Title: Country statement submitted by the government of Canada.

POPLINE Document Number: 101376

Corporate Author(s):

Canada

Source citation:

In: European Population Conference / Conference Europeenne sur la Population. Proceedings / Actes. Volume 2. 23-26 March 1993, Geneva, Switzerland / 23-26 mars 1993, Geneve, Suisse, [compiled by] United Nations. Economic Commission for Europe, Council of Europe, United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA]. Strasbourg, France, Council of Europe, 1994. :93-101.

Abstract:

Over the period 1990-95 Canada is committed to an active immigration program compatible with global economic trends and social, humanitarian, and economic objectives. Improvements are being made in the management of refugees and immigration. 16% of the current total population of 27 million are permanent immigrants. 250,000 immigrants will enter the country in 1995 based on a predetermined quota set in the 1990-95 five-year plan. Canada's immigration policy and programs are affected by the global economy and the need for new skills and experience, the increase in irregular, uncontrolled migration, and the lack of balance between demand for opportunities for immigrants and supply of immigrants, and other factors. The approach to immigration is two-faceted: to accommodate migrants effectively, humanely, and efficiently and to reduce emigration pressures and incentives and improve conditions in home countries. Canada's policy in international affairs is to use international cooperation to achieve better management of immigration. International cooperation is needed in response to economic deprivation, conflict, environmental degradation, rapid population growth, protectionist trade policies, and the debt burden. Canada has had below replacement fertility since 1972, even with a rising birth rate in 1990 to 1.82. Canadians exercise free individual choice in family planning practice, and collective responsibility for protecting the global environment and resources must also be respected. Abortion has been available since 1988, but not as a source of contraception, and contraception since 1969. Mental incompetents are protected against unlawful sterilization by the state for nontherapeutic reasons. Mortality and infant mortality have declined since 1980. Life expectancy is 74 years for men and 81 years for women. Canada has given support for population related activities in family planning and maternal and child health, basic data collection and analysis, institution building with funding through multilateral and bilateral agencies and nongovernmental organizations. Total disbursements for 1993 were $37.7 million. Future training will be conducted on sustainable development. The recommendation was that the European Conference for the 1994 Conference on Population and Development in Cairo be directed not just to European concerns.

Keywords:

Canada
Summary Report
Conferences and Congresses
UN
Population Growth
International Migration
Migration Policy
Population Policy
Family Policy
Fertility
Mortality
Health
Foreign Aid
International Cooperation
North America, Northern
Americas
Developed Countries
International Agencies
Organizations
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Migration
Social Policy
Policy
Financial Activities
Economic Factors