Background Notes: Canada
PA/PC
Source: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public
Affairs
Date: Jan 15, 19911/15/91
Category: Country Data
Region: North America
Country: Canada
Subject: Cultural Exchange, Resource Management,
Military Affairs, History, International Organizations,
Trade/Economics
[TEXT]
Official Name: Canada
PROFILE
Geography
Area: 9.97 million sq. km. (3.8 million sq. mi.); second largest
country in the world. Cities: Capital-Ottawa (pop. 833,000). Other
cities-Toronto (3.5 million), Montreal (2.9 million), Vancouver (1.4
million). Terrain: Varied. Climate: Temperate to arctic.
Canada's Provinces and Territories Atlantic Provinces:
Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick.
Area-541,180 sq. km. (208,146 sq. mi.). Population (1988)-2.3
million. Ethnic groups-predominantly British, French. Industry-
fishing, agriculture, mining, manufacturing.
Quebec: Area-1,356,790 sq. km. (523,857 sq. mi.). Population
(1988)-6.7 million. Ethnic groups-predominantly French, British,
other European groups. Industry-agriculture, mining,
manufacturing, hydroelectric power.
Ontario: Area-891,190 sq. km. (345,420 sq. mi.). Population
(1988)-9.5 million. Ethnic groups-British, French, other European
groups. Industry-manufacturing, agriculture, mining.
Prairie Provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta. Area-1.77
million sq. km. (680,757 sq. mi.). Population (1988)-4.5 million.
Ethnic groups-British, other European groups. Industry-agriculture,
cattle, petroleum and natural gas, mining, manufacturing.
British Columbia: Area-934,125 sq. km. (359,279 sq. mi.).
Population (1988)-3 million. Ethnic groups-British, other European,
Chinese, indigenous Indian. Industry-forestry, manufacturing,
fishing, mining, agriculture.
Territories: Northwest Territory and Yukon Territory. Area-3.79
million sq. km. (1.45 million sq. mi.). Population (1988)-72,300.
Ethnic groups-British, indigenous Indian, Inuit. Industry-mining.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective-Canadian(s). Population (1989):
26.2 million. Annual growth rate (1988-89): 1%. Ethnic groups:
British 25%, French 24%, other European 16%, indigenous Indian and
Eskimo 1.5%, mixed background 28%. Religions: Roman Catholic 47%,
United Church 16%, Anglican 10%. Languages: English, French.
Literacy: 98% of population aged 15 and over have at least a ninth
grade education. Health: Infant mortality rate-7.3/1,000
(US=11.2/1,000). Life expectancy-73 yrs. male, 80 yrs. female.
Work force (13.3 million, 1988): Agriculture-0.4 million.
Manufacturing-2.1 million. Trade-2.2 million.
Community/business/personal service-4.1 million. Public
administration-0.8 million.
Government
Type: Confederation with parliamentary democracy. Independence:
July 1, 1867. Constitution: The amended British North America Act
of 1867, charter of rights, and unwritten custom. Branches:
Executive-Queen Elizabeth II (head of state, represented by a
governor general), prime minister (head of government), cabinet.
Legislative-bicameral parliament (104-member Senate, 295-
member House of Commons). Judicial-Supreme Court. Political
parties: Progressive Conservative, Liberal, New Democratic,
Reform, Social Credit. Suffrage: Universal over 18. Government
budget (FY 1990-91): Expenditures-US$127.1 billion. Revenues-
US$102.6 billion. Deficit-US$24.5 billion. Defense: 2% of GDP.
Subdivisions: 10 provinces, 2 territories. Flag: A red maple leaf on
a white background flanked by vertical red bands.
Economy
GDP (1990): US$554.1 billion. Annual real GDP growth rate (1990):
0.7%. Per capita GDP (1990): US$21,000. Natural resources:
Petroleum and natural gas, hydroelectric power, metals and
minerals, fish, forests, wildlife. Agriculture: Products-wheat,
livestock and meat, feed grains, oilseeds, dairy products, tobacco,
fruits, vegetables. Industry: Types-motor vehicles and parts, fish
and forest products, processed and unprocessed minerals. Trade
(1990): Canada had a record current account deficit of US$15.9
billion in 1990. Exports-US$123 billion: motor vehicles and parts,
lumber, wood pulp and newsprint, crude and fabricated metals,
natural gas, crude petroleum, wheat. Partners-US 75%, EC 18%,
Japan 5%. Imports-US$116.1 billion: motor vehicles and parts,
industrial machinery, crude petroleum, chemicals, agricultural
machinery. Partners-US 69%, EC 8%, Japan 6%. Official exchange
rate (floating average rate for 1990): C$1=US$0.86. Fiscal year:
April 1-March 31. Development assistance (FY 1987-88): $2 billion
or 0.4% of GDP.
Membership in International Organizations UN, North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), North Atlantic Fisheries Organization,
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
Commonwealth, La Francophonie, Agency for Cultural and Technical
Cooperation, International Energy Agency (IEA), INTELSAT.
PEOPLE AND HISTORY
Of Canada's 26.2 million people, 80% live within 160
kilometers (100 mi.) of the US border, and half live in the
southeastern part of the country near the Great Lakes and the St.
Lawrence River. Canada's more than 6 million French-speaking
citizens are primarily descendants of colonists who settled the
country three centuries ago. The English-speaking community has
increased mostly by immigration from the United Kingdom. The
largest influx from the United States occurred during the American
Revolution when thousands of "Empire Loyalists" fled to Canada.
Other Canadians have indigenous Indian, Eskimo (Inuit), German,
Ukrainian, Scandinavian, Italian, Dutch, Polish, or Asian origins
Cultural Achievements
Four major influences have helped shape Canadian culture: a
multi-cultural-including aboriginal-heritage; English/French
bilingualism; sustained government funding for artistic and literary
pursuits; and the abundance and availability of US cultural
productions.
Canadians tend to view their country less as a melting pot
than as a cultural mosaic. Inuit, Indian nations, Francophones,
Anglophones, and immigrant groups have all sought to maintain
their unique cultural identities. Such efforts have been encouraged
by extensive government funding of the arts. The government-
funded Canada Council has become the major patron of all forms of
creative endeavor in Canada. Government support has produced an
artistic atmosphere that encourages creativity over marketability
in all areas of art and culture.
Canada has a colorful literary tradition. Margaret Lawrence,
Margaret Atwood, Robertson Davies, and Mordechai Richler rank
among the most influential Anglophone authors. Leading
Francophone authors include Gabrielle Roy and Jacques Ferron. In
visual arts, Canadians are most proud of a school of painters known
as "The Group of Seven," whose style of landscape painting is called
"pictorial nationalism." With the support of the National Film Board,
Canadian filmmakers such as Harry Rasky and Bill Mason are world
leaders in producing documentaries. Canada also has a number of
world-class dance troupes, orchestras, and repertory theaters.
Numerous well-known musicians claim Canada as their home,
including Joni Mitchell, Anne Murray, Paul Anka, Gordon Lightfoot,
Bryan Adams, and Corey Hart.
Political History
Canada's early history was dominated by rivalry between
France and Britain. John Cabot reached Newfoundland in 1497 and
claimed a large portion of the Atlantic seaboard for Britain. Cabot
was followed by the French explorer Jacques Cartier, who claimed
the Gaspe Peninsula for France. While the British settled along the
coast, the French pushed rapidly into the interior, and, for more
than a century, Canada was a colony of France. The major settler of
French Canada was Samuel de Champlain, who founded Quebec City
(1608) and a number of other settlements along the Bay of Fundy
and the St. Lawrence River. Explorers, traders, and missionaries,
including Marquette, Joliet, and La Salle, extended French influence
in what had come to be called "New France."
Following the early years of settlement, French and English
pioneers competed in the lucrative fur trade. Canada's future
political contours began to emerge after Britain defeated France in
North America during the Seven Years' War (1756-63) and took over
all French colonies in North America except for the islands of St.
Pierre and Miquelon.
Under the terms of an 1814 agreement with the British, the
islands remain a territory of France. The bitter memory of that
event still has strong emotional force for French-Canadians.
Although New France came under British control, it was permitted
to retain its religion and civil code.
During the American Revolution, French and British colonists
in Canada rebuffed the overtures of American leaders and chose
retention of British rule rather than independence in association
with the United States. American expeditions into Canada in 1775
under Generals Montgomery and Arnold were defeated.
In the War of 1812, US-British rivalry in North America
again resulted in the invasion of Canada. Several events spurred
unification of the British-ruled Canadian colonies under the British
North America Act of 1867. First, political uprisings in 1837 in
both English Upper Canada and French Lower Canada led to the
creation of local governments and to greater citizen participation
in government. Second, at the end of the American Civil War, it was
feared that the United States might turn against British North
America. Finally, development of US western territories and the
slower settlement of the Canadian west prompted development of a
Canadian transcontinental railroad and the perception among
eastern Canadian political leaders that a Canadian federation from
the Atlantic to the Pacific had to be achieved if western Canada
was to avoid being absorbed by the United States.
The 1867 act created the new nation of Canada, comprising four
provinces-Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It
provided for a union and for a parliamentary system of government.
Six other provinces eventually entered the confederation; the last
was Newfoundland in 1949. In the early post-World War II period,
Canada embarked on a foreign policy that has become its trademark-
multilateralism. The country was a charter signatory to the United
Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
While Canada has worked to remain anchored to the West, it
also has pursued policies designed to accentuate its independence
from the United States. These include Canada's early
"normalization" of relations with Fidel Castro's Cuba and the
People's Republic of China, as well as strong Canadian opposition to
US involvement in the war in Vietnam.
The United Nations holds and always has held a special
significance for Canada. The country sent its troops to participate
under UN auspices in the Korean conflict. Canadian Secretary of
State Pearson mediated in the 1956 Suez Canal crisis, for which he
was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Since Suez, Canadians have
participated in peacekeeping forces in a number of international
trouble spots.
Like the United States, Canada enjoyed significant
postwar economic growth and prosperity, which was reflected in
World Exposition '67 in Montreal. However, concerns about foreign
(particularly US) investment in Canada mounted and contributed to a
cooling of the US-Canada relationship during the Diefenbaker
and Trudeau administrations. In the province of Quebec in the early
1960s, Jean Lesage's "Quiet Revolution" led to a new assertiveness
and heightened sense of identity among the French-speaking
Quebecers, who make up about one-quarter of Canada's population.
Radical elements within Quebec, most notably the Quebec Liberation
Front (FLQ), precipitated an urban violence campaign and the
"October Crisis" of 1970, during which Trudeau invoked
extraordinary measures to maintain public safety and order.
In 1976, the separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) won the
provincial election and began to explore a course for Quebec of
greater independence from the rest of Canada. In 1982, Queen
Elizabeth ceremonially turned over full responsibility for Canada's
constitution-the amended British North America Act of 1867-to the
Canadian parliament. This was made possible when the federal
government and all provinces, except Quebec, agreed on a charter of
rights and an amending formula. Quebec's status remains a serious
political issue in Canada.
In a 1980 referendum, the Parti Quebecois sought a mandate
from the people of Quebec to negotiate a new status-"sovereignty
association"-combining political independence with continued
economic association with the rest of Canada. Sixty percent of
Quebec voters rejected the proposal. Canada continued its quest to
develop a constitutional formula that will satisfy the aspirations
of French-speaking Quebec through the 1987 Meech Lake
Constitutional Accord. Quebec's current Liberal
government strongly endorsed the accord, which would have brought
the province into Canada's federal constitutional framework while
recognizing Quebec as a "distinct society." However, since the
accord was not ratified by Manitoba and Newfoundland-which felt it
gave too much power to Quebec-it expired on the June 23, 1990,
deadline.
Quebec has since announced that it will negotiate
constitutional issues only on a bilateral basis with Ottawa, and a
special commission established by Quebec's "National Assembly" is
considering options for the province's future relationship with the
rest of Canada.
GOVERNMENT
Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a bilingual federal
system, a parliamentary form of government, and strong democratic
traditions. Although Canada consolidated its written constitution
in 1982, many of the country's legal and parliamentary practices
are based on unwritten custom, as is the case in the United
Kingdom. But the federal structure which unites the 10 provinces
resembles the US system.
The constitution provides for a federal government to which
are reserved specific powers, such as those relating to defense,
trade and commerce, banking and currency, criminal law, postal
services, and certain taxes, as well as all powers not expressly
granted to the provinces. The provinces have authority to
administer and legislate on such matters as education,
property laws, health, and local affairs generally.
The 1982 Charterof Rights guarantees basic rights in many
areas. Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, serves as a symbol of
the nation's unity. She appoints a governor general on the advice of
the prime minister of Canada, usually for a 5-year term. Canada's
parliament consists of an elective House of Commons and an
appointive Senate.
In practice, legislative power rests with the Commons (295
members). Commons members are elected at least every 5 years
but also at any time that the prime minister advises the governor
general to dissolve the House. Senate members, in contrast, are
appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime
minister.
During the Meech Lake debate, many Canadians called for
reform of the Canadian Senate, such as election of senators. The
cabinet is led by the prime minister, who is the leader of the
political party in power. The cabinet remains in office as long as it
retains majority support in the Commons on major issues.
Criminal law, a federal prerogative based largely on British
law, is uniform throughout the nation. Civil law is also based on the
common law of England, except in Quebec, which has retained its
own civil code patterned after that of France. Justice is
administered by federal, provincial, and municipal courts. Each
province is governed by a premier and a single, elected legislative
chamber. A lieutenant-governor, appointed by the governor general,
represents the crown in each province.
Principal Government Officials
Chief of State-Queen Elizabeth II
Governor General-Ramon Hnatyshyn
Prime Minister-Brian Mulroney
Secretary of State for External Affairs-Joe Clark
Ambassador to the United States-Derek Burney
Ambassador to the United Nations-Yves Fortier
Canada maintains an embassy in the United States at 501
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202-682-
1740). Canadian Consulates Atlanta, Georgia-404-577-6810;
Boston, Massachusetts-617-262-3760; Buffalo, New York-716-
852-1247; Chicago, Illinois-312-427-1031; Cleveland, Ohio-216-
771-0150; Dallas, Texas-214-922-9806 ;Detroit, Michigan-313-
567-2340; Los Angeles, California-213-687-7432; Minneapolis,
Minnesota-612-333-4641; New York, New York-212-586-2400; San
Francisco, California-415-981-2670; Seattle, Washington-206-
443-1777
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
The three principal national parties in Canada are the
Progressive Conservatives, the Liberals, and the New Democratics,
a social democratic party formed in 1961. Since 1921, either the
Liberal or the Conservative Party has controlled the Canadian
government. Both are broadbased parties of the center.
In past federal elections, the Liberals relied on strong support
from Quebec. However, in 1984 and 1988, the Progressive
Conservatives won the majority of seats in that province. The
Conservatives traditionally have been strong in the western
provinces.
Heavily populated Ontario often plays a decisive role in
elections. The Progressive Conservative Party won 169 seats in the
House of Commons in the 1988 election and again formed a majority
government with representation from every region in the nation.
The Liberal Party, the official opposition, won 83 seats; the New
Democratic Party, 43. Federal-provincial interplay is a central
feature of Canadian politics. Quebec wishes to preserve and
strengthen its distinctive nature. (See HISTORY section.)
Western provinces desire more control over their abundant
natural resources, especially energy reserves. Industrialized
central Canada is concerned with economic development, while the
Atlantic provinces have resisted federal claims to fishing and
mineral rights off their shores.
Canadians have responded to these differing regional needs by
attempting to strengthen both their confederation and the
fundamental democratic principles essential to a balanced federal-
provincial political system, but setbacks such as the June 1990
failure to ratify the 1987 Meech Lake accord have made this
process more difficult.
The Calgary-based Reform Party of Canada recently has
emerged to represent the interests of western Canadians who are
disenchanted with Canada's three major parties. Following the
failure of Meech Lake, members of Canada's parliament from Quebec
organized the new "Bloc Quebecois" to advocate that province's
concerns in Ottawa.
ECONOMY
Canada ranks seventh in the world in gross domestic product
and is one of the world's largest producers of a wide variety of
minerals. The mineral industry, forest products, and agriculture
have been major factors in Canada's economic development.
Canada's lakes have more than 50% of the world's surface fresh
water, and 75% of Canada's power needs are met by hydroelectric
energy. The spectacular growth of Canadian manufacturing,
particularly since the 1950s, has transformed the nation from a
rural, agricultural society into one primarily industrial and urban.
Industry is now the leading segment of the nation's economy,
employing one-third of the work force. Following rapid expansion in
1985-89, the Canadian economy slipped into a shallow recession in
the first half of 1990. Growth for the year was a sluggish 0.7% in
real terms. With the slowdown, unemployment rose and stands at
over 8%. Inflation for the year was moderate-just under 5%-as the
government continued to follow a tight monetary policy. Interest
rates remain high in relation to the United States. Partly because
of this, the Canadian dollar is near its decade-high value against
the US dollar.
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
Agriculture's contribution to the Canadian economy is similar
to that of the United States, averaging less than 4% of both GNP and
employment in the late 1980s. Agricultural exports are less than
10% of all trade and are led by wheat and barley to third markets
and by pork and horticultural products to the United States. The
United States is Canada's leading market, taking nearly one-third of
all food exports, dominated by pork and horticultural products.
Conversely, Canada is the United States' second largest agricultural
market, primarily importing fresh fruits and vegetables and
livestock products. Forest covers about half of Canada's total land
area. Forest product exports, including pulp and paper, represent
15% of Canada's total export trade with nearly two-thirds going to
the United States. Canada is the world's leading producer of
newsprint, accounting for 40% of global output. Nearly 75% of
Canada's total newsprint production goes to the United States.
Commercial fisheries provide an annual catch of about 1.4 million
metric tons (1.5 million tons), of which about 70% is exported.
Minerals
Canada ranks first in the world in mineral exports and third in
mineral production after the United States and the Soviet Union. It
is the world's largest producer of zinc, potash, uranium, and nickel;
the second largest producer of asbestos, silver, titanium, gypsum,
and sulfur; and a leading producer of molybdenum, aluminum, cobalt,
gold, lead, copper, iron, and platinum. Significant mineral deposits
are located in all regions. Canada is a major producer of
hydroelectricity, oil, and gas and, unlike most of its industrial
partners, is a net exporter of energy (primarily gas and electricity).
Canada's exports and imports of oil are currently in approximate
balance. Crude petroleum is the largest single component of
Canada's minerals output. In 1988, Canadian oil reserves were about
6.8 billion barrels. Canada produces annually more than 500 million
barrels of oil and about 3.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The
United States imports about 6% of its natural gas requirements
from Canada.
Foreign Trade
In total volume of trade, Canada ranks seventh in the world,
after the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom,
Japan, and Italy. The value of US-Canadian merchandise trade
for 1989 was $167 billion, more than that between any other two
countries in the world. US exports to Canada were $78 billion, and
imports were $88 billion. Also in 1989, about 22% of all US
merchandise exports went to Canada, and Canada supplied about 19%
of total US merchandise imports.
Almost one-third of US-Canadian trade occurs under the terms
of the US-Canada Automotive Agreement (Auto Pact), which
provides for free trade in cars, trucks, and auto parts. Under the
1965 agreement, two-way trade in automotive products rose from
$715 million in 1964 to $23 billion by 1978. In 1980-81, it
declined to about $18 billion, but it rose to $51.5 billion in 1988.
Foreign Investment The investment relationship between the United
States and Canada is close, and the United States is Canada's
largest foreign investor. At the end of 1988, the stock of US direct
investment in Canada was $61 billion, or about 80% of total foreign
direct investment in Canada.
US investment in Canada is primarily in the mining and
smelting industries, petroleum, chemicals, the manufacturing of
machinery and transportation equipment, and finance. Canada's
investment exposure in the United States is substantial. At the end
of 1988, the stock of Canadian direct investment in the United
States was $27.4 billion, or 20% of total foreign direct investment
in the United States. Canadian investment in the United States is
concentrated in manufacturing, wholesale trade, real estate, and
petroleum.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
In Canada's early days as a nation, its foreign affairs were
conducted by the United Kingdom. By 1909, the Canadian drive for
autonomy led to the creation of a department of external affairs.
After World War I, Canadian representatives signed the Treaty of
Versailles and began to conduct a truly independent foreign policy.
World War II gave considerable impetus to Canadian participation in
world affairs.
Canada took an active role in the creation of the
United Nations, which it strongly supports. It has contributed
troops to UN forces in Korea, the Middle East, the Congo, Yemen,
Namibia, and Cyprus. Canada also has contributed naval vessels and
fighter aircraft to the multinational force in the Persian Gulf
crisis. In addition to its peacekeeping activities, Canada has
assumed a prominent role in UN disarmament discussions,
environmental activities, law of the sea negotiations, human rights
issues, North-South issues, and world food problems.
Canada also continues to be a strong supporter of the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty and its goals. A member of NATO since its
inception, Canada shares responsibility with the United States and
other allies for the North Atlantic Treaty area. Due to its
membership in NATO, Canada is an active participant in discussions
stemming from the Conference on Security and Cooperation in
Europe (CSCE).
Two other international organizations of special interest to
Canada are the Commonwealth-an association of former British
colonies that share similarities of language, customs, and
institutions-and La Francophonie-an association of French-speaking
countries that include France and former French colonies. Since
about 24% of all Canadians regard French as their mother tongue,
Canada has sought to broaden and strengthen ties with La
Francophonie.
Canadian economic assistance to developing countries totals
more than $2 billion annually. The official channel for government
overseas aid programs is the Canadian International Development
Agency. Canada also contributes substantially to international and
regional development organizations and is a major supplier of food
aid worldwide.
DEFENSE
US defense arrangements with Canada are more extensive than
with any other country. The Permanent Joint Board on Defense,
established in 1940, provides policy-level consultation on bilateral
defense matters. The United States and Canada share NATO mutual
security commitments. As the only other non-European ally, Canada
contributes forces to NATO commands in Europe and the North
Atlantic.
In addition, US and Canadian military forces have
cooperated since 1958 on continental air defense within the
framework of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, an
integrated bilateral military command exercising operational
control over US and Canadian air defense forces and also providing
early warning information on possible air and missile attack on
North America. Canada and the United States work closely in
defense research and production.
US-CANADIAN RELATIONS
Canada views its relationship with the United States as
crucial to a wide range of Canadian interests. The bilateral
relationship is varied and complex. Although occasional differences
occur, US-Canadian relations are close and cooperative. Investment
and trade issues are a major feature of US-Canadian relations.
There are a number of cooperative economic efforts, such as
the Auto Pact, which created a largely integrated two-country
market for automobiles, and defense economic arrangements, which
diminish obstacles to trade and technology exchange and encourage
a balance of trade in defense related areas. The US-Canada
trading relationship has been enhanced by the bilateral Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) that became effective on January 1, 1989. Over a
10-year period, the FTA will remove all tariffs and virtually all
import and export restrictions; resolve many longstanding bilateral
irritants; and liberalize rules in several areas including agriculture,
services, energy, financial services, investment, and government
procurement.
The United States and Canada recently have resolved
several major issues involving fisheries. By common agreement,
the two countries submitted a Gulf of Maine boundary dispute to the
International Court of Justice in 1981; both accepted the court's
October 12, 1984, ruling. On January 28, 1985, the United States
and Canada signed the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the culmination of
years of difficult negotiations aimed at rebuilding the Pacific
salmon resource. In 1990, the United States and Canada signed a
bilateral Fisheries Enforcement Agreement which, when
implemented, should deter illegal fishing activity and thereby
reduce the risk of injury during fisheries enforcement incidents.
The two countries work closely to resolve transboundary
environmental issues, an area of increasing importance in the
bilateral relationship. A principal instrument of this cooperation is
the International Joint Commission (IJC) established in 1909 to
promote international environmental cooperation. The Great Lakes
Water Quality Agreements of 1972 and 1978, aimed at preserving
and enhancing the water quality of the Great Lakes, are historic
examples of joint cooperation in controlling transboundary water
pollution. The two governments also frequently consult on
transboundary air pollution, which remains an issue of concern in
both countries.
As of January 1991, the United States and Canada
were close to concluding an Air Quality Accord which would limit
the effects of transboundary air pollution such as acid rain. Energy
and transportation problems, such as natural gas trade and trucking
regulations, also are often nettlesome and require frequent
attention from both sides, though such issues usually have been
successfully resolved or managed through bilateral consultative
forums. Canada and the United States recently have announced an
interest in negotiating a new "open skies" regime in civil aviation.
Principal US Officials
Ambassador-Edward N. Ney Deputy
Chief of Mission-J. Todd Stewart
Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs-Stephen W. Buck
Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs-Lawrence P. Taylor
Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs-Dell F. Pendergrast
Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs-George Mu
The US Embassy in Canada is located at 100 Wellington Street,
Ottawa, (tel. 613-238-5335). There are US consulates general in
the following cities: Calgary, Alberta (tel. 403-266-8962); Halifax,
Nova Scotia (tel. 902-429-2480); Montreal, Quebec (tel. 514-398-
9695); Quebec City, Quebec (tel. 418-692-2095); Toronto, Ontario
(tel. 416-595-1700); and Vancouver, British Columbia (tel. 604-
685-4311).
Houston Economic Summit, July 9-11, 1990
President Bush hosted the 16th annual G-7 summit for the
leaders of the major industrialized democracies-Canada, the
Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the United
Kingdom, and the United States-and the president of the European
Community, in Houston, Texas, July 9-11. The Houston summit was
held against the backdrop of movement toward democracy and freer
markets in many parts of the world, including elections in Eastern
Europe and Nicaragua, increasing momentum toward German
unification, and political reforms in the Soviet Union. The summit
leaders agreed on most international economic and political issues,
but intense discussions were needed on agricultural subsidies in the
Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, economic
assistance to the Soviet Union, and global warming before
consensus could be reached.
Economic Accomplishments
-- Agreement on progressive reductions in internal and
external support and protection of agriculture and on a framework
for conducting agricultural negotiations in order to successfully
conclude by December 1990 the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade
talks under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT).
-- Request to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World
Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,
and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to
undertake, in close coordination with the European Community (EC),
a study of the Soviet economy, to make recommendations, to
establish the criteria under which Western economic assistance
could effectively support Soviet reforms, and to submit a report by
the end of 1990.
-- Support for aid to Central and Eastern European nations
that are firmly committed to political and economic reform,
including freer markets, and encouragement of foreign private
investment in those countries and improved markets for their
exports by means of trade and investment agreements.
-- Pledge to begin negotiations, to be completed by 1992, on a
global forest convention to protect the world's forests.
Political Accomplishments
-- Promotion of democracy throughout the world by assisting
in the drafting of laws, advising in fostering independent media,
establishing training programs, and expanding exchange programs.
-- Endorsement of the maintenance of an effective
international nuclear nonproliferation system, including adoption of
safeguards and nuclear export control measures, and support for a
complete ban on chemical weapons.
TRAVEL NOTES
Customs: US citizens visiting Canada may be required to show
proof of citizenship. A US passport, birth certificate, or
naturalization certificate will suffice. Climate and clothing:
Climate varies by region.
Currency: The unit of currency is the Canadian dollar.
Canadian and US dollars are fully convertible at banks and at most
border crossing points. The rate of exchange varies daily (1990 avg.
was C$1=US$0.86).
Tourist attractions: In addition to abundant mountain and
aquatic recreational resources, Canada offers a wide range of
regional events. Newfoundland's annual regatta is one of the oldest
sporting events in North America. Prince Edward Island features
Country Days and Old Home Week, with music, agricultural and
handicraft displays, harness racing, and parades. Events in Nova
Scotia include the Annapolis Apple Blossom Festival, the Halifax
Tattoo, and the Highland Games. New Brunswick provides a variety
of festivities related to its fishing industry, such as the Shediac
Lobster Festival, the Richibukto Scallop Festival, and the
Campbellton Salmon Festival. Quebec has many attractions,
including Man and His World (formerly Expo '67) and the Sherbrooke
Festival des Cantons, featuring Quebecois shows, horsepulling,
soirees, and gourmet cuisine. In Ontario, drama festivals in
Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake are major attractions. Events in
western Canada tend to reflect its cultural diversity and pioneer
heritage. They include the National Ukrainian Festival in Manitoba
and the Oktoberfest in Vancouver, British Columbia. Saskatchewan
has its Pioneer Days, and Alberta has its Indian Days and the popular
Calgary Stampede, one of the largest rodeo shows in the world.
Canada is abundantly endowed with natural attractions. The federal
government maintains 34 national parks, most of them with
campsites and other basic camping facilities, and each province
maintains a number of similar parks. In addition, 96 national
historic parks and sites are maintained by the government of
Canada.
Time zones: Time zones in Canada correspond to those in the
United States, with the exception of Atlantic time (1 hour ahead of
eastern standard time), which is observed in New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, and Prince Edward Island; and Newfoundland time (1 hour
and 30 minutes ahead of eastern standard time), which is observed
only in the Province of Newfoundland.
Transportation, telecommunication, and other: Virtually all
US products are available in Canada. Canadian telephone facilities
are excellent, and direct dialing is possible between the United
States and Canada. Public transportation, education, and health
services generally are excellent.
National Holidays:
New Year's Day-Jan. 1
Queen's Birthday-mid-May
Dominion Day-July 1
Civic Holiday-1st Mon. in Aug.
Thanksgiving Day-Oct. 12
Remembrance Day-Nov. 11
Christmas Day-Dec. 25
Boxing Day-Dec. 26
Further information about Canada is available from the Canadian
Embassy in Washington, DC, and Canadian consulates in several US
cities (see page 5).
Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of
Public Affairs -- Office of Public Communication -- Washington,
DC -- January 1991 -- Editor: Marilyn J. Bremner. Department of
State Publication 7769--Background Notes Series -- This material
is in the public domain and may be reprinted without permission;
citation of this source is appreciated. For sale by the
Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. (###)