Canada

Historical Overview

Canada is the land of ice, snow, beer, doughnuts, hockey and universal health care. At Nationstates, Canada was created late in the year 2002, by a predecesor nation of The True Domination.

Not much is known about the region's early history, as that historical information has died along with the region's initial inhabitants. Reports of the early days of the region indicate it was sparsely populated.

It is known that by April, 2003, the region was at a healthy 175 nations, and was led by a delegate called Taiga. By April or May of 2002, Las Chupacabras became delegate, and imposed Canada's first constitution on the region. Elections were held, electing 14 members to the inaugural government.

After an eventful first month, rule under the Las Chupacabras constitution began unravelling under the weight of its large size. After some stagnation, The True Domination briefly succeeded Las Chupacabras as delegate.

Elections were held by The True Domination, but by that time, residents of the region became disillusioned with the government structure. Only four ministers were elected, and not a single cabinet meeting was called during this second government.

The True Domination left the region for a stint with the Rejected Realms Army in August, 2003, allowing Las Chupacabras to once again become the delegate. The True Domination returned and attempted to take over the delegacy from a clearly disinterested Las Chupacabras. A nation called the Queendom of Tofiti also vied for the delegacy. In quick succession at the end of August, 2003, Tofiti became delegate, succeeding from Las Chupacabras, and then the following day, was in turn succeeded by The True Domination.

The True Domination remained in power until January 2004. Under his stewardship, the region of Canada stagnated, with little growth in population and no activity in Canada's forums. Near the end of The True Domination's reign as delegate, Canada started making attempts to integrate itself on the international scene. Bweezystan staffed an embassy in The South Pacific, and began discussions on reviving the region's government structure through a new constitution.

Bweezystan became delegate of Canada on January 16, 2004. Shortly thereafter, the new constitution was unanimously approved by a referendum. Riding the wave of renewed activity in the region, elections where held in February, 2004, electing Canada's first functioning cabinet in over six months.

Under the new structure, and with renewed enthusiams from a solid core of a dozen nations, the region began to grow and prosper. Embassies were opened in regions such as The North Pacific, assistance was offered to The South Pacific when it was subject to a coup attempt by El Sabah Nur, and recruitment attempts began in earnest, greatly increasing the region's population and activity.

Basic laws were also enacted, governing ejections from the region, an intelligence agency was created, and Canada's defence system was improved.

In early, March, 2004, Bweezystan announced it would be stepping down from the delegacy. On March 28, 2004, Checkers McDog took over as delegate.

Under the leadership of Checkers McDog, Canada passed a Cabinet Disclosure law, forcing Cabinet to post weekly reports to inform the public of its activities. This accountabiilty measure was well received. A Conflict of Interest Guideline was passed to ensure that Canada's government members advised the citizenry of any other government positions they may be holding in other regions, while a simple dispute resolution mechanism was also established.

Many more recruitment drives occurred, briefly pushing the regional population over 500 nations. Embassies were opened in a dozen regions, further increasing Canada's visibility across Nationstates. Canada also created the Canadian Sports Agency, which held a regional Olympics, expanded its Role Play system thanks to the Leadership of Mr. Popo, and formed a Canadian Press Agency.

In late September, 2004, after a programming glitch, long time Defence Minister Carbanousa became delegate for eight hours. He was quickly replaced by Checkers McDog at the next update.

Currently, Canada continues to promote the traditional Canadian values of Peace, Order and Good Government, and is continuing with its Democratic Traditions and advances in International Diplomacy.

Current Government Structure

Canada currently is a Constitutional Democracy. The Constitution mandates elections every two months for the positions of Minister of Defence, Minister of Justice, Minister of Regional Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the ever popular Minister of Doughnuts and Beer. Those elected to each of those positions By constitutional decree, the Prime Minister of the region is the Delegate, as elected by Nationstates gameplay mechanics. As such, unlike the other five ministers, the Prime Minister is technically always fighting an election campaign and can be replaced at any moment.

Historical List of Government Officials

Delegates

Taiga (??? - April/May, 2003)
Las Chupacabras (April/May, 2003 - July, 2003)
The True Domination (July - August, 2003)
Las Chupacabras (August, 2003)
Tofiti (August, 2003)
The True Domination(August, 2003 - January 16, 2004)
Bweezystan (January 16, 2004 - March 28, 2004)
Checkers McDog (March 28, 2004 - September 27, 2004)
Carbanousa (September 27, 2004 - 8 hours only)
Checkers McDog September 27, 2004 - Present)