Canada is surrounded on three sides by oceans.
To the north, the Arctic Ocean borders Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Off the west coast of British Columbia is the Pacific Ocean.
The Atlantic Ocean, meanwhile, sits to the east of Canada’s Maritime provinces, which include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Dear Mr. Albertson,
We are interested in renting your charming cottage for the first two weeks of September. I found your ad on the internet, and the pictures are really attractive. Living that close to the ocean would be a real treat for a few weeks. I can already smell the refreshing salt air!
I’ve heard that the Atlantic Ocean is quite cold and that swimming isn’t always possible. Is that true? Your ad mentions nearby Martinique Beach, a 5-km-long white sand beach with beautiful waves enjoyed by surfers. The pictures I’ve seen show surfers in protective wetsuits, but perhaps that’s winter surfing? We’re hoping to put in long hours lying on the beach, and then cooling off in the fresh ocean water.
Another thing I’ve heard is that Nova Scotia gets hurricanes, especially in September. Is that true? I’ve read all about Hurricane Juan that hit in late September, 2003. I learned that the power was out for some residents for as long as three weeks. How can anyone survive without electricity for that long? It’s unimaginable. In a situation such as this, what do you do for food and coffee, for heat and water? Do you keep emergency supplies and information in the cottage? I just can’t imagine winds of 160 km/h! Wow. The waves must be spectacular with that much wind. It would be fantastic watching the waves from the comfort of your lovely cottage!
We really enjoy sampling the local cuisine, and we’ve read about Nova Scotian specialties such as lobster and scallops. On the internet I found one food place—it can’t really be called a restaurant—that serves seafood. This is Scallopini’s, which is supposed to be a short drive from your cottage. It features two dishes worth trying, a scallop sauté and a cold lobster roll. Would you recommend Scallopini’s, or should we go into the city to a real restaurant?
Anyway, we would like to reserve your cottage. Please let me know what details you need and how to send the deposit.
Thanks,
Alison MacGregor

A.For some, it may be hard to imagine how a small stainless steel needle put into one’s left palm can soothe a stomachache. Yet in the practice of acupuncture, such fine needles are used to pierce specific points on the body for pain relief or therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture began in China thousands of years ago and remains a leading form of medical treatment in some Asian cultures. However, the practice of acupuncture has only taken hold beyond its traditional homelands over the last three decades. Over that time, its popularity in Western culture has greatly increased. It is now being hailed by many Westerners as a safe, drug-free remedy for ailments such as arthritis, chronic pain, addiction, and depression.
B. Traditional acupuncture is based on the East Asian belief that the body’s internal organs are connected by a system of energy channels. A very simple explanation is that vital energy travels along these channels in the body, like water in a stream. Diseases are caused by a blockage in these natural energy flows, just as a fallen tree would obstruct a stream. The acupuncturist must find the obstruction, isolate the area, and clear the blockage. To do this, fine stainless steel needles are inserted into a related acupuncture point. These disposable needles are gently twirled and then removed, and the energy flow can be restored to a natural state.
C. People who have been helped by acupuncture have little problem accepting its success. Yet some in the Western medical community find the unfamiliar concepts of energy and channels hard to believe. As a result, experts in this community have tried to find more scientific reasons for how acupuncture works. After decades of research, some Western medical researchers have proposed theories.
D. Experimental research suggests that acupuncture needles put into certain points on the body can stimulate the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Once stimulated, the central nervous system can release “feel good” chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These natural painkillers block pain signals from going to the brain, leading to a feeling of physical and emotional well-being. In light of the research, a growing number of scientists and medical practitioners are suggesting the use of acupuncture under certain conditions. In fact, it is becoming so popular that many people in North America are using it to treat their ailing household pets!
E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) covers all eligible Canadians. Based on the amount of earnings, a deduction is made from each pay cheque and deposited into Canada’s Pension Plan fund. Employers are also required to contribute to the plan for each of their employees. When an employee reaches 65 years of age, he or she is entitled to receive payments from the plan.
Many people believe that participation should be voluntary, but having a guaranteed stream of revenue into the plan means that the government can hopefully provide a stable return to contributors.
Another criticism of the plan is that the people who need it the most are the ones who receive the least. This is because the size of payments depends on the amount contributed, and the amount contributed depends on one’s level of income. People who have had little or low-paying employment thus receive low payments. And yet they are the ones who have been least able to put aside money of their own for their old age. It should be noted, however, that other government programs can provide financial assistance for people in need.
Some companies (especially large ones) have, in addition to this government plan, their own pension plans that work in essentially the same way. Deductions are also based on level of income, but part-time employees are often not eligible at all. This again seems to put those with lower incomes at a disadvantage. Even if someone has two part-time jobs that together equal a full-time job, he or she would be eligible to participate only in the Canada Pension Plan and probably not in the pension plans offered by either employer. But again, there are other programs.
Some critics consider both the government and employer pension plans to be patronizing. They believe that people should have complete freedom in whether and how much they save for their old age, along with how they invest what they save. Such critics seem to forget that they then wouldn’t benefit from government or employer contributions!