North America Essay Example for Free

North America Essay Canada is located in the northern side of North America and it borders Arctic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean. According to the CIA World Fact Book, Canada had an estimated population growth of approximately 33,212,696 as at July 2008. The highest population in terms of age structure was between 16-64 years with males recording a higher margin by 246,716. The population growth rate was estimated to be 0. 83% while the birth rate and death rates were 10. 29/1000 population and 7. 61/1000 population respectively. The ethnic groups living in Canada include those from the British Isles who form about 28% of the total population. Those with a French origin constitute a tune of 23% of the total population, 15% is made of American Indians, 6% are Arabs while approximately 26% are from a mixture of races or ethnic backgrounds. (CIA, 2008). Canada’s capital city is Ottawa and the government is a constitutional monarchy. One of the most distinguishing features in Canada is its multicultural diversity as well as an immigration policy that is very friendly to immigrants especially those with skills that can allow them fit well in labor market. This paper will focus on Canada’s multicultural diversity, immigration policy and her economy. In analyzing an economy, one addresses issues or features like the level of consumer spending, the exchange rate, the GDP, the GDP per capita, the GNP, the national debt, interest rates, level of inflation as well as the balance of payment. Sectors of an economy for instance primary like in agriculture, secondary like the manufacturing industries or even tertiary or the service sectors are also assessed. Canada’s economy according to the CIA is a market economy whose industrial development has overtime replaced the rural agrarian economy. Trade plays a very significant role in as far as Canada’s economy is concerned. CIA estimates that it contributes 1/3 of the total GDP. Canada is endowed with natural resources especially oil and gas as well as electrical power which places it at a better edge in terms of potential economic advancement. 2007 estimates have it that the GDP in terms of the purchasing power parity was $1. 271 trillion but on using the official exchange rates the figure rose to $1. 432 trillion. The real GDP growth rate was estimated to be 2. 7% while the per capita income was at $38000 in the same year. The service industry was the sector that contributed the highest in as far as GDP was concerned. (CIA, 2008). Agriculture contributed the least at 2. 1%. Other important economic indicators like unemployment rate stood at 6% as at 2007. The US was the greatest export partner as at 2007 and it stood at 79. 3%. Canada’s exchange rate was at 1. 0724 in 2007 in terms of Canadian dollars per the US dollar. 2007 statistics also had it that Canada’s external debt was $758. 6 billion; the public debt was 64. 2% of the country’s GDP while the current account balance stood at $12. 67 billion. (CIA, 2008). Factors that trigger immigration include globalization of markets, technological advancement especially in the communication sectors, affordable transport, safer and stable environments in terms of political, social as well as economic conditions. Canada embraces the talents and expertise that the immigrants bring to her which stirs her economic growth and advancement. The improved standards of living can be attributed to immigration. (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2008). Immigrants also place Canada at a better edge socially as her intervention is sought when addressing issues related to the protection of the disadvantaged for instance the refugees. (Dolin B and Young M, 2004) History has it that the immigrant friendly policies were encouraged by the government officials with the aim of increasing the countries population and consequently standing a better position economic wise. (Westhues A, 2006). The reduced population growth could be blamed on the decline in women’s fertility rates as they joined the labor force. Another reason behind the immigration policies was that with the increased standards of living, the life expectancy rates had risen sharply and the aged, a dependent population was increasing. The aged increases or rather raise a country’s dependency ratio and they are not economically productive. Immigrants are encouraged to provide a skilled work force to boost the economic growth. Others were encouraged and allowed to live in Canada due to family reunions. Unlike the US which applies harsh policies on immigrants within its jurisdiction Canada embraces or rather welcomes immigrants and statistics have it that to a tune of 13. 4 immigrants have been welcomed in a span of a decade. In 2001, it was estimated that approximately 18. 4% of the total population were not born in Canada. (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2008). The immigrants only work to enrich culture in Canada. It is estimated that Canada attracts a tune of 200 000 immigrants annually from across the globe. All institutions in Canada for instance the legal institutions are expected to treat all the citizens equally. According to the Ministry of Public Works and Government services, Canada treats all her citizens equally. It embraces multiculturalism. This way her citizens are proud of their origin without fear or shame as no race or ethnic group is considered as being superior to the other. Canadians are encouraged to live in harmony with each other regardless their racial background or origin. This arrangement allows all Canadians to have an equal stand in as far as the running of social, political as well as economic issues is concerned. The Canadian multiculturalism history dates back to the year 1971 when the multiculturalism act was officiated. (Minister of Public Works and Government Services, 2007). Since then, Canada has witnessed the positive effects like reduced conflicts or violence, reduced discrimination while encouraging harmony and unity among her citizens. Since assimilation is not a problem for most immigrants, it enables them to easily fit in Canada while retaining or rather maintaining their identities. An all inclusive and accommodative approach would boost a country’s democracy and consequently pave way for development in all aspects. Diversity is embraced with the mentality that it will boost a better Canada both socially as well as economically. It is argued that diversity precipitates innovation, teamwork and creativity which are important factors to consider for growth to be realized. However Canada is still faced by some challenges that affect its economic growth and development. The issue of inequality is too significant to be ignored. The Aboriginal people continue to lag behind in as far as health, poverty, education, unemployment as well as suicide rates are concerned. (Minister of Public Works and Government Services, 2007). The immigration policy in Canada faces much criticism from those who argue that it leads to the increased taxes on the incumbent citizen’s side. Statistics have it that recent immigrants will generally register lower wages as opposed to other citizens. This precipitates the need to put them on welfare schemes. The impact of immigrants on the local citizen’s wages is significant and cannot be ignored. Critics propose a reform in the selection of immigrants who are to live in Canada so that the burden in form of taxes is done away with. In his article ‘Immigration and the Welfare State in Canada: Growing Conflicts, Constructive Solutions’ Herbert Grubel pointed out that in 2000 the government spent a tune of $1. 4 billion while the figure rose to approximately $18. 3 billion in 2003 in form of immigrants welfare. A reform can ensure that immigrants are given temporary visas until they access the jobs they are skilled in instead of first gaining citizenship before they can secure jobs. Impose high taxes on incumbent citizens would reduce their disposable incomes and consequently reducing their purchasing power. Most refuges who make Canada their home or shelter are without the skills to make them competent in the job market and thus the need for government intervention in form of welfare. (Grubel H, 2005). In her article’ The potential impacts of immigration on productivity in Canada’ Alice Nakamura noted that the new immigrants are a potential threat to the country’s productivity levels. These fears arose due to the fact that newer immigrants registered reduced wages probably as an indication that they were less attractive to their employees. This could be blamed on the quality of their work. (Nakamura A, 2003). Concerns raised here were that by lowering the productivity levels the standards of living were also likely to dwindle. This paper has by and large explained the economic characteristics of Canada and it suffices to say that she has been doing well like other developed countries. The high standards of living are a clear indication of a successful economy. However the issues of inequalities need to be addressed such that no race lags behind in terms of economic welfare as well as the accessibility of social amenities. It is clear that the multiculturalism in Canada ensures freedom in participation of various sectors like in politics. The immigration policy is also to the country’s advantage but it is vital that effective measures are carried out such that the incumbent citizens are not taxed heavily to finance immigrant’s welfare. References: Alice Nakamura. 2003. The potential impacts of immigration on productivity in Canada. Anne Westhues. 2006. Canadian Social Policy: Issues and Perspectives. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, Benjamin Dolin and Margaret Young. 2004. Canada’s immigration program. Retrieved on 23rd October 2008 from http://www. parl. gc. ca/information/library/PRBpubs/bp190-e. htm CIA. 2008. The world Fact Book. Canada. Retrieved on 23rd October 2008 from https://www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ca. html Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 2008. Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, 2005. Canadian Immigration: Building Canada’s Future. A Vision for Building Canada’s Future. Retrieved on 23rd October 2008 from http://www. cic. gc. ca/English/resources/publications/annual-report2005/section1. asp