Prime Minister Very Pleased That Canada is Still Number One According to UN Report

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien welcomed the 1997 United Nations Human Development Report, launched officially today by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). For the fourth time in a row, Canada ranks first among 175 countries on the Human Development Index, which combines life expectancy, literacy and income. For the first time, Canada also ranked first on the gender-related development index, which assesses the status of women.

"This year's report shows that Canada not only remains the best country in the world, but that we continue to improve our living standards," Prime Minister Chrétien said. "I am also very pleased that Canada was ranked number one on the gender-related development index. We will work hard to maintain this position and to advance in other areas, especially youth employment."

The Prime Minister said he was confident that the Government's progress in restructuring public finances and ensuring effective federal-provincial relations will result in new jobs and improved economic conditions for all Canadians.

"Canada's position in the world, as ranked in this report, is a feather in our cap," the Prime Minister said. "But it also means that we have a great responsibility, not only to all Canadians, but to the less fortunate in developing countries." He noted that 38.5 percent of Canada's development assistance is directed to meeting basic human needs. These include water, food, hygiene, primary health care, shelter and education, all of which are components of the HDI.

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