Canada at a Glance
Population
Canada's population grew by +5.4% between 2001 and 2006 – more rapidly than any other G8 country over the same period – for a total population of 31,612,897 (2006 Census). This was due primarily to an increase in international migration.
Immigrants now account for more than 70% of all Canadian labour force growth and, by 2030, will account for all population growth. Canada's recent immigration levels have been double those of the United States , with priority given to high-skill workers.
- Canada has the highest percentage of individuals achieving at least college or university education among the 50 countries surveyed (Source: World Competitiveness Yearbook, 2006).
Canada is becoming increasingly urbanized, with the vast majority of population growth taking place in metropolitan areas. Nearly 25 million people, or 80% of Canadians, now live in Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Ottawa-Gatineau, Calgary and Edmonton.
Geographic Features
- The second largest country in the world, Canada covers the entire northern part of the North American continent, with the exception of Alaska.
- Its massive land area is 9,093,507 sq. km, excluding freshwater areas that hold 10% of the world's fresh water.
- Canada has the world's longest coastline at 243,792 km, surrounded by the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
- The southernmost point of land in Canada is farther south than Rome while the northernmost tip of land is close to the North Pole.
- Canada shares a common border with the United States that stretches across 8,893 km.
- 17 of Canada's 20 largest cities are within an hour and a half drive of the US border.
Economic Activity
The economic outlook for Canada has changed. The Bank of Canada now expects the economic recovery to be more gradual with growth of 3.0 per cent in 2010, 2.3 per cent in 2011, and 2.6 per cent in 2012. Recent moderation in Canada’s core inflation is consistent with the persistence of significant excess supply and a deceleration in the growth of unit labour costs. The Bank judges that the economy will return to full capacity by the end of 2012 with core inflation expected at 2 per cent by the end of that year.
Characteristics of the Main Productive Sectors
The Canadian economy is well diversified and fast becoming knowledge-based.
The reasons for Canada's economic success:
- highly-educated population
- wealth of natural resources
- strength of its manufacturing and construction industries
- health of the financial and service sectors
- ability to span distances using communications and transportation technologies
- dynamic trade relationships with other nations, especially the US
- ability to compete in the global marketplace
Provinces
The fastest population growth has been in Alberta—where a 10.6% population increase between 2001 and 2006 was twice the national average—and Ontario, the most populous province, with 12,160,282 residents. British Columbia and Québec are the next fastest-growing regions in the country.
 | British ColumbiaThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia (ICABC) is one of the largest provincial accounting bodies in Canada and currently has more than 10,600 members. |
 | AlbertaThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (ICAA) formed in 1910 is one of the largest provincial accounting bodies in Canada and currently has over 12,000 members, including individuals, partnerships, corporations and CA students. |
 | SaskatchewanThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan is an impartial organization which represents 2,000 Chartered Accountants and students who have the responsibility of providing accurate and independent information in a wide range of areas including financial expertise, strategic thinking, business insight and leadership. |
 | ManitobaThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba (ICAM) is a mid-sized provincial accounting body in Canada, the largest professional accounting body in the province of Manitoba and currently has more than 2,800 members and nearly 400 active students. |
 | OntarioThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario is the qualifying and regulatory body of Ontario’s 34,000 Chartered Accountants and 5,000 CA students. Since 1879, the Institute has protected the public interest through the CA profession’s high standards of qualification and the enforcement of its rules of professional conduct. |
 | QuébecOn May 16, 2012, the Chartered Professional Accountants Act creating the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (Ordre des CPA) came into force, joining together the three accounting orders that existed in Quebec up to that date (CA, CGA and CMA). |
 | New BrunswickThe New Brunswick Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBICA) is one of the smaller provincial accounting bodies in Canada and currently has more than 1,090 members, including individuals, partnerships, and corporations. |
 | Nova ScotiaThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia (ICANS) was founded in 1900 and today it has over 2,000 members and students. |
 | Prince Edward IslandThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Prince Edward Island is one of the smallest provincial accounting bodies in Canada and currently has more than 300 members, including individuals, partnerships, and corporations. |
 | Newfoundland & LabradorThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the smallest provincial accounting bodies in Canada and currently has more than 700 members. |
Northwest Territories and NunavutThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of the NWT and Nunavut is a self-regulating, self-governing professional organization for Northwest Territories and Nunavut CAs. Yukon TerritoryThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Yukon was founded in 1977 and has approximately 100 members, of which 25 are residents of the Yukon. |
Foreign Credential Recognition Program.
Earning my Canadian CA gave me a globally recognized designation that bridges the gap between theory and practice, enhancing the value I can provide Read more
- Abbas Barodawalla, CA, BC Housing, Home country: India
With my Canadian CA, I can be whatever I want to be in the future. Read more
- Jannet C. Taruc, CA, Grant Thornton, BC, Home country: Philippines
Becoming a Canadian CA has allowed me to bridge from my previous working experience given me ways to leverage my background, and opened the doors to an exciting career progression in Canada. Read more
- Joe Lai, CA, Senior Manager, Assurance Services, Ernst & Young LLP, Calgary, AB, Home country: Singapore
The strong reputation of the CA designation, both in Canada and internationally, meant a lot of doors were open to me Read more
- Daniel Labarca, D+H Group LLP, Home country: Venezuela
Government, academic and other resources
For more resources for immigrants, click here
