Introduction of Canada

Canada is deserved of its reputation for magnificent scenery, cleanliness, plentiful wildlife, peace, diversity and vast spaces. Where ever you visit those images of Canada will be enforced.
The second largest country in the world after Russia, Canada has a population of only 31 million which are huddled along the southern border leaving the remainder of the country unspoilt and many parts unvisited.
Capital: Ottawa, located in Ontario.
Important festival: the National Day (Canada) July 01.
Office language: English and French.

Canada Social Welfare and Benefits

Employment Insurance (EI)
Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary financial assistance for unemployed Canadians while they look for work or upgrade their skills. Canadians who are sick, pregnant or caring for a newborn or adopted child, as well as those who must care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death, may also be assisted by Employment Insurance.

Old Age Security Pension: The OAS pension is a taxable monthly benefit available to most people 65 or older who meet the residence requirements. Eligible applicants can receive the OAS pension even if they are still working or if they have never worked, but they must apply for it. Pensioners whose net income, including the OAS pension, is above a certain amount ($62,144 in 2006) are required to reimburse part of their pension amount.
Canada Pension Plan: The CPP is an insurance program designed to help Canadians provide income for their retirement. It also gives them income if they become disabled.

Child Benefit
Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB): The CCTB is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under age 18. The CCTB may include the
· National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS)
· Child Disability Benefit (CDB)

Under 7 Supplement: Effective July 2006, for the 2005 base year, the Canada Child Tax Benefit under 7 supplement ($20.75 per month) will cease to be paid for all children under the age of 6 years because it is being replaced by the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) ($100 per month). However, children who are 6 years old between July 2006 and June 2007 will continue to receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit under 7 supplement until the month of their seventh birthday or June 2007, whichever comes first. Effective July 2007, the Canada Child Tax Benefit under 7 supplement will cease to exist and will no longer be paid.

Canada's Health Care System (Medicare)
Canada's national health insurance program, often referred to as "Medicare", is designed to ensure that all residents have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services, on a prepaid basis. Instead of having a single national plan, we have a national program that is composed of 13 interlocking provincial and territorial health insurance plans, all of which share certain common features and basic standards of coverage. Framed by the Canada Health Act, the principles governing our health care system are symbols of the underlying Canadian values of equity and solidari

Education in Canada
Canada provides free education from elementary to secondary school. Post secondary, such as colleges and universities require for tuition to be paid although taxes do subsidise the full cost. Education falls under the jurisdiction of the provinces and is very similar to that of other western education systems.
French immersion programs where English-speaking children are taught classes in French are an option for some schools in Canada. There are private schools in Canada, some of which implement alternate teaching methods.
Approximately 85% of Canadians complete high school and 65% continue to a post-secondary education. Universities in Canada attract students from all over the world.