, Filipino and Latin American communities in the city are also sizable, vibrant and growing.
The economy of the city is centered around the petroleum industry, financial institutions and high-technology industries. Some of the major companies headquartered in the city include Canadian Pacific Railway, Imperial Oil, EnCana and Petro-Canada. As the city continues to grow, more and more major multinational companies are setting up offices in the city, marking the increasing significance of Calgary in the world economy.
Calgary is recognized worldwide for its combination of quality of life with economic growth. A 2007 survey by Forbes Magazine ranked Calgary as the cleanest city in the world, while surveys by Mercer Consulting, and by The Economist have ranked the city very highly in quality of life (25th and 10th in the world respectively). The cosmopolitan city has a multicultural flair and played host to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games These impressive credentials continue to draw newcomers to the city each year.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Province of Alberta, and the sixth largest city in Canada, just slightly smaller than neighbouring Calgary. While the city is home to over 1 million people, the city has a very low population density, covering 684 square kilometers. This large land area provides the city with a large amount of green space, a major attraction of the city. Edmonton’s river valley is over 20 times the size of New York’s central park.
While the population of Edmonton was under 10000 when it became the capital of the new province of Alberta in 1905, it has grown steadily since the oil boom began in the late 1940’s. While the city experienced a recession through the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the last decade has been a period of growth and renewal for the city. Today the city is a strong industrial hub, with companies such as IBM, TELUS, Dell and General Electric locating major offices there thanks to its reputation as one of Canada’s top centers for research. 

About Alberta

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Take this opportunity to learn about the Canadian province of Alberta.

The Basics

Alberta is the westernmost of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces. Often known as Canada's "energy province,” Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, and growing quickly. The bulk of this population resides in Alberta’s two largest cities; Edmonton (which serves as the provincial capital) and Calgary each have a population of over 1 million residents. Alberta is a world leader in the oil and gas industry but is also home to a vibrant and fast-growing industrial and service economy. Thanks to the opportunities provided by this economic growth, Alberta has become one of the top destinations for immigration to Canada. Today Alberta is arguably Canada’s most prosperous province, and is recognized world-wide for its high standard of living.

Alberta Economy and Employment

After over a decade of high growth rates, Alberta remains filled with potential for further economic expansion. Alberta’s economy is driven by its booming energy industry, a major employer in the province. The energy industry accounts for over 275 000 jobs in the province both directly and indirectly. This sector is expected to grow even further as technological advances allow the development of the oil sands in the north of the province. Alberta’s high rate of economic growth is not limited however to the energy industry, as the province boasts a diversified economy. Alberta’s manufacturing sector has doubled in size in the last decade, and innovation is spurring new industries that make Alberta a strong competitor in global markets. Beyond oil and gas forestry remains an important industry, worth over $4 billion annually.  Alberta has also traditionally been home to large farming and ranching industries, which remain an important part of the province’s culture and economy.
With the rapid pace of economic development in the province, Alberta is a great place to find work in Canada.  Alberta enjoys the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 3.9%, well below the national average of 6.8%. When this low unemployment rate is combined with low natural population growth and record-setting numbers for job creation, the result is that there are many job opportunities available for immigrants in the province. In recent years the province has increased the number of permanent resident immigrants as well as temporary foreign workers living and working in the province, yet the unemployment rate continues to decline. International surveys consistently rank Calgary and Edmonton among the top cities in the world to work. On top of the availability of jobs, people enjoy working in Alberta thanks to its high standard of living.

Alberta Standard of Living

Thanks to low levels of unemployment and high demand for workers, Alberta’s average wage and salary rates are highly competitive with the rest of Canada. The minimum wage in Alberta approaches the Canadian average at 7.00$/hr. Most noteworthy, Albertan families have the highest average combined income in Canada at approximately 61 000$/yr.
Albertans also have the lowest personal taxes in Canada, thanks to the wealth of natural resources. Based on a two-income family with two children, earning an income of 60 000$, Albertans pay $3,583 less in taxes than residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and $990 less than residents of Ontario. Alberta's personal tax advantage results from a low single rate tax system, including the highest basic and spousal exemptions in the country, no general sales tax, the lowest gasoline tax rate among the provinces, and low property taxes. What this all translates to is more income remaining for families to spend on living expenses.
Alberta enjoys a very low crime rate that makes its cities and towns pleasant places to live and safe to raise a family. In addition, the province’s natural beauty, including vast forests and the Rocky Mountains contribute to a desirable living environment. The standard of living in Alberta is one of the most important factors in attracting immigrants to the province.

Alberta Residential Housing

Alberta has one of the more affordable housing markets for major cities in Canada. Although the high rate of migration to the province as well as increased incomes for Alberta residents has created a surge of demand that has brought a rise in prices, the province remains an affordable place to buy or rent housing. With home builders putting up new homes at a fast pace, housing costs are expected to decline in the next few years.
The average house price in Alberta is approximately 38% to 48% less than in Toronto and Vancouver. (Edmonton: 179, 610 $; Calgary: 222 860$). Overall, the percentage of household income taken up by housing costs is below the Canadian average, varying between 18-28% depending on the type of accommodation. For more information on finding a place to live when you move to Alberta, this Government of Alberta site is rich in information for buying or renting homes.

Alberta Education

Alberta has a renowned education system, from kindergarten right through to its universities, which produce world-leading research. In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. When you move to Alberta, your children will have a choice of a several different schooling options, all funded by tax dollars and without fees. Aside from the main public school system, there are also francophone schools for education in French, as well as a Catholic school system. At the cutting edge, Alberta also has online/virtual education programs as well as alternative schools available as educational options. Some in the province elect to send their children to private schools, however the vast majority use the public schools which are of high quality.
Alberta’s publicly funded postsecondary education system has a total of 24 institutions, including four universities with over 104,500 full- and part-time students in total. The province’s per student and per capita spending on basic education continues to be among the highest in Canada.
Albertans pay on average 5000$ per year on tuition for post-secondary education. This rate is among the highest in Canada. However the Government of Alberta has several programs in place to help ease the burden and to help you save for your child’s education after they complete high school. In 2005, the Alberta Centennial Education Plan was launched. The plan will contribute $500 to the Registered Education Savings Plan of every child born to Alberta residents in 2005 and beyond. The program is designed to give parents an incentive to start planning and saving for their child’s post-secondary education as early as possible. In 2004, total assistance to Alberta students was about $439 million,

Alberta Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province.  Alberta, like the rest of Canada, has universal, publicly funded health care. Approximately 3500$ per capita is spent each year on health care in the province, which is among the highest in Canada.

Alberta History

Alberta joined Canadian confederation as a separate province in 1905. The province is named after the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Before it gained provincial status, Alberta had been governed as a region of the North-West territories. Until 1868 the province’s territory, along with other large portions of what today makes up Canada were controlled by the Hudson’s Bay Company of Canada.
Before the arrival of European settlers in the 1700’s the indigenous First Nations of Alberta inhabited the area for over 8000 years. Many of these indigenous peoples were displaced by European settlement of the area, however indigenous communities remain and are an important part of Albertan history.
Alberta entered Canadian confederation as a province along with its neighbour to the East, Saskatchewan, in 1905. In its early history Alberta was mostly a province of farmers, along with some mining. The province was hit hard by the depression of the 1920’s but recovered with some strong government intervention. The oil and gas boom which continues to benefit the province today began in 1947. Thanks to the prosperity from this natural wealth, Alberta was able to invest in its economy and education to create the strong and diverse modern economy found in the province today.

Alberta Culture

Alberta has a unique and vibrant culture that has been shaped by immigrants that have settled in the province. Throughout the province but especially in the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton, one can find the culture, cuisine, music and arts of communities from all over the world. One example of this immigrant culture on display is Calgary’s Carifest, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture in the province.
Thanks to the fusion of all of these communities’ cultures, Alberta’s cities are cosmopolitan in their own right. In 1988, Calgary was on display to the whole world when they hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Edmonton is known for its excellent festivals, especially the Edmonton Fringe Festival, the second largest of its kind in the world after the one in Edinburgh. Edmonton is also known for the West-Edmonton mall, the largest indoor shopping mall in the world.
Alberta’s culture also retains a degree of influence from its history of frontier settlement and traditional farming. The greatest example of this “cowboy culture” is the Calgary Stampede, the annual summer festival that features such events as bull-roping and rodeos. The Stampede itself and the celebrations that surround it draw over 1.2 million visitors each year.

Alberta Demographics

Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, approximately one tenth of the total population of Canada. About two thirds of this population is centered in the province’s two biggest cities, with just over 1 million living in each of the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas. After these cities, significant population centers include Red Deer (83000), Lethbridge (75000), Medicine Hat (57000) and Grand Prairie(47000). In total over 80% of the province’s population lives in urban areas.
Immigration has played a crucial role in shaping the makeup of Alberta. As a result of larger waves of immigration earlier in the province’s development a large proportion of the province’s residents identify heritage from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, and France. Alberta also has large communities of South Asian and Chinese heritage. As immigration to Alberta today reaches some of its highest levels ever, the province continues to become more and more diverse.
The majority of Albertans identify as Christian. The province however is largely secular, with over 44% of residents reporting in the most recent census that they had not attended a place of worship in the past year. Alberta is also home to many people of the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist faiths. In fact, Edmonton is home to the oldest Mosque in North America.

Alberta Immigration

Alberta is one of the most popular destinations today for immigrants to Canada thanks to its quality of life and economic opportunities. According to an agreement with the Government of Canada signed in May 2007, the province will play an increased role in selecting immigrants who will settle in the province. While the exact form that this role will take remains to be determined, the Alberta Ministry of Employment Immigration and Industry is expected to have greater involvement in decision-making when it comes to attracting immigrants and nominating for immigration individuals who possess skills that are needed in Alberta.

Alberta Government

Canada’s government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of Alberta has its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Alberta Legislative Assembly) which is found in the provincial capital of Edmonton. The current government of the province is led by the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta, headed by Premier Ed Stelmach who was sworn into office in December of 2006. Premier Stelmach replaced former Premier Ralph Klein, who stepped down between elections after leading Alberta for over 10 years. As with any Canadian province, Alberta has wide control over its health, education and other services. Thanks to the natural resource wealth in the province, the Government of Alberta is able to provide high quality services while collecting the lowest levels of taxes in Canada.

The Major Cities

Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fifth largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is also one of the fastest-growing ones, growing by nearly 16% between 1996 and 2001. The city is home to a diverse multi-cultural array of residents. While the majority of Calgarians identify with European heritage, people from all over the world live in Calgary. Some notably large communities are the Chinese-Canadian population (6% of Calgary) and the South Asian population (4.2%). The Aboriginal, Filipino and Latin American communities in the city are also sizable, vibrant and growing.
The economy of the city is centered around the petroleum industry, financial institutions and high-technology industries. Some of the major companies headquartered in the city include Canadian Pacific Railway, Imperial Oil, EnCana and Petro-Canada. As the city continues to grow, more and more major multinational companies are setting up offices in the city, marking the increasing significance of Calgary in the world economy.
Calgary is recognized worldwide for its combination of quality of life with economic growth. A 2007 survey by Forbes Magazine ranked Calgary as the cleanest city in the world, while surveys by Mercer Consulting, and by The Economist have ranked the city very highly in quality of life (25th and 10th in the world respectively). The cosmopolitan city has a multicultural flair and played host to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games These impressive credentials continue to draw newcomers to the city each year.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Province of Alberta, and the sixth largest city in Canada, just slightly smaller than neighbouring Calgary. While the city is home to over 1 million people, the city has a very low population density, covering 684 square kilometers. This large land area provides the city with a large amount of green space, a major attraction of the city. Edmonton’s river valley is over 20 times the size of New York’s central park.
While the population of Edmonton was under 10000 when it became the capital of the new province of Alberta in 1905, it has grown steadily since the oil boom began in the late 1940’s. While the city experienced a recession through the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the last decade has been a period of growth and renewal for the city. Today the city is a strong industrial hub, with companies such as IBM, TELUS, Dell and General Electric locating major offices there thanks to its reputation as one of Canada’s top centers for research. 

About Ontario

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Take this opportunity to learn about the Canadian province of Ontario.

The Basics

Canada’s most popular destination for immigration, Ontario is the country’s most populous province, home to over 12 million people. It is also the second-largest province in the country by land area. The province is located in central Canada.

Ontario's capital city is Toronto, whose 5.3 million people make it Canada’s largest city. Toronto is also the country’s financial center and the seat of the stock exchange. About half of the people living in Toronto were born in other countries, and the city is known to be the most multicultural city in the world. Also located in Ontario is Ottawa, the official capital of Canada, which is located in south-eastern Ontario. Other important Ontario cities include London, Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Kingston and Sudbury.

Besides being Canada’s main economic hub, Ontario is also known for its natural diversity including vast forest land, beautiful provincial parks, 4 of the 5 Great Lakes and the world-famous Niagara falls. Complementing this natural diversity is a cultural diversity that is the product of high levels of immigration combined with a society that embraces multiculturalism and tolerance. Ontario’s cities attract artists, entertainers and intellectuals from around the world, along with producing a wealth of homegrown talent. With its very high foreign-born population, Toronto provides a taste of the world within in a city.

Ontario Economy and Employment

The province of Ontario is the economic heart of Canada and as a result, all types of industries are present in the province, most notably in Toronto and other urban areas. The province is home to a strong modern service and information economy, along with a solid manufacturing base. Ottawa is the seat of government and of most federal ministries, which helps it to attract businesses as well as non-commercial organizations of an international nature.
Ontario’s main international manufacturing sector is the auto industry, where Canadian companies are among world leaders. After a period of stagnation in the industry, the past three years has seen major investments by leading manufacturers in new plants and technologies.

The province also has strong natural resource-based industries. A long established mining sector includes nickel and iron mines. The province’s vast forests support a lumber, pulp and paper industry that has adapted new sustainable practices. In addition eco-tourism is on the rise as people look to enjoy the different recreational activities that Ontario’s natural environment has to offer.
The unemployment rate in Ontario is slightly below the national average and stands at 6.6%. With an economy that is thriving and diverse, job opportunities in Ontario span the full range of professions, from agriculture to information technology. Job creation levels in the province have been strong in recent years, and are expected to continue.

Ontario Standard of Living

On average, residents of Ontario earn incomes that rank among the highest in Canada. Some of the costs of living are however also elevated, especially with respect to housing. The average income for families in Ontario is the second highest in the country at $59,700 per year. Ontario also has the third highest mandatory minimum wage at $7.45/hr. The effective provincial tax rate is 17.41%, i.e. 5th highest in Canada.
Even with a cost of living that is slightly above the Canadian average, the high incomes available in Ontario can afford a standard of living that ranks among the world’s highest. Toronto and Ottawa are perennial favourites in rankings of the world’s most livable cities, known for their cleanliness, safety and availability of services in comparison to other cities of similar size. This high standard of living has made Ontario the top destination for new immigrants to Canada. Of the over 250 000 people who come to Canada to become permanent residents each year, approximately 60% land in Ontario.

Ontario Residential Housing

Due to their continual growth and larger populations, Ontario’s major cities have some of the more expensive housing markets in Canada. It should be kept in mind however that the higher incomes in the province help to offset this higher cost, and that this trend does not apply as strongly to smaller cities in Ontario. Nonetheless, many families choose to lower their costs by living in suburban areas surrounding Ontario’s major cities.
The average price of a house in the city of Toronto is above $350,000 and above $250,000 for Ottawa. Overall, the percentage of household income taken up by ownership costs in Ontario ranges from 25-41% depending on the city and the type of dwelling involved.

Ontario Education

Ontario is home to world leading research institutions that anchor a strong publicly-funded provincial education system. For kindergarten through grade 12, children living in Ontario may enroll in public, Catholic and French immersion schools throughout the province, funded by the taxpayer and teaching curriculum designed and monitored by the Government of Ontario.  Catholic separate schools are guaranteed as a right in the Canadian constitution, to protect the historical Catholic minority. In many areas, publicly funded alternative schools are also available as an educational option for children. Ontario is also a leader in special education programs.
Until 2003, Ontario had a Grade 13 in its secondary school system. This university-preparatory year was replaced by a new province-wide standardized curriculum that includes courses geared towards students bound for university, technical or career colleges and for skilled trade apprenticeships and direct-workplace entry. The new standardized program is designed to ensure fairness and quality throughout all of the province’s schools.
Ontario's post-secondary education system consists of a network of publicly funded institutions. These institutions span a wide range of subjects and careers, with the well-renowned research universities complemented by colleges of applied arts and technology, agricultural colleges, and other unique professional programs. Ontario’s universities are among the world’s best and recognized internationally as such. Most notably, Ontario is the home of the University of Toronto, Queens University, York University and the University of Western Ontario. The average yearly tuition paid by Ontario students is $4900, slightly below the national average.

Ontario Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province.

Health care in Ontario is universally available to all residents at no cost to the individual. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers the full cost of all necessary medical services for all citizens and most permanent residents in Ontario. This coverage includes doctor examinations, medical testing, emergency care, hospital care and emergency dental care. There are currently 211 hospitals across the province, ranging from community emergency facilities to specialty and research hospitals. Ontario also has eight private hospitals which provide certain elective procedures.

Ontario History

Ontario was one of the original four provinces to join together in Canadian confederation in 1867. The original name of the province was “Upper Canada” (whereas “Lower Canada” was located in what is today Quebec). The province’s name comes from Lake Ontario, which comes from the word for “great lake” in the Huron language. As one of the first areas in Canada to industrialize, Ontario is home to some of Canada’s oldest companies.

The history of Ontario has been shaped by the immigrants who arrived by boats, then trains, then planes to come build the province from the ground up. Since even before Canada was born, immigrants have been moving to Ontario to start a new life, and all Ontarians today other than the roughly 2.5% of the population who are aboriginal descend from these immigrants. As waves of people arrived from different area of the world at different times, they have left their mark on the cultural landscape of the province.

Ontario Culture

With communities that have come from all over the world to settle in Ontario, the province benefits from some of the greatest cultural diversity in the world. Yet even in larger cities like Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario is at its heart a community of communities. With thriving cultural communities, newcomers can feel right at home while they integrate into their surrounding neighbourhoods. The friendly atmosphere has earned Ontario a positive reputation worldwide.

Ontario’s cities take their rightful places on the world maps for all major cultural, academic, and sporting events. Toronto’s International Film Festival for example brings to town all of the famous figures from the film community, as the world’s top filmmakers debut their new works to Toronto’s audiences.  While the world comes to Ontario, the province does not rely on imported culture. Quite the contrary, the locally produced arts, sporting, and entertainment thrive in bustling communities.

The strength of Ontario’s culture is in its immigrant communities. The international flavour of the province’s cities bring lively events and create a multicultural environment that is well-loved by both residents and visitors. Toronto’s Caribana festival for example, the largest Caribbean culture festival of its kind in the world, began from an initiative by an immigrant community to put its culture on display and has since evolved into a city-wide celebration of all things Caribbean that attracts over 1.2 million people each year. Likewise communities all across the province contribute elements to the cultural mosaic in the province.

Ontario Demographics

At 12 million people, Ontario is by far Canada’s most populous province. Over 90% of the population lives in the southern portion of the province, within 200 km of the US border. A great deal of these people live in Toronto and its suburbs (now approaching 6 million people). In addition, the “Golden Horseshoe” that surrounds the Greater Toronto Area is home to a large percentage of the province’s population.

The largest city in Ontario is Toronto, which is also the provincial capital and the largest city in Canada. Today the census metropolitan area (CMA) that includes Toronto has reached 5.8 million residents, and is still growing. Markham, which borders the northeast portion of the city, is the fastest growing city in the country. The next largest city is Ottawa, the national capital at over 1.1 million. Other major cities include Hamilton, London and Kitchener-Waterloo in southwestern Ontario, Kingston in Eastern Ontario and Sudbury in the center of the province.

Ontario’s demographics have been shaped by centuries of immigration to produce a diverse and multicultural society. While a large percentage of Ontarians are of British or French descent, the province counts among its residents representation from every corner of the world. The Chinese population in the province is substantial and growing quickly. The province is also home to a sizable South Asian community.

As Canada provides a tolerant society where religious freedoms are protected and expression is encouraged, there is a great deal of religious diversity in the province. While Ontario is officially a secular society where approximately 20% of the residents do not identify with a religious affiliation, there are also thriving religious communities of every stripe. Catholic and Protestant are the two largest groups, alongside large Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh and other religions.

Ontario Immigration

Over 60% of new immigrants to Canada choose to settle in the province of Ontario. The province’s new growth today is almost entirely fuelled by immigration. Ontario has launched a pilot program for a Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), which allows the province to direct a greater portion of immigration to the province. The PNP allows Ontario to fast-track the immigration applications of individuals who have the skills that match the province’s needs.

With so many newcomers arriving in the province each year, Ontario has many non-profit groups as well as government agencies that are well-equipped to provide settlement services to new immigrants. In addition, the presence of diaspora community can be a very appealing factor to new immigrants.

Ontario Government

Canada’s government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. Ontario has its own democratically-elected parliament known as the Legislature of Ontario (also known as Queen’s Park) which can be found in the provincial capital of Toronto. While Ottawa is the national capital, it is not the capital of Ontario.

The current government of Ontario is led by the Liberal Party of Ontario, with Premier Dalton McGuinty at its head. Premier McGuinty came to power in an October 2003 election. Ontario has recently switched to a system of fixed-date elections, every four years, so it will head to the polls again in October 2007. As with any Canadian province, Ontario has wide control over its health, education and other services

Ontario Major Cities

Toronto
Toronto has been referred to as “New York run by the Swiss”. The city has much in common with New York as it is the economic capital of the country, home to the head offices of many of the largest Canadian companies. Toronto is also a vibrant city with many cultural communities and a constant flow of events. Yet the reference to the Swiss comes from the impressive cleanliness and safety of the city, factors that help Toronto get ranked consistently among the most livable cities in the world.
In many ways however Toronto remains very unique in its own right. Often referred to as a “global city”, Toronto is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world. Over half of the city’s population are considered visible minorities. Throughout the city one can find neighbourhoods featuring pockets of immigrants from any corner of the world, from Greektown to Little Italy, from Chinatown to Little Portugal and Koreatown.

A major appeal of Toronto for immigrants remains the economic opportunities for working in Canada.  As Canada’s largest city and the 5th largest in North America, the city is home to an advanced economy that has opportunities in nearly every industry and field. Toronto receives the highest number of immigrants of any city in Canada each year, the result of which is that the city has the 2nd highest percentage of foreign-born residents in the world, second only to Miami, Florida. This diversity along with high standards of living has helped to earn the city praise and recognition on the world stage.

Ottawa
The capital of Canada, Ottawa is located in Eastern Ontario, on the border with Quebec. In fact the city is effectively connected to the Gatineau region (which includes Hull, Quebec) on the other side of the provincial border, and the city is often referred to as Ottawa-Gatineau. The nation’s capital region is home to approximately 1.15 million residents.
As the seat of the federal government, the public sector accounts for a great deal of employment in Ottawa. With the government located in the region, many national and multinational companies that work closely with government or the public sector also choose to locate major offices in Ottawa. The city is also home to a large and growing high-tech sector, which helps account for Ottawa having the highest concentration of Ph.D.’s among its residents in Canada. Ottawa is also home to two major universities, the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
Ottawa is an important destination for immigrants to Canada. Approximately 20% of the city’s population is foreign-born. Immigrants are attracted to the city by a combination of economic opportunity, high standard of living, and friendly safe communities which make the city a great place to raise a family.

Canadian Culture

Culture

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With only 32 million people, the country is a modest nation compared to its densely populated southern neighbor. There are over 200 distinct cultures in Canada. In fact, the Nation is often defined as a "cultural mosaic" and has a greater mix of people from diverse backgrounds than almost anywhere else on Earth. It is home to the world's immigrants and encourages its people to hold closely to their traditions and culture. Around two-fifths of the Country's population comes from an origin other than British or French.

In recognizing multiculturalism, the federal government has developed multiculturalism policies, formalized in The Multiculturalism Act to, among other things "promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins."

Bilingualism in Canada

There are two official languages in Canada: English and French.

Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms assures the protection of both languages and is required by law to recognize, preserve, and support the equality of both languages in Canadian society. All of the services offered by the Federal Government are available in both languages and almost every product sold in the country has English and French labeling and packaging.

Quebec is Canada's only French province and New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in the country. The city of Montreal, Quebec, is recognized as the world's largest French-speaking metropolis outside of France. Outside the borders of Quebec, most people speak English with about 18 percent of all Canadians being fluently bilingual.

Canadian Health Care

Health Care

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Canada has a public health care system that makes critical care accessible to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents alike. Although the health care systems are run by Provincial ministries of health, the Federal Government sets the standards for health care across the country.

There are three Provinces that charge health care premiums (BC, Alberta & Ontario). In the remaining Provinces and Territories health care is paid for through taxes and Provincial governments are responsible for the actual administration and delivery of health care in their jurisdictions.

Canadian Education System

Education

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Canada has both a public and private education system. From kindergarten through to university, the Canadian government subsidizes a great portion of the financial burden of educating its young minds.

Canada has one of the highest educational standards when compared to other industrialized nations. The school year normally runs from September through to the following June. Secondary studies go up to Grades 11, 12 or 13, depending on the province. After which, students may choose to attend university, college, or Cegep (in Quebec) studies.

Canada has many internationally recognized university programs located in both urban and rural regions throughout the Nation. Degrees awarded from Canadian universities are recognized as equivalent to those from American and other Commonwealth universities. The university year usually runs from September to May.

International students may choose to study in either one of Canada's two official languages. Some universities even offer instruction in both. However, students need not be fluent in both languages to attend school in Canada.

Canadian Economy

Canada ranks among the 10 leading manufacturing nations. Most of Canada's manufacturing industry is located in the provinces of Ontario and Québec. Other important manufacturing sectors in Canada include food and beverages, paper and allied products, primary metals, fabricated metals, petrochemicals and chemicals.

The Atlantic, Prairie, and Pacific regions of Canada have concentrated on establishing their natural resource-based economies such as fishing, forestry, and mining. The Prairie Provinces are dependent on agriculture and mineral fuels and British Columbia's primary industries are forestry and mining, and tourism.

The economic hub of Canada is situated in the east, with western provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia playing an important and ever-increasing role in Canada's diverse and growing economy. From oil and gas to precious minerals, lumber, and agriculture, the country is rich in natural resources.

Canada Immigration: Government and Political System

| Canada is what is known as a "Democratic Federation" with both Federal and Provincial levels of Government. The responsibilities and powers are divided between the Federal branch and its Provincial executives. Citizenship and Immigration Canada - CIC - is a department of the government of Canada.

The government of Canada and the Canadian political system are quite elaborate and is based loosely on British rule. The system we follow today was initially drafted by the "Fathers of Confederation" in 1864, and became law in 1867 when the constitution act was passed. The Act consigned the executive authority over to the Queen of England (UK), which made Canada a sovereign democracy.

The Federal Government has the power to create laws for the peace, order, and responsible government of Canada. This includes federal jurisdictions such as International policies, Defense, Immigration, Criminal Law, Customs, and Border control. The Provincial Government is responsible for health care, education, driver licensing and registrations and controls the Provincial budget among other things.

The Canadian political complex is centered in Ottawa, Canada's capital, in a building called "The House of Commons". Government officials called "Members of Parliament" (MP's) are elected by the People to represent their interests and deliberate on various national issues affecting Canadians.

The Canadian government is divided into constituencies; the candidate with the most votes in the region they represent (riding) wins the authority to act in the best interest of the constituency by taking their "seat" in the Parliament.

The Provincial political systems are based on the same doctrine as its Federal counterpart. The Provincial Government is referred to as the "Legislative Assembly" and the Queen's representative in the Assembly is the called the "Lieutenant Governor". Normally, every 4 to 5 years an election is called by the reigning Premier. Pending the results of the election, the Lieutenant Governor will ask the leader of the party with the most "seats" to become the Premier of the Province and form the Government.