We've landed in a country that is filled with vibrant cities and two of those vibrant cities are predominantly French-speaking. It’s also crossed by the Rocky Mountains and home to vast swaths of protected wilderness. The land of vast distances and rich natural resources, this country became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border.
This country faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness. This country also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
This country is under a federal parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, and is a Commonwealth realm
The Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);represented by Governor General David JOHNSTON (since 1 October 2010)Head of Government: Prime Minister Justin Pierre James TRUDEAU (Liberal Party) (since 4 November 2015)
Cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his own party sitting in Parliament Elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general.
Education
This country's public education system consists of schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12. All public schools are provincially accredited, follow a standard curriculum, employ only government certified teachers and are publicly funded. While the education system in each province contains many similarities, each has its own curriculum and guidelines to reflect the culture and history of its region.
Food
Poutine
One of the many culinary gems to come out of the French part of this country, poutine is perhaps one of the country’s most outlandish and defining dishes. Several small towns in Quebec claim to have invented this celebrated dish (or side dish), and it’s said to date back to the 1950s. A real poutine uses peppery meat-based gravy and “squeaky” curds on fries.
Maple Syrup
In New Brunswick the celebration of the maple sugar season is a springtime tradition. From mid-March to late April, sugar maple trees are tapped to collect the sweet sap. The sap is then boiled to a syrup concentrated to at least 66% sugar. Up to 40 liters of maple sap are needed to make 1 litre of pure maple syrup.
This country's bacon is from the pork loin and sliced thick or thin, and has a sweet flavor, is tender, and with a juicy texture even when fried.
