Unit 6: Canada’s Global Connections In what ways is Canada connected with the rest of the world? Let students brainstorm different answers to this question. Canada’s connections with the rest of the world include the following: telephone; TV; Internet; newspapers; letters to friends and relatives; travel to other countries; magazines; and government, business, military, and educational connections. The result is an interconnected GLOBAL VILLAGE.

Grouping Countries Although each country has a unique combination of culture, history, government, and economic development, we can group countries according to their similarities. This map, from page 436 of the student book, identifies developed, newly industrializing, developing, and Communist and former Communist countries.

Three Levels of Development: Developed Countries What are the characteristics of developed countries? How can you tell that this city is in a developed country? This image shows downtown Toronto’s financial district, with the CN Tower in the background. To help some students answer the questions on this slide, you may wish to ask, “How is Canada, a developed country, different from one of the developing countries shown on the map?” (See previous slide or Fig. 32-4 on page 436 of the student book.) Students will come up with a variety of characteristics. Here are some possible answers: (1) high standards of living (2) economies based on services (education, healthcare, banking, transportation, and information technologies) (3) manufacturing and primary industries are less important than they were in the past.

Three Levels of Development: Newly Industrializing Countries What are the characteristics of newly industrializing countries? Countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Brazil, and Chile are moving from an agriculture-based economy to a manufacturing-based economy. As the industrial base grows and diversifies, the service sector also expands. This change helps improve the standard of living. This image shows Shanghai Harbour in October 2005.

Three Levels of Development: Developing Countries What are the characteristics of developing countries? In which part of the world do you think these boys live? This image shows boys on a hilltop in Tanzania. Developing countries have the lowest levels of economic and social development. Most of the countries of Africa and many countries in Asia are members of this group. Here are some characteristics of developing countries: (1) They have an economy that is dominated by primary industries, especially agriculture. (2) The majority of people are farmers who consume most of what they produce. (3) Because citizens have so little money, they do not pay taxes, and the government does not have the money for education, healthcare, or economic development.

Canada’s International Relationships Canada’s participation in the world takes many forms. Canadians are… navy officers rescue and relief workers peacekeepers

Bell Canada Enterprises Thomson Corporation Bombardier Noranda Many of Canada’s businesses operate internationally. What products or services do these firms represent? Bell Canada Enterprises Thomson Corporation Bombardier Noranda Royal Bank of Canada John Labatt These are only 6 examples of the more than 100 Canadian multinational firms. These examples represent communications, printing and publishing, transportation, mining, banking, and food and products. The following firms can be added to this list: Magna International (motor vehicles), Laurentian (insurance), and Abitibi-Price (lumber and wood).

These are some of the international organizations that Canada is a member of: United Nations G8 the Commonwealth la Francophonie APEC If time permits, you may wish to discuss with students the role of each of the above organizations. DFAIT, at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreign_policy/intl_org-en.asp, has a summary of Canada’s involvement in each organization. Students may mention other international organizations that Canada is a member of, such as NATO, NORAD, OECD, FTAA, WHO, and NAFTA. Encourage students to observe that Canada’s involvement in the world is in many areas—economic, defence, political, cultural, and social.

Foreign Trade Which country is Canada’s largest trading partner?

The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner. In 2004, imports from the US totalled $209 billion and exports totalled $348 billion.

What do these items have in common? Most students will not be aware that these items are imported into Canada. Three of Canada’s four major import categories are represented: motor vehicle parts goods produced only in warmer climates 3. high-technology products The fourth category, low-cost goods, is not represented here. Fig. 34-1, on page 455 of the student book, illustrates low-cost goods (a clothing label and an Adidas shoe made in Mexico).

Canada’s Exports Most of Canada’s exports fall into three categories: products based on our natural resources cars and trucks specialized manufactured goods In 2004, Canada exported goods worth $429 billion.

Trade involves services as well as goods. In 2004, Canada’s deficit in services was more than $14 billion. Most of the deficit was caused by travel and transportation services. Why do you think this was the case? There are more Canadians travelling abroad than there are foreign visitors to Canada. Canadians abroad also spend more money than visitors to Canada. When Canadians vacation in another country, they are contributing to our deficit.

Trade and YOU Since one out of every five jobs in Canada is tied to exports, trade with other countries may affect your lifestyle and the type of job you get in the future.

Our Cultural Connections What is meant by the term “culture”?

How familiar are you with Canadian culture? Find out by completing the quiz in Chapter 35. You may wish to take the quiz (on page 466) as a class.

Canadians sometimes identify more closely with Americans… …than with Canadians who live in other parts of the country. Why?

People may identify more with people who live nearby, even if they are from another country, because they experience similar climates and share a common economy and lifestyle.

Is there hope for a distinct Canadian culture despite the powerful influences of American TV, radio, publishing, movies, and music?