DA> Canada is not undergoing negative population growth. Quite the
DA> opposite in fact as our population is booming at a rate
DA> slightly exceeding that of the US (according to Canadian, US
DA> and UN census statistics).
     Canada's birthrate, despite the statement quoted, is not
"booming".  Far from it.
     Our birth rate currently sits at 1.65.  A recent Statscan study
(August/65) indicates a 9% drop in the per capita pregnancy rate
between 1974 and 1992 and a marked increase in the abortion rate (from
12% to 19%) yields a decided difference between the number of
pregnancies and the number of live births.
     A definable trend to small, often single-child families, raised by
older parents (pregnant women between the ages of 25 and 29 rose
significantly in that same period - from 139,000 to 165,000), among
other indicators given in the report, translate to, rather than a boom,
a serious problem if the current population is to be replaced.
     Right now, our population is at around 29 million.  Every woman in
the country would have to produce 2 children if the population is to be
maintained at just the current level.
     I don't know what the US stats reveal, but for us, maintaining
our current system of social services and etc., is doomed unless the
birth rate climbs dramatically and soon...an unlikely event, imho.
(What do you mean, you didn't ask?! )
PM|My mistake, if that's what I typed! :) I 'heard' that a part of
  |Canada was providing incentives to keep up the population rate.
  |Sorry if that is in err. My source was 'some line on the
  |internet...' Your explination seems much clearer. :)
     The subject *has* been addressed, in a very limited fashion, in
least one Province, Quebec, but hasn't met with much enthusiasm, so far 
as I'm aware.  It's doubtful that the Federal Govt. or any of the
Provinces could provide incentives (whatever they might be) and
particularly financial incentives of any significance.
PM|I read the Japan one in print, from a somewhat reliable source.
  |(Sorry, can't remember exactly which magazine...) It was an article,
  |more than just a sentence, so I'd think it is so. :)
     Did the article outline what incentives were being offered in
Japan?
     Cheers!
Kathy
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