Canada Day

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Okotoks

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Happy Canada Day!
 

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frostback

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Canada became The Dominion of Canada on July 1st, 1867. We officially became a country in 1982.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a democratic parliament.
The Parliament is in Ottawa and is comprised of the House of Commons (Lower House) and the Senate (The Upper House - whose members are appointed)
Members of Parliament are elected approximately every 4 years. Elections may be called early or terms can be as long as 5 years. A vote of non-confidence in the government (where the government no longer has the support of 50 percent of the House) may also force an election. This occurred in 1979 when PM Joe Clark's government lost the support of the House and an election was called within a year of that government coming to power. Senators are appointed by the Prime Minister and hold their positions until they are 75.
Right now there are currently 5 officially recognized parties in the House of Commons: The Liberals, Canadian Alliance, Bloc Quebecois, Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party.
Canada currently sits on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent representative.
Canada is a member of many international organizations including NATO, OSCE, OAS and APEC.
Geography Facts

Canada's land mass is 9 970610 km2 (The world's second largest country)
Ottawa is the Capital of Canada (located in Ontario)
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. (For more info - see Regions page)
There are more than 100 national parks and historic sites in Canada. (Many Provincial too)
Mountain Ranges include: Torngats, Appalachians, Laurentians, Rocky, Costal, Mackenzie, Mt.St. Elias and the Pelly Mountairs.
At 6050 m above sea level, Mount Logan in the Yukon is Canada's tallest peak.
Great Bear lake is the largest lake in Canada with an area of 31 326 km2
The longest river is the Mackenzie River flowing 4241 km through the NWT.
Canada has six time zones. In NFLD the time zone is 3 hours and 30 minutes past Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) The other time zones are full hours behind GMT. The farthest west is the Pacific at 8 hours behind GMT.
Canada's capital, Ottawa, has the coldest average temperature of any capital city in the world. (I was there in January, 2000 and can talk about this from experience... although it's more like ranting....)
National Symbols Facts


The National emblem is the maple leaf and has been associated with Canada since the 1700's. 
The flag of Canada has two red bars and a white center - within there being a maple leaf. It was adopted as the National Flag in 1965. (Before hand Canada used the Union Jack - the British Flag for its flag.) 
The National Anthem for Canada is "O Canada" - proclaimed on July 1st 1980 - a century after being sung for the first time. (Before hand Canadians sang God Save the Queen/King)
 

frostback

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Canada does not have winter for 11 months out of the year. Yes it is true that the weather in Canada is cold - sometimes REALLY COLD! (Coldest Temperature ever recorded in Canada was in the Yukon at -63 degrees C) However in many/most places Canadians enjoys 4 seasons and hot summers. In Southern Ontario the temperature in July often goes above 30 degrees C as with elsewhere in the country.

Canadians enjoy modern technology in their lives. We have TV's, radios, refrigerators, computers etc. (You would be surprised to find out how many people who didn't know we had those things.) We don't live in igloos (Snow houses) and the VAST MAJORITY of us do not use dog sleds - in fact most Canadians have not used a dog sled.

Canadians do not speak "Canadian". The two official languages are English and French. Many Canadians can speak both and other languages. However aside from a few pronunciations (ie: Americans say "Z" as "zee" and Canadians say it as "Zed"), and spelling (Americans "color", Canadians "colour") the English between the two countries are identical.

Some Canadians say "eh" a lot. Yes that is a given. Sometimes I say it myself. However I don't see what the big deal here is. I know a lot of Americans that say "y'all" with everything. Not every Canadian says "eh" either.

We are not a nation of "draft dodgers". Canada was one of the first countries to declare war in WWI, WWII etc. We even fought in the Gulf War along side many other countries. We are renowned the world for our peace-keeping forces. It just happens that we have a small army. Yes there were many people who came to Canada during Vietnam to avoid the draft but that was their personal choice - not ours.

Most Canadian Citizens are not Mounties. Yes we have the RCMP - but our police officers do not ride around like a pack of Dudley-Do-Rights in Red coats with ponies. This is just like the same way that American Sheriffs do not ride around like cowboys on horses. RCMP officers are hard working individuals who in some places are the police force. The only time that they perform the Musical Ride is for special occasions. (You can see them on Parliament Hill on Canada Day.)

Canada is not a state or a part of the United States. Many people in Europe or elsewhere think that we are Americans. I can see why many people would think that we are Americans as from afar we are similar. However, while Canada does have many ties to the United States, we are a separate country.

Canadians are not subjects. While Canada does acknowledge the Queen, (represented by the Governor General) and under law we need "royal assent' for our bills to become law - Canada is it's own country. We are a "Constitutional Monarchy" - that is we have our own constitution and we acknowledge the Queen as a figurehead - but that's where it ends. Canada makes it's own laws and it is in no way dependant on Britain for laws or governing the country.

Toronto is not the capital of Canada. Ottawa is the Capital. Toronto is however Canada's largest city and the Capital of the Province of Ontario.

DONOVAN BAILEY WASTHE FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD.Okay, things have changed a little...well some American now holds the title...I can accept this...but let's face it, he WAS the fastest man in the world before June 1999. That obviously counts for something. I am gladly acknowledging that another country beat us fair and square. This is what was here earlier:

I don't understand why the Americans can't accept this. We have proved that twice now. The world has always acknowledged the winner of the 100 m dash in the Olympics to be the fastest man in the world. End of story. We'll gladly acknowledge it when any other country beats us fair and square.

Not all Canadians talk slow. I have no idea how this one started. People tell me that I speak to quickly. Go figure.

All Canadians are on a bus going to the US to see a doctor. Have you seen the ads from www.busfromcanada.org? Geeze-louise! Talk about manipulation of the media! The reality is that most of us are, at the very least,  within an hour of a good medical care center. Sure - everything isn't perfect with health care - but at least I know that I can have a heart attack in Canada without needing a second mortgage!  Americans: please think twice before you believe those ads
 

jaimiediamond

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Okotoks
Happy Canada Day!!!!!!!!!!!! The neighbors had amazing fireworks last night to start today's festivities!
 

justintime

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May 26, 2007
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Saskatchewan Canada
thunderdownunder said:
Happy Canada Day! Wish I was there to celebrate with you  <beer>

Carla....Our request to give you special "Canadian" citizenship status has been approved.The only thing you have to do to get it, is visit our great country in the next year when there isn't snow on the ground and you don't have to wear a winter coat.
 

thunderdownunder

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Jan 9, 2010
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Australia
justintime said:
thunderdownunder said:
Happy Canada Day! Wish I was there to celebrate with you  <beer>

Carla....Our request to give you special "Canadian" citizenship status has been approved.The only thing you have to do to get it, is visit our great country in the next year when there isn't snow on the ground and you don't have to wear a winter coat.

Fantastic news! Provided I can get my plan off the ground, I may actually make it next year during snow-free season. January is still on the timetable at this stage though (I must really like freezing my ass off... guess it beats putting up with a broken one (yep it's still broken lol))
 

knabe

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Feb 7, 2007
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Hollister, CA
who are some of the best oh canada singers?

i remember there was one gal who was awesome, sang it perfectly, with no extra notes.  it was goose bumpy.  can't ever remember her name.
 
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