Canadian And Proud. Why?

[KrustyKidd]

I know this has probably been gone over before many times but I wanted to add a small twist. Let's hear it without making ONE SINGLE REFERENCE to the USA. No comparisons or statistics, maybe a geographical reference but nothing more. Just a reason why you figure we should be proud of being Canadian.

[solomon]

I know this has probably been gone over before many times but I wanted to add a small twist. Let's hear it without making ONE SINGLE REFERENCE to the USA. No comparissons or statistics, maybe a geographical reference but nothing more. Just a reason why you figure we should be proud of being Canadian.

We're not Mexicans?

[Jerry Potts]

The Clarity Act allows us to separate...

[SirRiff]

uh because we have developed the most efficient, peacefull, respectfull, tolerable, and tranquil society on Earth???

only a few nations can compare.

not to mention our beer.

SirRiff

[Mr. Chater]

I know this has probably been gone over before many times but I wanted to add a small twist. Let's hear it without making ONE SINGLE REFERENCE to the USA. No comparisons or statistics, maybe a geographical reference but nothing more. Just a reason why you figure we should be proud of being Canadian.

the simple fact that we are not american.

[Craig Read]

Canadian beer is pretty bad Riff vs. Belgian, Czech, German and some Dutch brands. Hardly a reason for pride.

What about Liberalism - a British styled Constitution, freedom, ability to vote, a good public education system, a system that tries [in some cases with the worst possible distribution philosophy] to help those who need help, a country that openly welcomes immigration and tolerates racial diversity, Canadian actions in WW1, WW2, and Korea, hacking a civilisation out of an area that is 1/2 rock and 1/3 forest cover, and defying the odds and not being overrun by a larger nation to the south.

Now take the list and ask yourself, where are we today right now with the most important aspects of this country's history ? Is it going right, or wrong and have we lost our way ?

Beer, hockey, bad comedians - these are tangential items, they a nation do not make.

[westcoast99]

Craig,

You listed many excellent reasons why we should be proud to be Canadian. We have built one of the most successful nations in the world. One of tolerance, peace, and political stability.

We are a country that presents opportunity to all of its' citizens. We have a strong economy, and an educated work force.

There are so many reasons why Canada is such a great country, and I think it's proven as so many immigrants want to live their lives in this country, rather than any other country in the world.

Edited August 12, 2015 by Gugsy

[daniel]

I'll break the rule here and will make references to the USA, but not to put them down but to illustrate that despite all the criticism some people throw at Canada for not carrying its own weight in international affairs, I can't recall how many times Canadians have come to not only the aid but the actual rescue of Americans in trouble.

1) 9-11 of course. Where else did all those US-bound flight land? And those travellors were welcomed into the homes of ordinary Canadians, no?

2) Seven hostages in Iran. It had to be a Canadian to do what Ken Taylor did - nobody from any other country could or would.

3)April 2001 - rescue of US Scientists from the Antartic;

4) September 2003 - rescue of US Scientists from the Antartic again.

[JMSTRFNK]

I am proud to be Canadain for the simple fact that i have much respect for many of my fellow citizens. We have developed a comparatively intalectual and peaceful society in a relatively short amount of time (historicly speaking). Our national average for violance and crime is reasonably low, are educational instatutions are well respected around the world, and are people are generally sterotyped as the politist and friendliest people in the world. Plus who else can win both gold medals in hockey at the same time!

[Craig Read]

That a boy Gugsy, there are many reasons to feel proud about the legacy that Canada possesses. The real issue is however, where is it going and why ? I believe that the original Confederal concept and definition of Canada has been perverted and mangled by power seekers of mostly left of centre stripe, who are using and abusing the system to line their pockets and those of their friends. This is why I advocate Toronto separating as a City State and Alberta re-negotiating its rights in or outside of Canada. The orthodox liberality that made Canada a respected world member is mostly history. In fact that legacy is not even taught in our school systems and certainly not at the university level.

Everyone I have met in my travels is proud of their country, even if the country is a rat hole. To me pride is irrelevant - the real question is - where should we go, how do we fix the problems we have today, and what is the purpose of the country and its vision.

The Federal Liberals and most citizens want an EU styled nation - socialism writ large - historically these systems always fail.

[sir_springer]

Sorry...

I ain't that proud lately.

Fact is, about the only time I do feel "patriotic" these days is when we win a hockey game.

Big deal. A hockey game. How pathetic has it become to be a "Canadian".

When I read poll after poll after poll that says the majority of Canadians would rather vote for what is the most horrible, corrupt, arrogant, useless bunch of liars, crooks, and assholes imaginable to run this country...

Because they consider a western based party one of "extremists"...

Well, frankly, I just don't much give a damn about whatever it is this country has come to represent.

[Alliance Fanatic]

Canadian's need to wake up to the fact that this is'nt the same country it used to be. The reason why Canada has made such a huge turn left is because the past generation, and this generation will never have to sacrifice anything. In world war 1, world war 2, and the Korean war, Canadians had to sacrifice their lives, and work hard to build, and protect this country from totalitarian threats whether communist, or facist. Then Trudeau who was a communist/nazi, sympathizer got in, and brought in soviet style government policies, funny, the same policies Canadians fought against in the Korean war.

[SirRiff]

Canadian's need to wake up to the fact that this is'nt the same country it used to be.

obviously canada is different. so if every nation. you just confuse different with worse, because it doesnt fit some preconceived idea of what it should be. we are doing as well as can be expected considering we dont control the world.

canada is doing very well in the world, and the only time you hear the sky is falling is when some group who would normally not attract attention, wants to get thier voice heard.

SirRiff

[Goldie]

Well we took one of the most wild regions in the world and transformed it into a leading nation in the world. despite the fact we wasted two full generations of Canadians through excessive taxation and thus reduced our massive potential. That potential remains and will be brought to fruit one day.

I refuse to define this country by any social program because this diminishes our roots and history. Only three nations had the fortitude to land at Normandy this will forever be our moment. Those men did not go into battle and die for socialised health care or a government pension. I believe they went to kill ideals that were a detriment to humanity. Scarily, ideals, though to a lesser degree, that are now to be tolerated and ignored by this administration. I think this is what most conservatives view as a transgression, not to mention the decimation of the military.

We where the third nation in space "Alouette" If not for a certain PM we could have been the first. The Arrow made me very proud because we scared our allies with what we made( scared in a good sense). When the Arrow was killed our boys went south and put the US on the moon.

All this can be repeated in this generation it will just take the RIGHT leader.

[KrustyKidd]

Well we took one of the most wild regions in the world and transformed it into a leading nation in the world. despite the fact we wasted two full generations of Canadians through excessive taxation and thus reduced our massive potential. That potential remains and will be brought to fruit one day.

I refuse to define this country by any social program because this diminishes our roots and history. Only three nations had the fortitude to land at Normandy this will forever be our moment. Those men did not go into battle and die for socialised health care or a government pension. I believe they went to kill ideals that were a detriment to humanity. Scarily, ideals, though to a lesser degree, that are now to be tolerated and ignored by this administration. I think this is what most conservatives view as a transgression, not to mention the decimation of the military.

We where the third nation in space "Alouette" If not for a certain PM we could have been the first. The Arrow made me very proud because we scared our allies with what we made( scared in a good sense). When the Arrow was killed our boys went south and put the US on the moon.

All this can be repeated in this generation it will just take the RIGHT leader.

Goldie, I thought that Craig said it well but you have hit the jackpot! I was trying to articulate which part was the best but it was all great.

I started this thread to hopefully find one good reason why I myself should be proud that I was Canadian. I suppose that even being a fifth generation Canadian who had ansestors in the Boor and the two World Wars and Viet Nam and being an Ex Paratrooper myself I had fallen victim to the "Our Health Care is The Greatest" chanting and had pretty much given up on being proud. I added the twist that we should not mention or use the seemingly rampant rhetoric of how we should be proud because we are better in this way or that than our Southern neighbors. You have rejuvinated me Goldie. Thank you!

[Craig Read]

KK and Goldie, there is historically sound reasons to feel proud of a nation state that has accomplished quite a bit in its short tenure of organisation. However, post modern elites, lawyers, professors who have never worked, media pundits who understand little about the topics they report on, and a slew of vested interest groups have damaged irrevocably, the calibre, spirit and purpose of a once proud, respected and independent nation. The pendulum has swung so far to the left in this country, that restoring balance and reconfederating our political structure might nigh be impossible.

If Canada does not restore its basic values and beliefs then the world will be a far poorer place.

After living in Europe and working there a long time, i assure you, it is NOT the future that Canada needs.

[daniel]

How far to the right do you lean? Both the government (under Martin budgets) and the majority of opposition seats are right-wing parties.

I certainly agree we must restore our basic values. There's been too much budget cuts and right-wing policies in the past 15years.

[Craig Read]

I would not call Martin right wing. Anti-Nafta in the 80s and 90s, socially very liberal/leftist, and pro big gov't does not a conservative make.

Taxes, program spend, military cuts, ethics scandals and the like all proceeded apace when he was finance minister - fully supporting Chretien while digging knives into his leader's back. Nice guy Martin. He is pro Kyoto and a Post Modern man - he erroneously stated that Canada is the world's first Post Modern nation. First if true it is an embarrassment, second hey Paul, ever been to Europe ?

His tax cuts were slight of hand - reduce some personal income tax but take it back by increasing payroll taxes. Net effect, taxes have gone up overall not down.

The CA has a good fiscal platform but I don't buy their social conservatism.

The Tories are to the left of the Liberals - they are me-toos on spend and taxation. In fact I don't think the Tories know what they stand for.

Canada is very left wing, none of these parties with the exception of the CA are to the right of centre.

Taxes in Canada have risen 1400 % since 1960, Govts eat up 42 % of GDP, with Kyoto [if it goes through] and all the other programs that Martin wants to implement [go to his website, he wants to spend spend spend] increasing that, not to mention Howdy Doody here in Ontario and his 220 election promises, the march of gov't and control proceeds in a linear and unstoppable fashion.

The Liberals are certainly not right of centre. Too many votes to buy, too many hands to grease, too many pensions to collect.

Martin alone will collect $2.7 million in pensions.

Not bad eh.