Canada

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Kesterton's Canada

• The relationship between Canada and the United States is the closest and most extensive in the world. Bilateral trade amounts to $1.6-billion (U.S.) a day.
• In 1995, the country's chronic fiscal deficits, towering public debt and stagnant economy prompted The Wall Street Journal to call Canada "an honorary member of the Third World."
• Canada, says the U.S. State Department, is a significant source for that country of marijuana and drugs such as methamphetamines and ecstasy.
• Canada ranks ahead of both the United States and China in the percentage of energy obtained from clean sources.
• By 2050, if climate scientist James Lovelock is correct, global warming will make the Arctic Ocean the new Mediterranean, with Canada and Siberia the centres for human culture and civilization.

( Michael Kesterton writes the daily Social Studies column in the Globe and Mail, for the G20 Summit he's contributing useful facts and information on member nations)

Culture

Top cultural exports: Blackberry (RIM), ice hockey, Cirque de Soleil

Food: Poutine, maple sugar, back bacon

Notable Canadians: James Cameron (film director), Wayne Gretzky (hockey), Margaret Atwood (author) Alice Munro (author), David Cronenberg (film director), Pamela Anderson (entertainer), David Suzuki (environmentalist), Celine Dionne (entertainer)

Speed Limit: 110 kilometres an hour

National pastime: Hockey, national unity debates

Politics

Prime Minister: Stephen Harper

• Age: 50
• Elected: Oct 14, 2008
• Party: Conservative Party of Canada
• Legislature: Bicameral, elected House of Commons, appointed Senate
• Political System: Parliamentary

Background: Mr. Harper has an academic background in economics and was the leader of the opposition.

Financially, the Canadian 2010 budget eliminated the remaining tariffs on manufacturing inputs, machinery and equipment. Canada cites itself as the first G20 member to do so. The government has also pledged a $230-million contribution to sustainable agriculture in poor countries.

In spite of this, the Harper government continues to face criticism for slashing its development funding.

The immovable yuan has also been a concern for the Canadian government. Mark Carney, the Bank of Canada governor, has said that if the yuan is to be seen as an international means of exchange, the Chinese government must open capital markets and allow it currency to be circulated.

G20 Goals: Canada is hoping promote open global markets through the resistance of protectionism and the prevention of stimulus withdrawal.. The government also wants to ensure that other countries balance stimulus measures against exit strategies.

Economy

Gross Domestic Product: $1.4-trillion

Jobless rate: 8.1%

Gross government debt (as a percentage of GDP)

• 2000: 82.1
• 2009: 82.5
• 2015 (projected): 71.2

Sources: Bloomberg, IMF

NATION PROFILES