Canada (with rules)

[Zackirus]

There are four different major parties in Canada:

The Conservatives:

This party is right now the federal party and their leader is Steven Harper. These guys are right winged and they want to promote business and low taxes. They are the Canadian version of the Republicans. I will tell you this though, I do support their party as I like the general concept.

The Liberals:

The Main opposition party to the Conservatives. They promote family funding, and higher taxes. They are the Democrats, only Canadian. In the past few years, the liberals were caught with the sponsorship scandal, which was basically the bribed the people of Quebec to vote for them. In the past 2 years they have had 3 leaders. Paul Martin (the one caught with the sponsorship scandal), Stephan Dion (who wanted to introduce a carbon credit system, which would have been BAD!) and their current leader Michael Ignatinaf who was not been in Canada for 33 years and was caught on Camera saying 'My Fellow Americans'. I rest my case

The NDP (New-Democratic Party)

These guys are socialists and I hate socialists. Not only do they want to take away the money from the rich and give it to the poor (who some with buy drugs and beer with it) they feed off minority governments. When those happen they usually say: (hey will support you if you let our laws go into the senate). Their leader is a guy named Jack Layton.

The Bloc-De-Québecqa

There is only one thing I hate more than socialists and it separatists. Every election they get the same 22 seats that they always get and they use most of third power to hold referendums each year, which is basically the law to make Quebec separate from Canada. Good thing it will never happen though...

And that's the Tour of the Parties any more Questions people?  

[Presentiment]

So Canada has an electorate system, similar to the U.S.?

[Zackirus]

In some ways I think that the Canadian Electoral system is fairer than the US. For one instead of the entire province giving all their votes, each individual riding gives their votes. So a prime minister must make policies and visits almost everywhere in Canada as each area is important in its own way. Unlike however, the US where the leader only visits California/Texas/Florida because they have the most votes in the country.

[Zackirus]

Here is Some basic Information about Canada ( Note: I did take this from my previous forum):

Canada is one great country in the world. I am making this forum to adress the many sterotypical thoughts that come to mind when somone, other than a Candian or a person well educated on Canada, thinks about Canada. The best way for people to realize this is to communicate the different aspects of Canada and talk about the different geography, poilitcs, and intersting news about Canada. No, this forum does not misrepresent other countries, as this mostly has to deal with Canada itself.

Before we start on this journey of knowledge, we need to know the key facts of Canada:

Capital: Ottawa
45°24'N 75°
Largest city: Toronto
Official language(s): English and French
Demonym:Canadian

Government Federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy:
- Monarch HM Queen Elizabeth II
- Governor General Michaëlle Jean
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Legislature Parliament:
- Upper House Senate
- Lower House House of Commons

Establishment:
- British North America Acts July 1, 1867
- Statute of Westminster December 11, 1931
- Canada Act April 17, 1982

Area:
- Total 9,984,670 km2 (2nd)
3,854,085 sq mi
- Water (%) 8.92 (891,163 km2/344,080 mi2)

Population
- 2010 estimate 34,010,000 [3] (36th)
- 2006 census 31,241,030[4]
- Density 3.2/km2 (228th)
8.3/sq mi

National Anthem: Oh Canada

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Now we Talk about the provinces themselves. All togther Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. They Include:

Canada:
Capital: Ottawa
Largest City: Toronto
Population: 34,000,000

Ontario:
Capital: Toronto
Largest City: Toronto
Population: 13,150,000
My Town: Caledon

Quebec:
Capital: Quebec City
Largest City: Montreal
Population: 7,823,000

New Brunswick:
Capital: Frederiction
Largest City: Saint John
Population: 748,000

Nova Scotia:
Capital: Halifax
Largest City: Halifax
Population: 940,000

Newfoundland and Labrador:
Capital: St. John's
Largest City: St. John's
Population: 510,000

Manitoba:
Capital: Winnipeg
Largest City: Winnipeg
Population: 1,212,000

Saskatchewan:
Capital: Regina
Largest City: Saskatoon
Population: 1,034,000

Alberta:
Capitail: Edmonton
Largest City: Calgary
Population: 3,632,000

British Columbia:
Capital: Victoria
Largest City: Vancouver
Population: 4,419,000

Yukon:
Capital: Whitehorse
Largest City: Whitehorse
Population: 33,000

North-West Territories:
Capital: Yellowknife
Largest City: Yellowknife
Population: 43,000

Nunavut:
Capital: Iquluit
Largest City: Iquluit
Population: 32,000

Secondly, we talka bout the History of Canada. Canada was a very vivid and opened history that can be appealling to most history lovers. Note: Even though we were still part of britian at the time, we won the war of 1812, and we burned down the white house:-p. which is soo big it must be put on another forum post.

[Frosty]

What do people in Canada think of Minnesotans, if anything unusual.



This question came up when a guy in Missouri asked my brother if we were Canadian, when we really aren't.

[Zackirus]

We don't think of people from Missouri that often and when I do I think of somone who talks like a Tom Sawyer and lives in barns, but that probably isn't true in any case, (the same would apply for a canadian.

[Tastidian]

Whats the greatest questions for Canada?

[Zackirus]

Whats the greatest questions for Canada?

I don't understand what you mean by that

[Ertxiem]

I have a couple of questions.

How important do you think the Queen is. Would you "trade" her for a president elected by Canadians?
I noticed that in a lot of provinces the capital isn't the largest city. Do you know the reason for that?

[Zackirus]

The queen to many Canadians now a days is not that important. We use her as more of a representative and a connection to Britain. No I would not trade her for a president, because we have a prime minister who basically does the same thing. I think that the largest city is not the capital city because you have to remember most of the provinces were created in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Back then, those were the largest cities, but after 100 years things have changed and people have moved from to those larger cities. Though their was one exception, in the 50s-60s the largest city in Canada was Montreal. If you asked a non-Canadian what city they thought was the capital of Canada, they would probably say Montreal. All, of the head offices of business were also in Montreal.  Pierre Trudeo came in around 1967 and he said that both English and French were the national languages (English was the only one before). With that, the English people working in Montreal were forced to learn French. Many companies were upset by this and moved to Toronto in the 70s and 80s. That is how Toronto became the largest city in Canada.

Though, I have two questions for non-Canadians. Why do you guys have think that Toronto is the Capital of Canada when Ottawa actually is, and Why do you guys think so down on Canada (Stereotypes, our ascents, snow, beavers, and hockey)? 

[Ertxiem]

I believe that most people usually think that the largest town in a country is it's capital. When I was about 7 years old, I was surprised when I found out that the capital of the USA wasn't New York. After that, I found out that in many countries the largest city isn't the capital. Sometimes the capital used to be the largest city, sometimes the capital changed for political (or administrative) reasons.

As for my views of Canada, I always thought that Canada was in quite a few aspects better than the USA. In fact, I was surprised that you feel that there are many people with a bad impression of Canada. From my point of view, I feel that, perhaps, the negative comments may come from Americans (although I may be totally wrong on this). From what I see, I think that there is a lot of rivalry between neighbours, be it countries, states, cities or brothers. This rivalry may manifest itself in sports or in sayings. Up to a point it's an attempt to identify ourselves by underlining our differences from the others. It's also an attempt to increase our ego by finding ways to say that we are better than the others, either by finding things that we are effectively better than our neighbours or by finding things that they are worst than somebody else or by creating cartoonish stereotypes to make fun at our neighbours. I'm not agreeing with these behaviours, I'm just saying that they are common in several scales (from rivalry between brothers to rivalry between countries). An old Arabic proverb sums this up. It's something like: "me against my brother; me and my brother against my cousin; me, my brother and my cousin against the stranger".

[mushy]

Canada is awesome!

    I am trying to get my citizenship at the moment but it's really confusing.

    My mom recently got her Canadian citizenship back due to that "Waking Up Canadian" thing. Supposedly I qualify for citizenship but I am baffled as to wich route I am supposed to take to get it. If anyone randomly knows something about this please give me some advice on what I should do. Ive tried calling/writing Canadian offices but can't get a hold of an actual human.

    Thanks.

[Winter Dragon]

I have a question for you Zackirus what do youthink of different countries, mostly America and England? From aCanadian pointof view?

[Zackirus]

Ertxiem:

Brother (older makes sense): US
Cousin: Britain
Stranger: Middle Eastern Countries

But Anyway, It does come down to one country improving their ego from insulting another country (A.K.A: Talking to Americans: By Rick Mercer)

Mushy:

I hope you get your citizenship, I don't know much about the process though, It will have to deal with points, your status, and you swearing an alliance to the queen (Since, I was born here I didn't have to). Although a funny story is that when my Dad and Mother were younger they had to sing Oh Canada everyday plus they had to sing "God Save the Queen".

Winter Dragon:

America:
I think of them from a country point of view I would have to say their are my bigger brother. We have the longest non-militarized border in the world and we own a great alliance. I would say from a country point of view, you are the elephant and we are the Zebra. We have to follow you because you control most of our trade. I think with time though that we will be seen equals on a national level, but still be the same countries deep inside. 

In my perspective, they have the bigger almost everything and they win when it comes down to most games (Basketball, Baseball, but not hockey) I like America though. Since my Family owns a house in Florida, we can get the best of sun and water down there, while having the fun of skiing in Canada. What I don't get about America though is why do they have places where you can get breakfast. There are no Denny's in Canada and I preferably like it that way. I like to wake up at 8:30 and get a simply bowl of cereal and toast. What I also don't get is you guys don't have Tim Horton (southern states). It is a really good coffee and I think it is way better than Starbucks. Plus, it’s Canadian . The One other thing I like about America is Detroit. I love the city and the sports (That’s also because Toronto and do anything right!).

England:
I really don't know much about England although; it has always intrigued as being somewhat of our cousin because they act like it. I have always wanted a British accent because it sounds really cool. I know one British and not to be mean to him or British people. He is somewhat of a jerk. He always walks around with a scarf over his shoulder and treats everyone like they are nothing. He also tries to get the girl that I like. I love Fish and Chips so I can thank Britain for that. In the end, Canada respects Britain but we don’t interact as much as we could or should.

[Guye]

Though, I have two questions for non-Canadians. Why do you guys have think that Toronto is the Capital of Canada when Ottawa actually is, and Why do you guys think so down on Canada (Stereotypes, our ascents, snow, beavers, and hockey)? 

For question one I would have to say that Canada rarely does anything too... showy, at least on the international stage. Its simply a matter of a topic never being raised in conversation. I've never thought Toronto was the capital, but at the same time I probably wouldn't be able to tell you that Ottawa is off the top of my head. Also I've never even heard that Canada has a Separatist party. Now that's interesting. I can't imagine having an entire party devoted to the ideals of separatism. As for your second question... everyone has stereotypes of everyone. I don't think Canadian stereotypes are particularly bad. Like you said earlier, you think of Missouri and you think of barns. You don't actually think everyone in Missouri is a backwoods farmer, but its just what the stereotype is. Its just the way the world is, or more specifically, the way people are.... Besides when I think Canadian I think... French... Bacon... and somebody finishing their sentences with eh? all the time. None of those things are inherently bad... in fact... they seem... so random. Weird. Why IS Canada famous for bacon?

What I don't get about America though is why do they have places where you can get breakfast. There are no Denny's in Canada and I preferably like it that way. I like to wake up at 8:30 and get a simply bowl of cereal and toast.

You have places where you can go out and eat lunch, right? You don't have to. Most people don't go out to eat breakfast, but hell, why not? Is breakfast really any different from lunch? Or dinner?

Also, did you say that Separatist got a third of the seats? Or am I remembering things wrong?

In some ways I think that the Canadian Electoral system is fairer than the US. For one instead of the entire province giving all their votes, each individual riding gives their votes. So a prime minister must make policies and visits almost everywhere in Canada as each area is important in its own way. Unlike however, the US where the leader only visits California/Texas/Florida because they have the most votes in the country.

That depends on your definition of fair. I'd say our electoral system differs the votes in different areas, because each area has a different number of people. If you gave Rhode Island the same number of votes as California then each Rhode Island individual would have around 35 times more influence than each Californian. Of course the simple solution would be to demolish the whole electoral system and revert to a simple popular vote. I think the whole electoral system was implemented in the first place because your average citizen was illiterate when the system was started.