Celebrations of 151st Year of Canadian Confederation
On this Significant Canada Day Canadians at home and abroad celebrate their proud history take stock of shared blessings and look forward with hopeful resolve to the future.
Canada Day is a day to celebrate the heritage entrusted to acknowledge the responsibility that comes with Canadians citizenship.
On July 1, 1867, the Confederation of four Canadian Provinces gave birth to Canada. In subsequent years, six other provinces joined. Today, Canada is the second largest country in the world and one of the most modern societies and economies.
Today is the 151st Canada Day. The Anniversary of the Confederation, with celebrations at home and abroad.
Canada is a country with a long history of stability, peace and prosperity a history that they share and can be proud of, with its natural beauty and geographic diversity.
The Canadians are proud of their country. Starting with their own followed by people from all over the world, they have created a nation that is diverse and democratic - a country whose composition reflects both the Global Village and the aspirations of the world’s population.
On the world stage, Canada has long been at the forefront in contributing to maintaining peace and stability, and countering threats to international security. There’s is a principled foreign policy - defending Canada’s interests and reflecting Canadians’ values. The values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are the building blocks of Canadian society and of their foreign policy.
Canada’s commitment to the international community has never been stronger. In concert with its allies and through multilateral institutions, Canada continues to assist the transition toward democratic governance.
Canada strongly believes that enlightened sovereignty requires engaging fully with the international community and contributing actively towards world bodies.
Canada and Sri Lanka
Canada and Sri Lanka have enjoyed close relations for more than 60 years, enhanced by their membership in the Commonwealth and institutions such as the Colombo Plan. Thanks to the plan, three generations of Sri Lankans have used trains pulled down by the sturdy Canadian-built locomotives and many hundreds of thousands have come and gone through the airport terminal also gifted by Canada, and other projects sponsored by Canada.
In Sri Lanka, Canada sees the potential for a vibrant, modern society firmly based on the foundation of its colourful and storied past, while sharing Canada’s vision of fundamental freedoms, generous tolerance and minority interests.
International Scene
As a trading nation, Canada’s prosperity depends on the import and export of goods and services as well as two-way investment. Despite its relatively small population of 34 million people the 36th in the world, Canada boasts of the world’s ninth largest economy. With a total trade equivalent to slightly more than 60 per cent of their gross domestic product, their global engagement allows them to punch above their weight.
Trade and Services
Canada is keen to enhance how it does business with the world. It wants to reduce barriers to trade and travel. Trade and investment enhances prosperity.
It is continuing negotiations with a number of countries. It is also securing its privileged trading relationship with the United States with a shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness.
They are also seeking better ties with other countries and greater access to their economies with investment protection agreements and air agreements all around the world. With one of the most successful economies in the world today, Canada offers many advantages as an investment destination and partner for global business.
Canada has a skilled workforce, generous research and development tax credits, and an outstanding quality of life with safe streets, a high standard of living, universal health care, a sound education system and a beautiful natural environment.
Canada’s goal in the international community is to continue building sophisticated wide- ranging, partnerships wherever it shares common views, interests and values.
Cooperation with its global partners and like-minded countries is essential to Canada’s approach. Together, Canada will work towards achieving prosperity, opportunity security and the reduction of poverty throughout the world.
Canada is known around the world for its natural beauty and its natural resources. Bounded by three oceans - the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic - Canada is comprised of 10 provinces and two territories, Yukon and Northwest Territories. The provinces in order of location from east to west are: Prince Edward Island; Newfoundland (including Labrador); Nova Scotia; New Brunswick; Quebec; Ontario; Manitoba; Saskatchewan; Alberta; and British Columbia.
English and French are both official languages in Canada. Provincial governments are all parliamentary democracies. The federal government is also a parliamentary democracy. The service sector represents the largest share of Canada’s business activity, at more than 60% of the economy.
Rapid technological progress has played a dominant role in the service sector’s development. According to Statistics Canada, the manufacturing, construction and utility sectors follow, banking. The largest manufacturing industries are: food and beverages; transportation equipment; pulp and paper; primary metals; metal fabrication; wood products; chemicals; and mineral fuels. Canada’s manufacturing companies use advanced state- of-the-art technology in electronics, robotics, computers and communications and more. Canada is also a leader in the development and application of fiber optics.
Canada actively participates in international trading. The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner followed by Japan, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Canada takes part in a number of international trade financial and economic organizations, such as the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development, the Financial Task Force on Money Laundering and many others.