Importance of Canadian Studies

Canada has a population of over 41 million people and the 11th largest economy in the world, valued at over $2.4 trillion. The United States and Canada share a 5,525 mile (8,891 kilometer) common border and are intertwined by environment, people, trade, culture and politics. Thousands of Americans and Canadian cross the border each day for work, business, academic exchanges and tourism.

Canada has a population of over 41 million people and the 11th largest economy in the world, valued at over $2.4 trillion. The United States and Canada share a 5,525 mile (8,891 kilometer) common border and are intertwined by environment, people, trade, culture and politics. Thousands of Americans and Canadian cross the border each day for work, business, academic exchanges and tourism. The electrical grid of the two countries is integrated and many millions depend on this daily. The US is Canada’s largest trading partner and Canada is the America’s second largest trading partner. For many US states, Canada is their largest trading partner. The annual trade between the two nations is greater than $1 trillion. Both countries are defense partners in NATO. Both nations have worked closely together on many important transportation, energy, environmental and other initiatives. The importance of the long-standing linkages and partnerships between the US and Canada cannot be overstated, but is often underappreciated in country as large and internationally engaged as the US. Similarly, Canadians may not fully understand the complex culture, politics and geographies of the US.

Despite the geographic, environmental, economic and cultural links between the US and Canada, there are important differences. By history and its constitution, Canada is a bilingual English and French speaking country. There are important differences in the political and societal relations of Indigenous peoples. Canada is a democracy governed by a Westminster style parliament that is a constitutional monarchy with membership in the British Commonwealth. Polling shows that Americans and Canadians often have significant differences in how they view politics, the economy, society, culture, the environment and their fellow citizens. There are also differences in how the two populations view the other country.

Accordingly, the UCLA Canadian Studies Program considers it highly important to factually inform the UCLA community and wider population of Southern California about Canada and issues of joint US-Canadian interest on our shared continent. To this end, the Program directly engages the UCLA community and larger public through scholarly and public speaking events, workshops and webinars. The Program also works to facilitate short exchanges between the US and Canada for graduate students and faculty at UCLA, and scholars, public figures and others from Canada. By deepening understanding, appreciation and engagement, the UCLA Canadian Studies Program contributes to continued harmony and cooperation between the US and Canada – two separate and sovereign countries and peoples that are also inextricably linked.

See:
https://ca.usembassy.gov/u-s-canada-policy-and-history/
https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/relations.aspx?lang=eng
https://leger360.com/in-the-news-canada-us-attitudes-june-2026/

Contact us at:
Canadian Studies canadianstudies@international.ucla.edu

Published: Monday, September 28, 2026