Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US

Capital: Ottawa

Population: 33,212,696 (July 2008 est.)

Language: English and French are recognised by the Constitution of Canada as "official languages," which means that all laws of the federal government are enacted in both English and French and that federal government services are required to be available in both languages.

Lifestyle & Aspirations
Canada has one of the most highly educated societies in the world with a very high level of tertiary education. Canadians enjoy affluent living standards and the country ranks sixth in the world in standard of living measured according to gross domestic profit per capita, and is rated higher in this list when measured along with other factors like life expectancy and education which contribute to quality of life. Basic health care (except for dental care) is free. Canada has a broad social security network, which includes old age pensions, a family allowance, unemployment insurance and welfare.
Canadians households are well-stocked with the latest electronic equipment and other luxuries familiar in Western economies. Standards of living are, however, more modest than in the United States due to lower incomes and high rates of taxation. Many Canadians leave Canada to work in the United States to seek greater earnings and career advancement. Canadians work fewer weeks per annum than Americans. Outdoor pursuits are popular on weekends and on holidays. Many children spend some weeks a year of their summer break in camp.
Despite the national love of sports and the great outdoors, obesity is a serious health issue in Canada.
Canadians are great sports fans. The most famed national game is hockey (called simply hockey, not ice hockey) which is played with gusto. From September to June the nation is transfixed by the sport and the Canadian team regularly win medals at the Olympics. Lacrosse is also a national passion. Other sports include a Canadian version of American football, curling, skiing, cycling, hiking and fishing.
The Canadian Aboriginal populations, like many elsewhere, suffered centuries of mistreatment which has been addressed in more recent times through legislation. However, many Aboriginal people are still disadvantaged in comparison to other Canadians. Large numbers have fled to the cities and live in underprivileged conditions. Suicide rates are higher than average in this group and their life expectancy is lower.

The Essentials (10 Key Tips)
1. Maintain a friendly but polite attitude. In general terms, Canadians are slightly reserved.
2. Make sure you are well informed and knowledgeable about the details of your proposals. Thoroughness is valued, evasive answers are not. Expect a polite, but probing debate.
3. Be careful to avoid inflated statements about your company or your products. Discussion and demeanor in meetings should be calm and measured.
4. Be aware that Canadians are tolerant and reasonable and will expect and admire these attributes in others.
5. Avoid making any statement that conveys the idea that Canadians are just like Americans, as this is likely to cause a strong reaction.
6. Always be approachable and accessible, and do what you say you do.
7. Always be punctual for meetings. Canadians are pragmatic and do not like to waste time unnecessarily.
8. Make sure to translate your business materials into French in French-speaking areas.
9. Show great respect for diversity. Canada is one of the world's most multicultural countries.
10. Recognise that a person's authority in Canada is related to his or her position and responsibility, not name, social status, class, or gender.

Working with the Canadians
Be prepared to encounter objective, unemotional thinkers and people who are calm and tolerant but who are competitive and who believe in achievement gained through merit. A well-informed people, Canadians are open to reasonable dialogue and will not be afraid to engage in spirited arguments as to the relative merits of a subject and will not respond well to what they believe is undue `hype'. Little attention is paid to feelings or exaggerated or overblown behaviour or expansive gestures, although French Canadians may be more excitable or volatile than their English-speaking countrymen.
Canadians are known as being low-key, honest and modest and pride themselves on being more understated and more measured than their neighbours in the United States. They are methodical in their habits, moderate and conservative in their views. Proud of their multicultural heritage, they are egalitarian in their approach and beliefs. Although they enjoy the rewards of success, they are usually not pretentious and ostentatious displays of wealth are not admired.
Canadians are well-informed about international affairs and will expect visitors to have some knowledge of their country - its physical characteristics, history and politics. They do not appreciate being mistaken for Americans.

Making a Good Impression
Canadians are normally punctual and reliable, and will expect others to be the same. Tolerance and reasonableness are marked national characteristics and Canadians are also largely traditional and understated in manner. They respond well to a relaxed but respectful demeanor and do not appreciate pushy or boastful behavior.
Although Canadians relish argument, they are courteous and aggressive behaviour will normally be frowned upon. They have a good sense of humour and admire it in others.
Canada enjoys good social and business relations with America, with which it shares a vast border, but Canadians are proud of their country and of their distinctive characteristics as a people. They prefer not to be taken for Americans and will respect someone who has taken the time to know the differences between the two countries and their people, and who have learnt something about their country.
Canadians are pragmatic and do not like to waste time. Although they will appreciate someone who takes the time to get to know them, they will expect meetings and negotiations to lead somewhere and to achieve something. They are direct and egalitarian and, living in one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, expect others to be mindful and respectful of cultural and ethnic differences. Although they are good at listening to others, they value honest debate.
When working the French speaking parts of the country, an effort to speak some French, if possible, will gain respect as will proper preparation for the use of interpreters and translations and a regard for French Canadians and traditions.

Business Etiquette
Greeting people with a smile and a handshake is usual. Men usually wait for women to offer their hand before shaking hands with them. The normal forms of address when meeting people in Britain, Australia and the United States are used in Canada too including `Good Morning', `Hi', `Hello', or the more informal, `How are you?'.
Very intense eye contact is not usual, nor is standing very close to another person. Canadians are very tolerant and respectful but they are moderate in behaviour and effusive displays of affection or emotion should be avoided.
Since Canada is officially bilingual, it is advisable to have English and French translations on business cards. Canadians do not always exchange business cards immediately when being introduced to new business associates.
Visitors should know in advance with whom they are meeting, their name, position and title. A knowledge of Canada, its history and traditions will make a good impression as Canadians are well-educated and have a high level of world awareness. Understanding - though not pointing out - the distinction between Canadians and Americans is advisable. Awareness of and respect for other cultures is appropriate as Canada is a markedly multicultural society.
The Canadian communication style is calm and direct. Canadians are egalitarian and democratic, and will not take well to displays of authoritarian or overbearing behaviour in others. They are good listeners but visitors should be prepared for and welcome debate; students are encouraged to question things from an early age.
Gifts can be presented on arrival at business or private functions and will normally be unwrapped immediately and appreciation shown. Something from a visitor's home country will be appropriate and welcome. Other acceptable gifts include wine or liquor, flowers and chocolates. Items of clothing or jewellery may be considered too personal. A gift for any private host's children will be especially appreciated but should be carefully chosen.

Business Meeting Culture
Before a meeting
When planning a meeting with Canadians, expect them to be on time. Be prepared to have any material which needs to be in French translated and to have an interpreter booked if one is needed. It is best to check this in advance. Have material and data needed for a meeting prepared, too - Canadians are objective and analytical and will expect business associates to be well organised. Be clear as to what the goal of the meeting is and go into the meeting with a view to setting an action plan.

During a meeting
Canadians are open and hospitable, and meetings may begin with an exchange of pleasantries, although very personal subjects should be avoided unless the participants know each other well. After that, expect negotiations and meetings to be dealt with efficiently and with reasonable dispatch. It is not unusual for those making pitches to be asked questions from all members of a management team - old or young. In common with Canada's spirit of egalitarianism, one person may be substituted for another in discussions in meetings. Although Canadians are relaxed and calm in manner, they are traditional in their values and appreciate attentive and considerate behaviour. Avoid making calls on mobile phones or otherwise interrupting meetings unless you have indicated, for instance, that you may have to take an urgent call.

Following a Meeting
There is no need to end discussions abruptly after meetings have ended. Be prepared to stay a while afterwards to demonstrate that the business - and the relationship - is important to you. Follow up any matters which need to be dealt with promptly and do not exert undue pressure for any decisions; although efficient, Canadians will have to confer and give due consideration to company policy.
When a meeting is over, set an action plan and circulate it to all attendees.

Motivating Others
Canadians are motivated by money as much as anybody else is, although they are not such obvious and conspicuous consumers as Americans. Many large and medium-sized companies run highly sophisticated employee incentive schemes, with management retreats in exotic or challenging locations, travel incentive programmes, off-sites, or cash bonuses. Overseas travel and outward-bound challenges or wilderness retreats for bonding are both popular. Incentive schemes for clients and suppliers are popular, too.
But motivating a Canadian team is more complex than this. Canadians are encouraged by a good quality of life. Given that many Canadian cities are often rated in lifestyle surveys as the best places in the world to live, workers expect a chance to enjoy their surroundings and will not be worked into the ground for money.
Canadians also appreciate a fair and reasonable manager; the freedom to make decisions; and a tolerant, multicultural atmosphere in which individuality can be expressed, rather than absorbed into the group. They tend to be quiet achievers rather than indulging in noisy, self-congratulatory celebrations. They appreciate humour and debate and will accept compromise. They are also generous and hospitable and will be motivated by the same qualities in others.

Effective Presentations
Presenters should find out in advance whether their audience will be English or French speaking and whether audio-visual material will need to be in both languages. Given the great diversity of Canadian society, the audience may include people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds which should be borne in mind particularly if, for example, you are presenting to a group of Japanese origin.
When presenting it is advisable to mirror the attitudes and behavioral traditions of Canadians: they are open and friendly, pragmatic and generally not flamboyant but understated. They are not time-wasters so verbosity, rhetoric or very aggressive pitches will not be appreciated. Statements made and facts presented should be able to be substantiated with reliable data and expert evidence.
Audience expectations
Canada is one of the most educated societies in the world so presenters will be expected to be well prepared and informed about the relevant subject. Do not underestimate the intelligence or level of knowledge of your audience and expect to be questioned by people from all levels of seniority.
Emotional arguments will not impress. Canadians are good listeners and will not readily interrupt but will not be afraid to question claims and engage in debate. They are also not afraid to say `no'.
Decisions will be made after deliberation and with reference to company policy, but Canadians are not likely to waste time in coming to a conclusion so lengthy delays should not be expected.

Managing Relationships
Managing relationships with Canadians is relatively straightforward as they are by nature open, friendly, flexible and hard-working. As one of the most multicultural societies in the world. Canada's business community easily absorbs executives from overseas and provided cultural sensitivity is observed, a manager from just about anywhere in the world should be able to function well within a Canadian team.
In any relationship, it's important to behave in a calm, professional manner, and to keep things low-key, friendly, polite and upfront. Canadians will compromise for a win-win outcome, after frank and open debate, rather than trying to grind the other side down to score points.
Compared to Americans and the British, Canadians have developed a slower pace and more cautious approach to life and work, as well as a greater emphasis on organisation and detail. Working within the given parameters, as opposed to outside the box, is more the Canadian style. They are not huge risk-takers. They are flexible and adaptable but do not like things to be over-complicated. A lot of emphasis is placed on professionalism and efficiency, and in dealings with Canadians, expect a swift action plan once negotiations are complete.