What Best Defines Canada? [Ian's Messy Desk]

Today is Canada Day. This marks the joining of the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867.

So, what does it mean to be a Canadian? At least, from the perspective of Canadians.

Picture this: Pierre Trudeau standing with his back to Niagara Falls, clutching a red maple leaf in his hand, on Canada Day. Can you imagine a more Canadian scene? Only if the robotic space Canadarm somehow made it into the scene, according to a recent poll.

The Ipsos-Reid survey, on behalf of the Dominion Institute and the federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration, asked Canadians what best defines their country.

After tallying the results, Trudeau was revealed as the person who most defines Canada. Niagara Falls was the defining place, Canada Day the defining event, Canadarm the defining accomplishment and the maple leaf was the defining symbol.

The top-ten results in each of the five categories are…

People:

1. Pierre Trudeau
2. Wayne Gretzky
3. Terry Fox
4. Céline Dion
5. John A. Macdonald
6. David Suzuki
7. Tommy Douglas
8. Stephen Harper
9. Lester Pearson
10. Maurice Richard

Places:

1. Niagara Falls
2. The Rockies
3. Parliament Hill
4. Ottawa
5. CN Tower
6. Quebec City/Old Quebec City
7. Toronto
8. Montreal
9. Province of Quebec
10. Vancouver

Events:

1. Canada Day
2. Confederation
3. First and Second World Wars
4. Calgary Stampede
5. Vimy Ridge
6. Plains of Abraham
7. Grey Cup
8. Olympics
9. Expo 67
10. Quebec Winter Carnival

Accomplishments:

1. Canadarm
2. Peacekeeping
3. Universal health care
4. Fredrick Banting - Insulin
5. Alexander Graham Bell - Telephone
6. Diversity, Multiculturalism
7. Canadian Constitution, Charter of Rights and Freedoms
8. Canadian national railway/railroad
9. Freedom
10. Avro Arrow project

Symbols:

1. Maple leaf
2. Hockey
3. Canadian flag
4. Beaver
5. RCMP, Mounties
6. Stanley Cup
7. Wilderness (includes scenery)
8. Loonie
9. Maple syrup
10. Moose, caribou

How about non-Canadians, do any of the above conjure up images of Canada or is it something else?

Trudeau, Niagara Falls among top Canadian icons, poll finds.

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Original post here: Ian McKenzie

30 June 2008 | 10644 | Comments