Canadians place a premium on education and demand
first-rate schools. Canada spends more per capita on its education
system than any other country in the G-7 and is among the top three
countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD). A degree from a Canadian university is recognized world-wide
and as a result, international students who graduate from Canadian
universities enjoy successful and prosperous careers.
Canadian education is competitively priced and boasts an average of
$7,100 for tuition fees, $8,100 for livings costs for international
students.
Canadians enjoy a standard of living among the highest in the world.
More than 65 per cent of Canadians own their own homes, with a higher
percentage owning durable goods, such as automobiles, refrigerators,
washing machines, television, telephones and radios.
Canada is a country of immigrants and has both a tradition and policy
of encouraging multicultural diversity.
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.
All major urban centres have a variety of shopping malls, restaurants,
theatres, art galleries and museums. Canadian cities provide numerous
parks, gardens and beaches for public use, as well as excellent
sports and recreation facilities.
Students who come to Canada will witness one of the most beautiful,
natural environments in the world. 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 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. Unlike its US
neighbours to the south, firearms are strictly controlled and generally
are not permitted in Canada.
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.
Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages, English
and French. The vast majority (75 per cent) of Canada's French-speaking
inhabitants live in the province of Québec, which is located
in the eastern part of the country but there are French-speaking communities
throughout the country.
According to a 1991 census, French is the mother tongue of 82 per
cent of Québec's population and is spoken at home by 83 per
cent of Québecers.
Internationally, it is estimated that some 800 million people speak
English and 250 million speak French. As a bilingual nation, Canada
offers superior English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as
a Second Language (FSL) training for students wishing to learn either
or both languages.
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