Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
So do you guys think Canada can potentially be a superpower? It has a plethora of resources and an abundance of space.
Not until you beat us in science and universities. We wouldn't have become the superpower of the world if we hadn't won the space race, for example. And in addition to things like NASA and the Silicon Valley, we also have many of the world's top universities, like Harvard and MIT. Not to mention the brain-drain issue; many of the most brilliant, successful people (even those from first-world countries) leave for the US.
Not until you beat us in science and universities. We wouldn't have become the superpower of the world if we hadn't won the space race, for example. And in addition to things like NASA and the Silicon Valley, we also have many of the world's top universities, like Harvard and MIT. Not to mention the brain-drain issue; many of the most brilliant, successful people (even those from first-world countries) leave for the US.
Perhaps it's worthwhile having a look at Canadian inventions before assuming that Canada is not a superpower. Here are a couple of links to get you started:
After Canadians make a huge contribution, such as Java script, they travel the world (e.g.: to the US) to share their brilliant ideas, but the authentic original work is done in Canada. That's not a braindrain, that is free and open sharing of ideas.
Perhaps it's worthwhile having a look at Canadian inventions before assuming that Canada is not a superpower. Here are a couple of links to get you started:
After Canadians make a huge contribution, such as Java script, they travel the world (e.g.: to the US) to share their brilliant ideas, but the authentic original work is done in Canada. That's not a braindrain, that is free and open sharing of ideas.
The garbage bag? Justin Bieber? This is not the stuff of superpowers.
Just remember an American invented the Zamboni. Without it, much of Canada would be employed sanding ice surfaces.
Perhaps it's worthwhile having a look at Canadian inventions before assuming that Canada is not a superpower. Here are a couple of links to get you started:
After Canadians make a huge contribution, such as Java script, they travel the world (e.g.: to the US) to share their brilliant ideas, but the authentic original work is done in Canada. That's not a braindrain, that is free and open sharing of ideas.
You make a good point, and I guess I did assume too much.
But if you look at the number of Americans moving to Canada vs Canadians moving to the US, there are more of the latter, even though the US has 9x the population. I'm not completely sure why though... But surely this means that the US is doing something right that Canada isn't. It seems that, despite the crazy politics, the income inequality, and the violence, the US is still the #1 country people want to immigrate to.
The first reasons that come to my mind are higher salaries, a lower cost of living, more job opportunities, and a much larger population.
You make a good point, and I guess I did assume too much.
But if you look at the number of Americans moving to Canada vs Canadians moving to the US, there are more of the latter, even though the US has 9x the population. I'm not completely sure why though... But surely this means that the US is doing something right that Canada isn't. It seems that, despite the crazy politics, the income inequality, and the violence, the US is still the #1 country people want to immigrate to.
The first reasons that come to my mind are higher salaries, a lower cost of living, more job opportunities, and a much larger population.
Of course Canadians are moving South. It's cold up North. Snowbirds are a dime a dozen. The US has sunny beaches year round, but the best ones are more comfortable in the winter months.
Income is perhaps a little higher in Canada. For example, in some Canadian cities, teachers earn $104,000CAD after 10 years of service. Even with the dollar conversion, that's still better than most, if not all, cities in the US.
Canadians like dual Canadian/U.S. citizenship, that's all. The US hands out citizenship to people they want - like the javascript guy; Gosling.
How is Canada a superpower? A superpower is a country that can coerce, through its sheer military, political and cultural might, how countries act around the world. Canada can't even influence its only neighbor, like Keystone XL. It's not even a regional or continental power.
Canada should keep receiving immigrants but in a sustainable and responsible manner. You have to consider how many current economy can handle.
In the end it should have no problem in having 100 million people. In our life time maybe 50 million. And that's only the same population of tiny South Korea, which has basically no resources to speak of.
Here's how Canada is projected to grow population-wise according to official UN estimates:
2020: 37,600,000
2030: 40,390,000
2040: 42,479,000
2050: 44,136,000
2060: 45,534,000
2070: 46,841,000
2080: 47,955,000
2090: 48,865,000
2100: 49,668,000
Canada will gain 12,068,000 people in 80 years.
As for the United States of America:
2020: 337,620,000
2030: 359,822,000
2040: 377,735,000
2050: 392,665,000
2060: 407,086,000
2070: 421,350,000
2080: 433,705,000
2090: 443,975,000
2100: 452,977,000
The United States of America will gain 115,357,000 people in 80 years.
And the United States of America's percentage within NAFTA:
2020: 66.19%
2030: 65.62%
2040: 65.35%
2050: 65.38%
2060: 65.79%
2070: 66.55%
2080: 67.47%
2090: 68.50%
2100: 69.58%
In 80 years it rises by 3.39%. The U.S. will be 70% of NAFTA by 2100.
So, no. Canada won't be a superpower nor a regional power. Within the region it has 7.37% of the population today and will have 7.63% in 2100. Within North America, Canada's percentage actually declines. So on the demographic front, Canada will remain static for the next century.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
