Froro

The reality is for the networks it is cheaper for them to bring in foreign content than to produce homegrown content. I have always supported Canadian programming and love the fact that some programs are started to get some attention and traction. There have been some fantastic homegrown productions the last few years but sadly, even successful programs generally have a four season run and are eliminated. There just isn't the money to produce. Once a show becomes successful actors would love to get something more than "scale" which is pretty paltry to be honest and the funds dry up. My family is involved in the industry and we accept that's just the way it is. The money for day roles is depressingly low, and even lead roles don't make nearly what their fellow actors in the US make...I understand their desire to actually make some money if/when they can but it becomes a double edged sword. Cast want more money when a show becomes successful leading to higher production costs leading to series cancellation. Nothing I enjoy more than watching television program and seeing programs set locally actually acknowledge that are local and not pretend to be a US city. The talent is here, but sadly there really isn't enough public support for homegrown programming. We can do slick (as has been evidenced by how much US production is actually done here), but in general, Canadians really would prefer House, Grey's, CSI etc. Children's programs/tweens and teens are strong in Canada though, and do extremely well on the international market. Unlike another poster though...I'd rather watch Flashpoint, or the Border vs House, Grey's etc and do so. Reality television is a whole other ball game. It's ridiculously inexpensive to produce vs dramatic serials and that's why the networks LOVE them. We don't watch any reality television other than the Amazing Race.

I don't believe I should expect any kind of inheritance from my parents/nor my MIL. Why should I. What is this nonsense that the government will take care of us in our senior years? Has the OP ever lived in the real world? Plan on no inheritance and work to put money away for your own future (hence why RRSP are important). Count on yourself and that way you are your own keeper. When did this sense of entitlement to inheritances start? CPP and such I can see as we've paid into it our whole lives but your parent's money??? If anyone needs to rely on an inheritance to survive in your future, you need grow up, cut the umbilical cord, and stand on your own two feet. Blaming parents for actually having a life after raising children (which ain't cheap, ungrateful little ingrates) and working their entire lives by spending their own money for the destruction of the Canadian civilization.....

The Point I think I'm trying to make is that by embracing all of those influences around us (good or bad) has defined us in a sense and is what makes us uniquely Canadian.

No, I would not be any less Canadian but how we have evolved as a country and a culture would be different. Asking that question would be akin to asking me if one of my ancestors was not Polish would I be any less Canadian. The fact that I like Pierogy does not make me any more or less Canadian, it simply a tiny part of what has led to the evolution of what it means to me to be Canadian. The question you pose is silly in it's premise completely. You may as well ask, would I be any less Canadian if we hadn't been founded by both Britain and France? You can not ignore the influences of the cultures that surround you. All of those influences are what makes me uniquely Canadian. What I said originally was: There is more about being Canadian than being defined as "not American", which is a longstanding theme here, and a personal bone of contention for me. I didn't say I defined myself as anything other than Canadian. I get annoyed when my children's teachers insist we choose a country from our ancestry for their heritage projects. They are never allowed to use Canada as their cultural history, only a country that has zero relevance in our lives today (other than some great food, and DNA). I actually got into a large arguement this year with my son's gr. 2 teacher because he based his project on being Canadian. I had to fight with the teacher and eventually go to the principal over a silly little project because he wasn't allowed to pick "Canadian" as a cultural background. He was going to get a failing grade because being Canadian didn't count. How insane is that?

Whether we like it or not those south of the 49th parallel aren't going anywhere and do have influence over our culture, just as all of cultures of my ancestors have had on my interpretation of my own Canadian identity. PS. If no Americans are required at all why are they your username??? (or are you a resident of the country that shall not be named)

Things that make me feel Canadian (but are not necessarily Unique to Canada either) Self Depreciating sense of humour The Mounties The Rocky Mountains The Praries Both Coastal lines Maple syrup, maple cookies, maple butter, anything maple. Whilst one poster claims it's nothing more than a leaf to wipe his/her ass with, it means so much more to me. It is a symbol of a strong tree, ever growing and changing representing the evolving culture within and across Canada. the Beaver (yup it's just an animal but who cares) Bison (same thing applies) Moose and Caribou. Canadian Television (whether you watch it or not, government mandated or not, I love watching OUR stories, and OUR cities not pretending to be American cities on our airwaves...besides there are some fabulous Canadian shows) The War of 1812 Our honoured Soldiers from WW1, WW11 and all other wars. Canadian History Channel Advances in medical research over our history Pride in our natural resources Tortierre indeed!!! Buttertarts Hockey...yes hockey, it's become part of the national psyche This list is not exhaustive. The fact that my heritage includes, Polish, Welsh, French, Lebanese, Italian, my kids have Danish heritage included and it's perfectly normal to say when asked our cultural background to say "Canadian". (Try getting a teacher to accept that on their cultural history assignments though....everyone is so bent on labelling them as "from somewhere else". You know what? My family has been in Canada for 5 generations, can't we just call ourselves Canadian yet? Why does a culture have to be defined to be legitimate? There is so much more to being Canadian than just not "being American". I've never understood why we need a definitive label to understand what it means to be Canadian. I am not an immigrant, nor were my parents, or most of my grandparents for that matter, I am Canadian, why is this such a difficult concept to grasp? My mother in law is an immigrant but does not define herself as Danish, she defines herself as Canadian. I am proud of our flag, our country, and our traditions. Those traditions can be different for everyone which is what makes them even more Canadian. There is nothing wrong of being proud to be Canadian even in the absence of any definition thereof.

First Post here after finally finding a Canadian forum on political topics. How very entertaining!!! I have just spent the better part of 3 hours reading all 59 pages of diatribe and have a few comments. First off. Mr. Canada.... My Dearest Sister Shirley from my blessed girls Catholic School would certainly be calling you into her office for a chat on Catholic Charity and a lesson on how we are to treat others. You obviously have not been listening in Church. To address a few of your points. Capital Punishment is murder, and a mortal sin by ANY definition. Jesus forgave the prostitutes (hmmm...Mary Magdalene was proclaimed a Saint remember??), perhaps you should lighten up on your condemnation of sinners, as Jesus taught forgiveness of the sinners) With regards to your comments about Catholic Schools being superior to Public schools? You obviously don't have any children in the system who require any kind of special needs. I have pulled all four of my children from the so called Christian Catholic system due to lack of supervision, out of control bullying, and an administration who would rather see a child with a reading disablity pushed through the system as opposed to actually trying to help said child to Learn. The public school system in this province is far superior for any kind of special needs and or enrichment programs. (You can call any number of groups within the province dedicated to children with special needs and they will all tell you the same thing). Through these programs my child has overcome his disability and is now above grade level and is taking "gifted" programs. So much for the dumb kid that was constantly being put down by his Catholic teachers. This opened my eyes to a new understanding of what it means to be a practising Catholic. I have found the secular multi denominational public system to be so much kinder, and in fact more Christian in their treatment of our children than our old Catholic schools. They have learned tolerance, religious differences and respect thereof, and kindness to all. Hmmmm....isn't that what Jesus was trying to teach us? I am proud to know that my children celebrate and/or respect every holiday and religious observation of ALL faiths from the school's population. Contrary to what you think, the majority of Ontarians overwhelmingly voted against the Conservative platform of seperate religious schools for all. MY Roman Catholic Church taught me tolerance, kindness and forgiveness of all, empathy, understanding, and encouraged us to help anyone in need regardless of whether they were sinners or not, without judgement or condemnation. What a shame those beautiful lessons have been slowly changing to lessons of intolerance, judgement, and hate. What a shame the Catholic Church has slowly been driving those of us who were raised in a different more tolerant Church that did not teach fire and brimstone religion to leave the Church. I do miss the Church but will not return. The Church of today is not what it was, it is filled with even more hyprocrisy, and intolerance all in the name of the POPE, not Jesus. What a shame that those wonderful priests I grew up with have mostly left the Church. If defining myself as a Catholic means accepting the values and morals you hold....I'm walking out the door faster than Sister Helen could write us up for not adhering to uniform policies!! Feel free to judge me any way you choose as I will reject any notion that I am going to hell for being a good person. I'm trying to keep all the names straight along this thread but the only one that really stood out was poor Mr. Canada and his dilusional concept of how the world should be defined, so forgive me for not using any further names. This thread has been both humourous and exceedingly educational, and some excellent arguements made (noting the above comments). Regarding being secular. I suppose after reading this thread I should consider myself secular. Is it a belief? No...it's more of a philosophy. I consider our school (as mentioned above) secular. No actual religious viewpoint taught but all are taught, no discrimination because all holidays are observed/respected, and the children learn of all cultures and basics of all religions. If this is a bad thing, I must be an idiot as I can not see how teaching children about each others backgrounds and customs can do anything but foster understanding. We are given a notice at the beginning of each month and parents have the option of having their children sit out if they feel strongly about it. It's no big deal. OH...btw, the Christmas Tree is a Christmas Tree, not a holiday tree at our school, the Menorah, is a Menorah, etc etc...It is called RESPECT. Equating a secular government with communism is a stretch at best. (and don't come back with North Korea, or Russia, I've already read those arguements). Religious and cultural backgrounds (as well as socio-economic) will always play a role in how we make decisions and members of Parliament are not immune from such influence. The ultimate goal is to see legislators who can seperate their religious values when making decisions of laws that will influence the greater masses, at the same time serve the greater good, and protect ALL citizens from any kind of persecution. I would have much greater respect for a member of Parliament who withheld his vote due to his/her own moral stance than for one who voted for or against simply because it followed their religious doctrine. I will now take off my rose coloured glasses and look at the real world.....sigh..... (For the record and for all to see, I have voted Conservative, and Liberal, and even NDP (once) throughout my life. Until the current conservatives can show one bit of any kind of real fiscal conservativism as opposed to vote buying irresponsibility, and unnessary games (making every vote a confidence vote) they shall not have my vote again). Looking forward to delving into the rest of these threads tonight and tomorrow.....so far these are much more thought out than the typical nonsense I see on the CBC/CTV and newpaper websites.....