Welcome to MQM

Canada is the largest country in land size in the western hemisphere with a population of only 31 million people. For seven consecutive years, the United Nations has ranked Canada the best country in the world in which to live. Its form of government can be characterized as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. It comprises of 10 provinces and 3 territories, with Toronto (3.8); Montreal (3.1) and Vancouver (1.6) being the largest cities.

Canada is a young and dynamic country where immigration is the foundation for economic growth and which brings people, customs and traditions, rituals and culture to the forefront of current Government policy.

As Canadian permanent residents you and your family can share with Canadians and take part in the continued building of one of the world's most successful economic alliances involving Canada and the United States of America, its neighbor to the south. Indeed, Canada's esteemed stature is reflected in its being a member of the prestigious economic Group of Seven and its reputation as a respected participant in world affairs.

Canada is a land of opportunity and abounds with economic prosperity, sound and affordable education options, world renown health care and retirement schemes, an abundance of land, clean air and fresh water supplies, all providing for a safe and secure environment.

Population 3rd quarter 2002	31,413,990
Unemployment rate April 2002	7.6 %
Inflation rate August 2002	2.6 %
Real GDP June 2002, % change	0.1 %
Exports 2nd quarter 2002, % change	0.4 %
Imports 2nd quarter 2002, % change	4.0 %
Exchange rate August 2002 - $CAN buys US$	0.6378
Prime interest rate August 2002	4.50 %
Federal debt 2001 - $ millions	547,378
Last modified: 2002-09-26 Source: Statistics Canada

The breathtaking views, abundant natural resources, and skilled workforce make Alberta an excellent place to work, live and do business. Albertans are confident, enthusiastic entrepreneurs whose goods and services have gained an international reputation for excellence. The pioneer spirit -- rooted in the hearts of Alberta's earliest residents -- lives on.

- Population: 2,696,826 (1996 census, Statistics Canada) 80% urban; 20% rural

- Transportation: 186,150 km of highways and roads, of which 31,000 km are paved. 9,270 km of operated mainline railroad track

- Telephone Area Codes: 780 in the northern part of the province, 403 in the south

- Time Zone: Mountain Time (two hours behind Toronto or New York; one hour ahead of Vancouver, Seattle or Los Angeles; seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT); and six hours behind GMT during Daylight Savings Time)

- Origin: Alberta was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. When it was named, Alberta was one of four provisional districts of the North-West Territories, and included only part of the present province with the same name.

For more information, please visit http://www.gov.ab.ca

British Columbia is Canada's gateway to the Asia-Pacific and is economically and geographically part of the northwest region of North America. B.C.'s total land and freshwater area is 95 million hectares, larger than France and Germany combined. Only 30 countries are larger. British Columbia occupies about 10 per cent of Canada's land surface. Vancouver is B.C.'s biggest city.

B.C.'s population was 4.096 million people, as of July 2001. British Columbia is home to people of many different origins, cultural traditions, languages, ethnicities, and religions. B.C.'s aboriginal people are known as First Nations. There are 197 First Nations bands in the province, such as the Gitxsan, Haida, Nisga'a and Squamish. The top 10 languages spoken by British Columbians are: English, Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin), Punjabi, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Tagalog, Spanish and Japanese. (source: 1996 Census) Each year, approximately 35,000 immigrants from around the world arrive in B.C.

B.C. is now among the top three film and TV production centers in the world, after Los Angeles and New York.

The population of Manitoba is 1,113,898 . The capital city is Winnipeg which has population of 667,209.
Manitoba's stable and diverse economy, built on traditional resource sectors and emerging high-technology industries, is the base for a thriving business community. Since we produce more than we consume, trade is a critical element to our success. Since 1990 Manitoba's exports to the world have more than doubled.

Manitoba's central location and time zone allows convenient access to customers and suppliers across the continent. Winnipeg is a natural and ever-growing hub for rail, road and air transportation.From the earliest days of settlement, agriculture has been one of Manitoba's most important industries and sources of income and employment. Wheat continues to be the most important Manitoba crop, accounting for more than 40% of crop production value, followed by canola and flaxseed.

New Brunswick, the largest of Canada's three Maritime provinces, is nestled under Quebec's Gasp�Peninsula and beside the State of Maine. Its northern border also includes the Restigouche River and the Baie des Chaleurs. The eastern boundary is entirely coastal - the Gulf of St Lawrence and Northumberland Strait - and delightfully dotted with warm, sandy beaches...the warmest salt water north of Virginia.

New Brunswick covers 73,440 square kilometres in roughly a rectangle shape about 242 kilometres (150 miles) from east to west and 322 kilometres (200 miles) north to south.

As of July 1, 2000, about 757,000 souls are proud to call New Brunswick home, and most of them live along the coasts and in the river valleys. Based on 1996 census results, about 33 per cent of them are French-speaking, and New Brunswick is Canada's only official bilingual province. Saint John is the province's oldest and largest city with a population of 72,494.

New Brunswick is blessed with a variety of rich mineral deposits. Mineral exploration and mining play a significant role in the provincial economy. During the last three years, the value of mineral production has varied from $ 857 million to over $ 953 million. The industry directly employed over 3,500 people. With more than 50 species of fish and shellfish harvested each year, commercial fishing is a major New Brunswick industry.

Agriculture is as important to New Brunswick's economy as its traditional family values are to its social fabric. Potatoes, dairy products, eggs and poultry account for over 60 per cent of all New Brunswick's farm income, which runs around $370 million a year.

Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's most easterly province and its newest having joined Confederation in 1949. 405,720 km² - more than three times the total area of the Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island).

Newfoundland and Labrador would rank fourth in size behind Alaska, Texas and California...if it were one of the United States. It is almost one and three quarters times the size of Great Britain.

St.John is the capital city of the province. The population of the province on July 1, 2001 was estimated to be 533,761. Employment has been rising in recent years and in 2001 reached a record 211,300. The unemployment rate has been declining and averaged 16.1 per cent for 2001.

Export growth has been the main factor in this expansion. Crude and refined oil, fish products, newsprint, iron ore and electricity account for most exported goods.

The population of the province on July 1, 2001 was 942,691. In 2001 the province comprised 3.0% of the total Canadian population. Personal income per Capital $23,787. Minimum wage effective Oct. 1, 2001 are $ 5.80/hr (experienced) and $ 5.35/hr (inexperienced).

Halifax is a modern port city teeming with culture and heritage and the perfect place for your next holiday vacation. The entire Halifax region delights visitors and citizens alike with its impressive array of entertainment, museums, galleries, historic sites, fine restaurants, colorful gardens and lively nightlife.

Ontario is centrally located in Canada, situated between the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec. Ontario is almost the exact center of North America, and is a neighbor to the American states of New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Ontario is Canada�s second largest province, covering more than one million square kilometers (415,0000 square miles) � an area larger than France and Spain combined. There are over 250,000 lakes in Ontario -- they make up about one-third of the world�s fresh water. In summer, temperatures can soar above 30�C (86�F), while in winter they can drop to below -13�C (9�F).

Ontario is Canada�s most populous province, with 12.0 million residents. It also has the largest economy in Canada with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accounting for over 41 per cent of Canada�s. With a large and diverse economic base, Ontario has strength across a range of sectors. It is rich in natural resources and has the greatest concentration of manufacturing, financial, and business services in Canada. Ontario is a significant exporter. Ontario�s leading exports are autos and auto parts, machinery, electrical products, metals, and pulp and paper. Its biggest trading partner is the United States. More than 90 per cent of Ontario�s exports are sent to the United States. In fact, Ontario is the third-largest trading partner with USA, after Canada and Japan. Ontario's industries range from cultivating crops, to mining minerals, to manufacturing automobiles, to designing software and leading-edge technology.