I'm a HuffPost editor in New York who loves Canada and couldn't be more excited for the launch of HuffPost Canada. I've never lived there though, so why am I so fascinated by Canada?
I grew up across the border in Buffalo, New York. Some joke that Buffalo is part Canadian. There's some truth there, as we actually do share Niagara Falls with our friendly neighbors to the north. Field trips in grammar school occasionally involved crossing the border (this was not uncommon). Growing up, I made trips to Fort Erie, St. Catharines, and the "big city," also known as Toronto.
But my affection for Canada goes a bit beyond the occasional trip. Around the 1st or 2nd grade, I would boast to my classmates that one day I would live in Canada. (They would laugh but I always thought it was fun to think about.) Today, when I meet people, I like to say I'm part Canadian and see the interesting reactions. And I most definitely say so on my website too.
Still, why the pride in a country I've never even lived in? There are a handful of reasons, some more legitimate than others, which might be enough for some Canadians to consider me an honorary Canadian(?). I found these especially appropriate to share today given the launch of Huffington Post Canada.
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jeremyemilio said on 27 Friday 2011 pm31 8:27 pm: Okay, so that would be: Hockey; Hockey; Hockey; Donut shop named after a hockey player; Song heard at hockey games; Game Canadians play as an alternative when the ice surface is too narrow for hockey; Hockey team; Romantic notion of how great it is to carry around a pocketful of change anytime you make a purchase under $5 (at least you can bury the coins below the ice as a charm when the Americans visit for a game of hockey); Heritage. Hummm... Yup... sounds Canadian to me. |
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the coin collection proves it though, for sure.
BUT, as much as I love my Canadian friends, I am USA through-and-through.
So, puhleeze enough with the hockey stories and by-the-way; What is it with Tim Hortons? I thought Canadians would want strong rich coffee not the 'read-the-paper-through-ot' stuff you get at Tim Hortons.
EH?
The most significant difference between the two is that Americans predicate their identity on being superior to every other country in the world, and Canadians base their entire cultural identity on being superior to Americans.
Canada has been blessed in the past with having more liberal leadership than America has, but the average man on the street is ready to throw it all away in the name of "Patriotism," just as readily as it ever happened down south.
Having traveled extensively in the US, Canada, and Europe, I can assure you that the only thing about Canada that remotely resembles Europe at all is Quebec, and half of them don't want to be part of Canada at all.
I grew up in St.Catharines. Going to Buffalo was a twice weekly event for several years, chasing lower drinking age limits and longer bar hours.
Living in Maine now for several years. It feels Canadian to me, for the most part.
It seems like PM Harper has a new US Political figure to emulate in our new Gov Paul LePage, now that GW Bush is gone.
Hockey;
Hockey;
Hockey;
Donut shop named after a hockey player;
Song heard at hockey games;
Game Canadians play as an alternative when the ice surface is too narrow for hockey;
Hockey team;
Romantic notion of how great it is to carry around a pocketful of change anytime you make a purchase under $5 (at least you can bury the coins below the ice as a charm when the Americans visit for a game of hockey);
Heritage.
Hummm...
Yup... sounds Canadian to me.
I would welcome you to northern Ontario with an Ivan's Pronto Pup and poutine for lunch, followed by a wonderful Caesar which is a favourite Canadian drink, then dinner would follow with homemade butter tarts which I make using Quebec maple liqueur for dessert.