Canada is populated by people who have come from every part of the world. Through the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, the government encourages Canadians to take pride in their language, religion and heritage and to keep their customs and traditions, as long as they don’t break Canadian laws. Canada has a diversified economy. Natural resources industries, such as forestry, mining, oil and gas extraction, farming and fishing, are important sources of jobs and export earnings. Canada is also a world leader in the fields of telecommunications, biotechnology, aerospace technologies and pharmaceuticals.
Vancouver harbor
Economically speaking, Canada has experienced sustained economic growth during the past several years; its real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a rate of 2.7% in 2004, an increase from 2.0% in 2003. Continuing economic recovery in the United States and higher prices for Canada’s natural resource exports (39% of Canada’s total exports in 2003) should allow the Canadian economy to sustain its growth trajectory in 2005. Other macroeconomic indicators, such as inflation (1.8%) and unemployment (7.2%), continue to improve from past levels. The most pressing political issues facing the Canadian government include demands for increased spending on social programs and renegotiation of fiscal relations between the federal and provincial governments.
