Canada is a large and diverse country made up of ten provinces and three territories. Canada has traditionally been divided into five main geographic regions: Atlantic Canada, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, the West Coast and the North. Canada's population of approximately 32 million people has historically been concentrated within 250 km of the U.S. border, with the most populous region of the country being Central Canada.
Canada's capital city is located in Ottawa, Ontario with major population centers located in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Canada has a large francophone population. The majority of the Quebec population is composed of francophones.
Social Programs
Canada's National Health Care Program
All Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for health care coverage under the Canada Health Act. However, in some provinces, there are waiting periods of up to 90 days for recent immigrants. The Health Canada online link below provides basic information on Canada’s health care system including federal health care responsibilities as well as links to provincial and territorial health ministries.
Health Canada Online
CIC Canada - Health Services
Student Loans Program
The Canada Student Loans Program promotes accessibility to Canada's post secondary education system by providing loans and grants to Canadians with a demonstrated financial need. If you are interested in applying to a Canadian post-secondary educational institution, please follow the link below for information on applying for, maintaining and repaying Canadian student loans
Canada Student Loans Program
Income Security Programs
• Employment Insurance
The Employment Insurance program provides assistance to unemployed Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are between jobs by providing temporary financial assistance while they seek work or upgrade their skills. This assistance is also available for workers who are ill, pregnant, caring for newborn or adopted children or caring for a terminally ill family member.
Employment Insurance Program
• Canada Pension Plan
The Canada Pension Plan provides a monthly retirement pension to individuals as early as 60 years of age who have been living and working in Canada and contributing to the Plan. The Plan also offers disability, survivor and death benefits.
Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security Program
The Old Age Security pension is a monthly benefit available, if applied for, to most Canadians 65 years of age or over.
Old Age Security Program
Other Income Security Programs
Immigration Statistics
The link below contains interesting information on immigration statistics, historic immigration patterns and the present make up of the Canadian population.
CIC Canada - Budgeting, Banking and Saving
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