Pink Fluffy Icing

What Canadians Look Like From Here: #1

We moved to California seven years ago, that great land of the free, home of the brave, from Canada, that modest land of the mosquito, home of the careful. The separation has been enlightening regarding my national identity. The big news is that I have confirmed what I suspected all along: I have one.

Americans derive their identity from being American: Canadians find their roots in not being American. It’s one of the few hooks on which we hang our toques and a large part of what makes us truly Canadian. Like the girl next door who creates her identity from not being like the girls from the other side of the tracks, it make us strong and gives us a delightful, childlike approach to our national identity:

“Oh, you Canadians are just like Americans….”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“Am not!”

“Are too.”

We won’t argue too long, of course. It’s not polite and it’s not the Canadian way. We are taught to stop strong arguments before they become dangerous with those two profound little words, “Well, anyways….” Even some Canadians (not you, of course, but some people) might have the tendency to think of themselves as un-armed Americans with a health card, but there is more to us than that.

A brief socio-political moment, if you please.

The American Declaration of Independence states that America exists for the individual: the document clearly promises the freedom to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These concepts all support the individual. Now, don’t get me wrong. Canadians also appreciate being alive, especially if you’re from Winnipeg (so, go to North Dakota and then just keep going) weigh under 120 pounds and it’s January. We also value liberty, although from a very basic physical perspective. The concept is somewhat irrelevant to a people who spend at least 6 months a year in 16 layers of fleece-dominated clothing, topped off by a down-filled parka and an attractive ear-flapped head covering. We’re usually satisfied if we’re free enough to be able to bend over to pull off our snow boots. It’s enough. We also pursue happiness, but it’s just that it’s harder to chase with all those clothes on.

Yes, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the American way. In contrast, the Canadian constitution is founded on the ideals of “peace, order and good government.” I can hear you laughing from here. Stop it. Each one of these concepts are, by default, built around the notion of community. They are about the way we hang out together and how well our families, neighbourhoods (yes, I know it's spelled "wrong") and provinces work. I for one am banking on it keeping Canada united. For all our stiff upper lips and stick-men hugging practices—I’m talking specifically about Anglo-Canadians here—our constitution is amazingly touchy-feely: it’s about, like, relationships and how we, like, commune, you know? (Did I mention I live in California now?)