Many governments in Canada, including the federal government, have policies to ensure that Canada is a multicultural society. Newcomers are encouraged to hold on to important customs and traditions as they build a new home and adapt to life here. In many ways, Canada celebrates and takes pride in its cultural diversity. [Day- Planner web site – Link #282]
Service Canada’s goal is to provide Canadians with one-stop personalized service they can access however they choose—by telephone, on the Internet, or in person with more than 595 points of service across Canada. Call 1-800- 622-6232 to find a Service Canada Centre near you. www.servicecanada.gc.ca
Canada joined international organizations such as the United Nations (UN). It participated in the UN operation defending South Korea in the Korean War (1950–53), with the loss of 500 dead and 1,000 wounded. Canada has taken part in numerous UN peacekeeping missions in places including Egypt, Cyprus and Haiti, and security operations (in former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan).*
The opposition party with the most members of the House of Commons is the Official Opposition or Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. The other parties (those not in power) are known as opposition parties.The role of opposition parties is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.
If you own a business or are thinking of starting a business that would sell goods and services to the federal government, there is a web site that provides information on how the government buys goods and services and what it buys. Learn more
In the past, most Canadians of Asian descent were denied the vote in federal and provincial elections. In 1948 the last of these, the Japanese–Canadians, gained the right to vote.Aboriginal people were granted the vote in 1960. Rules in Canada, which gave preference to Europeans, were removed from immigration laws in the 1960s.*
The federal government employs over 400,000 Canadians.A web site lists the government jobs available in different locations. You can apply online but you must be: • a Canadian citizen • a permanent resident • or have authorization in writing to work in Canada. www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca Learn more
The Canadian justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law. In Canada, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Canada has an organized system of laws to guide people in our society.These laws are made by elected representatives. The courts settle disputes and the police enforce the laws.*
The federal government is responsible for regulating Canada’s financial institutions and trying to ensure stable financial markets. No Canadian financial institution has failed in quite some time, and government regulations try to ensure that the institutions are managed so that they remain secure.
Quebec experienced an era of rapid change in the 1960s known as the Quiet Revolution. Many Quebecers sought to separate from Canada.The movement for Quebec sovereignty gained strength but was defeated in two referendums in the province in 1980 and 1995.The autonomy of Quebec within Canada remains a lively topic—part of the dynamic that continues to shape our country.*