CANADA' S CULTURE ~ Definition of the Indefinable


ARTIC HIGH - Graphic Artwork provided by Martin Heitshu © 2002
So many Outlanders in my travels have asked me "what is Canadian Culture?" I though I would let them know who and what we are. You may not agree, but my family's roots in this country go back to 1782 and this is partly how I see Canada.

There is no other culture in the world that even approaches Canada's diversity, not only in citizen mixture, but in weather, land type and ratio of water to land. The pure immensity of Canada's Coastline (longest in the world) is awesome. Our huge forests, of many diverse types of trees, have caused us to develop many skills using wood and forest products. We even have rare trees that provide syrup and sugar. A few Sugar Maple trees spill over the USA border, but not enough to fill all the jugs in their Pancake houses. We are largely a boreal and aqua based people, except for on the Great Plains of south central Canada and in the Taiga and Tundra of the far north. The Great Lakes are vast reservoirs of fresh water and are so large that they actually 'make' the weather of the eastern part of North America. This huge water shed also shapes our eastern economy and culture. Geographically, Point Pele Ontario is as far south as northern California and only one of our provinces is as far north as Alaska.

Our mineral resources also shape our culture. We have the largest reserves of oil in the world within the Alberta Tar sands. Also in Alberta, gigantic coal reserves are awaiting development. Iron, Lead, Copper and most other precious, ferrous or non-ferrous metals are awaiting their need for economic development in the Canadian Shield. A huge breadbasket sits on top of much of these western mineral riches. The Rocky Mountains need no description for their grandeur and economic potential.

Everything in Canada exists in massive amounts spread over massive distances. Great barriers of both rock and water block our east ~ west lines of communication so that our culture is a colourful confluence of eastern, western, northern and imported cultures. Every culture that has helped build this country has had to overcome these natural barriers. We are braided together by the knowledge that masses of other people from around the world want a Canadian passport. Canada's immigration policy has for a very long time been "We do not want immigrants, we want the immigrants' children." To get the immigrants' children we accept the elders and their cultural ways. The young create their own blend of parental cultures with those of their peers. We are not a melting pot, like our neighbors to the source, but rather a mosaic of cultures that offer a vision and future that is the envy of those who seek adventure, challenge and opportunity.

Politically, we have a strong tendency towards a Socialistic Democracy as we believe in balanced Provincial economies. Our health care is equalized from sea to sea. Our Federal Tax is used to equalize payments to all our citizens, even the ones who contribute the least and complain the most. We can not tell you much about our politicians as we were all taught as kids "if you cannot say anything good about someone say nothing." Politicians seem to be the same worldwide.

The easiest way to understand Canada's culture is to experience it. Those who seem to understand us the least live the closest (The USA). If they travel here, we welcome them and let them spend their dollar at almost double the value of ours. We neither foam at the mouth nor gnash our teeth over this exchange rate as we want to show them that Canadians are neighborly and polite and that we do not carry guns! Our roads and byways are the best and cleanest in all of the Americas, perhaps in the world. Outdoors, camping and recreation are outstanding and in cities and towns it is safe to walk about at night. We have many languages, types of food, and cultural centres for year round enjoyment. One thing we try to avoid is arguing politics with our American neighbors, as we know more about the USA than they do about almost anything Canadian. And they like guns.

Our capital city, Ottawa, is well worth visiting, but, like with Washington DC, where the real power is in New York, our financial power base is Toronto. I have never seen an American car with " I LOVE TORONTO." on it's bumper, but have seen many a Canadian snowmobile in the NORTH WEST TERITORIES with "I LOVE NY" on its bumper. I thought we were being invaded until I was told it means "I LOVE NUTUKTE- YUK" apparently a popular walrus hunting camp on Baffin Island. In the north one never says "Up North." That shows you're a greenhorn. You say "Down North" simply because most of the world is South of you or "Down" on the map. When you go down North there are some very interesting things to see and hear. In the cold clear air you can here various sounds made several miles away, but this particular one alerts every human for miles around. The sound that brings the greatest joy in winter down North and also up South is one that culturally binds all Canadians together. It is the Vehicle starting system going "arrrr... arrr..... arrrrr, puf.. puff PUFF bang Bang-BANG roar!!!! This is the reason why Canadians are so polite and friendly, you may need someone to give you a jump-start. Once the vehicle gets going you retire to a restaurant to await the deicing of your windows. This gives you a chance to catch up on the news and gossip.

Canadians, as a general rule, are not money grubbing nor dishonest in trade. The ones who are, do not last long. Our market is quite small, so once the word gets out that there is a chiseler loose the customers are soon gone. There is still a belief in a handshake and that your word is your bond. We even have some honest lawyers around here somewhere. Our law enforcement is thorough and generally a good service that assists the citizens and is respected by the community.

Our culture is based on an ever-changing recipe provided by many groups that have influenced the development of this gigantic country. We have a variety of regional demographics that, while at home, go quietly about loving their country, community and families. When traveling, everyone has a Maple Leaf insignia in some form on their clothes. Canadians are proud, but please don't ask us to give a short definition of our complex Culture. We do not ask you about your Kings and Queens, Presidents or gangsters. If we have to explain Dr. Banting or Dr.Best, or that great Canadian, known by more people in the world today than any other (alive or dead), Dr. Norman Bethune. We're pretty much wasting our time talking about discoverers Champlain and Cabot, or Gen. Brock and the Mohawk Chief Brant in the war of 1812. We definitely are not only a mix of French and English we are a mix of every nationality on this earth, Black, White, Brown and all shades in between. We welcome new comers and only wish that at our Borders and Air carriers wickets they supplied magazines giving a balanced and exciting view of Canada to Outlanders to help them understand "The True North Strong and Free"

Here's a Canadian size game for your children. If you can, imagine a globe and mark off London England with a piece of string and use the other end to mark off Montreal. When you arrive at Montreal and you're 1500 miles inland, you will see that it is closer to go back to London than on to Vancouver.. Another example is, if you are in Vancouver you can go to Bombay, India either way (east or west) asVancouver is halfway around the world from India. Take the string and go to Halifax and then BOMBAY...Surprise, Sahib!

Religion is important to our cultural base and Religion is as diverse as our people are. Canada has very strong laws that protect all of our religious beliefs from those who might be ignorant or judgmental. To defame others is not a right in Canada. Freedom of Speech has responsibility and is not an absolute.

Since you are reading this on a PC, I recommend that you take a look at the Government of Canada Web Page for more detailed information on Canada. There are some great Provincial Web Pages also that provide some truly exciting details on this land of ours.

Canadian Culture can be visually compared with a nubile young maiden dancing with excitement and joy. Some countries promise the Moon, Ms. Canada Delivers!

If "Canadian Culture" is to be described in one word I believe it would be "PRIDE" ...eh



Jack C. Downey CD
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