I can’t help but notice that the USA and Canada haven’t been getting along well of late. As an American Canadaphile, this distresses me. So I thought I’d mention some of the things about Canada that I like, and have liked for many years.
I’ll begin with my teenage years in the 1980s. Two of my favorite rock bands, Rush and Triumph, were Canadian bands. I still listen to at least one song by Rush at least once per week. I plan to continue listening to Rush, despite the cross-border tensions, and despite the tariffs.
In more recent years, I’ve become a fan of Tim Horton’s coffee. I understand that Canadians like to make fun of Tim Horton’s coffee, but it’s one of my favorites. I can happily report that despite the recent trade disputes, the price of a bag of Tim Horton’s coffee is mostly unchanged at my local grocery store here in Ohio.
When I worked in the automotive industry, I traveled to Canada frequently. I had many Canadian colleagues. I found almost all of them to be agreeable folks. And I often appreciated the Canadian perspective.
For example: In 1992, flag burning became a contentious political issue here in the United States. I discussed the matter with one of my Canadian coworkers. He told me: “In Canada, no one would burn the national flag. And if they did, no one would care.”
I have remembered those words for more than thirty years. I love the USA. But sometimes it seems that we go out of our way to find new things to argue about.
I do have a few criticisms of Canada. You all claim to be bilingual in English and French. But I’ve found that very few Anglophone Canadians can manage more than a few words of French. English, meanwhile, is controversial in Quebec. And yes—I’m aware of the long and complicated history.
I found that my Canadian colleagues were sensitive about their weather. Americans often view Canada as a northern equivalent of Antarctica; and Canadians are quick to point out that Canada isn’t frozen over twelve months per year. The summers in southern Canada are actually pleasant and mild. (I’ve been in Toronto in June.)
Speaking of language: English-speaking Canadians have their own way of speaking English, but the differences are subtle. Canadian English is mostly the same as American English, except for a few diphthongs.
I wouldn’t mind visiting Canada again, and I hope that US-Canadian relations improve. At present, I don’t think that either of our countries is blessed with particularly judicious leadership. I long for simpler times, when someone like Brian Mulroney was in charge in Ottawa; and the US president was Ronald Reagan.
Unlike President Trump, I don’t want Canada to become our 51st state. This is partly because I know that is not what you want, but it is also because with your population of 41 million, you would forever alter US electoral politics. I love you Canadians, but I was baffled by your long enthusiasm for Justin Trudeau.
Oh, one last thing: your national anthem.
Even Donald Trump had to admit that the Canadian national anthem is “a beautiful thing”. When he brought forth his ill-considered proposal for Canadian statehood, Trump stipulated that the Canadian national anthem should be preserved in any event.
Perhaps that is a point on which we can all agree. Canada has one of the best national anthems on the planet. And Geddy Lee, the lead vocalist of Rush, does the best job of singing it.
-ET