Training
Provinces and territories are responsible for
education at primary and secondary level. This has led
to regional differences in curricula, teaching languages
and degrees. Teaching in Canadian schools is usually
of high quality. Canada has successfully succeeded in
integrating students with a foreign background into the
school system, while persons belonging to one of the
indigenous peoples still have lower education levels
than the average Canadian. Within the OECD, Canada is at
the top when it comes to the proportion of residents
with university and college education.
The start of schooling varies slightly between
provinces, in some of them the children start school at
the age of five, in others when they are six or seven
years old. School duty prevails until the student
reaches the age of 16 or 18. There are three levels in
the school system: elementary school (usually grades
1-8), high school (high school, usually grades 9-13) and
college (college or university). The school system looks
slightly different in Québec. Preschools are available
in most provinces (for children from four or five
years). In most elementary schools, the language of
instruction is English. In Québec, almost all schools
are French-speaking. Teacher salaries are comparatively
high.
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There are both public and private schools. About 6
percent of students attend private schools, but the
differences are large between the different provinces.
Almost half of the private schools have religious
connections, others have a special educational focus
such as Waldorf or Montessori, or specialize in subjects
such as science, art or sports. Christian schools have
been around for a long time, but the number of schools
with other religious orientations (Jewish, Muslim,
Hindu, Sikh) has increased in recent years. In Ontario,
Alberta and Saskatchewan, it is possible to get a
Catholic education in the public school system.
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In Québec, teaching about all world religions is
mandatory. There, the main difference is between
English-speaking and French-speaking schools.
 Since the 1990s, public support (both from the
federal government and provincial boards) for private
schools has increased. In the Northwest Territories,
Yukon and Nunavut there are Protestant and Catholic
schools receiving state support. The law gives parents
the right to educate their children at home.
School meals are not usually served, but students
often bring lunch or go home and eat.
The country is high up in the so-called Pisa surveys,
which measure the level of knowledge of 15-year-olds in
science, mathematics and reading comprehension. On
average, it takes three years for children of immigrants
to catch up with their peers in terms of knowledge
level. The gaps between students who come from poorer
conditions and those from more affluent environments are
relatively small.
An important exception is pupils from the indigenous
population, where almost every second pupil leaves high
school, compared with 80 percent for the rest of the
population, and 12 percent have a university education
(the figures are from the 2011 census) (see also
Indigenous peoples' rights). In 2016, the Liberal
Government pledged great efforts to improve the
education of indigenous peoples.
Higher education
Higher education is conducted at some 80 universities
and hundreds of colleges. The most famous are the
University of Toronto and McGill University of Montreal.
In the spring of 2017, some 350,000 foreign students,
most of them from Asia, studied at Canadian universities
and colleges. Prior to the fall semester of 2017, the
number of applications from abroad to Canadian higher
education institutions increased by about 20 percent
(the largest increase was from India: 57 percent).
In the 2016/2017 academic year, students paid an
average of just over 6,000 Canadian dollars to study at
a university (those who study to become dentists or
doctors, for example, pay significantly more). A
decision to raise university fees by 80 percent (fees
were then the lowest in Canada) caused major protests in
Quebec in 2012. After a power shift in the province in
2014, the increase was abolished.
Foreign students pay higher tuition fees than
Canadian students. However, they can reduce costs by
working part-time. They also have the opportunity to
obtain a fixed-term work permit after completing their
studies.
62 percent of Canadians aged 25-64 have college or
university education, which in 2018 was significantly
below the average for the OECD countries, which was 44
percent. Slightly more women than men have higher
education. However, men often find it easier to get a
job after completing their education. Many immigrants
who have come to the country in recent years have a
university degree.
During its last term (2011 to 2015), the Conservative
government imposed restrictions on certain academics who
received government grants. For example, they were not
allowed to speak in the media without special
permission. These rules were abolished by the Liberal
government that took office in 2015.
FACTS - EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary
school
100.0 percent (2016)
Number of pupils per teacher in primary
school
17 (2000)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of GDP
12.2 percent (2011)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of the state budget
12.2 percent (2011)
2015
December
Trudeau receives refugees
Prime Minister Trudeau welcomes the first major group of Syrian refugees to
arrive with government plans. Later, Immigration Minister John McCallum says
Canada plans to host up to 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016.
Reduced taxes and new promises to the indigenous peoples
The new government presents its political program. A number of promises are
made, for example, to lower taxes for the middle class, better relations between
indigenous peoples and other Canadians, and increased peace efforts. The
government promises to improve education for the children of indigenous peoples,
and to investigate 1,181 cases from 1980 where girls and women from indigenous
peoples have been murdered or missing (see Indigenous peoples' rights). One goal
is also to reduce the number of small arms in the streets and to contribute to
the UN peacekeeping forces.
November
The Liberals win the provincial elections in Newfoundland and Labrador
November 30
The Liberals win provincial elections in Newfoundland and Labrador, where the
Progressive Conservative Party (PCP) has ruled for twelve years.
McLeod wins the Northwest Territories election
November 23
Robert McLeod is re-elected leader of the Northwest Territories.
Obama says no to oil pipeline
November 6
At the end of November, US President Obama says a definitive no to the
Keystone XL oil pipeline (see January and February 2015). This means that it
will in any case not be built until his term has expired. Prime Minister Trudeau
has said he is positive about the project, but that several scientific
investigations should be done on how the oil pipelines affect the environment.
25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada
Canada is preparing to receive 25,000 Syrian refugees from Turkey, Lebanon
and Jordan. The idea is that there will be about 500 new refugees per day, and
15,000 by February. However, in many places, aid organizations, companies and
individual citizens have also begun to prepare to help. Some private groups have
also offered to sponsor Syrian families so that even more can come to Canada.
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, it is decided that
Canada will only accept families, especially vulnerable women and gay men. Those
to be elected must either be registered by the UNHCR or the Turkish government.
Safety and health checks must be carried out before the refugees are flown to
Canada. The pace will also be slower than previously planned. 10,000 will be
received until the end of 2015. And the receipt of 10,000 of the refugees is to
be funded by private money. Syrians will be received at 36 different locations
in the country. At the same time, a name gathering is underway against Canada
receiving the refugees, which until November 25 signed by 75,000 people
Rona Ambrose becomes acting conservative leader
November 5
Rona Ambrose temporarily takes over the party leader post in the Conservative
Party. She has previously held a number of ministerial posts, including those
responsible for environmental issues.
As many women as men in Trudeau's government
November 4th
Trudeau's Justin Trudeau will take over as prime minister on November 4. Of
the 30 ministers in his government, 15 are women and 15 are men, and almost all
are under 50. Finance Minister becomes Bill Morneau and former Liberal leader
Stephane Dion is appointed Foreign Minister. Chrystia Freeland, a former
journalist, takes charge of trade issues, and Maryam Monsef, who was born in
Afghanistan, for democracy reform. Carolyn Bennett addresses issues pertaining
to indigenous peoples. For the first time, a person from the indigenous peoples
gets the post of Minister of Justice: Jody Wilson-Raybould. And Harjit Sajjan,
who is one of three Sikhs in the government, gets the basis for the national
defense. Trudeau promises that his government will be more open than Harpers.
October
Power change after liberal election victory
October 19
The election is won by the Liberal Party, which receives almost 40 percent of
the vote and 184 seats, while the Conservative party gets just under 32 percent
and 99 seats, NDP nearly 20 percent and 44 seats, BQ just under 5 percent and 10
seats, and the Green Party 3.4 percent and a mandate. The turnout is 68 percent.
In the provinces on the Atlantic coast, the Liberals win all the seats. It will
also be the largest party in both Ontario and Quebec. As usual, the Conservative
Party is the strongest in Western Canada, with the exception of British
Columbia. It will be the largest party in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Conservative leader Stephen Harper admits to being defeated, and announces that
he will step down as party leader. Several of Harper's ministers are losing
their seats in the lower house. Justin Trudeau Announces US: President Barack
Obama says he plans to pull the Canadian fighter planes involved in bombing IS
positions, but he does not say when. After the election, the lower house will
have 200 new members. 88 of the members are women, which corresponds to 26
percent, and 10 belong to the indigenous peoples. 50 of the women belong to the
Liberal Party.
Negotiations on TTP clear
October 5
Twelve countries have agreed on the terms of the Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP). Before the agreement can take effect, it must be approved by the
parliaments of the countries.
NDP drops in support
The NDP seems to be losing ground in Quebec, partly because of the party's
line in the veil issue (that Canada should adhere to current regulations), and
partly because the party's promises of free child care, already in the province,
do not win many voters there. The party also looks to get competition from BQ,
which made a disastrous choice in 2011. Mulcair tried to retake the initiative
by, among other things, criticizing the far-reaching plans for a trade agreement
between Canada, the United States and several other Pacific countries, the TPP,
and the lack of transparency in the negotiations.
The higher right sets them in the niqab case
October 5
The old appellate court ruled that a previous court ruling in the Zunera
Ishaq case (see September 2015) is fixed. The government appeals against the
appeal to the Supreme Court (after the change of power later this fall, the new
Liberal government withdraws the appeal. When Ishaq swears oath to become a
Canadian citizen a few days later, she wears niqab, but has previously shown her
face to an official.
A play on values gives the Conservative party headwinds
A statement from the conservatives about "Canadian values", including that
Muslim women should not be allowed to wear niqab at the citizenship ceremony,
gives the party a push in opinion polls. The party is pleading for the police to
establish a hot line where the public can report "barbaric cultural practices",
and that a person convicted of terrorist crimes should lose their Canadian
citizenship, even if they were born in Canada. They also say that Trudeau is too
inexperienced to take over the Prime Minister's post. The Liberal leader is
accusing the government of playing on the electorate's fears and taking
advantage of every opportunity to strike a split between Canadians.
September
Court gives woman the right to wear niqab
In the middle of the month, a federal court ruled that a Muslim woman, Zunera
Ishaq, has the right to wear niqab, a veil covering her face, at the ceremony to
confirm her Canadian citizenship.
According to the rules in force, new Canadian citizens must prove their
identity before the ceremony, and a veiled Muslim woman must show her face to an
official before she can attend.
Prison for assault plans
Two men, a Canadian of Palestinian origin and a Tunisian, are sentenced to
life imprisonment for planning an attack on a Toronto-New York 2013 train.
Economy and refugee crisis are important election issues
Economic issues dominate the electoral movement, but the refugee disaster
around the Mediterranean is entering the debate. The government promised in
January that Canada would receive 10,000 Syrian refugees, but for a long time
refused to present any figures on how many have arrived. Both the NDP and the
Liberal Party say Canada must do more to help the refugees. Justin Trudeau says
if his party had been in power, Canada would have received at least 25,000
people. Criticism of the government's refugee policy also comes from within the
Conservative Party. Immigration Minister Chris Alexander defends the government
in a debate, saying that Canada has already received 2,500 Syrian refugees and
20,000 from Iraq. The government's hard line is seen by many as a shift from the
country's humanitarian traditions. At the same time, local groups are trying
toPopulation and language). Among other things, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson
says his city should be able to become a "refuge for refugees".
Canada is suffering from recession
New economic statistics show that Canada has entered a recession when GDP
fell by half a percent during the second quarter of the year. Even in the first
quarter, the country experienced negative growth. This risks striking against
Prime Minister Harper, who is usually seen as competent in managing the economy.
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau is trying to score this by promising new large
federal investment in infrastructure when interest rates are low, as well as
keeping the state budget in balance from 2019. He also promises to lower taxes
for middle-income earners and raise them for those who earn the most, more
efforts to combat climate change and Canada to withdraw its battle plan from
Syria and Iraq.
August
Harper announces new election
August 2
Prime Minister Harper announces parliamentary elections until October 19. As
early as eleven weeks in advance, a choice has rarely been announced in Canada.
Opinion figures suggest that the Harpers Conservative Party risks losing
government power. The left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP), which has never
ruled the country, has a scarce head start. The Liberal Party is in third place,
a few percentage points behind. Both the NDP and the Liberal Party say that if
they together receive more seats than the Conservative party, they do not plan
to rule together. In both the 2008 and 2011 election campaigns, Harper's party
could play for fear that a government cooperation between the Liberals and the
NDP would push politics far left. At the same time, both parties are considered
to have approached each other politically, with the NDP moving towards the
political center, while the Liberals have taken a step to the left. At the
beginning of the electoral movement, Harper and his party talk a lot about the
need to fight the threat fromIslamist terrorism. He has accused both the NDP and
the Liberals of not being tough enough in the fight against terrorism and that
their policies would strike hard against the middle class. In addition, Harper
is criticized for financial "business" in which his party mates are involved.
June
Former Harper employees are sentenced to prison
June 25
A former close associate of President Harper, Dean Del Mastro, is sentenced
to one month in prison for violating the rules governing how much money may be
used during an election campaign and for subsequently forging documents to hide
it. He is also sentenced to pay $ 10,000 in fines and must spend four months in
house arrest when released.
Cyber attack against the government
June 18
In the middle of the month, a number of the Canadian government's websites
are hacked, including those of Parliament and the intelligence service. The
hackers network Anonymous says they are behind the action in protest against
C51, which according to the hackers contradicts the UN Declaration of Human
Rights.
Requirements for educational investment for indigenous peoples
June 3
A study by a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with the mission of trying
to reduce the educational gaps between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians is
redirecting attention to the abuses committed by children from Native American,
Inuit, and Mist families at the special boarding schools run by churches in
1870. century and into the 1990s. The study calls it "a cultural genocide " and
calls on the government to invest even more money in bridging the educational
gaps to compensate for this. It recommends that courses should be held in the
indigenous peoples 'own languages (most of which are now spoken only by a few
individuals) and that anyone studying to become journalists, nurses, doctors and
lawyers should be taught about the indigenous peoples' history.
May
Court decides on damages to smokers
A Canadian court orders three tobacco companies to pay damages in excess of
Canadian $ 15 billion to two groups representing smokers in Quebec. According to
the court, the companies had failed to warn of the risks of smoking. The
companies intend to appeal the judgment.
Canadian prisoner released from Guantanamo
A judge decides in April that former Guantanamo prisoner Omar Khadr (see
Political system) should be released on bail. The Canadian government appeals
against this, but he is released in May after a decision in another court.
However, he must stay with his lawyer, have electronic footsteps, have a nightly
curfew and may only use the internet under surveillance.
New support for Iraq
In May, Canada pledges $ 167 million to Iraq. The money will go to
humanitarian efforts and to purchase military equipment.
Anti-terrorism laws are adopted
On May 7, the lower house approves the new anti-terror law C51,
which was introduced at the beginning of the year (see January 2015) (the Senate
gives its approval in June). The criticism of the bill has been harsh (see
Political system). A report from the Canadian Defense and Foreign Affairs
Institute think tank says the threat from Muslim extremists exists, but that it
is exaggerated by the government. It is also said that the government lacks a
long-term strategy to fight the Islamic State(IS) and how Canada should
contribute to that fight. Supporting air raids and training local military
forces is not enough. The government talks about trying to reach reconciliation
between Shia and Sunni, but Canadian influence is limited as long as Canada does
not have an embassy in Baghdad, it further states. The report also warns of the
consequences if nothing is done about the root causes of the conflicts in Iraq
and Syria.
The NDP wins in Alberta
The provincial election in Alberta on May 5 leads to a regime change, when
the NDP wins the election. The former Progressive Conservative Party (PCP)
government has ruled the province for 44 years. The NDP looks to get 54 of the
87 seats in the provincial assembly, ahead of the right-wing Wild Rose
Party with 21 seats and only then the PCP with 10 seats. New Alberta
head of government becomes Rachel Notley. The NDP has promised to drive climate
issues, and has promised, among other things, a review of the royalties and
taxes currently paid by the oil companies.
Liberal victory in Prince Edward Island
The provincial election in Prince Edward Island on May 4 leads to a victory
for the Liberal Party, winning 18 of 27 seats in the provincial assembly.
March
Action against IS also in Syria
The Canadian government decides to extend its operation against the Islamic
State (IS) (see October 2014) to include Syria. The government also extends the
mandate for the operation to March 2016. Prime Minister Harper says his
government does not intend to seek permission for this from the Assad regime.
The opposition opposes Canada's participation in the military effort against IS.
February
Economic crisis in Alberta
Low oil prices hit the province of Alberta economy. At the beginning of 2015,
the provincial government's revenue is almost half a billion Canadian dollars
below budget. The provincial government estimates that almost 32,000 jobs will
disappear during the year.
The lower house approves electoral reform
February 25th
The lower house votes by a clear majority for a bill, called the Reform Act,
which means that it is no longer the party leaders who decide, among other
things, which candidates may stand in elections, but that each party can decide
how they choose their candidates. The government, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau
and NDP leader Tom Mulcair, are voting for the bill, while the Green Party's
Elizabeth May is voting against. The latter mean that it is not far enough. (It
could come into force since the Senate also approved in June 2015).
Obama vetoes Keystone XL
February 24th
US President Barack Obama at the end of the month vetoes the Keystone XL
pipeline, which is scheduled to ship oil from Alberta to the United States.
However, this does not mean a total stop for the project, but is about
postponing the waiting for the US State Department to review it, as the oil
pipeline would cross a national border (see Natural Resources and Energy).
The court gives the sign of euthanasia in some cases
February 9
The Supreme Court unanimously decides that adults suffering from an incurable
disease and risk the extract and tormented suffering should be entitled to
euthanasia. The case has been brought by relatives of two seriously ill women
and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association. Both women have died
before the case reaches the highest legal level, one of them at an euthanasia
clinic in Switzerland. Euthanasia has been banned in Canada since the Supreme
Court rejected a similar case in 1993. Several religious groups oppose
euthanasia and are critical of court rulings. However, euthanasia remains
illegal for the next twelve months, pending the government to present a new
regulatory framework.
January
Proposal for new anti-terrorism legislation
At the end of the month, Harper is proposing a bill to ban terrorist attacks
against Canada, even when it is done in public terms. In the past it has only
been punishable when it comes to specific threats. According to this, the
country's intelligence agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service
(CSIS) is to be given new powers, among other things, to prevent people from
boarding a plane etc. CSIS also gets the right to shut down Canadian websites
with jihadist propaganda. Suspected terrorists should also be kept in custody
for seven days, instead of three, without prosecution being brought. The bill is
being criticized for deficiencies in the control of CSIS and for the measures
that may constitute a violation of statutory civil rights.
Canada is drawn into ground fighting in Iraq
Reports come in the middle of the month that Canadian soldiers have fired
Islamic State (IS) snipers in Iraq. This is the first time that Western troops
appear to be involved in ground fighting. Canada has about 600 people in the
region. About a week later, a similar incident is reported. The opposition
criticizes Prime Minister Harper, claiming that the promise that Canadian
soldiers would not participate in any ground fighting.
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