Now, I really, really hate that I have to do this, but every year I've been given a whupping. Saying "Canada is a great country" is not a direct translation for "The US stinks". Being pro-Canada is not being anti-US. Saying "I love the way we do things" does not mean "and therefore, you do it wrong". This is a whole different country with different laws and culture. We will never be the same and that does not mean that either country dwells in the heart of darkness. Loving where I live is not bashing the US any more than having fireworks and shouting "USA #1" on the 4th of July (which I thoroughly recommend, since I think a country is only as good as the people who love and defend it) constitutes an attack on Canada. Thus ends the pre-emptive strike. Don't be a hoser.
Every year I take a minute to write a little something about my country on its birthday. I love how international the blog community is, and can't resist the opportunity to do a little PR for the good thing I think we've got going on here. I did "Things to do on Canada Day" and "You know you're a Canadian Knitter when...." then "Stuff you maybe didn't know about us" (Clearly I didn't work hard on that title.) Then last year "Canada A to Z" (and that's "Zed" not "Zee").
This year I was at a loss. I felt like I've done it all, I took my knitting and a good brew to the backyard, and sitting there in the sunshine knitting, it hit me:
In the fine tradition of Random days on blogs, this is:
Random stuff about Canada
This is a country where if we accidentally elect an arse, our political system allows for a do over. Admittedly this creates other problems (like 1984, when three Prime Ministers held office) but at least there's a way out of a bad call, leadership wise.
This is a country with access to good beer, and nobody thinks you're a lush if you drink it at lunch. (Also, if it is hot or if it is a long weekend you can drink it anytime you want. Heat and long weekends are a free pass in the beer department.)
This is a country with something as grand and glorious as CBC Radio. (Three cheers for Vinyl Cafe, As it Happens and DNTO.)
This is a country with a national sense of humour. We are a funny people, and a people that value not taking things too seriously all the time. The best evidence I can offer is that this is a country where a politician running for office appeared bare bummed and leaping into a lake during his campaign and it improved his chances of being elected.
This is a country where the Government (finally) apologized, took responsibility for and began the process of compensation to the Aboriginal People of this land for the shameful way they have been treated. While I can't help but think that this might belong in the "too little, too late" category, I felt proud to hear the words "The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. We are sorry." come out of Stephen Harpers mouth. (It's one of the only times I've enjoyed hearing the man speak.)
This is a country with the worlds longest National Highway. The Trans Canada Highway is 7, 821km long and goes from Victoria, British Columbia to St. John's, Newfoundland.
This is a country that is home to David Suzuki.
This is a country that generated the genius of The Logdriver's Waltz, (which still fills me with joy no matter how many times I see it.) not to mention the National Film Board.
This is a country with Universal Health Care, which means that no matter what goes wrong with me or my children, we'll be cared for by the best person for the job, not the best person we can afford. Sure, it's a triage system which means that if we're not very sick we'll have to wait, while sicker people go first, but the fact that the only thing that can move you to the front of the line is your need, not your money? It just makes me more proud.
This is a country that is ranked the 4th most livable country in the world, has one of the highest life expectancies, low infant mortality, and 48% of Canadian adults have a college or university degree. (That's the highest of all OECD countries.) We're ranked 11th on the Global Peace Index, it's safe here, we're very tolerant and we eat more Kraft Dinner per capita than any other country in the world. (I can't explain that last one.)
(Kraft Dinner is the Canadian name for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. I don't know why it's labelled differently here.)
This is a country that prides itself on being a mosaic, rather than a melting pot.
This is a country that has the second largest oil deposits in the world and provides the US with more of their oil than the Middle East does.
This is a country with an exceptional Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (It helps that it was written in the 80's. Nice and current.)
This is a country where 77% of the people believe that global climate change is a big problem, where Henry Morgentaler is about to get The Order of Canada, where the flag on Parliament Hill is lowered any day a Canadian Soldier is killed overseas, where 95% believe that our government has a responsibility to increase access to HIV/AIDS treatment in other countries, 25% use marijuana at some point in their life, (93% of Canadians support Medical Marijuana use) 78% believe in life somewhere else in the universe, 74% of people consider President Bush a threat to world peace, 54% use alternative medicine along with allopathic medicine, only 8% of us belong to an evangelical Christian church, but 10% believe they have seen a UFO. If Canadians could vote in the next US election, 17% would vote for McCain and 46% for Obama.
This is a country that values "Peace, Order and Good Government." (This is Canada's equivalent to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness")
This is a country that knits. A lot. Think huge knitting guilds with hundreds of members.
This is a country that invented peacekeeping.
This is a country:
where you eat a chocolate bar (not a "candy bar")
where you line up or queue up
where you can buy milk in bags
where almost all tea is served hot, not cold
where you write the date day/month/year.
where you can still do all the hand signals to Skin-a-mar-in-kee-dink-e-dink, and you can't imagine who can't.
where there is the Queen's Plate, longest running stakes horse race in the North America.
where when you and you're kids design hallowe'en costumes, you make sure they can go over a snow suit.
where if a cop gives you a ticket you thank them.
where if the government wastes money it's a scandal that brings down the government.
where it's spelled colour, honour, woollen, woolly, centre, theatre, cauldron, axe, catalogue, cheque, grey, favour, glamour, misdemeanour and ardour.
where you can buy two-fours, chesterfields, Mickeys, poutine, screech, serviettes, tuques, pop... and if you have enough money... Tories or Grits.
where Cuba is an awesome vacation spot.
where you feel very sentimental about Casey, Finnegan, Rusty Jerome, Sharon, Lois and Bram.
This is a country that wants you to keep your stick on the ice. (Literally, and metaphorically.)
Happy Canada Day, and how about using the comments for your version?
Canada is a country where.....
Posted by Stephanie at June 30, 2008 11:12 PMI'd like to visit. My writing partner lives there.
Posted by: Carola at July 1, 2008 3:28 PMGreat sentiment. Everyone should be able to have that much pride in their country. If it weren't so damn cold in winter I could almost be convinced to join you, if only for the beer.
Posted by: carol at July 1, 2008 3:28 PMthe water is clean, the people friendly and there is still wilderness to experience.
Posted by: cecilia at July 1, 2008 3:28 PMWas I first? And didn't write anything profound. Typical *faints*
Posted by: Carola at July 1, 2008 3:29 PMHappy Canada Day! Bring on the beer!
Posted by: Mya at July 1, 2008 3:30 PMThanks for the great post, Stephanie!
I just posted about my dear friends in Vancouver and Sidney, with whom I spent some lovely times in June. I do like Canada quite a lot, and I am grateful for the chance I've had to spend time there. My favorite Canadian treat isn't the beer, it's the Growers' Extra Dry Apple hard cider. Beer sampling goes on the list for my next visit.
I especially like it that "74% of people consider President Bush a threat to world peace". I count the days until January. And I consider it to their credit that Canadians haven't let the Bush Administration sour them on America and Americans. I love my country, but sometimes it's really messed up.
Posted by: CatBookMom at July 1, 2008 3:30 PMcanada is a country where the theme song from kids in the hall is a national anthem.
where cbc radio 1 is always SO positive i want to cry.
where you can get beer delivered to your door in the winter (yes!)
where people can criticize and analyze their own role in the colonization of this country!
(and i don't even really believe in canada as an ideology, but alas. i'm attached).
xo
Posted by: diandra at July 1, 2008 3:30 PM...being only 4 hours from the border, is a place I really need to visit.
Posted by: peggy at July 1, 2008 3:35 PMWe visited Canada for my first time last August and I fell in love with it. Do you have room for one more? (Poutine is deadly, but yummy; the food is to die for; the architecture a dream; the people...the friendliest ever!)
Posted by: BalletMommy at July 1, 2008 3:37 PMI will have to visit if not live in some day because after reading your list I appreciate Canada even more. I also really like the letter "u" and wish I was able to legitimately use it more.
Posted by: Chelsea at July 1, 2008 3:37 PMYour Canada posts always make me want to emigrate north... Happy Canada Day!!
Posted by: Alexis at July 1, 2008 3:37 PMCanada Rocks! I live in far northern NY, 30 mins from Cornwall - and Canada has always been a great neighbor. I grew up in the 60's where most of my tv viewing was Mr. Dress up, The Friendly Giant, and other shows on CBOT and CJOH. Our local schools always take field trips to Upper Canada Village, and I can remember several evenings being in awe at the lights on the international bridge over the St. Lawrence! I haven't visited in a while, but I still think of her as a wonderful neighbor - and have always marveled over the fact that as a 'foreign country' we didn't need passports to enter. (now something similar will be needed for us to return home - go figure!) Happy Canada Day!
Posted by: Kathy at July 1, 2008 3:38 PM"This is a country that wants you to keep your stick on the ice. (Literally, and metaphorically.)"
lovely quote.
Posted by: zeghsy at July 1, 2008 3:39 PMI've never been to Canada, so can't really do your meme. I have been to Maine and Minnesota, two border states where the people speak with accents that may be related to proximity to Canada. Maybe, "Canada is a country where 'Eh?' figures prominently in a conversation"?
Regarding Obama and evangelicals, you should be aware that Obama wants to increase Bush's faith-based initiatives and give those groups the right to hire and fire based on religious beliefs. (He's reaching out to evangelicals to try to steal some of that vote from McCain.)
Posted by: Sarah at July 1, 2008 3:39 PMThere are hand signals to Skin-a-ma-rink-a-dink? How did I not know that? I've been singing it for years. I think you're now required to video the hand signals so I can teach them to Ellie.
Posted by: Nathania at July 1, 2008 3:40 PM....where one of their cities (all of which are made of awesome, as far as I can tell) is having its 400th birthday today. Many happy returns, Quebec City!
Posted by: Barb at July 1, 2008 3:40 PMCanada is a place where i would live if it wasn't so cold! As is, Toronto is one of my favorite places to visit in the world- reminds me of NYC (only clean and with no crime).
As an aside- your post about the baby sweaters made me cry. We are expecting our first (who we wished for for 2 years before finally concieving) and i don't know a single person who knits besides me. There is something magical and full of love surrounding handmade items. My grandmother taught me to knit and making things for the baby all by myself have made me miss her even more acutely. Congratulations to your friend on her impending arrival, and i hope she knows how lucky she is to have someone wrap her baby in handmades.
Posted by: Logan at July 1, 2008 3:41 PM...where if you're not a knitter (or know one intimately) your hands and feet may actually fall off for lack of warm covering. And I know there are other methods of keeping hands and feet warm, but commercial gloves and thick socks are not even close to being the same.
One of these days I will actually be able to spend time in Canada, more than just driving thru as a short cut from MI to CT. And it will not be in the winter...
Canada is a land where Yarn Harlot lives and makes our days brighter by writing posts like this.
Posted by: Marika at July 1, 2008 3:42 PMI went to Canada for vacation last year. I got really, truely, inexplicably stupid. It was strange, because most Canadians I know are very smart. And I'm smart! And they were dumb problems that I don't have any other time. I thought gas was cheap at 1.85 ... until I realized it was litres/CAD. I turned right when the GPS said left. I couldn't distinguish a toll road from not, I couldn't function driving in KM/H, and couldn't figure out how far things were from me in kilometers. I couldn't figure how to make change. I kept thinking the signs were in Spanish... And I don't have these problems when visiting other countries - so it wasn't like I didn't know how metric worked or what to do with colorful money. It was just ... Canada.
Although, everyone was super nice (people were giving me maps, letting me in when I was in the wrong lane...) I'm really afraid to go back for fear I'd never find my way home. I'd be some sort of legend, the knitter, roaming the countryside going "Eh? US? Eh?"
Posted by: Amber at July 1, 2008 3:43 PMCanada is a country where . . .
. . . loonies and toonies are in your pocket.
. . . you can watch football (yes, football! not soccer!) all summer long when there's no NFL on American television.
. . . you can finally put that high school French class to use reading the labels at the grocery store.
. . . you find vinegar on the tables at the fast food restaurants instead of ketchup.
. . . they put the pit toilet in the phrase "pit stop." (and they're few and far between!)
. . . I'd visit again in a heartbeat!
. . . I wish I lived.
I would love to come to Canada. Sounds like a place for me and my little family's ideals. Plus it doesn't seem to get very hot and muggy. Ever tried knitting outside in 90F degree heat and 90 % humidity. I don't recommend that.
BTW - Thank you Stephanie for making this yarn addict - both crochet and knit - and be very pround to be that way!
Happy Canada Day!
Posted by: Lissa at July 1, 2008 3:45 PMThe greatest (and wettest) backpacking in some of the coolest peat bogs in the world occurs (Hand knit socks an extra plus in Cape Scott)
Posted by: Meredith at July 1, 2008 3:45 PMPerhaps so many Americans get all wound up over praise for Canada because there are enough of us Americans out there saying "OMG if another Republican becomes president I'm moving to Canada." And seriously? I want to move to Canada. And I totally remember Sharon, Lois and Bram and the elephant show and all the hand movements to the song :)
Posted by: lifexhistory at July 1, 2008 3:45 PM...where the very nicest tourists come from. I used to be a tour guide for the Grand Ole Opry and just loved to welcome my northern neighbors to the stage of the Ryman Auditorium! I would conclude my informational talk with the invitation to sing "the second most beautiful national anthem in the world": "Oh, Canada!"
And Montreal, where I spent my honeymoon... heaven!
Posted by: Brandy at July 1, 2008 3:46 PMhave I mentioned that I wish I were canadian? husband has applied for two jobs in canada...wish us luck!
Posted by: andrea at July 1, 2008 3:46 PMI thought July 1st is Canada Day? Why is your post dated June 30th? (my birthday, but otherwise undistinguished)
OK, my answer: Canada is where I'd like to live. And Canada is where there's Tiger Tail ice cream!
Posted by: Lynn at July 1, 2008 3:46 PM... I think I need to think about moving!
Posted by: madmad at July 1, 2008 3:46 PMCanada is where my favorite pro-wrestler, Lance Storm was born and lives and teaches wrestling. He might not be the most famous wrestler in the world, but is a great person. If we are going to have a son, his middle name will be Lance.
Posted by: O-chica at July 1, 2008 3:47 PMCanada is a country where the weather is the only thing that keeps me from moving there.
Posted by: Austin Val at July 1, 2008 3:48 PMCanada is a country where potato chips come in flavours (when in Rome?) akin to Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans of the Harry Potter novels including (but not limited to) cheddar, ketchup, and lobster.
I don't live in Canada, but knew a missionary who went to Calgary.
And apparently the Oreos are different there too.
Posted by: Karin the English Major at July 1, 2008 3:48 PMLovely whisky is made.
Posted by: David K. at July 1, 2008 3:48 PMCanada is a country where . . the Arrogant Worms come from! They are the best 'funny' band ever.
Posted by: Cece at July 1, 2008 3:48 PMCanada is a country where I could see myself living, happily.
Posted by: elizabeth at July 1, 2008 3:49 PM