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C H APT E R

Saskatchewan

in Motion

A Community-Based,

Provincewide Social

Marketing Initiative in Canada

to Promote Physical Activity

François Lagarde, Cathie Kryzanowski, and James H. Mintz

CANADA: A C O U NTRY OVE RVI EW

Canada is the largest country in the Americas with 10 million square kilometers
of land and a population of 33 million. About two-fifths of the country’s popu-
lation has origins other than British, French, or Aboriginal. It has a parliamen-
tary democracy comprised of a federation of 10 provinces and three territories.
English and French are the two official languages. Canada has an extensive so-
cial security network, including old-age pension, family allowance, employment
insurance, and social assistance (Pan American Health Organization, 2008).

Healthcare System
Basic and publicly funded health care is provided to all Canadians through univer-
sal coverage of medically necessary healthcare services provided on the basis of
need, rather than the ability to pay. These services are administered and delivered by