NationStates Jolt Archive

The Dominion of Canada
Le Dominion du Canada
Official Press Release: January 1962

http://portal.wikinerds.org/files/canada_red_ensign_1957_288x144.gif
Flag Description: Canadian Red Ensign. Adopted 1867 under the British North America Act. Depicts the British Union Jack, as well as the Canadian Coat of Arms, on a plain red backround.

Population Statistics:

National Population (1960): 17,870,000

Average Population Density (per square mile): 5.12

Urban/Rural Population:
Urban: 10,700,601 (59.8%)
Rural: 7,169,399 (40.2%)

Historical Backround:

A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border.

As a member of the Greater British Commonwealth, Canada has distinguished itself several times on the battlefield, participating in all three World Wars.

Currently, Canada's focus has been primarily concentrated on domestic affairs as the Conservative Government in Ottawa tackles economic expansion in the Northern Territories along with the growing unrest among the nation's francophone population.

Political Organization:

Country Name:
Official Title: The Dominion of Canada
Conventional/Legal: Canada

Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy

Captial: Ottawa, Ontario

Administrative Divisions: (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/americas/canada_pol_1986.gif)
Provinces:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
Territories:
- Northwest Territories
- Yukon Territory

Constitution: Westminster system, based on unwritten conventions and the British North American Act.

Executive Branch:
Head of State (de jure): Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Head of State (de facto): Governor General Georges-Philéas Vanier
Head of Government: The Right Honorable Prime Minister John George Diefenbaker
Cabinet: Ministers (usually around 30) chosen by the Prime Minister to lead various ministries and agencies, generally with regional representation. Most, but not all, will be members of the leader's own party in the House of Commons.
Elections: The monarchy is hereditary. The governor general is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term. Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons is automatically designated by the governor general to become prime minister.

Legislative Branch:
Overview: The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Commons; by definition, Parliament also includes the monarch. Currently the Senate is limited to 104 members, who are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister to serve until age 75. The number of senators was exceeded once when Prime Minister Brian Mulroney sought to ensure the passage of a national sales tax. The House of Commons currently has 308 members elected by a plurality of popular votes in separate constituencies (ridings) for terms that do not exceed five years. The five-year term has been exceeded once when Prime Minister Robert Borden perceived the need during World War I.
Elections:

Political Parties:
- Conservative Party of Canada (Majority Government)
- Liberal Party of Canada (Opposition Government)
- Bloc Québécois
- New Democratic Party

Judicial Branch:
Overview: Supreme Court of Canada, judges are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet with parliamentary committee review.

I believe that Canada has THREE territories. Yukon, Northwest Territories, and NUNAVUT!

I believe that Canada has THREE territories. Yukon, Northwest Territories, and NUNAVUT!

OOC: Except that Nunavut didn't officially exist until 1999, and as it appears in this RP, the year in play is 1962.

Economic Information:

Overview:

As an affluent, high-tech industrial society in the multi-billion dollar class, Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent living standards. Since World War III, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada enjoys solid economic prospects for the future.

Current Economic Status: Recession

Currency:
Official Name: Canadian Dollar
Abbreviation: CAD (C$)
Exchange Rate: C$ 1 = $0.925 (Fixed Rate)

Primary Exports:
- Motor vehicles and parts
- Industrial machinery
- Aircraft
- Telecommunications equipment
- Chemicals
- Plastics
- Fertilizers
- Wood pulp
- Timber
- Crude petroleum
- Natural gas
- Electricity
- Aluminum

Major Production Centres:
- Halifax
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Winnipeg

GDP total (1950): $70 Billion USD (7th)

GDP per capita (1950): $7,047 USD (6th)

GDP fiscal growth (1962): 3%

Major Railways:
[To be updated]

Major Airlines:
[To be updated]

Major Port Facilities:
- Fraser River Port
- Goderich
- Halifax
- Montreal
- Port Cartier
- Quebec
- Saint John's (Newfoundland)
- Sept Isles
- Vancouver

National Budget (1962):

[Awaiting Statistics]

Military Information:

Branches:
- Royal Canadian Army
- Royal Canadian Navy
- Royal Canadian Airforce

Military Service and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service (males only).

Manpower available for military service:
Males age 18-49: 4,418,688

Manpower fit for military service:
Males age 18-49: 3,624,911

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
[Awaiting Statistics]

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
[Awaiting Statistics]

Organization:
[To be added]

April 9th, 1963

Ottawa, Canada
Parliament Hill

After six years, the dream was over. In one stunning election, the Torie majority that had ruled over Canada was finally laid to rest. It's front runner and Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker was a broken man, not to mention throughly disgraced.

Indeed the last several years had been difficult. Because of his convictions against military cooperation with the United States, including the deployment of American Bormac Nuclear-tipped Missiles on Canadian soil, and further economic de-regulation, the once strong Conservative party splintered in two as Diefenbaker and his allies opposed this proposal, while many other Conservatives and the opposition Liberal Party were in favour.

Such a policy, combined with the growing economic reccession in Canada, prompted a vote of no confidence in Parliament on February 4th, passing by a solid majority the next day.

Although Conservative leaders attempted to salvage the situation, with Diefenbaker promising to raise tariffs and encourage Canadian Industry, there was no real contest. The Liberal Party of Lester Pearson ran on a platform promising that, if elected, they would begin their term with "60 Days of Decision" on questions such as introducing a new Canadian flag, reforming health care, and a public pension plan, along with other legislative reforms.

This new concept intrigued many Canadians, including the disaffected citizens of Quebec, who saw the current flag of the Dominion as a throw-back to the British colonial era. Furthermore, the idea of increased Government intervention in a poorly performing economy galvinized the support of many in the lower and middle-class.

So when the polls were opened on April 8th, the Liberal Party, after years of serving in the minority, made a thunderous return, securing both the office of Prime Minister and a solid 41% majority. Unfortunantely, although usually enough to form a majority government, the Liberals fell short of their 135 seat goal by seven seats, forcing them into a minority coalition government with the quickly emerging New Democratic Party.

But no matter the circumstances, a Liberal victory had been secured. And, it was hoped, that under the leadership of Mr. Pearson, a new age for Canada may finally begin.

1963 Parliamentary Election Results:
Liberal Party - Lester Pearson: 128 seats (41.52%)
Conservative Party - John Diefenbaker: 93 seats (32.72%)
Social Credit Party - R.N. Thompson: 24 seats (11.92%)
New Democratic Party - Tommy Douglas: 17 seats (13.24%)

[Note: Percentage results represent popular vote.]

OOC: Except that Nunavut didn't officially exist until 1999, and as it appears in this RP, the year in play is 1962.

I'll submit that the Bloc Quebecois wasn't around in 1962....

Is Canada still around?

Is Canada still around?
By that meaning the recent nuclear disaster? I would be interested in knowing such information. Also isn't it an NPC?

That's what I thought...

That's what I thought...

Canada has a player who posted last on 06/20

Assuming that means the 20th June (we write it 20/06 in the UK if that's what you meant) then I must have just not seen him then. How long do you give people usually before you "get rid" of them?

Hmm, seems to me the main thread needs updating, canada is listed as NPC...due to the nuclear fallout im not looking at getting it though :D. Not very nice, but it is pretty powerful.

Hmm, seems to me the main thread needs updating, canada is listed as NPC...due to the nuclear fallout im not looking at getting it though :D. Not very nice, but it is pretty powerful.

yes it doesn

Whittlesfield, a nation is declared vacant after a reasonable length of time, usually a month. If something urgent comes up, its treated as an NPC and takes the action it would most likely take according to referee opinion (usually mine, sometimes Sharina or Parthini and consensus is sought if its really important or likely to be earthshaking)