Druidus
Keeper of the Grove
Only five countries have a higher standard of living than does Canada. These are the Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany and Japan. Canada ranks higher than the United States in terms of life expectancy, and higher than Japan in terms of education. Consequently, the United Nations has ranked Canada as the highest on its "Human Development Index." More than 65% of Canadians own their own homes. An even higher percentage of Canadians own durable goods such as automobiles, refigerators, washing machines, televisions, telephones and radios. Telephone service is virtually universal in Canada. Sixteen million access lines bring service to 99% of Canadian homes. With one of the best telecommunications systems in the world, Canadians are increasingly hooking into the information highway. In 1995, close to 30% of households had home computers, and over 40 percent of those computers were equipped with modems for accessing the internet.
Canadians' life expectancy at birth is 75.4 years for males and 81.3 years for females. This ranks among the world's longest. By the year 2020, Canada is expected to have the second longest life expectancy at an average of approximately 83 years.
All Canadians have free access to health care, with the exception of dental services. Most people over 65 and social aid recipients receive the majority of their prescription drugs free of charge. According to the 1994 National Population Health Survey, 62% of the adult Canadian population rated their health as excellent or very good. Also in 1994, 77% of Canadian adults reported that they had consulted a physician at least once in the previous year. Fifty-five percent reported having visited a dentist, 35% an eye specialist, and 27% had seen other types of health specialists.
Canadian governments spent an estimated $48 billion on health care in 1993-94. This means a total of almost $1700 was spent on health services for each Canadian. This placed Canada as second in the world to the United States in terms of health care expenditures (but first, in "per capita"). Canada also has an extensive social security network including old age pension, family allowance, unemployment insurance and welfare.
Canada has the cheapest internet access on the earth
And, of course, the most important reason:
- Homer eats food associated with Canada all the time. Such items would include donuts, maple syrup, a glass of maple syrup for breakfast (is he trying to kill himself?), beer and bacon. In fact, his two favourite edible items are beer and donuts.
- Homer is named after Matt Groening's dad who is in fact a Canadian, being born in Winnepeg and all.
- When people from Winnepeg heard that, they made a festival of sorts for him, making him an honourary citizen.
- At the Montreal Comedy Festival, it was officialy made public... Matt Groening admitted it... Homer Simpson is a CANADIAN
www.canadaka.com
