About Canada

Canada is the world's second largest country. It is beautiful, big, spacious, rugged, and varied. Its cities are large and modern. It is an advanced G-7 nation offering the best standard of living. It is a land known for its immense natural beauty and for big dreams coming true for immigrants. Canadians enjoy a standard of living among the highest in the world. More than 65 per cent of Canadians own their own homes. Media, entertainment and artistic endeavours are well-developed in Canada. Canadians are proud of their world-renowned and highly sophisticated broadcasting system which includes more than 1,000 AM and FM radio stations and some 719 television stations to serve, entertain and educate the listening and viewing audience.

For nine consecutive years (1994-2002), a United Nations survey found Canada to be among the top three places in the world to live. Conducted every year, the survey evaluates quality of life in 174 countries, using over 200 performance indicators. Canada earned particularly high marks for its access to education, high life expectancy (due to universal free health care system); and low crime and violence rates. In addition, Canada's largest cities Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal have been recognized as world class cities in which to live and work, for their cleanliness and safety and for their cultural activities and attractive lifestyles.
Canada is a country of immigrants and has both a tradition and policy of encouraging multicultural diversity. Almost all of the world's ethnic groups are represented in Canada. As a result, most ethnic foods and recreational activities associated with specific cultures are available. New immigrants will witness one of the most beautiful, natural environments in the world.
Canada is well-known as a safe, just and peaceful society. Canadian crime rates have been falling steadily since the 1990s. In 1997, Canada's police-reported crime rate decreased for the sixth year in a row, falling by five per cent. Violent crimes declined for the fifth year in a row in 1997 and Canada's homicide rate now accounts for less than one percent of all reported violent incidents. Unlike its US neighbours to the south, firearms are strictly controlled and generally are not permitted in Canada.
Canada offers free elementary and secondary education in addition to subsidized post-secondary and university education for all of its immigrants. This year Canada will admit approximately 235,000 immigrants according to the new immigration policy. On a per capita basis, this level of immigration ranks among the highest in the world. Unlike the United States and other countries, there is no quota based on either nationality or occupation.

Canada occupies a position of leadership among the open, advanced societies, which are becoming increasingly influential as world power is dispersing and becoming more defined in economic terms. Canada's geographic location gives it an important advantage as new poles of political and economic power emerge in the Pacific and Latin America. Canada's history as a non-colonizing power, champion of constructive multilateralism and effective international mediator, underpins an important and distinctive role among nations as they seek to build a new and better order.

• Population: 32,805,041 (July 2005)
• Geography: Second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border
• Division: 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
• Migration rate: 5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005)
• Languages: English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5%
• Government type: confederation with parliamentary democracy
• Capital: Ottawa
• National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
• Economy: Unemployment rate:7% (2004)
• Military: Canadian Armed Forces: Land Forces Command, Maritime Command, Air Command, Canada Command (homeland security) to be operational in early 2006

If you wish to verify if you could qualify for permanent residence in Canada, we invite you to complete our free online assessment form.