**Canada, to me, is at least _an_ ideal country based on certain social, economic, and environmental factors.** - Canada [consistently ranks](https://www.statista.com/statistics/273159/most-peaceful-countries-in-the-global-peace-index/) in the top most peaceful countries in the world, according to the [Global Peace Index](https://www.visionofhumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GPI-2021-web-1.pdf). - Health care is considered a fundamental right in Canada. Canada's [universal health-care system](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/health-care-card.html) ensures everyone has access to health care, but private health care also exists, which makes it the best of both worlds. - Canada keeps to itself in world affairs, but is also willing to lend a hand---a perfect combination, in my opinion. Peace is held above all in Canada, and the draw to war [seems](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/canadian-journal-of-political-science-revue-canadienne-de-science-politique/article/abs/why-canada-goes-to-war-explaining-combat-participation-in-usled-coalitions/BA9541235316286490F8D872C23BF561) chiefly for the maintenance of alliances rather than any ideological factors. Maintaining alliances for the purpose of being helpful but not forcing yourself on others seems admirable to me, even on a personal level; so, then, at the global level, it's equally (if not even more) important. It seems like Canada, on average, achieves both: - The Canadian "attitude" is precious and, to me, very admirable. Of course it's not across the board, but research does suggest that as a whole Canadians are [more pro-social](https://livelearn.ca/article/about-canada/canadian-cultural-values-and-beliefs/) than people in many other places due to emphasis on groups and community rather than total individualism. (Canada could be considered individualistic on a personal level, but more collectivist on the whole; come to think of it, maybe this is one of the best ways of social organization?) The Canadian tendency to be nice and peaceable, insofar as it holds up, is such a beautiful thing, which I think the world could benefit from more of! - Immigration attitudes and economic opportunity fare fairly well in Canada. Canada has a [Multiculturalism Policy](https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/200920E). - Canada is [a world leader in sustainability](https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/publications/sea-ees/sustainable-durable.aspx?lang=eng). Canada's oil and natural gas industry does produce approximately [0.3%](https://www.capp.ca/environment/climate-change/#:~:text=Canadian%20Emissions%20in%20a%20Global,of%20overall%20global%20GHG%20emissions.) of overall global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making its environmental footprint potentially contentious. Hopefully, though, policies and actions can correct the matter in order to benefit the globe. - Canada's landscape is quite varied and full of national parks and land that is wide open for vast wilderness and diverse wildlife. - Treatment of First Nations people seems perhaps somewhat better in Canada than in the United States, at least historically, though it's still not necessarily the best, especially when it comes to modern politics: - "While at first glance the relationship between the Canadian government and First Nations people may appear progressive, conciliatory, and apologetic, these symbolic gestures actually belie a federal reluctance to extend political sovereignty to all First Nations. And while Native Americans are indeed much less visible in the U.S. political landscape, the U.S. government’s recognition of indigenous statehood has laid the foundation for greater political empowerment, socioeconomic growth, and cultural revitalization. In each of these areas, the Canadian government’s denial of universal political sovereignty hinders the well-being of First Nations peoples," [writes](https://harvardpolitics.com/a-progressive-facade-comparing-the-u-s-and-canadas-treatment-of-indigenous-peoples/) Selena Zhao for the Harvard Political Review. - So there is, of course, always improvement to be had. But overall, I can get behind an argument for Canada being if not the, then at least _an_ ideal country.

**Whilst Canada is perhaps _more_ ideal than some of its Western counterparts, it is not without its problems** - To call Canada the _ideal_ country ignores all of its substantial problems and appears to be simply an attempt to settle for the better country in comparison to its counterparts such as the USA. - We should consider its ideality not in comparison to other countries, but take 'ideal' to mean the most perfect country imaginable. - This wording in itself poses an issue since these ideal standards will not be the same for everybody, hence there might not be one ideal country that is perfect for everyone. - Regardless, ideal implies there is _nothing_ about it one could improve or would want to change. - However, I argue there are several areas in which Canada is less than ideal, and I will expand on just a few reasons why: 1. It's treatment of indigenous communities. ["Canada's treatment of Indigenous peoples fits the definition of 'genocide'"](https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion/canadas-treatment-of-indigenous-peoples-fits-the-definition-of-genocide/276176) In the past couple of years, [hundreds of indigenous women and girls](https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/canada#) faced physical and sexual violence, kidnapping and murder in Canada, but the government of Canada does not investigate enough to satisfy the Human Rights Committee’s standards. The British and French invaded indigenous land centuries ago and the indigenous community is still having to fight for their human rights. 2. Justin Trudeau From blackface to sexual assault allegations, weapons trade with Saudi Arabia to consistently making false promises to gain votes, Justin Trudeau means Canada is run by a less than ideal leader. Whilst Canada is considered a democratic nation, many of Trudeau's 'supporters' advocated for his victory merely as a 'lesser of two evils' due to all the [terrible things he has done](https://gal-dem.com/all-the-terrible-things-justin-trudeau-has-done-beyond-blackface/). 3. Capitalism Canada still suffers from many of the problems of capitalism. One example is there is significant underemployment in young people, with many holding university degrees still being forced to find work in restaurants and hospitality, due to difficulties finding work elsewhere. 4. Weather conditions This may seem like a minor niggle for many, but in reality the extreme cold in Canada can actually be dangerous. The ice causes many injuries - in 2018-2019 alone, there were nearly [9,000 hospitalizations](https://innovationphysio.com/blog/preparing-for-the-upcoming-winter-season/) due to falls on ice in Canada. The road conditions are also extremely hazardous in winter. Winters are also very dark, with less than 8 hours of daylight in Calgary in December. Citizens die from both [extreme cold](https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/cold-weather-everyone.aspx#:~:text=In%20Canada%2C%20more%20than%2080,injuries%20can%20lead%20to%20amputations.) and [extreme heat](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-57654133) with the old particularly at risk. 5. [Racism](https://www.cbc.ca/firsthand/m_blog/dont-believe-the-hype-canada-is-not-a-nation-of-cultural-tolerance) and [homophobia](https://globalnews.ca/news/7934075/victim-recovering-alleged-homophobic-attack-toronto/) are still a thing... Just because it is 'better' than other countries doesn't make it ideal or non-existent. 6. [Student debt](https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/the-student-debtor/) Canada does not have free tuition, and its debt crisis means many young Canadians are finding it difficult to start their own businesses, buy homes, or set aside money for the future.