The document discusses Canada's communication system and how it has evolved over time. It notes that Canada requires an efficient communication system to connect its small population spread over a vast geographic area. It traces the development of communication technologies in Canada from early wired telephones to wireless/cellular networks and the internet. Most recently, it describes how communication technologies are converging, with differences between mediums like phones, television, and internet blurring as they integrate with one another. This convergence represents one of the most significant changes to Canada's communication landscape.

1. Canada’s Nervous System
By: Arvin K & Alex Z

2. Communications is the transmission of information, especially by
electronic or mechanical means.
The communication system in Canada carries information to all
regions of the country so the country can carry out its day-to-day
operations.
A famous philosopher and communications theorist, Marshall
McLuhan, stated that the world is becoming a global village in the
late 1950s. He meant that technology-based improvements are
making communications throughout the planet as simple as if
they were taking place in a small town.

3. The nature of communications has changed significantly since the creation of
writing thousands of years back.
Writing and print were enormous advances in communications, but they still ad
major short-comings. For Example the treaty that ended the War of 1812 was
signed in Europe in December 1814. Unfortunately, it took several weeks for
the news to arrive at North America. Throughout that time, the war continued
and hundred of people were killed in battle. This wouldn’t have occurred if
the communication had been faster.
There was need for faster communication over long distances, so the telegram was
created in the mid-1800s. The was some limitations because it required many
wires. Next in the early-1900s came the “wireless,” better known today as the
radio. As time passed mankind has created enormous advances to both wired
and wireless communication such as satellite and the internet.
We also tried communicating with others in other universe and have listened for
communication from other galaxies. The Pioneer 10 spacecraft holds the
record for the most distant human communication yet. The spacecrafts last
message to Earth was received In January 2003, more than 31 years after its
launch, by that time it was more than 121 billion kilometers from Earth.

4. Existing Emerging
Canadians exchange information by:
• Talking to one another
• Listening to the radio (more than 99% of Canadians
household and cars have a radio)
• Watching Television ( more than 98% of Canadian
household have television
• Using the telephone (As of April 2005, there were
about 19.4 million fixed phone lines and 15 million
mobile phone subscribers in Canada
• Sending e-mails over the Internet
• Visiting Web sites
• Mailing letters to one another
• Reading (Canada has over 100 daily newspapers and
more than 1500 magazines.
Most people are familiar with these forms of
communication, but few think about how we get this
technology. Communication consists of 2 parts: the
message itself and the technology that delivers the
message. A modern and efficient communications
system was and remains essential in unifying a
relatively small population spread out over thousands
of kilometers.
Developments in the Telephone System:
Growth of wireless phone service was the most
dramatic change in Canada. First came wired
telephones, or land lines linked on place to another. In
the mid-1980s, wireless (cell phones) phone service
became available. Another more fundamental
development is taking place in telephone system,
distance is becoming a less important factor in
communications.
Developments in the Internet:
Every month the number of internet users grows
dramatically. The Most important elements on the
Internet are e-mail, on-line discussions and the World
Wide Web.
Developments in Television:
Before the 1980s, Canadians had few television stations
to watch. In some area only 1 or 2 stations were
available. Today we can choose from a wide variety of
channels because of digital transmission. This gives us
better quality picture, sound and its much more
efficient. A cable company that had 77 analog channels
now offers a total of almost 300 analog and digital
channels combined.

5. Until recently, communications technologies each worked separately
and differently. The people that used them thought more about
the differences than their similarities. Now the independent
nature is disappearing as each technology is merging with
another. Differences among various communication technologies
are becoming blurred. This complex and exciting change, known
as convergent technologies, may be the most important of all.
Communication companies are battling each other for domination
in the war of union.

6.  Making Connections Canada’s Geography: Pages 422-429
 Communications: Canada’s Nervous System: Page 422
 The Nature of Communications: Page 424
 Communications: Existing and Emerging: Page 425
 Convergent Technologies: Page 429