Canada

——GENERAL INFORMATION——

GEOGRAPHY & DEMOGRAPHICS SUMMARY

- Located in North America and shares a land border with the United States and touching the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans.

- The official languages are English and French.

- Member of the WTO, NATO, the Organization of American States, and Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)

- 39% of Canadians are Catholic, 20.3% Protestant, and 23.9% have no religious affiliation. The remaining population is a mixture of other branches of Christianity, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, and other religions.

HISTORY SUMMARY

- Parts of Canada were colonized by the British and the French from the late 15th century onward.

- Canada has had some self-governing powers since the 19th century, but Britain continued managing Canadian foreign and defense policy until after World War I. As a result, it was involved in the War of 1812, the Seven Years’ War, and numerous other British conflicts.

- The Statute of Westminster in 1931 established Canada’s legislative independence, though the UK still had power over Canada’s constitution. Canada’s independence was made complete in 1982 when its constitution was patriated, meaning that the UK’s powers over the constitution were removed and it gained full sovereignty.

HISTORY SUMMARY 2- Roughly 1/10 of Canadians (1.1 million people)

served in the military during WWII, and it trained many airmen for the Royal Canadian Air Force as well as British, Australian, and New Zealand forces.

- Post-WWII, Newfoundland joined Canada as a province following a financial crisis caused prior to the war by the Great Depression.

- Canada was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and largely aligned with US policy during the Cold War.

HISTORY SUMMARY 3- In the 1970 October Crisis, members of the

pro-independence Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) kidnapped a British diplomat and a provincial official, causing then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, father of current PM Justin Trudeau, to invoke the War Measures Act. The provincial official was killed and the diplomat released.

- In 1995, the people of Quebec rejected independence by a thin margin via a referendum, and in 1998, the Canadian Supreme Court declared secession by a province to be unconstitutional.

Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister from 1968-1979, 1980-1984

ECONOMY SUMMARY

GDP PER CAPITA

FROM 1960 TO

PRESENT DAY →

Annual GDP

Growth Rate

FROM 1995 TO

PRESENT DAY →

Exports

Imports

- Canada provides 6.8% of the world’s crude petroleum, making up 14% of its exports. Cars are its second-largest export (12%) and its largest import (8.7%).

- GDP took a hit from the 2008 financial crisis and has risen and fallen since then.

- GDP per capita was also harmed by the 2008 financial crisis and last peaked in 2012, though it is currently rising. It is currently 46,125 USD.

NATIONWIDE ISSUES

- Balancing economic benefits of oil with climate change

- Rights of Indigenous peoples

- The Québec Question

- Security and Global Terrorism

———OTHER RESOURCES———

A video summarizing key moments in Justin Trudeau’s first term in office as Prime Minister

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcCZkF0ZYv8

- General:

- CIA World Factbook

- BBC Country Profile

- Economics:

- Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC)

- Health & Humanitarian:

- World Health Organization (WHO) Country Profile

- UN FAO Country Profile

- Diplomatic Relations:

- Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Overview

- U.S. State Department's Official Stance on U.S.-Canadian Relations

—CANADA & THE HMUN TOPICS—

Click on your committee’s name for research ideas!

DISEC

SOCHUM

ECOFIN

SPECPOL

LEGAL

Futuristic GA

Conference of Women

WHO

Sustainable Development Goals 2030

Millenium Development Goals

Opioid Crisis

International Monetary Fund, 1982

UNEP

Organization of American States

Status of Women

Science, Tech, and Development

Population and Development

DISEC - Terrorism in the Internet Age

Cybersecurity is a major threat facing all nations today, regardless of their degree of technological advancement. The general efforts against this form of violence tend to fall into two categories: development and determent. As a developed nation, Canada usually is more involved with the latter. It has the luxury of a robust IT sector and ubiquitous computers. The cost of this luxury is that the government must protect both its own computing systems as well as those of its citizens. It would be a good start to research by looking into what the Canadian government has done to inform its citizens and to improve its defense technology. Also consider the appropriate means of spreading this technology to other nations via UN channels.

SOCHUM - Millenium Development Goals—Access to Healthcare

Internally, Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system. This is managed jointly by the federal government, which focuses on regulations and taxes, and territorial/provincial governments, which handle most of the administration. Since it is a relatively developed nation, it has resources which it can share if it wishes to, but, like all nations, it doesn’t want to pay for everything with nothing in return.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/reports-publications/health-care-system/canada.html

ECOFIN - Economic Impact of Climate Change

Because exporting oil is key to Canada’s economy, it is unlikely to support sudden restricting on oil production or sale. It has drawn fire for the expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which it built in an effort to boost the energy sector of its economy. That being said, Canada also acknowledges that climate change poses a threat to it. In addition, the Bank of Canada (Canada’s central bank) is part of the Network for Greening the Financial System.

https://oec.world/en/profile/country/can/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48641293https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/climate-change-bank-of-canada-financial-system-review-1.5137625

SPECPOL - Human Rights and Multinational Corporations

While it often seems as though Canada has nothing to say sorry for, it has actually had an occasionally sticky history with one of the most crucial aspects of modern civilization: human rights. Canada has very little inhabitable land, so it is no wonder that its conquest by France and the UK involved a great deal of conflict with indigenous groups. Indigenous rights are still a matter of controversy in Canada today, especially in regards to the recent Trans Mountain Pipeline, which was approved by the Canadian Parliament but not by any indigenous MPs. In committee, you will have to dance around this controversy while also maintaining the nation’s face as an advocate for human rights abroad.

Multinational corporations are not a problem. The issue that you will discuss in committee will involve the lack of oversight that these companies have as a result of laws differing wildly from country to country. The companies, in turn, are easily able to take advantage of tax havens in microstates or invest in poorer countries and cause economic ruin. Consider what guidelines an international framework to counter this possibility would require to be successful.

LEGAL - Reevaluating Humanitarian AidAs a developed, relatively wealthy nation, Canada gives far more humanitarian aid than it

receives. On that note, although the delivery and distribution of this aid may not have a notable direct impact on the Canadian people, Canada has a strong incentive to improve such processes in order to avoid misuse of resources. Within its own government, Canada has already taken steps to address this issue. In June 2008, Canada implemented the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act, a policy that sought to clarify the focus of future humanitarian aid. According to this act, any non-emergency aid should adhere to three central criteria: it must aim for poverty reduction, take into account the needs of the poor, and follow internationally-recognized human rights standards. Certain aspects of this policy could be echoed on a global level; however, such reforms are only the beginning. Canada may also seek to combat the practice of “tying” aid to specific conditions, promote greater communication between donor and recipient countries, and better protect aid workers.

Futuristic GA - Palestine-Israel Conflict 2030

The futuristic component of this committee makes it difficult to determine exactly how Canada would act given that we only have knowledge of its past and present stances, not its future ones. However, we can still examine Canada’s current views to get a good idea of how it would act 10 years from now. Canada advocates for a two-state solution and has voiced support for both “Israel's right to assure its own security” and “the Palestinian right to self-determination.”

https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/mena-moan/israeli-palistinian_policy-politique_israelo-palestinien.aspx?lang=eng

Sustainable Development Goals 2030 - Evaluating the Sustainable Development Goals

Your research should begin by looking at the UN’s sustainable development goals, realizing what a failure they have always been, and laughing in order to ignore the sadness of it all.

Then, consider the structural flaws in the UN and how each nation can either seek to help each other individually to evade these flaws or discourage certain practices that prevent momentum towards these goals.

This is an exceptionally vague and overarching topic, so be prepared for a committee with everyone making speeches about completely different goals, every resolution saying the same thing, and long debates about national sovereignty. Find the niche solution or focus from Canada’s perspective to determine how you can stand out in committee.

Conference of Women - Sexual Violence During Wartime

During war time, the chaos and violence tend to overshadow many standards of human rights, especially for women. It is important to consider how sexual conflict may increase in war time for women both in the country of combat and at home. It is a common occurrence that civilian populations that see the destruction of war also face higher rates of sexual assault, which is often masked by war politics. Canada, a forward thinking western country, takes sexual violence very seriously in these matters and is looking towards solutions that may reduce the violence inflicted upon women during wartime. In this report, on page 19 you’ll find a list of recommendations made to the Canadian government on ways to reduce sexual violence during times of conflict. It includes suggestions like establishing women’s inclusion initiatives and creating harsher penalties for sexual violence committed during war. This list will be very helpful in considering suggestions you can make to your committee and apply to all countries.

http://nobelwomensinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/war-on-women-web.pdfhttps://www.cmi.no/news/2096-sexual-violence-in-wartime

WHO - Access to Healthcare for Displaced Persons

Canada is synonymous with universal healthcare and massive refugee intake. As such, you should be among the most accepting in the group. Propose one of the most expansive public healthcare programs, encourage other countries to offer similar programs to Canada, and encourage the acceptance of refugees. If you get in trouble with sovereignty-minded delegates, emphasize the voluntary nature of your programs and how countries with their own extenuating circumstances do not have to adopt every recommendation.

Millenium Development Goals - Early Education in Developing Countries

The nation of Canada is firm in its belief that education is a foundational aspect of promoting economic stability and growth in developing nations. In fact, Canada makes education a focus of its development aid, plainly stating that “education is a human right and is central to achieving many other sustainable development outcomes.” As such, Canada maintains that wealthier nations have a responsibility to promote early education in developing nations. Canada also hopes to promote gender equality through such education. For information on Canada’s past education projects in developing nations, visit this link.

Opioid Crisis - Preventing Opioid Abuse

As part of its strategy for preventing opioid abuse, Canada has Safe Consumption Sites, which provide a safe place to consume illegal drugs, emergency medical services if needed, education about the effects of drug use, and referrals to rehabilitation programs, among other things. It also publishes guidelines about the use of prescription opiates in an effort to minimize the risk of addition. Consider how education can be the most potent tool to combat this issue and how it would best be implemented on an international level.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/supervised-consumption-sites/explained.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/actions-opioids-2016-2017.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/canadian-drugs-substances-strategy/prevention.html

International Monetary Fund, 1982 - Debt Crisis of the 1980s

In the 1980s, the developing world faced a severe crisis as many Latin American countries were unable to make due on their international debts. In August of 1982, the conflict reached a peak with Mexico unable to pay their international debts, which then further rikashed through to other countries across the globe. This debt crisis was even felt in Canada. In Canada, interest rates were raised to all-time highs and a severe shift in the country’s demographics worsened economic pressures. To see an account of what happened in Canada during the time look at this link.

http://www.grips.ac.jp/teacher/oono/hp/lecture_F/lec10.htmhttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/the-market/remember-when-what-have-we-learned-from-80s-interest-rates/article24398735/

UNEP - Promoting Food Security

Canada provides emergency fd assistance to displace people such as refugees and those impacted by natural disasters. This includes direct distribution of food as well as cash and vouchers. It believes cash and vouchers to give greater dignity to those in need.

Canada also has a developmental food assistance program which distributes materials such as seeds and livestock and provides education about agricultural techniques, among other services.

One prominent NGO is the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, which provides such developmental food assistance resources.

https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/global_health-sante_mondiale/food_assistance-assistance_alimentaire.aspx?lang=eng&_ga=2.207778066.1875505469.1578254914-1118441406.1578254914

Organization of American States - Public Health in the Americas

Public health is an issue that Canada prides itself at being at the forefront of. Under the Canada Health Act of 1984, Canada established public healthcare for all of its citizens. Canada administers this healthcare program through its territories and provinces. While their medicare program is nationally run, they believe that involving their regional systems will allow for an expedited and efficient organization of this healthcare. However, this does not come without challenges. Due to the increasing age of Canada’s population, Canada is facing a cost increase in the healthcare they have to provide. I suspect in this committee you will be discussing a lot about how to provide healthcare universally, especially in poor economic regions, as well as how to ensure that public health services are administered in an efficient way.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.htmlhttps://international.commonwealthfund.org/countries/canada/

Status of Women - Economic Empowerment in Rural Areas

As is often the case, Canada is a role model for other nations in this topic. Just avoid coming across as condescending or power delly in committee, even if you have the world’s best interests in mind. This link offers a general sense of Canada’s past plans and future goals for this issue.

Science, Tech, and Development - Advances in Biotechnology

Canada considers itself a leader in the field of biotechnology, claiming to account for 10% of global biotechnology revenues. It has several components of the bureaucracy committed to this field, including the Canadian Biotechnology Secretariat, the Biotechnology Ministerial Coordinating Committee, and the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee. It applies the principle of “smart regulation,” though that’s a very vague phrase. For committee, consider your role as a spreader of this technology and the specific geopolitical contexts in which it can be of greatest use. You will really shine in committee if you go beyond creating an “international framework for cooperative development” like everyone else and instead focus on, as a singular example, advancing medical procedures in countries reliant on third-party aid for such procedures.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/science-research/emerging-technology/biotechnology/role/canada-biotechnology-strategy.html

Population and Development - Informal Settlements in Urban Development

In most issues that the UN faces, Canada is able to take on a leadership and role model position. In these two, however, there is the grave danger of committee members mentioning Canada’s history with indigenous groups. Given the small area of the country that is actually inhabitable, it is no surprise that Canada was founded through conflicts between Europeans and indigenous civilizations, who are commonly referred to there as “First Nations.” Canada knows too well the challenge of balancing urbanization, development, and population growth with the rights of individuals who are opposed to these changes. In committee, avoid discussion of your own past mistakes, but learn from them and use them as a framework for your international ideas and solutions.