Quality of Life Rankings
We may be boringly predictable, but we enjoy being that way. It's so often been said that Canadians are blase and at the same time quietly humble about ourselves. We distinguish ourselves from our close geographical neighbours by being the opposite of what they are; Americans are brash and rash and Canadians are uncertain and courteous. Canadians take umbrage at the notion we might be too much like Americans.
Yet where do Canadian entertainers go to make the big time? And where do Canadian entrepreneurs and manufacturers hope to make their big break-through if not the American marketplace? Neat stuff usually happens in the U.S., and gradually makes its way through to Canada in a kind of slop-over effect. Whatever happens in America, echoes in Canada.
Canada has more secure social programs, including and high-lighting our foremost example of socially progressive national institutions, a public health-care insurance protocol that leaves no uninsured Canadian behind; universally accessible health care. Our education system is second to none. And Canadian entrepreneurial talent, and scientific findings are rated top-notch.
So little wonder that when the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development conducted their quality of life study among industrialized countries, Canada stood out as number 2. Outpaced by Australia, but not by much. And what differentiated the number one from the number two standing was voter turnout. Somewhat weighted in Australia's favour because there voting is mandated by law.
According to the Better Life Initiative survey by the OECD, Canada scored at or near the heights in areas like housing, education, health and life satisfaction. Among the 34 major industrialized countries that represent the membership of the OECD, Canada came in second, Australia first, Sweden third, the U.S. seventh, and Turkey right at the tail end.
Fully 78% of Canadians revealed their feeling that life is good in their country, that they are well satisfied with their lot in life. As opposed to the OECD average of 59%; a lower rating was given by Australians, at 75%. Average household income in 2008 Canada was $27,015 as compared to the OECD average of $22,284, with 72% of Canadians 15 to 64 gainfully employed, against 65% in the OECD.
Life expectancy? 80.7 years in Canada, compared to the average of 79% in most industrialized countries, with Australians coming in at 81.5 years, and Japan at 82.7 years. And then, the bad news, albeit from another source. Canada represents the sole G7 country whose enforcement of an international accord whose purpose it is to stop bribery of public officials, is absolutely nil.
No effort whatever expended in that area by the federal government. The OECD's Anti-Bribery Convention is taken seriously by most other industrialized countries and certainly within the G7. The United States, Britain, Italy and Germany, among seven jurisdictions are recognized by Transparency International as providing "active enforcement" of the convention.
France and Japan are represented among nine countries whose commitment is one of "moderate enforcement". Canada stands alone in its laissez-faire attitude of failing to prevent corporate interests from bribing government officials with a view to influencing decisions. Plenty of room for improvement there, from zip to getting on with it.
Yet where do Canadian entertainers go to make the big time? And where do Canadian entrepreneurs and manufacturers hope to make their big break-through if not the American marketplace? Neat stuff usually happens in the U.S., and gradually makes its way through to Canada in a kind of slop-over effect. Whatever happens in America, echoes in Canada.
Canada has more secure social programs, including and high-lighting our foremost example of socially progressive national institutions, a public health-care insurance protocol that leaves no uninsured Canadian behind; universally accessible health care. Our education system is second to none. And Canadian entrepreneurial talent, and scientific findings are rated top-notch.
So little wonder that when the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development conducted their quality of life study among industrialized countries, Canada stood out as number 2. Outpaced by Australia, but not by much. And what differentiated the number one from the number two standing was voter turnout. Somewhat weighted in Australia's favour because there voting is mandated by law.
According to the Better Life Initiative survey by the OECD, Canada scored at or near the heights in areas like housing, education, health and life satisfaction. Among the 34 major industrialized countries that represent the membership of the OECD, Canada came in second, Australia first, Sweden third, the U.S. seventh, and Turkey right at the tail end.
Fully 78% of Canadians revealed their feeling that life is good in their country, that they are well satisfied with their lot in life. As opposed to the OECD average of 59%; a lower rating was given by Australians, at 75%. Average household income in 2008 Canada was $27,015 as compared to the OECD average of $22,284, with 72% of Canadians 15 to 64 gainfully employed, against 65% in the OECD.
Life expectancy? 80.7 years in Canada, compared to the average of 79% in most industrialized countries, with Australians coming in at 81.5 years, and Japan at 82.7 years. And then, the bad news, albeit from another source. Canada represents the sole G7 country whose enforcement of an international accord whose purpose it is to stop bribery of public officials, is absolutely nil.
No effort whatever expended in that area by the federal government. The OECD's Anti-Bribery Convention is taken seriously by most other industrialized countries and certainly within the G7. The United States, Britain, Italy and Germany, among seven jurisdictions are recognized by Transparency International as providing "active enforcement" of the convention.
France and Japan are represented among nine countries whose commitment is one of "moderate enforcement". Canada stands alone in its laissez-faire attitude of failing to prevent corporate interests from bribing government officials with a view to influencing decisions. Plenty of room for improvement there, from zip to getting on with it.
posted by Pieface | 7:27 PM
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