Abstract This is a financial report on Budd Canada, Inc, a company in the business of supplying automotive components, specializing in the production of bumpers, chassis components and light truck frames. It is the writer's recommendation that a banking institution does not consider Budd to be a viable investment risk at this time as it has had a ten year history of increasing sales coupled with even greater decreasing profits. This paper shows how the company's position in the market is precarious.
From the Paper ?This general industry trends also touched Budd Canada. The Corporation reported a $94.2 million dollar net loss as of September 30, 2001. Budd had mixed results this year due to the need to ramp-up production on its new state-of-the-art system in order to meet customer demand. Typically, the introduction of new equipment produces a negative financial effect initially. The 2001 losses were anticipated however early losses were greater than anticipated and a new management team was put into place. Traditional product lines declined, as order shifted to newer product lines. The Budd Company is substantially dependent upon two major customers. These two customers account for 99% of sales and 99% of the accounts receivable balance.?
Abstract This is an investigation of the attitudes and debates surrounding free trade with the United States on the Canadian side of the border during the period of 1985 to 2000. The author examines the reasons for free trade and the events that led up to the entry into agreements as well as the hopes, fears and results of free trade between the two countries with focus on Canadian fears.
From the Paper "There are 8,893km of virtually unprotected border between Canada and the United States; the longest in the world. With over 100 years of peaceful coexistence and general friendship, it is also one of the world's most peaceful borders. It comes as no surprise then that the cultures and histories of both countries are so intertwined or, to take the more cynical view ? that Canada's culture and history are disproportionately intertwined with that of the United States. Whatever position taken, the phenomena exists and as a result of this closeness have arisen more practical issues ? such as concerns dealing with the environment, mutual defense and trade."
Abstract Canada is internationally recognized as a culturally diverse nation that emphasizes the concept of "The Mosaic". No other country in the world encompasses inhabitants from so many different backgrounds who exhibit strong loyalty towards Canada, while still preserving their cultural heritage. This is contrasted to the American ideal of the "Melting Pot", which attempts to shape all of their citizens into a set mold. Canada's philosophy is believed to be more effective and respectful than that which is possessed by our American neighbours. The following discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, and analyzes the impact of the structures on each country's society.
From the Paper "Canada is world renown for being one of the most tolerant, welcoming, and democratic countries in the world - a dynamic mosaic of multiculturalism where people live and work together in harmony. Over the past 150 years, more than 14 million people have immigrated to Canada, with 16% of the 30 million citizens being first-generation immigrants. The Government of Canada is committed to a policy of diversity designed to preserve and enhance the multicultural heritage of Canadians, while striving to achieve equality in the economic, social, cultural and political aspects of Canada. In 1991, the Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship conducted a survey, which revealed high levels of Canadian values and identity. Six out of ten interviewees portrayed a "deep emotional attachment to Canada" and 95% believe they can be proud of being a citizen and of their ancestry simultaneously. As a nation, Canada is continually becoming more diverse in its practices, which requires residents to expand their knowledge and appreciate other cultures."
This paper discusses NAFTA, which established a free-trade zone in North America and was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It took effect on Jan. 1, 1994.
Abstract This paper explains that NAFTA immediately removed tariffs on the majority of goods produced by the participating nations and set forth a plan for the gradual elimination, over a period of 15 years, of most remaining barriers to cross-border investment and to the movement of goods and services among the three countries. The author points out that, unlike the United States, Mexico's border communities have benefited from NAFTA, growing almost 10 times as fast as states in Mexico's south, while absorbing the lion's share of foreign investments. The paper concludes that calling NAFTA a "trade" agreement is misleading; NAFTA is actually an investment agreement because its core provisions grant foreign investors a solid set of new rights and privileges that promote relocation abroad of factories and jobs and the privatization and deregulation of essential services, including water, energy, and health care.
From the Paper "In 2000, California's exports to Mexico totaled $14.4 billion, an increase of nearly 18 percent over the previous year, and Texas' shipments grew 5.5 percent to a total of $24.6 billion, according to Commerce Department figures (Lewis, 2004). Meanwhile, the United States continues to lure Mexican workers, many of whom came from rural communities when Mexico opened its markets to subsidized U.S. agricultural goods."
Abstract This paper argues that it is time to re-think the homework debate and focus our attention on how educators can make homework a more valued part of the learning process. With all of its potential positive outcomes, educators must find ways to make homework an interesting and challenging educational experience for students. The paper includes graphs and tables. It takes on a Canadian perspective.
Paper Outline:
Defining Homework (including types)
Arguments for Homework
Arguments against Homework
Designing Quality Homework Programs
Works Cited
From the Paper "If teachers are not careful when assigning homework the effects can become detrimental to both students? learning and their attitudes towards education. Some of the main arguments against homework are as follows: Students don?t get enough sleep; they are tired the next day of school, becoming stressed and anxious about their education (Caston & Penrose, 2003). Secondly, homework limits the time that students can spend with their family and friends, and the time parents do spend doing homework with their children can result in tension and fights. Asking children to sit down and do homework at an early age may be developmentally inappropriate and therefore counterproductive."
Abstract This paper argues that capital punishment should never be reinstated in Canada, because too many innocent people have been hanged due to common human error, because capital punishment is uncivilized punishment, and because capital punishment does nothing to deter citizens from committing crimes.
Tags: incarceration, penalties, prison, punishment, sentencing, human, rights
Abstract A paper that shows that in a world of expanding business and human mobility there is an increasing prevalence of corporations extending internationally, resulting in many political and social implications. The author finds that although conventionally, one would join a lobby firm in order to influence government policy through bureaucratic channels; in light of growing corporate globalization, one can argue that these conventional channels are no longer able to reflect the demands and interests of the general population. He finds that although lobby firms possess substantial resources in lobbying government, it is in the flexible structure of informal grassroots organizations that people will be able to influence policy in a globalized world. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of transnational networks in influencing policy by highlighting the insufficiencies of lobby firms, outlining the characteristics of social movements that make them effective, and illustrating the application of these tactics in specific campaigns. Ultimately, it is in these informal movements that the demands of the general public will be heard. The paper focuses on Canada's experience.
From the Paper "Ultimately, in a world increasingly dominated by multinational corporations, the future of public interests lies in the methods of grassroots organizations. Lobby firms have become ineffective in representing interests of the public, as they are now puppets of the big business interests who hire them. Likewise, governments have ceased to become the focus of policy change, as they too, have subordinated themselves to the interests of multinational corporations. Thus, it is in the flexible and adaptive structures of grassroots lobbying that Canadian voices and interests will be heard in the global arena. The reality that the strength of corporations in this arena is indubitable; yet, it is in the mobilization of collective action from grassroots organizations that will keep these corporations in check and ensure global social justice."
Tags: gatt, greenpeace, mai, movements, multinational, shell, social, wto
Abstract This paper discusses the impact that NAFTA has had on the Canadian economy. Through examples of the role that NAFTA has played it is seen that this impact has been largely positive. Areas examined include NAFTA's role in mediating between the U.S. and Canada and increased employment through an increase in trade opportunity, among others. Arguments defending the role of NAFTA against criticism it has faced are also presented.
From the Paper "Canada and the United States have had a long-standing friendship in which the two nations live peacefully side-by-side. The borders are not armed, the residents of each nation have respect for the other and there are many advantages enjoyed by remaining friendly. Just as any two friends will have disagreements from time to time, Canada and the US have also had their share of problems. One of the problems that has occurred from time to time between the two nations deals with the economics of each nation. NAFTA, which is a membership group designed to promote and improve trade relations within the member nations is sometimes called in to mediate between Canada and the US. NAFTA has had a positive impact on the Canadian economy overall, but it has not been without its problems for the northernmost country of the North American continent."
Abstract The escaped slaves who fled through the Underground Railroad to Canada hardly found the promised land they might have sought or expected, but their experience in Canada was invariably better than they had had as slaves in the South or as frightened and endangered fugitives in the North. The paper shows that, at its worst, Canada offered a more free and humane life than did the South under the horrors of slavery. Canada itself was never a major player in the slave trade, although slavery was legal in the nation until well into the 19th century. The paper shows that Canada outlawed slavery more than twenty-five years before it was declared illegal in the United States, and its outlawing did not cause the national division it caused in the United States. The paper discusses how the "promised land" of Canada was still marked by racism and resistance to the influx of slaves fleeing the United States. While some blacks returned to the United States after the Civil War and the end of slavery, many remained in Canada and both benefited from the better conditions in that country (even after the end of slavery in the United States) and contributed to the culture and society of their new nation, Canada. The paper includes an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "There is no doubt that a great number of slaves fled to Canada in the hope of finding a better life, which they did indeed find. The greatest period of flight to Canada by slaves was the decade from 1850 to just before the start of the Civil War. For example, the black population of New Brunswick doubled to 1600 in the decade in question, and by 1861 blacks in Nova Scotia made up 2% of the population and Canada West's black population had quadrupled from a decade earlier (St. James 1). Clearly, this is a sign that life in Canada was indeed an improvement over life under slavery in the United States or even over life in the North as runaway slaves. If this had not been the case, and if life were not much better in Canada, news would have reached either the fugitive slaves or their helpers in the Underground Railroad in the United States and immigration to Canada would have ceased or been reduced significantly."
Abstract This paper will argue that "Lives of the Saints" may be seen as a "prequel" of sorts to "Son of a Smaller Hero" in that it explains how the culture of a country of origin can shape the immigrant life in Canada.
Abstract This paper will provide evidence that clearly supports the notion that NAFTA is unhealthy for Canada, economically, politically, and culturally. Parenthetically, it might also be added that it is bad for Mexico and the US as well. In sum, as it stands at present, there is little if anything meritorious about the formal relationship that economically binds the North American continent together. On an informal level, the consequences may even be worse.
Abstract This essay analyzes the text of George Ryga's "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe", then links it to issues of publishing, culture, and aboriginal people in Canada. Examines the significance of this publication in light of the Americanization of Canadian literature.
From the Paper 'The Ecstasy of Rita Joe is a series of scenes linked by Rita's memory and associations; their causal relations become clear only through repetition. This cause and effect is well illustrated by a particular scene set: Rita Joe admits to stealing a sweater in court. Later, at a clothing drive arranged by Mr. Homer, Jaimie Paul explicitly forbids Rita Joe from taking a red sweater she is admiring. This cause and effect relationship gives credence to Rita Joe's actions, as we are shown very simply how and why these things happen. Her eventual rape and murder is foreshadowed throughout the play, as "the murderers" are written several times into the background scenes of the play; they act as unknown menacing objects at times that Rita shows vulnerability. In terms of linking this book to the modern day, it is this part of the story that I found so striking and timely, as the book has foreshadowed the reality of the past few decades in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, recently come to a head."
Abstract This paper examines ways to stop Canadian trash from filling up our Michigan landfills and argues that the Michigan waste disposal companies are not justified in accepting trash from Canada and other states in Michigan landfills. Canadian trash and trash from other states is a major problem facing America's landfills today, and the author of this paper suggests we find new ways of dealing with waste, while finding new areas for landfills before the country's current landfills are exhausted.
From the Paper "Thus, waste from other areas would have to meet strict criteria before it could enter the state, and this would cut down tremendously on the waste coming in from Canada and other areas, leaving our landfills open for our own waste, and not filling them up as quickly. The opposition to the bill comes from landfill owners and waste industry associations, who feel they should be able to accept waste from anywhere. Clearly, the two sides must come to an agreement, and the Senate must find out how the people of Michigan feel about the solid waste from other areas coming into Michigan for disposal."
Abstract This essay examines the events leading up to and including the Red River Rebellion and the effects it has had on Canadian culture as a whole. It is also examined with respect to the role of Louis Riel and the effects it has had on Metis culture and natives.
From the Paper "The Red River Metis? conflicts with other settlers and the Canadian government were largely a result of the existence of a "half-breed" settlement. Historian George Stanley once described Metis people as ?having darker skin than a white person but otherwise quite similar to Europeans. In all respectability, they are like civilized men, not more uneducated, immoral, or disorderly than many communities in the old world.?1 During the first stage of Metis discontent leading up to the rebellion at Red River, between the years of 1830 and 1850, the unrest among the Metis was largely a result of economic concern due to crop failures and the trade monopoly of the Hudson's Bay Company.2 During this period, the Canadian government did little in the way of aiding the people of Red River. The second stage of Metis discontent occurred between the years of 1850 and 1869, the years immediately preceding the uprising against the Canadian government. The reason for discontent during this period was rooted in racial and social concerns of the Metis.3 The Metis during this period believed they were being pushed out of their own land, their own unique culture that they had developed to make room for other settlers to occupy their land. The Metis viewed this as an insult against their abilities, and their culture as a whole. The first period of discontent led to the eventual dismantling of the Hudson Bay Company's monopoly and the second era of discontent led to the insurrection of 1869 under Louis Riel."
Tags: canada, history, louis, manitoba, native, oppression, riel, rights
Abstract The purpose of this study is to provide an overarching examination of not only the historical evolution of Quebec nationalism but also the implications that this nationalist fervor has for the future of federalism in Canada and the possibility of an independent Quebec nation. The writer notes that nationalism in Quebec is part of a long political, social, and cultural tradition.
From the Paper "In the span of the twentieth century, Canada as a nation has witnessed and endured any number of historical events that have had a profound influence and impact on Canadian society. Leaders came and went; social policies were enacted; traditional conservatism was replaced with neo-conservatism. Arguably, though, one of the greatest and most consistent forces in twentieth century Canadian politics has been the rising authority of Quebec nationalism and the threat it represents to a cohesive Canadian federalism."
