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UNITED STATES CANADA 305.8 million people 33.2 million people .88% growth rate .83% growth rate 51% Protestant; 24% Roman Catholic 43% Roman Catholic, 23% Protestant 82% English; 11% Spanish (no official) 59% English, 23% French (both official) 99% literacy rate 99% literacy rate 80%White; 13% African American, 4.4% Asian (Hispanics are included -See graph for more detail) 28% British Isles origin; 23% French origin; 26% mixed background; 15% other European; 7% Asian & African; 2% Native US Economy (2007) • • • • • GDP 13.84 trillion dollars $45,800 GDP per capita 4.6% Unemployment 2.9% Inflation Major Importing Partners: China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany • Major Exporting Partners: Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, UK, • Imports = $1.96 trillion vs. Exports = $1.148 trillion • Major Industries in the US: petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing,consumer goods, lumber,mining USD – United States Dollar Canadian Economy (2007) • • • • • CAD -Canadian Dollar GDP 1.432 trillion dollars $38,600 GDP per capita 6 % Unemployment 2.1 % Inflation Major Importing Partners: United States, China, Mexico • Major Exporting Partners: United States, U.K., China • Imports = $386.4 billion vs. Exports = $431.1 billion • Major Industries in Canada: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish products, petroleum and natural gas Current Exchange Rate = 1 USD = 1.07 CAD January 1, 1989 - the elimination of all tariffs on trade between Canada and the United States. GOOD IDEA OR BAD IDEA? January 1, 1994- Five years to the day the FTA was enacted, NAFTA is created to include free trade with Mexico. Comparing Governments: The United States and Canada United States Canada Federal Presidential Democracy Independence – July 4, 1776 from Great Britain Three Separate and Equal Branches: Legislature, Executive, Judicial Two Party System: Democrats and Republicans Suffrage – 18 years old Federal Parliamentary Democracy Independence – July 1, 1867 from Great Britain Two Branches: Executive is a member of Legislature, Independent Judiciary Multi Party System: Bloc Quebecois, Conservatives, Liberals, & New Democrats Suffrage – 18 years old STRUCTURE OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT A Federal Democracy US CONSTITUTION EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH President Cabinet Members bicameral Congress: Senate House of Representatives US Supreme Court US Court of Appeals District, State, County Courts * All branches are separate and coequal *President is elected by Electoral College every four years; cabinet members are chosen by the president and approved by Congress *Senate and House Members are elected by popular vote in each state; 2 Senators per state; Reps based on population *9 Supreme Court Justices serve life terms; appointed by president, confirmed by Senate Canadian Government: Centuries of Tradition Constitutional Monarchy or Federation with Parliamentary Democracy? appoints designates With the advice of the PM After elections are held & majority party is selected Queen Elizabeth II Head of State Michaelle Jean Governor General Figure head position Consults with PM and Gov.General Ceremonial position Liaison between PM & Queen Stephen Harper Prime Minister Head of Government, Majority Party in Parliament, and Head of Federal Ministry Senate •105 Members (Senators) •Appointed by Governor General on the recommendation of the PM •Hold office until 75 years old •Distributed to give regions equal representation •Amends, rejects, approves, introduces bills (All bills must be approved by Senate in order to become law) House of Commons * 308 seats (MP – member of Parliament) * Elected by direct, popular vote * Serve five-year terms * Distributed according to population * major law making body, decisions about taxes & public spending, debate & vote on bills April 1, 1999 – Canadian government grants the eastern half of Northwest Territory to the Inuit population, thus creating the new territory of Nunavut. QUEBEC ‘S SEPERATIST MOVEMENT TO STAY OR TO GO? Can they make it on their own?