# Canada - what makes Canada great **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 11, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181 "2009-11-11T14:39:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/41 "2009-11-11T19:37:31Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > [Pot is kind of a grey area legally](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_legalization_in_Canada)- I’ve seen people walking down the street smoking a joint, but if you went out of your way, you could probably still get arrested for it. I think it has been de-criminilazed but still not technically legalized. My take on it - if you want to smoke a joint or two in the privacy of your own home, no one is going to bother you. that settles it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/42 "2009-11-11T19:43:12Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I guess it’s that for the most part it’s a liberal country, though I live in Alberta and they are very un-liberal. Well, you live there and I don’t, but in my experience Alberta, while more conservative-minded than most other Canadian provinces, still offers a wide variety of political opinion. > [@fubbleskag](#): > > he means conservative, but the Canadian conservative party would not be considered conservative in the US I’m not sure of that. I’ve heard Canadians say that Stephen Harper would be a liberal Democrat in the US, and Barack Obama an extreme right-winger in Canada, but it just isn’t true. Harper would definitely be a moderate Republican in the US, same as how he is a moderate Conservative in Canada. True, there are some important/wedge issues in American politics that aren’t at all discussed in Canada (abortion may be the main one), and true, the Canadian political spectrum does lie somewhat to the left – however we define this – of the American one, but the Conservative Party of Canada is still conservative, in the American sense. > [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > If an issue comes close to the 1st or 2nd amendments down South, there tends to be a lot of hysteria and slippery-slopism, because there’s an almost religious feeling about the Constitution. Up here, the argument is a little more balanced. Americans are very individualistic, and consider individual rights to be paramount. This “religious feeling about the Constitution” you mention also does exist, probably because the Founding Fathers and their having build a perfect union is one of the founding myths of the American nation. Canadians may be said to be more communautarian and recognize more the existence of collective rights, inasmuch as it is possible to define Canadian identity. (Not to say that Canadians do not have some strange – and often conflicting – national myths.) > [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > I love it that our comedy shows have a now established tradition of punking our politicians, right up to the Prime Minister. To be honest, I don’t believe this is especially Canadian. I think we could find this in most Western democratic societies. > [@Livardo](#): > > I think our identity is exemplified by the background of our Governor General. She’s a black immigrant woman from Haiti. And I’m very happy about that. To be fair, the Governor General’s role is to serve as a cheerleader for Canadian identity and culture. Paul Martin chose a black immigrant woman from Haiti for this job because he knew Canadians would have the same reaction as you, seeing how this pride in “multiculturalism” is an important part of how Canadians define themselves today. But could a black immigrant woman from Haiti be elected Prime Minister? I’m not so sure, not yet anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/43 "2009-11-11T19:43:33Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > [I Am Canadian!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg) The beer company that made that ad merged with Coors a couple of years ago, and all of a sudden the ads disappeared. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > For the record, …Torontonians …say “aboot.” No. No, we don’t. I live in Toronto and I’ve never said it. I wish people would stop saying this. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/44 "2009-11-11T19:48:52Z")
Okay, I’ll happily adjust that to “Only Newfies say aboot.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/45 "2009-11-11T19:54:08Z")
> [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](#): > > \ (Not to say that Canadians do not have some strange – and often conflicting – national myths.) > \ I read a book that puts this in perspective - Canada has regional myths, not national ones. (The book was [“It’s The Regime, Stupid!: A Report from the Cowboy West on Why Stephen Harper Matters”](http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Its-Regime-Stupid-Report-Cowboy-Barry-Cooper/9781554701568-item.html) - _there’s_ an interesting read if you want to get a peek into how western Canada differs from eastern Canada.) ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/46 "2009-11-11T19:56:44Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > [I Am Canadian!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg) > For the record, only Torontonians and Newfies say “aboot.” The rest of us say “abowt.” Eh. that’s news to me. I (a torontonian) say about the way it’s supposed to be pronounced. Not aboot. I think another thing we have going for us is the fact that we have more than two major political parties. I would hate to be an american and only have two real choices. Although I think our voting turnout isn’t all that great. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/47 "2009-11-11T20:03:17Z")
oh and this is on the “bad” side of our laws. well at least to me [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/11/03/chen-shoplifter.html](http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/11/03/chen-shoplifter.html) a known shoplifter gets tracked down and tied up and the storeowner gets charged for kidnapping (dropped now), concealed weapon and more. Where as the thief gets only 30days in jail. How exactly would you think US laws would play this out? Seems as if the criminals here have a free pass with this news story. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/48 "2009-11-11T20:05:46Z")
The whole “aboot” thing is an erroneous description of the real phonological phenomenon of [Canadian raising](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_raising) (the use of a more centered initial starting position in the diphthongs “aye” and “ow” when they precede unvoiced consonants as compared to otherwise (compare the vowels in “knife” vs. “knives”, or “out” vs. “loud”); many Americans have the same phenomenon for the first but the not the second of these). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/49 "2009-11-11T20:10:18Z")
> [@BMada](#): > > oh and this is on the “bad” side of our laws. well at least to me > > [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/11/03/chen-shoplifter.html](http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/11/03/chen-shoplifter.html) > > a known shoplifter gets tracked down and tied up and the storeowner gets charged for kidnapping (dropped now), concealed weapon and more. Where as the thief gets only 30days in jail. How exactly would you think US laws would play this out? Seems as if the criminals here have a free pass with this news story. Well, there’s definitely down side to Canada (I like to celebrate multiculturalism, but I consider Canadian to be a valid culture, too, not something to be dismissed), but this thread is about what makes us great. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/50 "2009-11-11T20:11:58Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think it has been de-criminalized but still not technically legalized. No, it’s still illegal. [Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, s. 4(1)](http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/C-38.8/page-2.html#anchorbo-ga:l_I-gb:s_4)–note that marijuana is a Schedule II substance. The confusion over whether marijuana is decriminalized or not may come because possession under 30 g; or for resin, under 1 g; mandates a lesser punishment upon conviction that possession of larger amounts. But to the best of my knowledge, even a conviction for this small amount is still a criminal conviction. In other words, it’s still criminalized. Given this state of affairs, I would recommend users to _not_ walk down the street smoking a joint; since while a cop might look the other way, there is also a chance that the cop just might get it into his or her head that you’re breaking a law that is still on the books and decide to do something about it. I should add that the process of court appearances etc. can take a long while and be costly. More importantly, for our American friends, if you’re arrested, and there is a chance you’d just up and leave Canada (which is a reasonable assumption to make if you’re a tourist), bail will most likely be denied. **Cat Whisperer** has the right idea–for now, keep it private. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/51 "2009-11-11T20:14:45Z")
> [@otternell](#): > > I really do not want this to turn into a health care debate, but I wouldn’t mind hearing about what you do **and don’t like about it**. > > This is the time to let your national pride shine! bolded the part where my last post would be valid in the thread, assuming the “it” is canada and not our healthcare system. ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/52 "2009-11-11T20:29:48Z")
I have no problem with pros or cons about Canada, its healthcare system, wildlife etc. there are lots of great things about the US and like everything else there are bad things. It does not have to be a one sided list of only the things that make Canada good. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/53 "2009-11-11T20:31:42Z")
Oh, okay. In that case, bring on the bad stuff! ( **Spoons** , I think the cops in Vancouver only hassle you if you don’t share your weed. 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/54 "2009-11-11T20:35:33Z")
Lately, Canada has been producing some pretty nice animation. _6Teen Stoked Total Drama Island._ To name a few. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/55 "2009-11-11T20:39:54Z")
Battle of the Blades! you make the call on if it’s pro or con. [http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/program/battle\_of\_the\_blades\_hd](http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/program/battle_of_the_blades_hd) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/56 "2009-11-11T20:44:05Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > [I Am Canadian!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg) My wife grew up in Plattsburgh - she was more familiar with [this version.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1-XbZL7Lns&feature=related) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/57 "2009-11-11T20:52:51Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > For the record, only Torontonians and Newfies say “aboot.” The rest of us say “abowt.” I hear (from my wife, who is one) that Newfoundlanders \*really \*don’t like that word (“Newfie”, I mean, not “aboot”). I have never, though, heard her say “aboot”. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/58 "2009-11-11T21:03:38Z")
Every Newfie that I’ve called a Newfie has never mentioned a problem with the term. They call themselves that, ffs! ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/59 "2009-11-11T21:06:43Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > Every Newfie that I’ve called a Newfie has never mentioned a problem with the term. They call themselves that, ffs! No doubt. I haven’t spent that much time there over the years (my wife lives with me in the United States). But I have heard a number of them object to the word (and not only my in-laws). ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181/60 "2009-11-11T21:06:44Z")
I said - > [@](#): > > I love it that our comedy shows have a now established tradition of punking our politicians, right up to the Prime Minister. to which Hypnagogic Jerk responded > [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](#): > > To be honest, I don’t believe this is especially Canadian. I think we could find this in most Western democratic societies. In terms of satire, parody, impressions - yes, shows like SNL and Spitting Image have a tradition of skewering politicians. I believe Canada is unique in having shows like Air Farce, This Hour has 22 Minutes, the Rick Mercer Report and La Fin du monde est a 7 heures take on the actual politician up to and including the sitting Prime Minister. I stand to be corrected, but I don’t think Bill Clinton, Al Gore or George W. Bush were ever ‘cornered’ at a press conference, conned into giving a ‘celebrity headlock’, going to Harvey’s for a burger, putting into a water glass in the PMO’s office, etc. by any of the American news parody shows. Yes, there was the time George W. Bush got tricked into gratefully accepting Jean Poutine’s endorsement, but that was Rick Mercer and This Hour has 22 Minutes. I say we have a different standard of of access to our politicians, and we expect them to be good natured when they end up surprised on camera. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-what-makes-canada-great/517181.md?page=4)