CANADA

Canadian Facts
► Canada is the second largest country in the
world (space wise, not population)
► It is slightly smaller than all of Europe which
is made up of 45 countries.
► It only borders 1 country, the United States.
► 90% of Canada is too cold for agriculture to
take place.
The name Canada is believed to come from
the Indian word Kanata, meaning ‘”village” or
”community”.
This fact alone shows that the native population
of the country consisted mostly of Indian tribes.
 Maple leaf – the most important
symbol of the country

The capilal is Ottawa

Its currency is the

Canadian dollar
The southern areas are
populated as it is moderate
climate there.
The north is characterized by
very long, cold winters and cool
summer months.
The most humid areas are in
the west,
where winds from the Pacific
Ocean bring a lot of rain.
The population of Canada is
over 30 million, about 80%
of which live in the south.
About three quarters of
population live in towns and
cities.
Ottawa
Vancouver

Wooden bridge Сapillano

Toronto
Montreal
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories,
Quebec
Each with its own capital city.
French Canadians are mostly concentrated in the
province of Quebec. They have kept not only their
language, but also their own culture.
 Canada is rich in
nickel

oil gas

wood
iron ore

coal

agricultural copper
products

gold
Forests cover about half
of Canada.
They are the basis for such
important industries such
as lumbering and paper
production.
Forests also give home
to deer and caribou,
squirrels, minks, skunks,
mooses, beavers, black bears
and other animals.
beaver mink skunk

black bear
moose squirrel

caribou
Canada is a constitutional monarchy
Elizabeth II, Queen of England,
is also Canada’s Queen and
sovereign of a number of realms.
The Queen is the head of state,
and is represented in Canada by
the governor-general.
 The national flag

The adoption of the national flag in 1965 was the result of many years of
discussion, thousands of designs and a heated debate in Parliament.

On February 15, 1965, the

National Flag of Canada was
raised for the first time over
Parliament Hill. The red-white-
red pattern is based on the flag
of the Royal Military College of
Canada and the ribbon of the
Canada General Service Medal
of 1899, a British decoration
given to those who defended
Canada in 19th-century battles.
The leaf has 11 points, and the
flag’s proportions are two by
length and one by width.
The BEAVER was given official status as an emblem
of Canada when “An Act to provide for the recognition
of the Beaver (Castor canadensis) as a symbol of the
sovereignty of Canada” received royal assent on March
24, 1975. However, the beaver was a part of the
Canadian identity long before Parliament passed the
National Symbol of Canada Act
 The Coat of Arms

In the Middle Ages, COATS OF ARMS served as a sort

of identification card. This was especially true on the
battlefield where coat of arms made it possible to
distinguish allies from enemies. Today, they are used to
preserve traditions and inspire love of country.

The Canada Coat of Arms are

used on federal government
possessions like buildings,
official seals, money,
passports, proclamations and
publications.
 The Maple Leaf Tartan

The Maple Leaf Tartan was declared an official national symbol on

March 9, 2011.

Created in 1964 by David Weiser, the Maple

Leaf Tartan was designed in anticipation of
the 100th anniversary of Canada’s
confederation in 1967.

The Maple Leaf Tartan is used by The Royal Canadian Regiment Pipes and
Drums, and has also been worn by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions. A
symbol of national pride, the tartan was designed to be worn by Canadians
from all backgrounds – regardless of their ancestry – especially on national
days like Canada Day (July 1) and Tartan Day (April 6).
 The maple tree

Although the maple leaf is closely associated with Canada,

the maple tree was not officially recognized as Canada's
arboreal emblem until 1996.

Tree has played a meaningful role in the

historical development of Canada and
continue to be of commercial,
environmental and aesthetic importance.
Maples contribute valuable wood products
and sustain the maple sugar industry; they
are ideal for promoting Canada as a world
leader in the sustainable management of
forests.
 The national anthem

“O Canada” was proclaimed Canada’s national anthem on July 1,

1980, one century after it was first sung in the City of Québec on
June 24, 1880.

The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer born

in Verchères, Canada East

French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Adolphe-Basile

Routhier, a poet and judge born in Saint-Placide, Lower Canada.
Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on
which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by
Robert Stanley Weir, a poet born in Hamilton, Ontario.
 The national horse

The origins of the Canadian

horse date back to 1665. At
that time, the King of France
sent horses from the royal
stables to New France – the
Norman and Breton horses
were of mixed origin and
included Arabian, Barb and
Andalusian horses. Over the
next century, the horse
population of New France
developed in isolation from
other breeds, gradually
becoming a breed of its own –
the Canadian horse.
 The national sports

The Parliament of Canada declared ice hockey as the national

winter sport and lacrosse as the national summer sport when it
passed the National Sports of Canada Act on May 12, 1994.
 Governments in Canada
► Canada is a federal state, parliamentary democracy and
constitutional monarchy.
► A federal state brings together a number of different political
communities with a central government (federal) for national
matters and separate local governments
(provincial/territorial) for local affairs.
► As a parliamentary democracy, they elect members to our
parliament and legislatures across the country.
► As a constitutional monarchy, Canada’s head of state is a
hereditary sovereign (queen or king), who reigns in
accordance with the Constitution.
 Three Levels of Government
► Canada is a very large country with different needs and
interests.
► In order to meet the needs of citizens, the Canadian
government is structured into a three-level system: federal,
provincial/territorial and municipal/local.
► Each level has its own arrangement of elected and appointed
officials as well as a unique set of responsibilities
 Three Branches of Government
► Legislative Branch: Creates laws, rules and regulations under
federal jurisdiction. The legislative branch is made up of federal
elected representatives called Members of Parliament.
► Executive Branch: Responsible for government operations, and
implementing and enforcing laws and regulations. Includes the
Queen’s representative (the governor general) and cabinet
ministers (appointed by the prime minister).
► Judicial Branch: Interprets the law and determines the penalty
for those who violate established laws, rules and regulations.
Includes the Canadian court system, which is headed by the
Supreme Court and nine appointed judges.
 FEDERAL
► The elected representative at the federal level is called a
Member of Parliament (MP).
► Canadians will elect 338 MPs in the current election. This is
the federal legislative body, which creates or enacts laws.
► MPs debate and pass laws in the House of Commons in
Ottawa.
► The leader of the government is called the prime minister.
► The Queen is represented by the governor general.
 Provincial/Territorial
► The elected representatives are called Members of the
Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Members of Provincial
Parliament (MPPs), Members of the National Assembly
(MNAs) or Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs),
depending on the province or territory.
► Elected representatives debate and pass laws at the
provincial or territorial legislature.
► The leader of the government is called the premier
► The Queen is represented by a lieutenant governor in
Canada’s ten provinces and by a territorial commissioner in
the three territories.
 Municipal/Local
► The elected representative at the municipal level is called a
councillor or alderman.
► The head of the council is called a mayor, reeve or
chairperson.
► The size and structure of the council differs depending on the
population it represents.
 Division of Responsibilities
► Federal: Justice, citizenship and immigration, national
defence, currency, public safety, fisheries and oceans
► Provincial/Territorial: Education, healthcare delivery,
environment, energy
► Municipal/Local: Road maintenance, water and sewer
service, recreation and community facilities, libraries,
police protection services
Thank you for attention!