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Canada

 
     
    • Names: 
     
        conventional long form: 
        none 
     
        conventional short form: 
        Canada 
     
    • Digraph: 
      CA 
     
    • Type: 
      confederation with parliamentary democracy 
     
    • Capital: 
      Ottawa 
     
    • Administrative divisions: 
      10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* 
     
    • Independence: 
      1 July 1867 (from UK) 
     
    • National holiday: 
      Canada Day, 1 July (1867) 
     
      amended British North America Act 1867 patriated to Canada 17 April 1982; charter of rights and unwritten customs 
     
    • Legal system: 
      based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 
     
    • Suffrage: 
      18 years of age; universal 
       
        chief of state: 
        Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Romeo LeBLANC (since 8 February 1995) 
     
        head of government: 
        Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993) was elected on 25 October 1993, replacing Kim CAMBELL; Deputy Prime Minister Sheila COPPS 
     
        Federal Ministry; chosen by the prime minister from members of his own party sitting in Parliament 
     
    • Legislative branch: 
      bicameral Parliament (Parlement) 
       
    • Women's Share of Seats in Parliament:

      • 20% (1997 est.)
     
    • Judicial branch: 
      Supreme Court 
     
    • Political parties and leaders: 
      Liberal Party, Jean CHRETIEN; Bloc Quebecois, Lucien BOUCHARD; Reform Party, Preston MANNING; New Democratic Party, Audrey McLAUGHLIN; Progressive Conservative Party, Jean CHAREST 
     
    • Member of: 
      ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, ONUSAL, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC 
       
    • Canadian Embassies and Missions

      •  
     
    • Diplomatic representation in US: 
     
        chief of mission: 
        Ambassador Raymond A.J. CHRETIEN 
     
        chancery: 
        501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 
     
        telephone: 
        [1] (202) 682-1740 
     
        FAX: 
        [1] (202) 682-7726 
     
        consulate(s) general: 
        Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle 
     
        consulate(s): 
        Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Princeton, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) 
     
    • US diplomatic representation: 
     
        chief of mission: 
        Ambassador James Johnston BLANCHARD 
     
        embassy: 
        100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa 
     
        mailing address: 
        P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 
     
        telephone: 
        [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 
     
        FAX: 
        [1] (613) 238-5720 
     
        consulate(s) general: 
        Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver 
     
    • Flag: 
      three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band 
       
    • National Anthem (WAV File)