The Differences Between Canada and America: A Comparative Study Canada & America Canadians have been accustomed to defining themselves by what they are not.

Land Mass United States 9,826,630 sq km Canada 9,984,670 sq km Canada has a slightly larger territory, and the US has slightly more land. On a physical map the two countries appear to be on a equal footing, but in reality much of Canada is unsuitable for normal living conditions. United States 9,826,630 sq km

Population 35, 141, 542 Multiculturalism Canada The largest advantage the US has over Canada is its much larger population. The US and Canadian growth rates are fairly comparable, but the way they are growing is quite different. Canada’s growth is supported much more by a higher immigration rate. On a per capita basis Canada’s migrant rate is nearly double that of the US. United States 315, 091, 138 Melting Pot

Health Care Canada Universal – not based on what you earn Problems - wait times, some private clinics… United States For profit – private insurance Problems - 32 million uninsured, 10% of the population Solutions – Obama’s administration passed landmark legislation, full implementation by 2014 – repeal in Congress??

Economy Canada Much higher taxes, substantial middle class Economy strongly connected to the success of the US Canada did not face the same meltdown due to more government regulation of the banking industry United States Low taxes Living on credit - borrowing money with no down payment Mortgage crisis – foreclosure rates at 30% Congress established a $700 billion emergency fund for the Treasury to prevent the financial system from melting down

Military Spending Canada $18 billion+ (approximate) Canadian forces have officially withdrawn from Afghanistan, but 950 military trainers will help Afghan soldiers and police until 2014 United States $600 billion+ (approximate) American forces fighting in Afghanistan, American troops recently pulled out of Iraq

Independence Day Canada July 1, 1867 United States July 4, 1776 The United States is 91 years older. Canada was not fully self-governing until 1931 and fully independent until 1982 with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. United States July 4, 1776

Representatives of Government Canada House Members: 308 Senate: 105 (appointed by the federal government) The United States has 122 more representatives. Canada has 7 times more representatives per capita. On a comparative level Canada has a much bigger government. This system costs Canadian taxpayers much more than the US taxpayer. This is simply because Canada does not have the population base to justify such a huge government United States House Members: 435 Senate: 105 (elected directly by the people of the state)

The Constitution United States Canada (Republic) (Constitutional Monarchy) The Constitution Act (1867) permits the vetoing by the federal government of provincial legislation All of the judiciary (federal – such as the Supreme Court of Canada – and provincial) are under the control of the federal government The chief executive officer of a province (Lieutenant-Governor) is appointed, paid and removable by the federal government United States (Republic) No such clause in the American constitution The federal government controls federal courts; the state governments control the state courts The chief executive officer of a state (Governor) is elected by the people

The Constitution … continued Canada Criminal law is under federal jurisdiction The federal government pays subsidies to the provinces The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons (indirect election process, first-past-the post) United States Criminal law is under state jurisdiction No such clause in the American constitution The President is elected separately from Congress in an indirect election process centered around state votes (indirect election process, first-past-the-post)

United Nations Rating Canada United States Ranked 11th according to the Human Development Report (2013) Canada was once rated #1 by the UN United States Ranked 3rd according to the Human Development Report (2013)