Canada ’s commitment to multiculturalism is more than mere words on paper, or laws in Parliament. Multiculturalism is woven into the fabric of Canadian life, allowing for a vibrant harmonious and tolerant society. A recent census indicated that 42% of the Canadian population comes from an ethnic background other than British or French.

Almost all of the world's ethnic groups are represented in Canada . As a result, most ethnic foods and recreational activities associated with specific cultures are available in Canada . Clubs, informal clubs and associations representing a multitude of ethnic backgrounds are also easily accessible. International Student Advisors at schools can help students get in touch with such groups.

Canada is well-known as a safe, just and peaceful society. Canadian crime rates have been falling steadily since the 1990s. In 1997, Canada 's police-reported crime rate decreased for the sixth year in a row, falling by five per cent. Violent crimes declined for the fifth year in a row in 1997 and Canada 's homicide rate now accounts for less than one percent of all reported violent incidents. Firearms are strictly controlled and generally are not permitted in Canada.

In addition to its cultural heritage, Canada is a country of incredible physical beauty. Cosmopolitan cities sit adjacent to spectacular mountains, oceans and the great lakes. From the magnificent Rocky mountains and the warm blue Pacific Ocean on the West coast, to beautiful lakes and the magnificent Niagra falls in central Canada, to the lush green hills of Atlantic Canada. As the World’s second largest country, Canada not only has the longest coastline extending 244,000 km, but also 25% of the world’s fresh water is found in Canada .

Canadians place a high value on their natural environment. There are currently 39 national parks and national park reserves in Canada , located in every province and territory.  Each province and territory has also designated areas as provincial parks, wilderness areas, ecological and nature reserves. There are over 2000 of these designated areas across the country.

Canada is also a country of diverse geography, and there is much to experience in its great outdoors:  from the lush coastline of British Columbia , the majestic Rocky Mountains of Alberta, the big skies of the prairies, to the 'maple sugar country' in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence and the rugged hills and picturesque coastline of the Atlantic Provinces.

Canada has a diversified economy. Canada ’s economy is based on natural resources industries, such as forestry, mining, oil and gas extraction, farming and fishing, which account for large numbers of jobs and revenue for Canada . Canada is also known as a leader in the areas of telecommunications, biotechnology, aerospace technologies and pharmaceuticals. Canada is a member nation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) along with the USA and Mexico.

Canada ’s economy is one of the soundest in the world. Fully integrated into the global system, Canada is the eighth largest trading nation in the world, with relatively low levels of inflation, Canada ranks among the 10 leading manufacturing nations in the world. Canada is experiencing rapid growth in its high technology industry and has an international reputation in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation, and engineering; specifically, aerospace, urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydro electric and nuclear power, lasers and opto –electronics, biotechnology, food and beverage processing, geomatics and ocean and environmental industries. Among the G-7 countries - the richest economies in the world - Canada 's per capita purchasing power is second only to the United States . The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects Canada to lead the industrialised nations in near-term economic growth. Inflation now stands below two percent and is expected to remain low.

In 1996, Canada 's nominal GDP was $577.8 billion US, real GDP growth rate rose to 1.5%, and GDP per capita on a PPP basis was $22,333 US. Canada 's inflation rate stands at 1.6%, and the unemployment rate is 8.6%

In 1996, Canada 's exports valued $274.88 billion (Cdn) including transportation equipment, capital equipment, pulp and paper, fuels, wood, minerals and aluminium. Canada 's main imports totalled $232.94 billion (Cdn), including transportation equipment, capital equipment, electronics and plastics.

Canada is a trading nation. About 29.3 per cent of the country's total output of good and services (GDP) is exported -- mostly to the United States , which is by far the country's biggest market. Trade in goods and services between the two countries supports more than 1.5 million jobs in Canada and directly generates 25 percent of Canada 's gross domestic product. The United States purchases eighty percent of Canada 's exports.

It is estimated that for every $1 billion of exports, 11,000 Canadian jobs are created or sustained. Canada 's trade surplus reached the record level of $34 billion in 1996. This represents a 20 per cent increase over 1995.

Canada is an international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation and engineering; and specifically, aerospace, urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydroelectric and nuclear power, lasers and opto-electronics, biotechnology, food and beverage processing, geomatics and ocean and environmental industries.

High points in Canada 's telecommunications industry include Teleglobe's CANTAT 3 cable, which is the first of its kind in the world and which supports high-speed and high-capacity delivery of transoceanic, multimedia transmission. The Stentor Alliance of telephone companies is investing $8 billion to provide the latest in broadband technology to 80 per cent of Canadian households by 2005.  Canada was also among the first in the world to recognize the need to connect schools and libraries to the Internet and its SchoolNet program is being copied around the world.

Canada is an attractive place to invest. It offers access to a stable business environment, a skilled workforce and superior technology. In a period of world-wide deregulation when most domestic financial markets have become more open to foreign capital, large pools of international funds have been attracted by the conditions offered in the Canadian financial market.

Research and Development (R & D) tax credits are flexible and generous. On average, each dollar spent toward R & D in Canada costs only $0.44, substantially lower than in the United States . Canada not only offers the best treatment of R & D, but also the lowest corporate tax rates of all G-7 countries (the Group of Seven leading industrialised countries) is comprised of Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Over the years 1970 to 1990, Canada has had the fastest rate of job creation in the G-7 economies, while its inflation is currently at less than two per cent annually, the lowest of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries.

Canada 's skilled labour force, accessible education system, innovative training systems, high levels of literacy, and healthy population are seen as strengths by companies doing business in the country.

Foreign investors have brought almost $150 billion into Canada , while Canadians have invested about $115 billion abroad. Foreign direct investment has made a major contribution to Canada 's industrial development, high standard of living, and excellent commercial ties to foreign markets.

Due to the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), investors in Canada have preferential and secure access to both the United States and Mexico . Besides providing an infusion of funds into the economy, investment in Canada is bringing with it new technology, new capacities in research, new kinds of jobs, and new technical and managerial abilities.

With its great natural resources, skilled labour force, and modern capital plant, Canada , as an affluent, high-tech industrial society, has excellent economic prospects.

Canadian investors have access to the United States and Mexico markets based on the NAFTA Agreement. Citizens could access to more than one hundred countries without visa re quirement. Dual Citizenship is allowed.

Canada is a confederation, with a parliamentary monarch. Being a confederation means that powers and responsibilities are divided between the federal government and the 10 provincial governments. Canada also has three territorial jurisdictions. Canada has three levels of government: federal, provincial and municipal (cities and towns). These governments are elected by the citizens of Canada.

Canada uses decimal currency with 100 cents to each Canadian dollar (CDN $1.00). The bills are in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and $1000; coins include 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, and the $1 and $2 coins. The one-cent coin stayed as bronze.

Canada ’s standard of living is among the highest in the world. More than 65 percent of Canadians own their own homes, with an even higher percentage owning durable goods, such as automobiles, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, telephones, and radios.

Canada has the low inflation and low interest rates. It has a remarkably low cost of living. Its inflation rate has remained the lowest in the industrialized world. Canada has the lowest cost of living among G-7 countries.

This is an allowance sanctioned by the Canadian government to those, who are unable to maintain a certain minimal standard of living due to unemployment. Canadians over 65 years of age are entitled to various benefits like old age pensions, subsidized travel, free prescription drugs etc.

Canadians live longer than anyone on the planet, except people in Japan and Iceland . Canada has the world's best health system. The system has all the citizens and the permanent residents covered in a provincial health plan. This plan is funded by tax measures and provides the world's best quality of essential health services including the doctors fee and hospital charges. This plan is such that the richest person in the same locality would be taken to the same hospital as the poorest person and given the same kind of treatment.

Canadian Residents and citizens are covered by a comprehensive free medical and health cover. It offers everyone, rich and poor, access to high-quality care. Health care is delivered at a substantially lower cost than in the United States where many citizens do not possess health insurance. The Government of Canada has committed 25% of its official development assistance resources to meeting basic human needs, with primary health care identified as a key component in Canada 's future.

Canada has a predominantly publicly funded health care system. The national health insurance program is achieved through thirteen interlocking provincial and territorial health insurance plans, which follow the national principles set at the federal level.

There is also an extensive private health system, for those wishing to pay an additional fee to receive extra benefits for optical, physiotherapy and dental treatment when they use private health care services.