1. Chapter 8, Section 3 Canada Today

2. Review Who are Canada’s major cultural groups?
Why is it difficult for Canada to establish a true national identity?

3. Challenges for Canada Today
Natural Resources
Canada must balance opportunities offered by its natural resources with the need to preserve the environment.
Ex. Aboveground pipeline, Forestry, Fishing

4. Challenges for Canada Today Continued…
Urbanization
In 1990, only 1/3rd of Canada’s people lived in urban areas.
Today, 77% of the nation’s population live in cities.
Problems?
Providing housing and services.
Controlling pollution.
Preventing overcrowding.

5. Links with the United States
Canada-United States border is the longest (over 5000 mi. long) undefended border in the world. There is no fence.
Travelers between the two countries pay customs.
Fees charged by one country’s government on goods people bring in from the other country.

7. Links with the US Continued..
Cultural Links
Border neighbors share radio and television programs from stations in both countries.
Professional Baseball, Hockey and Basketball leagues include teams from both nations.

8. Links with the US Continued…
Economic Links
Canada buys 25% of all US exports.
US buys 85% of Canadian exports.
1988, the Free Trade Act (FTA) ended export barriers and called for the elimination of tariffs by 1999 between the US and Canada.
Mixed reactions.
Canadians could buy cheaper goods across the border.
Many factories closed shop causing unemployment after relocating south of the border.

9. Links with the US Continued…
In 1993, Canada and the United States extended the FTA to include Mexico.
The new pact was called The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), designed to establish a free trade zone across all of North America.

10. Links with the US Continued…
An Uneven Relationship
Canada struggles to prevent its identity from being overshadowed by the US.
Canadians are generally aware of what’s happening in the United States, while Americans tend to give little thought to their northern neighbors.

11. Links with the World
The United States is considered a Super Power, Canada plays a role of a middle power in the global community.
Middle Powers join together to achieve common goals.
Due to its location, size and multicultural population, Canada is suited to working with other nations.