What Best Defines Canada?
Today is Canada Day. This marks the joining of the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867.
So, what does it mean to be a Canadian? At least, from the perspective of Canadians.
Picture this: Pierre Trudeau standing with his back to Niagara Falls, clutching a red maple leaf in his hand, on Canada Day. Can you imagine a more Canadian scene? Only if the robotic space Canadarm somehow made it into the scene, according to a recent poll.
The Ipsos-Reid survey, on behalf of the Dominion Institute and the federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration, asked Canadians what best defines their country.
After tallying the results, Trudeau was revealed as the person who most defines Canada. Niagara Falls was the defining place, Canada Day the defining event, Canadarm the defining accomplishment and the maple leaf was the defining symbol.
The top-ten results in each of the five categories are…
People:
- Pierre Trudeau
- Wayne Gretzky
- Terry Fox
- Céline Dion
- John A. Macdonald
- David Suzuki
- Tommy Douglas
- Stephen Harper
- Lester Pearson
- Maurice Richard
Places:
- Niagara Falls
- The Rockies
- Parliament Hill
- Ottawa
- CN Tower
- Quebec City/Old Quebec City
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Province of Quebec
- Vancouver
Events:
- Canada Day
- Confederation
- First and Second World Wars
- Calgary Stampede
- Vimy Ridge
- Plains of Abraham
- Grey Cup
- Olympics
- Expo 67
- Quebec Winter Carnival
Accomplishments:
- Canadarm
- Peacekeeping
- Universal health care
- Fredrick Banting - Insulin
- Alexander Graham Bell - Telephone
- Diversity, Multiculturalism
- Canadian Constitution, Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Canadian national railway/railroad
- Freedom
- Avro Arrow project
Symbols:
- Maple leaf
- Hockey
- Canadian flag
- Beaver
- RCMP, Mounties
- Stanley Cup
- Wilderness (includes scenery)
- Loonie
- Maple syrup
- Moose, caribou
How about non-Canadians, do any of the above conjure up images of Canada or is it something else?
Trudeau, Niagara Falls among top Canadian icons, poll finds.
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Comments
Hey, I’m an Australian, and I’ve never been to Canada.
I guess when I think of Canada though I think of maple leaves, mounties (like on Due South… back in the day), hockey, candian flag, wanting to say ‘canadia’ after I’ve just said ‘Canadian’, niagra falls, and probably Amber McArthur as well… 
Have a great Canada day!!!
“So, what does it mean to be a Canadian?”
Hi! Came here from twitter.
I am from Austria, was twice in Canada (British Columbia) and the thing that impressed me the most was/is this Canadian concept of being a mosaic instead of an melting pot.
Also I like the apology to the Indian natives.
In this kind of sense
I wish you
A great Canada day!