Canada and the U.S. Aren't Much Different

[tml12]

I understand the controversial nature of this post but it is intended to foster discussions and is not intended to be partisan.

I do not believe that there are any real differences between Canada and the United States. I will offer a step-by-step critique of the arguments used by Canadians and Americans to state that the two nations are different are, in fact, myths.

I have travelled and lived extensively in both countries and come from both Canadian and American roots and believe quite truly that Canada and the U.S. would both be much stronger if we defended the truth and didn’t propagate lies.

Myth#1: Canada Has Single-Tier Healthcare; The U.S. Has A Completely 100% Private System

Canada has a two-tier healthcare system, whereas the U.S. has a lot of public healthcare including Medicare for the elderly and disabled and work-related insurance plans. In every major city in Canada, doctors will offer patients a choice between the public system and the private system. Paul Martin, whose Liberal Party was responsible for the promotion of private healthcare in Canada due to the 1995 budget cuts, uses a private system as well as thousands of other people.

Myth#2: Canada Is Bilingual, The U.S. Isn’t

Canada is a country with two official languages. This makes Canada bilingual only at the federal level. Provincially, Canada only has one officially bilingual province, where, as a recent court case shows, most local services are in English. Throughout Quebec, French is the common language and only in parts of Montreal and the Eastern Townships do people really speak English. Even there, the OLF will prosecute people who attempt to display a language other than French due to Quebec law. West of Sault Ste. Marie, the common language of Canada is English and it is not a requirement to speak French. Even in Sault Ste. Marie there has been much opposition to the use of the French language with the mayor at one point declaring the town “English only.” The U.S. is a country that is mainly English but has a lot of Spanish-speaking residents.

Myth#3: Canada Is Multicultural And The U.S. Is A Melting Pot

Neither of those statements are true. Canada has an official multicultural policy, but Quebec, which has its own immigration laws, is much more of a melting pot, as are many parts of western Canada. In the states, the more left-leaning states have their own multicultural policies while the more red-leaning states have their own melting-pot policies.

Myth#4: Canada Is A Gentler Nation Whose Citizens Believe In Peace-Keeping, Not Policing

Canada was once a proud nation with strong armed forces and was respected around the world. The Canada of today is so virtually unknown that most nations do not know what to make of us. It is very hard to say Canada is “gentler” than the United States. There are left-wing and right-wing parts of both countries. The only reason that Canada seems gentler is that this country’s government does not fund the armed forces because it knows the U.S. will protect us. It is a generic lie to say all Canadians are peacekeepers and all Americans are war-mongerers.

Central Canada has a larger population than Canada and for this reason it can direct policy in Canada. But as we have seen from Western Alienation and Quebec Separatism, the lies of a socialist, anti-war Canada cannot continue forever. In the U.S., middle America is controlling policy, alienating the blue, more liberal states. The Liberal Party, which controls Ontario, and the U.S. Republican Party, which controls middle America, is emphasizing these national myths in order to give reasons why our countries should act in different situations. The reality is, regardless of the lies these political parties attempt to promote, Canada and the U.S. are almost completely identical. Take a drive through the U.S. blue states and Ontario and the U.S. red states and the Prairies and you will find many of the same values and ideals.

Canada is a sovereign country and a member of the British Commonwealth and this is how it should be. However, we must remember our geographic similarities as North Americans and not make any kind of attempt to undermine our position as a global leader in the world.

[Yaro]

Myth#1: Canada Has Single-Tier Healthcare; The U.S. Has A Completely 100% Private System

Canada has a two-tier healthcare system, whereas the U.S. has a lot of public healthcare including Medicare for the elderly and disabled and work-related insurance plans. In every major city in Canada, doctors will offer patients a choice between the public system and the private system. Paul Martin, whose Liberal Party was responsible for the promotion of private healthcare in Canada due to the 1995 budget cuts, uses a private system as well as thousands of other people.

Untrue, while there are some private components to Canada's healthcare system it is for all intents and purposes still a single payer administered system and far more efficient then the US system. It is also to an almost complete extent, centrally managed. There is virtually no realistic similarity between the two. In the US it is not uncommon to pay 700 USD a month for good medical insurance, in Canada similar level coverage is in the 250 CD range. Medication patents are far more reasonably controlled and a plethora of other issues. While there have been severe cuts made the Canadian medical system getting the massive deficits that Mulroney left us with under control it is completely unreasonable to suggest that we have a two-tiered medical system (although there are definitely small avenues of two-tier availability).

Myth#2: Canada Is Bilingual, The U.S. Isn’t

Canada is a country with two official languages. This makes Canada bilingual only at the federal level. Provincially, Canada only has one officially bilingual province, where, as a recent court case shows, most local services are in English. Throughout Quebec, French is the common language and only in parts of Montreal and the Eastern Townships do people really speak English. Even there, the OLF will prosecute people who attempt to display a language other than French due to Quebec law. West of Sault Ste. Marie, the common language of Canada is English and it is not a requirement to speak French. Even in Sault Ste. Marie there has been much opposition to the use of the French language with the mayor at one point declaring the town “English only.” The U.S. is a country that is mainly English but has a lot of Spanish-speaking residents.

Canada is an amalgamation of an essentially French State in Quebec and an essentially English State in the rest of Canada. Canada is Bilingual, the fact that languages are localized is meaningless, and there isn't a major country in the world that doesn't have multiple dialects that are as different as English and French. Hell if you have ever traveled in Britain you knows that you can travel 20km and find that people are speaking virtually a different language.

Myth#3: Canada Is Multicultural And The U.S. Is A Melting Pot

Neither of those statements is true. Canada has an official multicultural policy, but Quebec, which has its own immigration laws, is much more of a melting pot, as are many parts of western Canada. In the states, the more left-leaning states have their own multicultural policies while the more red-leaning states have their own melting-pot policies.

There is little doubt that there are significant differences between Canada's multiculturalism and the US's melting pot theory. Although I believe that the US has the right of it and that it should be the responsibility of immigrants to adjust to local society rather then vice versa, it is obvious it’s a huge difference.

Myth#4: Canada Is A Gentler Nation Whose Citizens Believe In Peace-Keeping, Not Policing

Canada was once a proud nation with strong armed forces and was respected around the world. The Canada of today is so virtually unknown that most nations do not know what to make of us. It is very hard to say Canada is “gentler” than the United States. There are left-wing and right-wing parts of both countries. The only reason that Canada seems gentler is that this country’s government does not fund the armed forces because it knows the U.S. will protect us. It is a generic lie to say all Canadians are peacekeepers and all Americans are war-mongerers.

Canada is a country with a population 1/10th that of the US's and a little over 1/3rd of GB's, Frances, or Germany's. Canada doesn't have a military at the virtual request of the US, if you knew your Canadian history to any extent you would know all about US requests that Canada stop developing arms so that engineers would be willing to leave Canada for the US arms developers and NASA. While it is technically true that both countries have Right and Left, I don't think its any secret that we have very different political philosophies, we also have very different levels of religious participation in our politics as well as daily lives. Canada is a more "gentle" nation by nature, that hardly surprising since the US is about as violent a society as exists on earth.

Central Canada has a larger population than Canada and for this reason it can direct policy in Canada. But as we have seen from Western Alienation and Quebec Separatism, the lies of a socialist, anti-war Canada cannot continue forever. In the U.S., middle America is controlling policy, alienating the blue, more liberal states. The Liberal Party, which controls Ontario, and the U.S. Republican Party, which controls middle America, is emphasizing these national myths in order to give reasons why our countries should act in different situations. The reality is, regardless of the lies these political parties attempt to promote, Canada and the U.S. are almost completely identical. Take a drive through the U.S. blue states and Ontario and the U.S. red states and the Prairies and you will find many of the same values and ideals.

If you have been to the US south and find significant similarity between it and Canada then you must be from a part of Canada so back-water I have never been there. And while it is true that there are many parts of Canada and the US which are similar there are an equal number which are completely different. Canadians as in general have a different philosophy on virtually every major issue then Americans. Abortion, SSM, Tax levels, Governments role in Education, Medicine, environmental protection, Gun Control... There are far more social differences then similarities. Canadians are also as a group far more educated then Americans.

Canada is a sovereign country and a member of the British Commonwealth and this is how it should be. However, we must remember our geographic similarities as North Americans and not make any kind of attempt to undermine our position as a global leader in the world.

Clearly you have a strong affinity for American lifestyle and policy, also clearly you really know very little about the US. I would suggest living there for a while, if you find it to your liking then I would suggest moving there because I get the distinct impression that our rift with the US will only grow over the next 20 years (Since that is very much in Canada's best interest).

[Black Dog]

I do not believe that there are any real differences between Canada and the United States. I will offer a step-by-step critique of the arguments used by Canadians and Americans to state that the two nations are different are, in fact, myths.

You're looking at differences in policy, not culture. There are deep differences between Canadian and the U.S.Aian cultures, differences that are quite real and far more profound than government policies vis a vis language or foreign policy.

[Chimera]

In my experiences travelling to the US for business/vacations, it seems to me that AN American is similar to a Canadian, while Americans as a whole do have vastly different beliefs.

If you have been to the US south and find significant similarity between it and Canada then you must be from a part of Canada so back-water I have never been there.

I am assuming you live in the GTA, you should try travelling to a little town just outside there called Smithville.

[speaker]

have you ever heard the expression, "I never met an American I didn't like, It's the Americans I can't stand"

It emphasizes a couple of points. Americans actually are people, similar to Chinese, Guatemalans, Nigerians, Jordanians, and Khazaks, and yes even Canucks. still one shouldn't get carried away with a generalization like this because what those peoples believe will get them to the same goals does differ considerably.

The Americans have gone beyond being the spoiled rich kids who believe in Manifest Destiny and have gone right over to Devine right. And I'm not talking about Grant, though he may have had similar illusions.

[newbie]

have you ever heard the expression, "I never met an American I didn't like, It's the Americans I can't stand"

It emphasizes a couple of points. Americans actually are people, similar to Chinese, Guatemalans, Nigerians, Jordanians, and Khazaks, and yes even Canucks. still one shouldn't get carried away with a generalization like this because what those peoples believe will get them to the same goals does differ considerably.

I agree about the generalization bit. But I really think it's the policy and administration, especially now, that Canadians dislike about America.

[Yaro]

I agree about the generalization bit. But I really think it's the policy and administration, especially now, that Canadians dislike about America.

Yes and no, it should be noted that a great many Americans strongly support the policy and administration. I think the worm turned on this when the administration was returned to power for a second term, I know thats when many Europeans came to the realization that the government in the US IS representative of the people.

[tml12]

I agree about the generalization bit. But I really think it's the policy and administration, especially now, that Canadians dislike about America.

Yes and no, it should be noted that a great many Americans strongly support the policy and administration. I think the worm turned on this when the administration was returned to power for a second term, I know thats when many Europeans came to the realization that the government in the US IS representative of the people.

I have yet to comment on many of these prevocative responses to my original post but Yaro that last comment was inaccurate.

51% of Americans voted for Bush. Kerry was NOT a strong opponent because he was a flip-flop.

Though I am not Liberal, I will repeat what the American Liberals say when they argue 51% is not a mandate because that is true.

You would be a fool to think otherwise.

[flashman]

I would suggest that there are two major differences. One is the competitive ideals of US society contrast to the more collaborative values of Canadians. It seems that everyone is US is considered a competitor and a potential threat. That's why it is necessary to be armed from both an individual and a national perpective.

Secondly style and presentation are valued more in the USA than substance. Hype, spin, misrepresentation are more appreciated and have more effect than facts. That's why challenges to American information are considered anti-American and unpatriotic when they are simply attempts to present the facts.

[newbie]

I agree about the generalization bit. But I really think it's the policy and administration, especially now, that Canadians dislike about America.

Yes and no, it should be noted that a great many Americans strongly support the policy and administration. I think the worm turned on this when the administration was returned to power for a second term, I know thats when many Europeans came to the realization that the government in the US IS representative of the people.

So then you are saying one cannot separate one's politics from one's essence or personality? Some of my best friends are on the extreme right of centre and I am a bonafide lefty. Yet, we have no difficulty in maintaining our friendship. I don't hate the conservative point of view. I respect it, but do not agree with it, and I don't judge people by their political affiliations.

[Brian]

I agree about the generalization bit. But I really think it's the policy and administration, especially now, that Canadians dislike about America.

Yes and no, it should be noted that a great many Americans strongly support the policy and administration. I think the worm turned on this when the administration was returned to power for a second term, I know thats when many Europeans came to the realization that the government in the US IS representative of the people.

So then you are saying one cannot separate one's politics from one's essence or personality? Some of my best friends are on the extreme right of centre and I am a bonafide lefty. Yet, we have no difficulty in maintaining our friendship. I don't hate the conservative point of view. I respect it, but do not agree with it, and I don't judge people by their political affiliations.

I agree about the generalization bit. But I really think it's the policy and administration, especially now, that Canadians dislike about America.

Yes and no, it should be noted that a great many Americans strongly support the policy and administration. I think the worm turned on this when the administration was returned to power for a second term, I know thats when many Europeans came to the realization that the government in the US IS representative of the people.

So then you are saying one cannot separate one's politics from one's essence or personality? Some of my best friends are on the extreme right of centre and I am a bonafide lefty. Yet, we have no difficulty in maintaining our friendship. I don't hate the conservative point of view. I respect it, but do not agree with it, and I don't judge people by their political affiliations.

[Brian]

Hello. I've just registered here and would like to comment on the topic. As I see it Canada/US relations are at an all time low primarily due to the stance currently taken by the current American Administration. As the world's only superpower it is, in my opinion, using it's powers in an overly agressive manner to the detriment of us all.

My son lives in Dallas and he tells me that living down there is like living in a different world than we are accustom to.

On an individual level I am sure Americans and Canadians want many of the same things out of life. I am from central Canada and occasionally travel to the states to the south of me. There is no discernable difference between the two places. We speak the same language and appear to have similar tastes.

When I travelled to Texas I did notice a difference in the ethnic makeup than that which I noticed just south of the 49th parallel.

On an instutional level I see Canada as being distinct from the USA in that I think we emphasize the collective in contrast to the emphasis on the individual in the USA.

Even though we (Canada/USA) have a number of differences I feel that there is a strong enough bond between us to overcome some of the problems we are currently experiencing.

I am at the left of the political spectrum.

[USA_Liberal]

Hello. I've just registered here and would like to comment on the topic. As I see it Canada/US relations are at an all time low primarily due to the stance currently taken by the current American Administration. As the world's only superpower it is, in my opinion, using it's powers in an overly agressive manner to the detriment of us all.

My son lives in Dallas and he tells me that living down there is like living in a different world than we are accustom to.

On an individual level I am sure Americans and Canadians want many of the same things out of life. I am from central Canada and occasionally travel to the states to the south of me. There is no discernable difference between the two places. We speak the same language and appear to have similar tastes.

When I travelled to Texas I did notice a difference in the ethnic makeup than that which I noticed just south of the 49th parallel.

On an instutional level I see Canada as being distinct from the USA in that I think we emphasize the collective in contrast to the emphasis on the individual in the USA.

Even though we (Canada/USA) have a number of differences I feel that there is a strong enough bond between us to overcome some of the problems we are currently experiencing.

I am at the left of the political spectrum.

I am a dual citizen. I have lived in Canada for 4 years. Lived in the US for 2 decades since birth. When I first moved to Canada, I suffered the sort of culture shock that I hadn't expected, mostly due to my assumed expectations that the 2 countries were similar in many ways. The differences that I came across are simply too many to list, but one of the biggest shockers was how much i came across people who were vocal in their dislike towards the US.

I have recently become a Canadian Citizen and over the years have learned what Canada is trully all about and have a lot of appreciation for this land that I call "the real democracy".

I make 4 trips back and forth across the border per year (on average) and each time, I remind myself to change my mindset arrival to either side. anyone who says that the US and Canada are alike is seriously mistaken. Hardly !

[daniel]

...anyone who says that the US and Canada are alike is seriously mistaken. Hardly !

If the election results reflect the recent opinion polls, the rest of the world would think that Canadians are crazy too.

[newbie]

...anyone who says that the US and Canada are alike is seriously mistaken. Hardly !

If the election results reflect the recent opinion polls, the rest of the world would think that Canadians are crazy too.

Yeah, especially when Harper crawls into bed with dubya.

[YankAbroad]

Even in Sault Ste. Marie there has been much opposition to the use of the French language with the mayor at one point declaring the town “English only.”

The fact he didn't include his own town's name in that declaration only proves that the popular Canadian pretention to be "smarter and better educated" than Americans is largely misplaced.

I generally agree with the rest of your posting (except in a couple of minor areas). The only thing I'd add is that the USA is generally far more bilingual in daily practice than Canada -- while official Canada is bilingual and there is French on cereal boxes, government policy has largely ghettoized French into Quebec and a couple of isolated enclaves -- while Spanish is on the rise all across the USA (despite not being an "official" language).

[flashman]

There's a big difference with respect to violence. The American restaurant franchise Chuck E Cheeese has discontinued its videogames in Canadian franchises because of complaints about the violent content. However there still there in the US restaurants.

[YankAbroad]

There's a big difference with respect to violence. The American restaurant franchise Chuck E Cheeese has discontinued its videogames in Canadian franchises because of complaints about the violent content. However there still there in the US restaurants.

Well, that's actually rather in keeping with something that Tipper Gore or Phyllis Schlafly would advocate. . .

[scribblet]

I'm not going to get into any deep philosophical discussion, Americans are not much different than Canadians, and truly do not understand the animosity towards them, except for the Iraq War issue which they are well aware of.

I have spent a fair amount of time in the U.S. (warmer climes) and spent a lot of time with Americans from all over, some have even come north and visited with us. These people want and hope for the same things we do, they go about their business the same as we do. They do not understand our obsession with bashing another country (U.S.) for its internal policies e.g. health care, and do not want any form of nationalization, even the democrats don't want it. I don't get it sometimes, why are Canadians so obsessed with another countries internal policies and why should we care how they vote or what system they prefer - its none of our business. The obsession with U.S. bashing has gone from normal critique to OCD, many Americans think we are condescending and look down our nose at them, they are not stupid, they see it.

If Canadians think they are better than the U.S. they are wrong, their intolerance and hatred of a particular group is showing.

[flashman]

The image that the US likes to present is based on hype, exaggeration and misrepresentation. Canadians get bombarded with this chest beating on a daily basis by the media so it's a natural reaction to reject it and point out the truths because of sheer overload if nothing else.

[YankAbroad]

The image that the US likes to present is based on hype, exaggeration and misrepresentation. Canadians get bombarded with this chest beating on a daily basis by the media so it's a natural reaction to reject it and point out the truths because of sheer overload if nothing else.

Nobody forces Canadians to watch American television, buy American music, watch American movies, etc.

Even efforts to restrict free trade in culture and jail people for watching US satellite broadcasts have not dulled Canadian appetites for US culture. So something tells me that it's not a "bombarding," but an embracing.

[rhumbline]

The image that the US likes to present is based on hype, exaggeration and misrepresentation. Canadians get bombarded with this chest beating on a daily basis by the media so it's a natural reaction to reject it and point out the truths because of sheer overload if nothing else.

Nobody forces Canadians to watch American television, buy American music, watch American movies, etc.

Even efforts to restrict free trade in culture and jail people for watching US satellite broadcasts have not dulled Canadian appetites for US culture. So something tells me that it's not a "bombarding," but an embracing.

What U.S. culture? We have history, but culture? The closest we come to a national dress is a Sixers tank top,an unbent baseball hat worn sideways, Three quarter length shorts with the crotch down at the knees,and high top sneakers with no socks. As for the media, the same people on both sides of the imaginary line will watch the same stuff I.E. Jerry Springer, Greatest police video's etc.. Lets face it both countries have an unlimited supply of troglodites. I all depends who will broadcast this crap first. At the moment, the U.S. is ahead by six networks ,or 10 1/2 games..... The we are better than you stuff all depends on what kind of day,month, or year one is having. On either side of the line..

[YankAbroad]

We have history, but culture?

We have a culture of many cultures -- culinary, linguistic, musical, architectural, political, legal, etc.

Just go to New England or Georgia and tell me those aren't unique cultures which are part of our varied landscape.

[flashman]

We have history, but culture?

We have a culture of many cultures -- culinary, linguistic, musical, architectural, political, legal, etc.

Just go to New England or Georgia and tell me those aren't unique cultures which are part of our varied landscape.

I thought it was supposed to be a "Melting Pot" or is this just more spin?

[YankAbroad]

Spin? In America?

It's a bit like Canada being "officially bilingual," I guess.

I got out of a speeding ticket in Kamloops by pretending to be francophone only -- the officer didn't speak French and called me a "French son of a bitch" before letting me go.