Political parties
The Progressive conservative party - Прогрессивная консервативная партия The Liberal party - Либеральная партия The New Democratic Party (NDP) - новая демократическая партия The Bloc Quebecois - «Блок Квебека» The reform party of Canada - Канадская партия реформ The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PC) (French: Parti progressiste-conservateur du Canada) It (1942-2003) was a Canadian political party with a centre-righ stance on economic issues and a centrist stance on social issues. The Progressive Conservative Party was generally centre-right in its political ideology. From 1867 on, the party was identified with Protestant and, in Quebec, Roman Catholic social values, British Imperialism, Canadian Nationalism, and constitutional centralism. This was highly successful up until 1920, and to that point in history, the party was the most successful federal party in the Dominion. The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada) It is colloquially known as the Grits, is a major political party in Canada. The party sits between the centre-left and centre of the Canadian political spectrum. The party currently forms the Official Opposition in the Parliament of Canada since the 2006 federal election. The Liberal Party is Canada's oldest functioning party at the federal level; the only party remaining from Confederation. The Liberal Party has dominated federal politics for much of Canada's history, holding power for almost 69 years in the 20th century, more than any other party in a develope country. It was a strong champion of balanced budgets, and eliminated the deficit completely from the federal budget in 1995 by reducing spending on social programs or delegating them to the provinces. It also legalized same-sex marriage and the use of cannabis for medical purposes, and had proposed complete decriminalization of possession of small amounts of it. The party generally holds liberal views on various other social issues like abortion. In spite of this, a socially conservative wing does exist within the party. For example, when the Civil Marriage Act was passed in 2004 (which legalized same-sex marriage), 32 Liberal MPs voted against the act. The New Democratic Party (French: Nouveau Parti démocratique) It is commonly referred to as the NDP, is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy that contests elections at both the federal and provincial levels. In the Canadian House of Commons, it holds a center-left position in the Canadian political spectrum. The NDP grew from populist, agrarian and democratic socialist roots. While the party is secular and pluralistic, it has a longstanding relationship with the Christian left and the Social Gospel movement, particularly the United Church of Canada. However, the federal party has broadened to include concerns of the New Left, which advocates issues such as gay rights, peace, and environmental protection. The Bloc Québécois (BQ) It is a federal political party in Canada that defines itself as devoted to both the protection of Quebec's interests on a federal level as well as the promotion of its sovereignty. As such, it campaigns only within the province during elections. The Bloc Québécois is supported by a wide range of voters in Quebec, from large sections of organized labor to more conservative rural voters. The Bloc is currently the third largest party in the Canadian House of Commons. The party has a close relation with the Parti Québécois (PQ, whose members are known as "Péquistes"), the provincial party which advocates for the separation of Quebec from Canada and its independence, but the two are not linked organizationally. The Reform Party of Canada (French: ''Parti réformiste du Canada'') It was a Canadian federal political party that existed from 1987 to 2000. It was originally founded as a Western Canada-based protest party, but attempted to expand eastward in the 1990s. It viewed itself as a populist party, but was also conservative. The current prime minister is Stephen Harper, appointed by Governor General Michaëlle Jean as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada on February 6, 2006. He is the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
CANADA.ECONOMY
cereals (corn, grain) - зерновые oat - овес rye - рожь buckwheat - гречиха horticulture - садоводство flaxseed - льняное семя sunflower seed - семя подсолнечника mining (extracting) industry - добывающая промышленность potash - поташ, углекислый калий forestry - лесоводство, лесное хозяйство wood-based industry - лесная и деревообрабатывающая промышленность lumber (timber) - лесоматериал, пиломатериал wood pulp - пульпа, древесная масса sawmill - лесопильный завод hydroelectricity - гидроэлектроэнергия primary materials (primary goods, raw materials) - сырье, сырые материалы concern - концерн "daughter" company - дочерняя компания вranch - филиал investment - капиталовложение, инвестиция anti-Americanism - антиамериканские настроения national debt - национальный долг federal deficit - дефицит федерального бюджета consumption - потребление Canada is a unique country. Its economy has features of advanced capitalist states and also of the dependent countries. In the 20th century Canada became an industrial country with highly developed intensive agriculture. Before that Canada had been mostly an agricultural country. But since the WWII more people have worked in manufacturing than in agriculture. But agriculture (farming) is still important. Canada exports many agricultural products, which account for mush of the country's export. Agricultural sector produces: - cereals (primarily wheat and barley) - dairy products - fruit - wool - fur Arable land is only 5% of the total area, but farming is highly developed and intensive. The most important agricultural regions are: - the prairies, which represent 80% of Canada's farmland - the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence fertile lowlands in Ontario and Quebec. It is the major corn producing area of Canada and a horticultural region. Canada's economy has always been based on abundant natural resources, which include: - fish - timber and wood products - minerals - hydroelectricity One of the most important industries is the manufacture of wood pulp and paper. Minerals that are found in Canada include: - zinc - copper - gold - lead - molybdenum - potash - silver - coal - natural gas and oil Canada has rich fishing grounds. Manufacturing has long been a weak component of Canada's economy. And now it employs just 14% of the country's workers. The most important manufactured product is motor vehicles. Recently new high technology (hi tech) industries have developed, including information technology and aeronautics. Canada's leading industries include: - automobile manufacturing - pulp and paper - iron and steelwork - machinery and equipment manufacturing - mining - extraction of fossil fuels - forestry - agriculture As an advanced capitalist state Canada has an enormous service sector, including the civil service. Services account for some 75% of the country's economy. Problems 1) Dependency on foreign capital In the 20th century Canada became independent of the UK only to find herself more dependent on the US than the it has been on Britain. Canada was the scene of rivalry between US and the British capital. In the rivalry US monopolies were more successful. As a result foreign monopolies control. - 75% of Canada's main extractive industries - 50 % of it's manufacturing industries As a trading country Canada is strongly influenced by the USA, the country's major traiding partner. Canada exports primary materials: - metals - fish - wheat - coal - lumber - furs - oil - natural gas and imports manufactures. Most of the companies belong to the US capital; they are "daughter" companies of the big concerns. The US export to Canada vast quantities of: - capital - the money and the machinery for mining, pulp and paper industries. Relatively little of this investment goes into the Maritime Provinces and eastern Quebec, a chronically poor region. Canada has begun to veer away from Washington policies. The tendency started in the 1960's when Canada celebrated its centennial (1967). Besides, Anti-Americanism was stimulated by such developments in the US like: racial conflicts, political association of John Kennedy and the Vietnam War. These were the events of the 1960's (the decade) in the US. A wave of anti-Americanism swept through Canada's intellectual circles. In 1974 Parliament passed a law requiring that foreign investments be screened by the cabinet before being permitted. American investors retaliated by cutting back or completing shutting down Canadian branch plants and business. In 1988 the USA and Canada signed an agreement of lifting within 10 years of all barriers in their trade. This makes Canada even more dependent on its southern neighbor. 2). The large national debt and the massive annual federal deficit. 3). High unemployment rates. Currently unemployment is around 10% with regional variations The inflation rate is about 2,5% 4) Canada has an immense "underground economy", which includes not only criminal activities but also different way and means of legitimate business they resort to in order to avoid paying. Living standard. Social programs. Canada ranks (claims) 6th place in the world in living standard (behind only: 1) the US, 2) Switzerland, 3) Luxembourg, 4) Germany, 5) Japan) The living standard is high largely owing to extensive social programs of which Canadians are justifiably proud. Social security network (system) includes: - an old age pension - a family allowance - unemployment insurance - welfare for the needy - free Medicare system Basic health care with the exception of dental services is free. Prescription drugs are in most cases free of charge for people over 65 social and recipients.
The largest cities (2009)
Toronto - г. Торонто (Toronto (4.5 million))
Montreal г. Монреаль (провинция Квебек) (3.4 million)
Vancouver - г. Ванкувер (2.0 million)
Capital City: Ottawa (pop. 1 million)
The most important ports are Montreal, St. John's and Halifax on the Atlantic; Vancouver and Victoria on the Pacific; Port Arthur on Lake Superior
Economy and Provinces
I. New Foundland The provinces main industries are: - fishing - mining - forestry 1). the province has rich fishing grounds on the Grand Banks. Cod is the main catch. Other important catches are flounder, redfish, shrimp and crab. Protection of the rich fishery resources has been a growing problem in recent years. Some Atlantic fish stocks are in decline. That's why the province has to reduce the quantities of fish caught in the Atlantic. 2). the mining industry produces: - iron ore in Labrador - gold, asbestos, lime, stone and gypsum. In 1994 a major discovery of nickel, copper and cobalt was made. Recently oil and gas reserves were discovered offshore on the continental shelf. 3). Forests sector includes pulp and paper mills. NF agriculture industry is well compared to other provinces. It works mainly for consumption within the province. But some agricultural products such as blueberries and furs are sold outside the province. II. Nova Scotia It shares mainly problems of the neighboring Maritime Provinces. Its economy is largely dependent on low-technology industries such as: fishing and mining. Forestry sector has a few pulp and paper mills and several hundred sawmills. The mining sector is dominated by coal production. Oil was recently found offshore near Sable Island. In 1991 the first commercial production of oil began there. NS has a highly specialized commercial agriculture. Dairy is the largest sector, followed by horticulture, poultry, egg, beef and cattle. Tourism is an important sector in the province economy. III. Prince Edward Island Agriculture, tourism and fishing are the main industries of its economy. The province has abundant good red soil, which is ideal for growing potatoes. Today agriculture remains the principal industry. Potatoes are the most important source of income for the provinces farmers. Tourism is a growing industry on the Island. Its beaches attract visitors who come there for relaxation and water sports. In fishing lobster is the most important. About 30 other fish and selfish species are caught. IV. New Brunswick (NB) It is one of the Maritime Provinces. Most of its soil is rocky and unfit for agriculture. NB has an abundance of natural resources. Forests occupy 85% of the landmass; consequently wood-based industriesare a cornerstone of the economy. The 6000 mile long coas encouraged shipbuilding and fisheries. Mining, too, is important. NB mines silver, coal, copper, natural gas and oil, etc. Fishing and agriculture are also important. More than 50 species of fish and shellfish are caught there. High unemployment rate remains a problem in NB today. V. Quebec The St. Lawrence Lowlands have climate and soil well suited for general farming. Commerce and farming are the important industries of Quebec, besides the province has never been fully developed economically. Heavy industry and manufacturing are beginning to grow in importance. Montreal has developed competitive industries in space and aeronautic, telecommunications, energy and transportation.. Quebec exports 40% of its total production, mainly from the forest industry, mining and transportation equipment. VI. Ontario It is the largest province in terms of wealth and population. Its industry accounts for about 40% of the Country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product). It is the major industrial centre of Canada, accounting for: - 98% of motor vehicles, - 93% of heavy electrical equipment and - 92% of the agricultural machinery. Ontario's advantages include: - it's natural resources - modern transformational system - large, well educated labor force - relatively inexpensive electrical power - proximity to buy US markets. Automobiles are Ontario's major manufacturing industry. Mining has also played an important role in Ontario's economy. It includes extraction of gold, nickel, copper, uranium and zinc. The forest industry is also important. Financial industries are also a source of prosperity. Toronto is the world's 4th largest capital market. Tourism is also important to Ontario's economy. For all its wealth, Ontario suffers from unemployment. VII, VIII, IX. The Midwestern Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta) Back in the early 20th century the three provinces were predominantly agricultural, with wheat being their main crop. Nowadays their economies are substantially diversified. In agriculture both crops and livestock are important sectors. Though wheat remains the main crop, the production of new crops continues to expand: - barley - canola - rye - oats - buckwheat Flaxseeds, sunflower seeds are also produces in the provinces. Manufacturing and transportation has become vital sectors in Manitoba. The service sector is the most important in the province. The cultural location of the province makes Manitoba an attractive base for a wide variety of services, esp. in transportation. Mining is another major Manitoba industry with metals being its main production. The most important metals are nickel, copper and zinc. In Saskatchewan the major industries are oil production, mining and manufacturing. The province is reach in minerals. The leading mineral resources are petroleum, potash, uranium and coal. There are 14 000 oil wells in Saskatchewan, which produce 12& of Canada's total oil output. Alberta is also rich in oil and has been known as Canada's "energy province" The service sector accounts for more than 60% of Alberta's GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Forestry is also important in Northern parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, covered by forests. Tourism is a developed sector in Manitoba and Alberta. There is a multitude of attractions to visitors: - national parks - lakes and rivers - camping grounds - the magnificent Rocky Mountains in Alberta. X. British Columbia (BC) The economy is based on the province's great natural resources, primarily its vast forests, which cover more than half of its total area. Tourism is the next important economic sector. The Rocky Mountains with their vast parkland remain the biggest attraction. Coastal BC with its beaches, wildlife reserves also attracts visitors. Besides, there are some unique species of flora in BC. Mining is the province's third most important economic sector. The leading metals extracted are copper, gold and zinc. The most valuable resources are coal, petroleum and natural gas. Agriculture and fishing, especially salmon fishing are two other key sectors of BC's economy/ Dairy cattle are very productive. The interior southern valleys are famous for cultivation of tree fruits and grapes and for their wine industry. XI. The Free territories The economy relies heavily on resource industries. Mining is by far the largest industrial sector in the North. The fur trade continues to be important for aboriginals. Recently, tourism has become increasingly important since the territories have a unique 2 relatively unspoiled environment and offer a variety of landscapes of great natural beauty.