In a background statement identifying what is unique about Canada and the issues it currently faces, this paper begins by discussing the concurrent movements toward Canadian nationalism and Quebec nationalism as an illustration of the problems caused by large size and great diversity. It then focuses on unique aspects of Canadian education, including provincial power over education, public finance of sectarian schools, and absence of professional leadership above the local level, and concludes that, in Canada, one searches in vain for clear operational goals and priorities in education at the federal level and even at the provincial level. Current trends identified include consolidation of districts, decline in enrollment, and heavy spending for education. Finally, unique issues faced by Canadian administrators are looked at, including nationwide diversity in educational organization and performance, delivery of education to sparsely populated areas, the French language question, the lack of national trust, the lack of professionalism in educational administration, and the political vulnerability of senior education officials. (Author/JM)