Changes

The average tax rate in Canada is higher than in the United States. In 2003, Canada's tax burden equals about 33.8% of GDP placing it in the middle of the G7 countries, with Japan lowest at 25.3% and France highest at 43.4% <ref>[http://www.fin.gc.ca/activty/faq1e.html#Taxation Department of Finance Canada: FAQs]</ref>. The US rate is roughly 25.6%; this discrepancy is consistent with the differing levels of social services which the governments funds. Canada also has managed to run without a budget deficit for a number of years.   

The average tax rate in Canada is higher than in the United States. In 2003, Canada's tax burden equals about 33.8% of GDP placing it in the middle of the G7 countries, with Japan lowest at 25.3% and France highest at 43.4% <ref>[http://www.fin.gc.ca/activty/faq1e.html#Taxation Department of Finance Canada: FAQs]</ref>. The US rate is roughly 25.6%; this discrepancy is consistent with the differing levels of social services which the governments funds. Canada also has managed to run without a budget deficit for a number of years.   

Equalization payments, worth 11.7 billion Canadian dollars are made by the federal government to the provinces from richer provinces (currently Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia) and the poorer provinces (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) .  This is to ensure that reasonably uniform standards of services and taxation are kept between the richer and poorer provinces.<ref>Budget 2007 [http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bpc4e.html]</ref>  These payments have not been without controversy as provinces begin to make more revenues from natural resources they do not want to give up the Equalization payments.   

Equalization payments, worth 11.7 billion Canadian dollars are made by the federal government to the provinces from richer provinces (currently Alberta, Newfoundland, and British Columbia) and the poorer provinces (Ontario, <ref>http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/03/flaherty-ministers.html</ref>, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) .  This is to ensure that reasonably uniform standards of services and taxation are kept between the richer and poorer provinces.<ref>Budget 2007 [http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bpc4e.html]</ref>  These payments have not been without controversy as provinces begin to make more revenues from natural resources they do not want to give up the Equalization payments.   

British Columbia has the lowest corporate tax rate in North America <ref>http://www.investbc.com/businessclimate.htm</ref>.

British Columbia has the lowest corporate tax rate in North America <ref>http://www.investbc.com/businessclimate.htm</ref>.

Canada also has a national sales tax, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% on all purchases. Some provinces add an additional percentage in the form of a Provincial Sales Tax (PST), or a combined Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) combining GST and the Provincial Sales Tax. Based on actual income, and a number of other factors, the government will refund GST/HST to eligible tax payers in quarterly installments on the fifth of the month in July, October, January, and April.

Canada also has a national sales tax, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% on all purchases. Some provinces add an additional percentage in the form of a Provincial Sales Tax (PST), or a combined Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) combining GST and the Provincial Sales Tax. Based on actual income, and a number of other factors, the government will refund GST/HST to eligible tax payers in quarterly installments on the fifth of the month in July, October, January, and April.

==Cultural style==

==Cultural style==

Canadian culture puts stress on open-mindedness and tolerance of multiple viewpoints -- even the (very strong) view that Quebec should declare independence and break up Canada.<ref>See [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/features/cucanada.xml&source=EMC-exp_01102008 National Cultural Profiles, a guide from the London ''Telegraph''  to the thinking patterns of all the world's major cultures] </ref>  Canadian opinion shows a strong sense of wanting to be independent of the U.S., although the economy, society and culture closely resembles the U.S. , and most Canadians live a short drive from the border.  (The main difference is the state-provided health care system.)  Much of the anti-Americanism comes from exiles who left the U.S., for example in fleeing the draft during the Vietnam War (1965-72). Recent surges in oil prices have lifted the Canadian economy, and shifted power toward the oil-rich province of [[Alberta]].

Canadian culture puts stress on open-mindedness and tolerance of multiple viewpoints -- even the (very strong) view that Quebec should declare independence and break up Canada.<ref>See [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/features/cucanada.xml&source=EMC-exp_01102008 National Cultural Profiles, a guide from the London ''Telegraph''  to the thinking patterns of all the world's major cultures] </ref>  Canadian opinion shows a strong sense of wanting to be independent of the U.S., although the economy, society and culture closely resembles the U.S. , and most Canadians live a short drive from the border.  (The main difference is the state-provided health care system.)  Much of the anti-Americanism comes from exiles who left the U.S., for example in fleeing the draft during the Vietnam War (1965-72). Recent surges in oil prices have lifted the Canadian economy, and shifted power toward the oil-rich province of [[Alberta]].