Friday, January 21, 2011

If It Were My Home - Canada


"A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.

The land now occupied by Canada was first inhabited approximately 16,000 years ago by aboriginal peoples. Starting in the late 15th century the British and French explored and settled along the eastern seaboard. The 19th century saw a rapid influx of European immigrants as the westward push that characterized the continent's development continued.

The beginning of the 20th century saw Canada's early involvement in World War I due to British control of its foreign affairs. In 1919 Canada joined the League of Nations independently of Britain taking control of its own foreign policy. Canada declared war on Germany during World War II three days after Britain, with the first Canadian Army units arriving in Britain in late 1939.

Today, Canada is characterized by its socially democratic programs such as universal health care, the Canda Pension Plan, and Canada Student Loans. In 2006 The Economist ranked Canada the third most democratic nation in its Democracy Index, ahead of all other countries in North and South America."


Go HERE to do a comparison of your home country to mine. It's pretty interesting. I compared Canada to the United states. Here were the results:

If The United States were your home instead of Canada you would...

*spend 82.93% more money on health care

*experience 40.19% more of a class divide

*have 34.53% more babies

*have 23.05% more chance of dying in infancy

*use 21.38% less electricity

*make 20.83% more money

*die 3.05 years sooner

*have 9.41% more chance of being unemployed

*consume 6.11% less oil

*be 50% more likely to have HIV/AIDS

*work 4.17% more hours each year

11 comments:

M. D. Jackson said...

Canadians use more electricity then Americans? Okay, well sure, heating your home costs more. Those plug-in heaters from Canadian Tire are essential for surviving the winter.

And we make less money than the U.S.? That would be terrible except now that our dollar is worth more than the US buck it might even out.

So this is a great country to live in? Okay, I guess I'll stay. Winter can't last forever, can it?

Miss Mulligrubs said...

If Canada was your home instead of Australia you would...

Use 53.9% more electricity
Consume 51.03% more oil
Have 49.12% more chance of being unemployed
Have 17.03% less babies
Be 2 times more likely to have HIV/AIDS
Spend 17.76% more money on health care
Have 6.85% more chance of dying in infancy
Experience 5.25% more of a class divide
Die 0.43 years sooner
Make 1.03% less money

Also this: http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/canada.html

Nomad said...

Makes me wonder how they calculate these values?
Why do Canadians spend less on health care if we make less money. Or do they factor in our taxes pay for the health care?
If only Australia had 100% less leathal animals than it wood be a great place to plant my ass.

Nomad said...

I hate that these text box lack spell/grammer checking. "it wood"

Kal said...

That continent is nothing but kangaroos and death.

Miss Mulligrubs said...

The only animal I am scared of is the Cassowary, but they're all up in the North-East and the rainforests.

Richard said...

I've tried to tell my compadres throughout the health care debate ... but the American superiority myth is so pervasive that even diehard liberals won't believe that Canadians live 3-4 years longer than we do. I figure it's cause you gave up all the stress that comes from living in fear of illness, injury, and pursuant bankruptcy. Well, we'll catch up ... some day.

Kal said...

Many quality of life studies have shown the exact same thing in European countries that also have socialized medicine. I can't believe that health care has to be a for profit thing in America. You get cheated by the insurance companies in ways I am so glad that we avoid. It's really a crime.

Pat Tillett said...

that does it! I'm moving...

Pat Tillett said...

I notice you didn't include the Canadian has a 85% better chance of still sporting a Mullet haircut!

Kal said...

I would love to welcome you here my brother but I think you are too used to living in a place with only ONE season that you would expire pretty quick up here.

And quiet about that mullet thing. It's pretty embarrassing. We try to keep that out of all the official tourist brochures.