What is Canada's Performance?
Canada's Performance 2003 presents data on 20 societal indicators
that reflect a balance of social, economic, and environmental interests. These
indicators have been grouped according to four main themes: economic
opportunities and innovation in Canada, the health of Canadians, the Canadian
environment, and the strength and safety of Canadian communities.
Canada's Performance 2003 also gives the reader access to the
planning and performance information of the government of Canada's programs
related to each of theses areas.
Twenty societal indicators, by theme
Economic opportunities and innovation in Canada
- real gross domestic product per capita
- real disposable income per capita
- innovation
- employment
- literacy
- educational attainment
The health of Canadians
- life expectancy
- self-rated health status
- infant mortality
- healthy lifestyles*
The Canadian environment
- climate change
- air quality
- water quality
- biodiversity
- toxic substances in the environment
The strength and safety of Canadian communities
- volunteerism
- attitudes toward diversity
- cultural participation
- political participation
- safety and security
* This indicator has been broadened from last year's report to include
body mass index as well as physical activity, which was the indicator last
year.
This is a new indicator.
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Economic Opportunities and Innovation in Canada
Legend
Improving performance
No definitive trend noted at this time*
Declining performance
Trend
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Indicator
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Performance Highlights
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Real Gross Domestic Product per Capita
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Following the economic slowdown of 2001, growth in Canada rebounded
strongly with real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth of 2.31%
in 2002.
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Real Disposable Income per Capita
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After declining in the first half of the 1990s, real disposable income
per capita has increased at an average rate of 2.0% per year since 1997,
reflecting strong employment growth and cuts in personal taxes.
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Innovation
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A preliminary estimate of Canada's gross expenditure on research and
development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP was 1.85% for 2002. While this
represents a decrease from 1.91% in 2001, the GERD had been steadily
increasing since 1996 when it was 1.65%.
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Employment
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The average employment rate increased from 58.5% in 1996 to 62.5% in
2002. There are substantial variations, however, in the unemployment rates
of the provinces. The Atlantic provinces and Quebec continue to have
substantially higher unemployment rates than the Canadian average.
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Literacy
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The data from the first International Adult Literacy Survey
(IALS), conducted in 1994, indicates that over 40.0% of Canadians aged 16
and above function below "Level 3," the minimum desirable level,
which corresponds roughly to high school completion.
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Educational Attainment
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In the last decade, the proportion of Canadians with a college or
university degree increased. In 2001, 61.0% of all Canadians aged 25 to 34
had at least some education beyond high school. This is a marked increase
over a decade earlier when only 49.0% of people in that age category had
any post-secondary education.
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* This is due to either a lack of trend data or multiple measures with
opposing trends.
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Performance Information
Many federal organizations work to improve economic opportunities and
innovation in Canada.
The various organizations involved work together toward shared goals. In the
realm of the economy, for instance, these organizations work together to provide
Canadians with
- an effective regulatory regime;
- regional economic growth;
- sound and secure trade and financial systems;
- a competitive economy;
- effective partnerships among economic stakeholders;
- a fair and competitive marketplace;
- an innovative, knowledge-based economy;
- equitable income distribution; and
- a fair share of international markets.
Visit our Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/krc/so-rs_e.asp
to obtain more details on planned activities, expenditures and performance
information in these areas.
The Health of Canadians
Legend
Improving performance
No definitive trend noted at this time*
Declining performance
Trend
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Indicator
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Performance Highlights
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Life Expectancy
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Life expectancy at birth has steadily increased from 77.6 years in 1990
to nearly 79.4 in 2000 (76.7 for men and 82.0 for women). Life expectancy
at birth of First Nations on reserve also increased in the last decade.
Recent data from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada indicate that a gap of
approximately 6.1 years for men and 6.6 years for women remains, however.
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Self-rated Health Status
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The percentage of Canadians aged 12 and older who rated their own
health as very good or excellent has decreased from 63.1% in 1994-95 to
62.1% in 2000-01. Furthermore, health status is not evenly distributed
across Canada's communities. In 2000-01, 23.1% of Aboriginal people
(living off reserves) rated their health as either fair or poor, a level
1.9 times higher than for the non-Aboriginal population.
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Infant Mortality
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In the last decade, the infant mortality rate has steadily decreased
from 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 5.3 per 1,000 in 2000.
Although declining, the infant mortality rate for First Nations on reserve
continues to be higher than the Canadian rate at 8 deaths per 1,000 live
births.
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Healthy Lifestyles
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Although the proportion of Canadians aged 12 and over who are active in
their leisure time has grown from 39.4% in 1994-95 to about 42.6% in
2000-01, the proportion of Canadians who are considered obese has also
increased. The number of obese Canadians aged 20 to 64 grew from 13.2% to
14.9%.
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* This is due to either a lack of trend data or multiple measures with
opposing trends.
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Performance Information
Many federal organizations work to improve the health of Canadians.
The various organizations involved work together toward shared goals. In the
realm of health, for instance, these organizations work together to provide
Canadians with
- information on healthy lifestyles;
- accessible, high-quality health care system;
- protection from preventable risks; and
- health care policies that reflect Canadian values.
Visit our Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/krc/so-rs_e.asp
to obtain more details on planned activities, expenditures and performance
information in these areas.
The Canadian Environment
Legend
Improving performance
No definitive trend noted at this time*
Declining performance
Trend
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Indicator
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Performance Highlights
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Climate Change
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Despite a slight decrease (1.3%) between 2000 and 2001, Canadian
greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 18.5% since 1990.
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Air Quality
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Levels of several air pollutants are dropping. From 1990 to 2000,
decreases have been observed in the yearly average concentration of
sulphur and nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and total suspended
particulates in Canada. Levels of ground-level ozone, however, have not
changed significantly.
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Water Quality
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Waste water treatment from municipal systems has shown continuous
improvement. The percentage of the municipal population on sewers
receiving secondary or tertiary treatment increased from 56.0% in 1983 to
78.0% in 1999. Despite these improvements, challenges remain in many rural
and coastal communities.
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Biodiversity
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During the period from 1985 to 2002, the status of most reassessed
species considered at risk remained unchanged, and the status of a quarter
of the reassessed species deteriorated.
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Toxic Substances in the Environment
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Data allowing the consistent comparison of on-site releases between
1995 and 2000 are available for 15 toxic substances. Of these 15, on-site
releases have decreased for 7, decreased ittle for 3, and increased for 5.
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* This is due to either a lack of trend data or multiple measures with
opposing trends.
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Performance Information
Many federal organizations work to improve the Canadian environment.
The various organizations involved work together toward shared goals. In the
realm of the environment, for instance, these organizations work together to
provide Canadians with
- a Canadian biodiversity that is conserved;
- a pollution-free environment;
- sound environmental decisions; and
- sustainable natural resources.
Visit our Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/krc/so-rs_e.asp
to obtain more details on planned activities, expenditures and performance
information in these areas.
The Strength and Safety of Canadian Communities
Legend
Improving performance
No definitive trend noted at this time*
Declining performance
Trend
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Indicator
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Performance Highlights
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Volunteerism
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In 2000, 27.0% of Canadians volunteered 1.05 billion hours of work in
Canada, representing a decrease of 13.0% from 1997.
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Attitudes Toward Diversity
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A 2002 survey by Environics Research Group found that 80.0% of
Canadians feel the preservation of the multicultural heritage of Canadians
enhances the value of Canadian citizenship, while 77.0% feel that it also
promotes the sharing of common values. Concerning linguistic duality, a
2003 survey found that 63.0 per cent of Canadians favour the development
of bilingualism (English and French).
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Participation in Cultural Activities
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From 1992 to 1998, cultural participation among the Canadian population
aged 15 and over was declining in some areas and was on the upswing in
other areas. For instance, movie-going was up from 48.6% to 59.1% and
concert and performance attendance rose from 23.7% in 1992 to 34.6% in
1998. However, attendance figures decreased at performances of live
theatre (down 4.0%), popular music (down 4.1%), and symphonic music (down
4.0%).
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Political Participation
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Canadian political participation is in decline. Federal voter turnout
rates have declined from 69.6% in 1993 to 61.2% in 2000, the lowest of any
post-war election.
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Safety and Security
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The overall police-reported crime rate remained virtually unchanged in
2002 (-0.6%) The national crime rate, which has been on a downward trend
for a decade, was 27.0 per cent below its peak in 1991.
Further, the proportion of the Canadian population that feels safe
within their communities has increased. According to the 2000 International
Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS), 83.0% of Canadians indicated that
they feel safe walking alone after dark in their neighbourhoods, up from
74.0% in 1996.
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* This is due to either a lack of trend data or multiple measures with
opposing trends.
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Performance Information
Many federal organizations work to improve the strength and safety of
Canadian communities.
The various organizations involved work together toward shared goals. In the
realm of communities, for instance, these organizations work together to provide
Canadians with
- security from organized criminal and terrorist threats;
- safe communities;
- a Canadian culture and heritage that is preserved and internationally
recognized;
- diversity as a fundamental Canadian value;
- a fair Canadian justice system;
- a vibrant civic society;
- a society that upholds human rights and equality as fundamental
principles;
- strong and self-sufficient First Nations, Inuit, and Northern communities;
and
- a visible presence in the international community.
Visit our Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/krc/so-rs_e.asp
to obtain more details on planned activities, expenditures and performance
information in these areas.
How to Get More Information
If you would like further information or would like to make comments on or
suggestions regarding Canada's Performance 2003, please contact
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Results-based Management Directorate
300 Laurier Avenue West
9th Floor, West Tower
Ottawa ON K1A 0R5
Telephone: (613) 957-7183
Facsimile: (613) 957-7044
E-mail: rma-mrr@tbs-sct.gc.ca
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