sulting firm KPMG confirmed that Canada's social programs represent an important competitive edge for Canadian businesses as well. For example, employer-paid health insurance premiums in Canada amount to only 1 percent of gross pay, compared with 8.2 percent in the United States. The immigrant population in Canada is steadily rising year after year; refer to appendix C for a graph outlining Indian immigration in target areas.3.2.4 Legal/Regulatory Within the limits set out by the Constitution, laws can be made or changed by means of written statutes enacted by Parliament or a provincial or territorial legislature. Any Member of Parliament or a legislature may propose a new law, but most new laws are put forward by the government in power. A proposed law must be presented for consideration by all members, who study and debate it. The proposal becomes a statute only if it is approved by the majority. Federal laws must be approved by both Houses of Parliament: the House of Commons and the Senate. These traditions form the basis of Canada's legal heritage. Over time, they have been adapted to meet Canadian needs. The courts interpret the law in a way that reflects changing conditions and circumstances. Canada's Constitution is the supreme law of the country, and it establishes the framework for the system of law and justice. It sets out the basic rights of individuals in Canada, and defines the nature and powers of the federal and provincial governments. Under Canada's federal system of government, the authority to make laws is divided between the Parliament of Canada and the provincial legislatures. The court system of each province is generally divided into two levels. At the first level is the Provincial Court, which deals with most criminal offences. This level may also include Small Claims courts, which deal with private disputes involving limited sums of money, and Youth and Family courts. Judges at this level are appointed by the pro...
