Canada

Canada is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and poverty is almost non-existent. Recent statistics show that only about 8% of the country lives in poverty, but this does not mean it can be ignored.

Despite the country’s prosperity, Canada suffers from child poverty which has increased over the last decade. From all the OECD countries, UNICEF international research center ranks Canada in 19th place for child poverty.

In households with income below 50% of the national median income, 14.9% of those children live in poverty. This is detrimental to the country because it widens the gap between the rich and the poor. These are children who receive little to no education, live in poor and unstable neighborhoods, and do not have a primary resource for food and meals.

In 1989, the government promised to eradicate child poverty, but over the last fifteen years they have failed accomplish this.

The Canadian government is very involved in acknowledging and enforcing the human rights of its citizens. The Human Rights Program in Canada is a program devoted to developing, understanding, and promoting respect and enjoyment for Canadian human rights. Through educational and promotional activities, it provides grants and contributions to eligible organizations. It is also a program responsible for preparation of Canada’s reports to the United Nations as well as coordinating the domestic implementation of international human rights instruments.

The Department of Justice also updates its website regularly (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/const/index.html) to match recently passed acts and added regulations. Because the country has a very stable and active government, public awareness for human rights is very conventional. The Canadian Constitution has been effective since 1867.

The AIDS epidemic in Canada continues to rise, infecting 2,500 people per year. Women account for a quarter of the HIV/AID population which has doubled since 1997. Almost 30% of all the people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Canada do not know they are infected. Unprotected sex and sharing unsterilized needles or equipment for injecting drugs are the two most common ways HIV is transmitted in Canada. The government is hoping to bring more awareness by funding $42.2 million for the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS and recently announced that the funding will double over the next five years.

But Canada’s health is most threatened by cardiovascular disease, similarly known as heart disease. It is the number one killer in the country, but heart disease is caused by several factors which include: smoking, eating food rich in saturated fat, physical inactivity, stress, family history, and obesity. The risks of heart disease are much higher when combinations of these factors apply to an individual.

According to experts, eight in ten Canadians have at least one risk factor of heart disease and 11% of them have more than two of these factors. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is the country’s most acknowledged organization hoping to prosper their citizens with better health and awareness.

As the country continues to grow, both in population and economically, environmental issues are second nature. One of the biggest issues is climate change, due to years of using carbon dioxide for transportation, energy, and other daily uses. This causes air pollution resulting in acid raid which, in turn, affects the natural beauty of Canada’s lakes and forests.

Also, metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions have damaged the agricultural and forest productivity. Transport Canada’s Environmental Protection Program works to ensure the department’s compliance with applicable environmental regulations and policies.

Other major problems are the ocean waters becoming contaminated from agriculture, industrial, mining, and forestry activities.

Recent statistics show over 70% of Canada’s population of 15 years and older have attained a high school diploma or higher. But the area with the least educational success in the country is Prince Edward Island. With a population of 25,650 people 15 years of age and over, only 12% will graduate with a high school diploma. This is in part due to its small population and the island’s seclusion from the rest of the country.

Overall, almost 100% of the children in Canada finish grade 5, but 22% of adults have serious problems reading printed material. Canadians with the lowest literacy skill levels have an unemployment rate of 26%, whereas those with the highest literacy levels have only 4% of their population unemployed.

Canada is among the top nations of the world with high literacy and education skills. Their success comes from a stable government, an active public, and continuous organizational support groups.

Ontario Forestry Association - The Ontario Forestry Association works to raise awareness and understanding of Ontario’s forests, and develop commitment to stewardship of forest ecosystem. It was established in the 1940s and have been part of major restoration projects, as well as initiating commemoration and management of the country’s forests and natural environment.

SDS- SDS stands for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder
with primary features that include: bone marrow problems, a defect in
the pancreas, skeletal abnormalities, and short stature. They raise
and award funds for much needed SDS research, disseminate information
and knowledge about SDS and well as work to improve the quality and
life for those born with the syndrome.

Canadian CED Network - The Canadian CED Network brings together organizations and individuals interested in finding useful and practical solutions to the economic, social, and environmental challenges facing local communities across Canada.

Canadian Women's Health Network - A network of individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions concerned with women's health. The CWHN recognizes the importance of information sharing, education and advocacy on women's health, and works to build and strengthen the women's health movement in Canada and throughout the world.

Cultural Diversity Program - The Cultural Diversity Program at the Canadian Council on Social
Development (CCSD) is a research unit which focuses on immigration, multiculturalism, and ethno-racial relations from a social and economic perspective. Its mission is to assist social service and community organizations as well as various levels of governments in developing
culturally relevant policies, programs and services.

International Development Research Centre - A public corporation created by the Canadian government to help communities in the developing world find solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems through research.

Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse - Ontario's longest standing health promotion organization. They help individuals, groups and communities use health promotion strategies to achieve health and well-being.

Pollution Probe - The Pollution probe defines environmental problems through research, promote understanding through education and press for practical solutions through advocacy. They are a partnership-building organization dedicated in achieving positive and tangible environmental change.

Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects (CADIP)- A non-profit Canadian organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It has no religious or political affiliation. Through various charity, volunteer and youth initiatives, Cadip promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and international surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development.