Canada State Overview
Administration
Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories (Yukon Territory, Nunavut Territory and the Northwest Territories). The provinces have their own constitutions, legislative bodies elected for 5 years (unicameral parliaments) and their own executive bodies (provincial governments). At the suggestion of the federal government, the governor general appoints a “lieutenant governor” for each province. The territories are administered by the federal government.
Administrative division of Canada
Administrative structure (2017) | |||||
Administrative unit | Area (in km 2) | Population(in 1,000) | Residents(per km 2) | Capital / administrative seat | |
Provinces | |||||
Alberta | 640 330 | 4,286.1 | 6.7 | Edmonton | |
British Columbia | 922 503 | 4,817.2 | 5.2 | Victoria | |
Manitoba | 552 371 | 1,338.1 | 2.4 | Winnipeg | |
New Brunswick | 71 389 | 759.7 | 10.6 | Fredericton | |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 370 514 | 528.8 | 1.4 | Saint John’s | |
Nova Scotia | 52 942 | 953.9 | 18.0 | Halifax | |
Ontario | 908 699 | 14 193.4 | 15.6 | Toronto | |
Prince Edward Island | 5 686 | 152.0 | 26.7 | Charlottetown | |
Quebec | 1,356,625 | 8 394.0 | 6.2 | Quebec | |
Saskatchewan | 588 244 | 1,163.9 | 2.0 | Regina | |
Territories | |||||
Northwest Territories | 1 143 794 | 44.5 | 0.04 | Yellowknife | |
Nunavut Territory | 1 877 779 | 38.0 | 0.02 | Iqaluit | |
Yukon Territory | 474 713 | 38.5 | 0.08 | Whitehorse |
Law
The court system is structured uniformly. All provinces as well as the federal government (only for limited, legally defined competences) each have a factual and appellate authority under different names. The Federal Court, which exists at the federal level with two divisions as the first instance and the appellate court, was divided into two separate courts in 2003, the Federal Court as the first instance and the Federal Court of Appeal as the appellate instance. At the federal level, there are also courts with specific jurisdictions: the Tax Court of Canada for tax matters and the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada for military jurisdiction. The common highest court for provinces and federal government and at the same time constitutional court is the Supreme Court of Canada. In the provinces there are further lower,
Media
Reporters Without Borders counts the media landscape among the freest in the world. Due to the size of the country, public broadcasters are of great importance. There are more than 1100 radio stations. Newspapers are mostly only distributed regionally.
Press: The largest of around 90 daily newspapers in Ontario include “Toronto Star” (founded 1892) and “Toronto Sun” (founded 1971), in Québec the tabloid “Le Journal de Montréal” (founded 1964) and “La Presse” (founded 1884), in British Columbia “Vancouver Sun” (founded 1886) and “The Province” (founded 1898) and in Alberta “Calgary Herald” (founded 1883). In addition, there are regional free newspapers such as “Metro Toronto” and “Montréal 24 heures”. “The Globe and Mail” (founded in 1844) from Toronto appears nationwide. The largest press companies are Postmedia Network and Québecor Média.
News agency: The Canadian Press / CP (founded in 1917, based in Toronto) is a cooperative company of newspaper publishers.
Broadcast: The public Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC / Radio-Canada, founded 1936) and Société Radio-Canada operate four radio stations (English / French) and the international station “Radio Canada International” (RCI) in eight languages (only online). CBC and Radio-Canada Télé each produce a full TV program; they operate the news channels “CBC News Network” and “ICI RDI” and some special interest channels (culture, science, documentaries). CBC produces for the First Nations programs in eight languages. The indigenous population is also the target group for the non-commercial »APTN« (founded in 1992). The largest private television networks are “CTV” (Bell Media, English) and “TVA” (Québecor Média, French). »CPAC« is a political channel supported by several societies. Rogers Media owns »Sportsnet«, the largest sports broadcaster, and operates a local television chain in the English-speaking East. Numerous channels from the USA are also received via cable and satellite.
Canada money
Local currency: 1 Canadian dollar equals 100 cents
Currency abbreviation: Can $, CAD
Banknotes are in value 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Can $, coins to the value of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 Can $ are issued.
Currency Exchange: it is best to change money American Express or Thomas Cook / Travelex as well as in banks and exchange offices. You can also exchange money in shops, hotels and restaurants, but the rates are worse here.
Credit Cards: International credit cards such as Visa,MasterCardand American Express are widely accepted in the country. When renting a vehicle or booking a hotel room, you normally need a credit card.
According to bridgat, there are ATMs across the country, even in small towns. Most machines belong to the Cirrus, Plus, Star and / or Maestro systems.
Travelers checks in Canadian dollars (or US dollars) are widely accepted, with American Express and Thomas Cook travelers checks being the most common.
Foreign exchange regulations: No restrictions on the import and export of currencies. However, amounts equivalent to Can $ 10,000 must be declared upon entry.
Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Health and Diseases in Canada
Similar to the USA, the West Nile fever season begins in Canada in June. In 2007, 2,000 illnesses (140 of which were severe, but no deaths) were registered, mainly in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. West Nile fever, a flu-like virus disease, is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes that are active at night. Serious complications and deaths can occur in the course of the disease. In 2008 no illnesses were known. Elderly people in particular, as well as those with weakened immune systems, should consistently protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Vaccination protection
The standard vaccinations for adults and children should be up to date according to the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute. When traveling to the northern parts of the country, vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended. In Canada, children and adolescents are vaccinated against meningites (meningitis); it should also be available as a vaccination for incoming children and adolescents. Vaccinations against measles and rabies can also be useful.
The sanitary and hygienic conditions are comparable with Germany. The Canadian health system is organized by the state, and appointments with a doctor are very difficult to get. Use the so-called “walk-in clinics” in case of need; in an emergency, contact the hospital emergency department directly.
Tap water is in Canada drinkable, but it often contains chemical additives that can affect the taste of the water.
The supply of medicines in Canada is good. With Canadian prescriptions can also be used to obtain prescription drugs. If you can show a prescription, it is possible to import German specialty drugs into Canada in the required quantities.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.