CANADA
At 10 million square kilometres, Canada is the second largest country in the world according to landmass. The population, however, is significantly smaller at approximately 30 million people, which is about one-tenth of the population of the United States.
Canada is bordered by three oceans: the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific. The country is divided into geographical regions according to climate, industry, and landscape: Atlantic, Central Canada, Prairies, West Coast, and North.
There are three levels of government in Canada: federal (nation), provincial (provinces), and municipal (cities). Canada is grouped into 10 provinces and 3 territories, each with its own capital city. The national capital of Canada is Ottawa, Ontario.
Newcomers
Most Canadians were born in Canada and came from the original founding peoples. But over the past 200 years, many newcomers have helped to build and defend this country’s way of life. Today, many ethnic and religious groups live and work in peace as proud Canadians. Until the 1970s, most immigrants came from European countries. Since then, the majority have come from Asian countries.
About 20 per cent of Canadians were born outside Canada. In Toronto, Canada’s largest city, this number is over 45 per cent. Immigrants like you are a valued part of Canada’s multicultural society.
EDUCATION
In Canada, parents have the primary responsibility for educating their children. To assist them, provincial and territorial governments administer and regulate educational systems. There is no federal department of education and no national system of education. Instead, each province and territory has its own system of education. The educational systems are generally similar across Canada with some variations between provinces and territories.
Canada does not have a federal department or national system of education.
Elementary and secondary education
When children start and finish school, how to enroll them in school, and education for adults.
Post-secondary education
The types of post-secondary schools available, how to choose a program, and where to get your education credentials recognized if you already studied outside Canada.
School life in Canada
Schooling in Canada may be different than you expect.
Learn about life in Canadian schools
In most Canadian schools, boys and girls learn together in the same classroom. Students are taught by teachers, who often have a university education.
Each province and territory has defined a set of skills and classes that students must learn in each grade. This is called a curriculum.
Throughout the school year, students get a report card that shows their progress. Your child must show that they’ve learned the curriculum to go to the next grade. The province or territory sets the passing grade.
Each school will also provide the textbooks that students need. Parents or guardians usually provide other school supplies, like pencils, paper and notebooks.
Many schools have a dress code or require that students wear a uniform.