The United Nations's Human Development Index ranks Canada 4th among 180 countries for its quality of life. Updated annually (Human Development Report 2007/2008) this index is based on data about life expectancy, education levels and purchasing power.
En 2007, the UN placed Canada ahead of most countries, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Italy or Germany.
Another organization, Mercer Human Resource Consulting (2007 Quality of Living Survey) compares the quality of living among 215 cities across the the world. Four of the five Canadian cities covered by the survey (Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver ) are among the 10 best (and Toronto is 21st) for the quality of living they offer their citizens . Several indicators are taken into account in these calculations including the following:political stability, protection offered to citizens, the economy, fundamental freedoms, health, education, public services, leisure, housing, natural setting and abundance and variety of consumers products.
Life expectancy at birth exceeds 80 years in Canada.Within the G7, only Japan has higher life expectancy. This reflects the quality and accessibility of health services and the security which Canadians enjoy.
Source: The World Factbook
When compared to 143 cities across 6 continents, Montreal and Toronto have among the lowest cost of living according to the 2007 Mercer Cost of Living Survey (Mercer Human Resource Consulting) .This survey takes into account more than 200 products and services including housing, transportation, food, clothing and leisure.
Numerous public services and social programs are delivered by the Canadian, provincial and municipal governments to Canadian citizens. For instance:
Canada enjoys a stable political system based on a constitution which enshrines the powers of each government level (federal, provincial and territorial as well as municipal) as well as the rights and fredoms guaranteed to its citizens .
The majority of people feel safe
when walking alone at night (2000)
Source:Reproduced from Statistics Canada – Catalogue No. 85-002-XPE Vol. 22 No. 4
Canadians and Americans most likely to believe that police are doing a good job (2000)
Source:Reproduced from Statistics Canada – Catalogue No. 85-002-XPE Vol. 22 No. 4
Canada is a multicultural society respectful of differences. English and French are its two official languages but about one person in five has another mother tongue (please read Canadians' mother tongue). Dozens of languages are spoken by members of Canada's numerous cultural communities.
The Canadian constitution guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians such as the right to vote, mobility and legal rights. Equality rights ensure that every individual is equal, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or disability. Also guaranteed are fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of expression and association, of thought or religion (please read Democracy and citizens' rights).
Canada's cultural life has been enriched by the diverse origins of its population and the presence of its cultural communities (see Canada: land of immigration). Their presence have also contributed to strengthen Canada's links with the rest of the world, commercial and other.
Job creation driven by dynamic economy
Other sections of this website such as Canada's economy, Quebec's economy and Working in Canada, illustrate the dynamism of the canadian economy and the employment opportunities that it creates.
Starting a new business is easy in Canada and several factors make it more advantageous to do business than elsewhere (see Doing Business ).
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