Canada in Brief

Canada is diverse peoples and vast and varied land mass are but some ways of describing the best place on earth to live and raise family. The United Nations has gone on record with such a designation The United Nation has declared Canada as the best country in world to live in, when taking in to account the quality life. The Economist Intelligence Unit's livability also uses data from the Mercer consulting group and shows cities in Canada, Australia, Austria, Scotland, Finland and New Zealand as the ideal destinations thanks to a widespread availability of goods and services, low personal risk and an effective infrastructure. The report placed Vancouver, Canada as the most livable city in the world, with Vienna taking second place followed by Melbourne.

Three other Australian capital cities (Sydney at 7th and Perth and Adelaide at equal 8th) claimed positions in the top ten. Other Canadian cities also ranked highly in the survey. In addition to Vancouver, the Canadian cities Toronto and Calgary were also placed within the top 10. In the 2010 results, the Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva slipped out of the top 10, replaced by Adelaide and Auckland, New Zealand.

The Canadian government is a federation, meaning that the broad powers of government are distributed between a central (federal) government and 10 provincial governments, as outlined in the constitution. In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the Chief Minister and head of the Executive-he or she leads the government. Normally the Prime Minister is the leader of the party holding the majority of seats in the House of Commons.

Principle of Canadian law

Whether we are dealing with public law, which regulates our relationship with the state or private law, which regulates our relations with each other the idea of balance remains Central to the Canadian legal system. The scales of justice attempt to balance our individual rights, with the needs of the society as a whole, and the pivotal point is our recognition of the rule of law.

All members of society –government and private person alike-must be equally responsible before the law. It recognizes the supremacy of our laws in controlling the power of the government and government officials.

Canada's Constitution

Canada’s constitution is our supreme law: the blueprint governing the way our Government's work. It embodies the rule of law, placing absolute limits on what the state or any of its officials can do. Freedom of religion, expression and association, for Examples are basic freedoms guarantee by charter of rights. The charter guarantees a list of rights. Including the fundamental freedoms of conscience, religion, thought and Expression, assembly and association. Certain democratic rights are itemized such as the rights to vote and to regular elections and mobility rights for Canadian citizen.

We are ensured the rights to be free of arbitrary detention and of unreasonable search and seizure, to have a trial within a reasonable time and to be presumed innocent. Canadians have the rights to life liberty and security of the person, and the right not to be deprived of them except in accordance within the principle of fundamental justice. The charter secure equality before the law for all Canadian, conforms the status of English and French as the Official language of Canada and specifies certain minority Language education rights. It also instructs judges to interpret the charter “ In a manner-consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the Multi-cultural heritage of Canadians.

Economic Scenario

Growth prospect in Canada are strongly influenced by the economy of our major trading Partner: we export more then 80 % of total merchandise to the United States. The outlook for both countries seems positive as incomes rise and , to some extend business are more Efficient and exports have increased dramatically over the years to other countries. A strong US economy and the North American Free Trade agreement Strengthened Canada’s position.In 1994 production in Canada rose 4.5% the highest rate of growth since the end of the previous expansionary period in the late 80’s.

Exporters took advantage of hot US economy and prices for Canadian timbers, minerals and other resource recovered and Exploded the following years. Another factor in the growth in merchandise export is The lowered cost value of our dollar which meant Canadian Good were cheaper for other country to buy.In fact the economy has been experiencing experiencing a move from a reversionary period to recovery. Canada has a mod sized open economy and is the western world’s seventh Largest economy.

With membership in G-7, and we are active member in International trading arrangements. Recent immigrants have made a large contribution to Canadian investment abroad, holding a total of $29 billion in assets outside Canada in 1993. Canada is actively seeking that person who wishes to contribute to Canada's continued growth.

From the past decade Canada had a sound economy with the lowest national debt amongst the G-8, coupled along with low-unemployment rates and flexible labor markets. Canada has been less affected by the Global Economic downturn than the United States and other OECD nations. With the 2010 economic forecast released, there was one clear winner – none other than Canada. Canada’s growth outshined the rest of G7 in terms of economic boom. The result is a direct translation of their development in terms of economic stature, output of productivity, employment and effective measures in terms of catering to vacancies.

Education

Public education in Canada is free to all children in the elementary and secondary Grades and children are required by law to attend school between the ages of six Or seven and 15 or 16 depending on the province of residence. Alternatively, they May study at home under local supervision. Other forms of Schooling – such as religious training , special language instruction and education for those with disabilities-meet diverse need and interest. For the most part, these are provided through private or independent school with varying of public funding Although “Free” public education ends after high School the process can continue for a fee, in the universities, colleges and trade school.

The Labor Force

Over all, Canada has been Successful in creating jobs for its people. Most of these jobs are full-time. The average salary is approx. $575.00 a week up nearly 3% from 1993. Where we work and how we work in changing dynamically in part due to increasing localization of the economy deregulated trading, lower tariff barriers and the greeter mobility of capital. In this era of massive job change, Canadians are forgoing solution to their employment concern by creating their own opportunities and the same time reshaping the nature of work and the work force.

Average earning vary from occupation to occupation, TO day young people prepare for careers as high-tech suppliers and computer analysis, technician In cable TV and satellite to Mention a few. Canadians typically work a 40 hour week over five days and some chose to work part time, particularly those with school or family responsibilities. The maximum Work week is 40 hours, and employees working beyond 40 hours must be paid A minimum of one and half times their regular hourly wage. They must also offer A minimum of two weeks of paid vacation each year, based on tenure.

Employees are legally require to pay adult workers at least the minimum wage. These wages vary by province and are frequently reviewed and revised. Employees are also protected by human rights code with employment provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of various ground.

Retirement & Safety Net

The transition from work to retirement is no longer a function of age. Mandatory Retirement has been eliminated in many jurisdictions, making it possible for workers To remain on the job past age 65.People leave the work force for any reason, including Illness or disability, the need to care for family members or simply to stop work and Enjoy others pursuits Canada’s famed social security system is a hall mark of our nation. As the federal government has the indicated it embodies “ the value of justices, Tolerance and compassion that mark our country".

Introduced in 1940, Unemployment insurance provides income insurance in the event Of job loss to those who receive a salary or an hourly wage .The program is financed By employees, employers and the federal government. To Support ourselves in our senior years, we depend on a variable mix of public pensions Though the Canadian pension plan , and affiliated benefits, pensions provided by our Employers, personal savings and investments.

Housing and Shelter Cost

The agency, Statistics Canada reported that the average apartment dweller spends about $7,000 par year on shelter. Housing prices vary from city to city as in all parts off the world. Apartments tend to be more affordable than houses however this may not always be true as location will determine the price.

About 20% of ones income is spent on food costs. The proportion has been dropping as real household incomes have increased. As a result, households spend an average of $110 on food each week depending on the size of your family and your eating habits and tastes.

Canadians today are spending proportionately fees of their after tax money on clothing, health care and food, and more on household operation, shelter and recreation than they did 25 years ago.

Canadian Taxes

It has been 80 years since the introduction of personal income tax by the Government of Canada.

Today, taxes-income-based, consumption based, taxes on wealth and transfers of wealth, or business taxes are the primary source of government revenue. Income tax includes personal income tax, corporation income tax and payroll taxes. Today, Canadians remit income tax to both the federal and provincial governments.

The biggest leap in household spending has been on recreation. In addition clothing costs are down.

Health care expenses have dropped largely because of the introduction of provincial health care plans, which are paid for through taxes. All Canadian residents have access to free medical care of the highest standards.

Statistics suggest that personal income taxes took 20% of average total family income. The federal government sets the tax rate, regulates industry and trade and influences the country's interest and exchange rates through the Bank of Canada.

Canadian Professional Salary statistics

Source: Based on Salary Statistics for Toronto, Ontario (Canada) as of December 2004
All figures in CAN $. Base + Bonus
For further job specific salary statistics please contact Ferreira & Koach

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