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Canada - Society

Population: 32,876,000 (2007); although the birth rate has nearly halved since the 1950s to 11 per 1,000 people (2005), the population grew by an average 1.2% p.a. during 1970–90 and by 1% p.a. 1990–2004. Population density is among the lowest in the world, but large areas are climatically hostile, and 85% of Canadians live within 350km of the US border. Some 81% of the population lives in urban areas (2004) and 37% in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million people. Life expectancy is 80 years, having risen from 73 years in 1970.

The 2001 census found that about 48% of the population were of British or Irish origin, 16% of French origin, 9% German, 4.3% Italian, 3.7% Chinese, 3.6% Ukrainian, and 3.4% Native American. More than 200,000 immigrants arrive each year from more than 150 countries. The provinces with the largest populations are Ontario (11,410,000; 38% of the total), Québec (7,237,000; 24%) and British Columbia (3,908,000; 13%).

Religion: 84% of people adhere to a religion; 74% of people are Christians (Roman Catholics 43%, Protestants 29%, Eastern Orthodox 1.6%), 2% Muslims, 1.1% Jews, 1% Hindus, 1% Buddhists and 0.9% Sikhs.

Language: Official languages are English and French. 67% speak English only, 15% French only, 16% speak both, 2% other languages (including Italian, Chinese, German and Spanish). In the prairies, the most common non-official mother tongue is German; in central Canada, Italian; in British Columbia, Chinese; in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Inuktitut; in the Yukon, the Athapaskan languages of the Dene family; and in the Atlantic region, Micmac. Canada’s aboriginal people speak some 50 languages belonging to 11 distinct linguistic families.

Media: A free press operates in the country. Among some 100 dailies, the leaders include The Globe and Mail (Toronto, but distributed nationally), National Post, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, and Le Devoir and La Presse (in French). Maclean’s is a weekly news magazine.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the state-run TV stations, including CBC Newsworld, a national cable news channel. Sociétié Radio-Canada runs the country’s French-language news channel, RDI. CPAC is Canada’s parliamentary and political TV channel.

State-run radio stations include the English-language Radio 1 and Radio 2, and the international service Radio Canada International. Première Chaîne and Espace Musique are French-language stations; both are operated by Sociétié Radio-Canada.

CBC also runs two television channels and radio services for the country’s indigenous population.

There are 691 TV sets (2002), 698 personal computers (2004) and 679 internet users (2006) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 5.2% of GDP in 2000/01. There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at age six. Net enrolment ratios are 100% for primary and 98% for secondary. The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 17:1 and for secondary 18:1. Most primary and secondary schooling is publicly funded. The school year starts in September.

About 59% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2000/01). Post-secondary education expanded rapidly during the 1980s and 1990s; women have shown the faster increase, and now outnumber men. There is virtually no illiteracy among people age 15–24. There are more than 1,000 public libraries, containing more than 70 million volumes.

Health: Health insurance, provided by the provinces with federal government financial support, covers all the population. The entire population uses an improved drinking water source and adequate sanitation facilities (2004/2005). The leading causes of death are circulatory system diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and accidents. Serious health problems include AIDS. Smoking has declined dramatically, from over half of men to a minority. Infant mortality was 5 per 1,000 live births in 2005 (28 in 1960).

Communications: Country code 1. Coin-operated telephones need only 25 cents and can be used for local calls. Long-distance calls can be made on card-operated or credit card phones, the latter found in larger cities.

Mobile phone coverage is good and roaming agreements exist with many major international phone companies.

Most areas have good internet connections, and internet cafes are available in most towns and cities. Post offices are found in all towns and cities.

There are 641 main telephone lines and 525 mobile phones per 1,000 people (2006).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Victoria Day (Monday on or preceding 24 May), Canada Day (1 July), Civic or Provincial Holiday (first Monday in August, except Québec which has its National Day on 24 June), Labour Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving (second Monday in October), Remembrance Day (11 November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Most provinces have additional public holidays.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday and Easter Monday.