Say it loud, say it proud: I am Canadian!

A new poll says Canadians have swagger.

That’s how Canadian Press is reporting on the poll, conducted by Ipsos-Reid for the Historica-Dominion Institute.

“…the Canadian sense of national pride is becoming an in-your-face swagger.”

I’m not sure if this is true. I’ve known patriotic Canadians my whole life, people who have been willing to stand tall and say I am Canadian. Of course for my whole life my better thans have been saying we should just pipe down, not be so loud. We’ve been told that patriotism, at least the in your face style, is an American thing. Bull.

 

Maybe to our elites who encouraged quiet Canadian pride in social programs like health care, in Canada’s contributions to the United Nations, an in your face patriotism was seen as too American but then again, those people – many of whom populate our elites, our chattering classes, have always defined Canada as what it is not in relation to Americans.

Canadians they will say are more polite than Americans, Canadians are more peaceful that Americans, Canadians are…you get the idea.

Some people have only been able to express their love for this country by taking a shot at the US of A.

I don’t get that. I never have.

My parents chose to settle in Canada. I’ve seen what they left behind. Britain may not be the third world holes that so many people left to come here but I can tell you that given the choice I would settle here rather than Scotland.

Canada is a land that offers an incredible amount of freedom. Yes, we have problems just as every country does and yes there are things I would change in a heartbeat if I had the power – say getting rid of certain parts of the Charter.

But on the whole, and that’s how we must take Canada, on the whole this is a truly blessed country.

I have been blessed to live here my whole life and been blessed enough to travel from coast to coast.

This country is spectacularly beautiful.

The maple leaf was chosen as our definitive national symbol by 59% of people surveyed by Ipsos. I’m not surprised. This spectacular symbol can be found in so many parts of our country.

I grew up in southern Ontario where in the fall the maple trees along the Niagara escarpment would turn beautiful shades of orange and yellow. We’d get hints of red but not big, bright reds. So I was a bit puzzled as to why the maple leaf on our flag was so, so red. Then I spent my first fall in Ottawa.

The stunning view from Ottawa across the river at the Gatineau hills will take your breath away. That’s when I understood the red maple leaf as a symbol.

If you’ve travelled this country then you know that there are breathtaking views everywhere you go.

I’ve marvelled at the sights of the harbour in St. John, NB; the dark grey skies over the Saugenay river in Quebec, the majesty of Lake Winnipeg, the stunning openness of the prairies be it on a farm in southern Saskatchewan or at the foothills of the Rockies just outside of Calgary. I’ve travelled the winding roads of Vancouver Island on my way to Victoria and stood with pride in our major cities straight across the country.

And still there is so much more to be seen.

As you celebrate Canada Day this weekend don’t feel that you need to tone it down and not speak too loudly about how proud you are to be Canadian.

We live in the best country in the world, we shouldn’t be afraid to say it.

And that’s the Byline

Categories: Byline

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