Everything you wanted to know about Canada but were afraid to ask

Canada Quick Facts Capital- Ottawa Capital- Ottawa Largest city- Toronto Largest city- Toronto Population- in 1945: 12 million, in 2014: 35 million Population- in 1945: 12 million, in 2014: 35 million 2 nd largest country in terms of territory on the planet 2 nd largest country in terms of territory on the planet Main political parties: Liberals (Grits) and Conservatives (Torie Main political parties: Liberals (Grits) and Conservatives (Tories)

The impact of WWII on Canada Laid the future basis for the Canadian welfare state Laid the future basis for the Canadian welfare state WWII was, for the most part, a unifying and positive experience for Canadians WWII was, for the most part, a unifying and positive experience for Canadians Full employment became expected Full employment became expected Canada emerged as strong and independent nation with diplomatic credentials Canada emerged as strong and independent nation with diplomatic credentials Mackenzie King’s ( ) leadership resulted in significant post war economic boom Mackenzie King’s ( ) leadership resulted in significant post war economic boom

Key post-war trends in Canada Economic boom Economic boom Food shortages in Europe Food shortages in Europe Marshall Aid (European nations allowed to buy Canadian goods with US aid) Marshall Aid (European nations allowed to buy Canadian goods with US aid) Aided by the completions of the Trans-Canadian Highway in 1971 and Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959 Aided by the completions of the Trans-Canadian Highway in 1971 and Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959 ‘Baby boom’ ‘Baby boom’ 30% increase in birth rates 30% increase in birth rates 50% decline in infant mortality 50% decline in infant mortality Creation of welfare state (pensions introduced in 1951 and universal healthcare by 1972) Creation of welfare state (pensions introduced in 1951 and universal healthcare by 1972) High levels of immigration, mostly from Europe High levels of immigration, mostly from Europe Discovery of large amounts of minerals in western and northern Canada Discovery of large amounts of minerals in western and northern Canada Move away from the UK towards the US Move away from the UK towards the US

Canadian Prime Ministers Mackenzie King ( ) Liberal Mackenzie King ( ) Liberal Louis St. Laurent ( ) Liberal Louis St. Laurent ( ) Liberal John Diefenbaker ( ) Conservative John Diefenbaker ( ) Conservative Lester Pearson ( ) Liberal Lester Pearson ( ) Liberal Pierre Trudeau ( ) Liberal Pierre Trudeau ( ) Liberal Joe Clark ( ) Conservative Joe Clark ( ) Conservative Pierre Trudeau ( ) Liberal Pierre Trudeau ( ) Liberal

Canadian-UK-US relations: a history Canada and the US have a shared British cultural heritage Loyalist refugees flee to Canada from the newly-formed United States in the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War War of 1812: British North America burns down the White House, US unsuccessfully invades Upper (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) 1867: British North America Act- Dominion of Canada created : World War I 1931: Treaty of Westminster hands control of Canadian foreign policy to Canada : World War II