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We stand on guard for what?

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 5:16 PM EST 10/07/08

John Allemang leads a lively debate on today's issues ...Read the full article

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  1. The Globing Male from Formerly Beantown., United States writes: Gawd.
    A lovefest among the Socialist, anti-American Left.
    Why we have anything to do with you people, I'll never know.
    The wall needs to be along our northern border, more than the southern one with Mexico; at least they WANT to be a part of the USA.
  2. kelly fitzgerald from Guelph, Canada writes: What "nationalism?" Even the Americans get it - we, as Canadians are giving in to "multiculturalism" at the expense of losing our identity as European builders of this great country. Blood, sweat, and tears made what is now a "nation". Once my fore-fathers got the trains running on time, the rest came swimming over, and now want to make "adjustments" that will surely see an end to Canada as we know it now.
  3. Dorlene Lin from Canada writes: You are right. It was blood, sweat, and tears that made this country a nation. The blood and tears of the aboriginal peoples from whom your European forefathers stole this country. The blood and sweat of my indentured Chinese forefathers that helped build that railroad and get those trains running on time. It's not about "making adjustments" to a perfect society your forefathers created. It's about understanding that Canada has been built over time by many different elements. Our country belongs to all Canadians, not just those descended from European "builders".
  4. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: "John Allemang: I have to admit from my perspective, that Canada Day feels just a little corny and synthetic"
    ___________________

    He's right. Canada isn't as great as it used to be thanks to the likes of Trudeau ... spit

    I have faith that it can be great again. I do wish we could reverse some of the self-serving decisions from the past that were made by some.

    Happy Dominion Day all.
  5. kelly fitzgerald from Guelph, Canada writes: Ms. Lin: I meant no respect to the great contributions made to this country by the Chinese "community", but we have already apologized for your peoples treatment, as well as to the Indian Peoples. But where is my comment offensive in the fact that Europeans were the principal builders of this country?
  6. Joe xyz from Canada writes: Ironically, one of the things that I love about Canada Day is to be reminded that we are not a country of flag-wavers. Well, it's hard to get behind waving a flag knowing there's a non-zero chance that they might change it again, but even beyond that, swaggering chest-beating patriotism was never the Canadian way. Canada Day is a connection to the past, to what we once were, to the days of the Avro Arrow, incredibly low crime rates, when there was a decent chance that a Canadian team might win the Stanley Cup, when schoolyard fights were always weapons-free, one-on-one, and kicking was considered "dirty fighting", when we had a national culture that wasn't piped in from the US, and so on. It's Gordie Lightfoot's "Railroad Trilogy", pond-hockey and all that. It's the gorgeous natural real estate (currently being bulldozed down to the clay by runaway suburban sprawl), Niagara Falls, the Rockies, pancakes with real maple syrup, and remembering the Oscar Peterson Trio. Sure, every country has some unpleasant things in its history, and Canada is no exception, but Canada Day is the day we celebrate the positive things that we are proud of. Those who are upset that Canadian voters have not embraced radical socialism can go sulk in their rooms while the majority of us celebrate and enjoy the fireworks displays.
  7. fergus macduff from United Kingdom writes: what sums about canada today in 2008 for me best? the weakerthans - i hate winnipeg. canada is a country grossly detached from its past, and because of that the future is nae so rosey. it is a nation that was built with english money, scottish brains and irish labour. the chinese should get over the head tax and the myths around their contribution to the railway in bc. to note, i worked in china for several years and never encountered more bigoted racist people anywhere before or since. the chinese should not lecture down to anyone on this subject. eastern europeans played a great role in settling the prairies. and of course the biggest 'losers' for lack of a better term - in it all were the first canadians. but the truest canadians of all were and will forever be the metis people.
  8. Badges? We don't need no stinking badges from Canada writes: What pathetic whiners...especially Valpy and Allemang. Must be navel-gazing Torontonians. How about picking folks who actually love this fine nation. Go Canada Go
  9. gordon davies from Victoria B.C., Canada writes: I guess like most I don't regard the 1st like some for the 4th as an army marching with stories of wars present & past with booty & hot-dogs for all . But just quite thanks for being born in this country .
  10. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: Badges? We don't need no stinking badges from Canada writes: What pathetic whiners...especially Valpy and Allemang. Must be navel-gazing Torontonians. How about picking folks who actually love this fine nation. Go Canada Go
    ________________

    Ironically, it's the "navel-gazing Torontonians" that are part of the problem. Toronto seems to be a liberal bastion that continues to vote for governments that want to force Canada into being something its not.
  11. Mark Chynoweth from Toronto, Canada writes: I hate to say it but you all sound like detached "National Character" pundits, who can't seem to find the point. You haven't acknowledged the fact that our national character, as undefinable as it may seem, is manifested in the millions of culture defining interactions that Canadians make each day. It is a sad commentary on the values of humanity that in Canada these interactions are non-violent exchanges in the most culturally diverse society on Earth and is yet synonymous with 'boring'. I'll take "boring" over the vain jingoism and chauvinism that passes for unity in most cultures any day. You have to fly a plane into a building or fight a war to get Americans 'united'. The Chinese are 'united' to a fault until they're bribing an official to screw over some of their compatriots. We have a pathetic view in this world that if nothing bad is happening, nothing is happening at all. Canadians' debate about national identity and unity will be endless unless we acknowledge that we are so successful at manifesting our national goals that is a lack of starkly contrasting events to bear it out. In the last few years, the federal government has made formal apologies to groups who have been persecuted and mistreated. Of the ten cleanest cities in the world seven of them are Canadian cities. If you think events like these are not Earth shattering revolutions then you are missing the point. Of all of the countries I have been to, lived in, and read about, Canadians are united and defined by one pivotal word: Sanity.
  12. gordon davies from Victoria B.C., Canada writes: To the ex Beantowne with the typical southern problem , being that if we disagree with you its not that a its an attack on you , just because some self absorbed mandarin says so. Get rid of the if your not for us your against us.
  13. no brains on this forum yes that means you.. from wetcoast, Canada writes: P Jones from NB, Canada writes:
    He's right. Canada isn't as great as it used to be thanks to the likes of Trudeau ... spit

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    P Jones your so right I never like that "commie" Trudeau either. His term in office is the biggest black spot in this countries history.. his ideals were so out there only Stalin could be proud..

    Happy Dominion Day all.
  14. Carolyn Bongiorno from Glenham, NY, United States writes: I like Canada; it's friendly and beautiful and vast.

    I still don't have much of an understanding of what the holiday is for. Is it a day for honoring the British national character of anglophone Canada? Are stores and shops and banks closed? Does the Queen or presiding monarch broadcast an address?

    What do you stand on guard for? I've never visited during the holiday, so I'm not sure. And would I even know it was Dominion Day if I were in Quebec?

    I'm serious, I've never experienced this national holiday.
  15. Tobin Manley from The Bronx, NYC, United States writes: Evan claims the 4th is a 'holy day' when in fact for most Americans it's just a day of BBQ and fireworks, similar to his version of Canada Day.
    His stereotype is indicative of the whole discussion; desperately trying to define Canada not by what it is, but by how it's not America.

    By the way, polls in the States also show that a majority of Americans are OK with civil unions (not 'marriage'), national health care, that the Iraq war was a mistake etc and so on.
    However painful it is to admit, Canada and the States share more in common than the Toronto chattering class can stomach.
  16. Antonio San from Canada writes: Canada is envious of any successful people or country because it is still a colony. Since the Harper Income Trust attack I do not trust Canada. period and never will again.
    Since the West is used by Ottawa for the benefit of TO and Quebec vote buying, and that my vote doesn't count anymore, there is no reason to vote except a spoiled ballot to show opposition to the system. So Canada Day?
    An inconvenience.
    Western secession NOW to end the charade!
  17. Michael Jager from Ottawa, Canada writes: While the conversation between your panel (each of whom I read regularly, and respect) resonated with me, I felt it was greatly diminished by the non-inclusion of excellent francophone media luminaries such as Lysiane Gagnon (and she is after all, a daily Globe contributer) and/or Chantal Hebert.

    Perhaps your intent was only to cover the subject from the anglophone (ish) point of view, and assuming so, perhaps you should have stated so at the outset. If not, then a disservice has been done to all your Globe readers - anglophone, francophone and allophone. Would it be too much to request a clarification from the moderator?
  18. no brains on this forum yes that means you.. from wetcoast, Canada writes: Antonio San, Your so correct enough vote buying and down with T.O.
    as they're just whiners anyways....

    Western secession NOW to end the charade!
  19. Claire Williams from Ottawa, Canada writes: As a Scottish immigrant, my definition of a Canadian is the following:

    Someone who was born in Canada, raised in Canada and will likely die in Canada (ditto parents and grandparents) but never admits to being Canadian. (As in I'm Scottish, I'm German, I'm Irish, Italian or I'm part Norwegian blah blah blah)

    Someone who despite the above expects immigrants to be Canadians as soon as they enter Canada and gets upset when they don't sound, act or "be" Canadian enough.

    For immigrants, the problem is not that you are a foreigner but that you are NOT Canadian. And of course, not being Canadian is a very BAD thing unless of course you were born in Canada, brought up in Canada and will likely die in Canada but claim to be for instance Irish, German, Scottish.

    Who is a Canadian? A Canadian is someone who can say they are from a country they have never been to and no one raises an eyebrow. You don't actually want to be foreign however, because that might be well, a little too "un-Canadian." And that would mean earning 62 cents to the Canadian born dollar, and no-one wants that except perhaps Canadians???

    Aye, its all a wee bit nauseating eh?
  20. J Law from Canada writes: Much of the disconnect from a strong identity with being Canadian can be attributed to our media, especially the TV and radio. Day after day we are bombarded by Americanisms by our Canadian stations. It is almost as though the shows producers are ashamed of being Canadian.

    Think about this for one moment: When was the last time you listened to an American or British station and heard them talk about either American or British "content." Geez, here in Canada we have to force stations to have some Canadian 'content" because the station owners and producers are too busy blasting Americanisms at us.
    It is time Canadians -- if they are not to far gone already -- start to ignore media that just play the non-Canadian content.

    Now, you add this to all th ehyphenated_ Canadians demanding we bring their culture here at the expense of ours and the courts never defennding Canada against it and you really don't have any Canadian identity. You have . . . nothing.
  21. hossein hajiagha from Vancouver senior Island, Canada writes: selfish people you are ?
    a country an artist never had any chance to have single art show or sale?
    a country immigrant with PhD drive Taxi?
    a country %95 of are government job better job go for white?
    a country news paper TV or every things run by white man?
    a country native or immigrant are living under discrimination?
    when you had times go head and censure my letter selfish editorial?
    This is true, I do not car at all if are solder also die in Afghanistan?
    same as you are do not care about us?
    same as every days when I walk on street I should keep my face down because of racism?
    same as every days when I drive bicycle a women trying to ran over me by car....and laughing at me...
    I love USA, I was had chance to live there they are so educated so friendly
    and where an immigrant can have all, and respect
  22. hossein hajiagha from Vancouver senior Island, Canada writes: www.notcanada.come
  23. hossein hajiagha from Vancouver senior Island, Canada writes: you like to hear a true life story
    1995 landed in canada Vancouver from USA, became homeless three month in salvation army.
    1998 Vancouver island looking at local garbage to find some things good fixed mostly electronic and sale on local free internet to pay my brush and painting ( art work from wild life) as artist. http://hajiagha.tripod.com
    I create some art work but all of them are rejected by local artist or art organization, 2002 Ottawa my grant rejected when I was be homeless at salvation army,
    2005 my grand was rejected by BC art councile....
    five times became homeless in canada, I give up from art and now working as yhandyman and home painter,
    this is respect ? giving grand to women to go in Africa and take picture from tree or ? go and investigated canada art councile and tell me whos get grat? a artist like me ro friend or family , at same times I was trying to sale my blood in Toronto clinic to pay rent and my art? ashamed on you .
  24. J Law from Canada writes: hossein hajiagha

    I read some of your NotCanada.com and it appears the immigrants want Canada to lower their standards to suit immigrants instead of Immigrants trying to meet Canadian standards.

    When you come to Canada you are welcome, but instead of thinking, "What can Canada do for me," try thinking, "What can I do for Canada?"

    I know many immigrants who came to Canada and instead of sitting there thinking, "So why hasn't this country Canada made me rich yet," they went out and learned and worked and made a very good living. It wasn't easy and some worked pick and shovel and bought a truck and then slowly worked their way up and are doing well.

    Take a look around Brampton and area. Many Portugese names in those big estates. They worked and learned instead of asking, "so why hasn't Canada made me rich yet?" You can do the same, but first you are going to have to learn the language of the country so you can, and we can, understand each other.

    Geez, you do have some support. My forefathers were dropped off in Cape Breton Island with nothing but the clothes on their back and told to chew the trees down to make a small plot to grow a garden.
  25. Antonio San from Canada writes: J Law: very good points. Still the country is fatally flawed and that needs fixing NOW.
  26. Dave Howell from Saltspring Island, Canada writes: It's "THEE" , We stand on Guard for THEE. That means that we stand on guard (will protect and defend) this wonderful country that we are so fortunate to live in.
    John and Micheal sound like poor little rich kids that have everything and don't know the value of anything. You guys aren't getting it by reading. I think you need to get out and travel. Check out the old world and it's composite country's and societies. Perhaps when you return you might begin to understand what the value of our country is.
    Jennifer I'm glad to hear that you are celebrating Canada Day and that you realize it is special and worth celebrating.
    Evan, you are the hard one you sound like it's a big "so what." Again I prescribe travel. I am truly sorry that you feel national character doesn't mean anything these days. I believe it always has and that it still does.
    For Me Canada Day is the day that I join with my countrymen and visitors in celebrating CANADA and all the things that make this such a special place. On this day put aside the things that may tick you off and focus on the positive. This really is a wonderful place.
    Happy Canada Day Everyone
  27. Jo Geoghegan from Canada writes: Nothing. Diddly. Bubkiss, Nada. Big fat Zero.
    Canada is now just an easy entry soft touch waystation for refugees, many of them bogus, who would much srather be in a real country like the U.S.A.
    And a place of convenience as a money machine for the big end of town that spends as much of it's time as it can somewhere else, as Mel Lastman used to when he was Mayor of all the people, remember?
    God love you Miss Fitzgerald, you poor decent deluded innocent. We Canadians in the here and now have NOTHING to apologise for. NOTHING! And when I retire.....POOF! I' ll be gone way down south too.
    Oh! Michael, you're a caution. The standard of a foreign queen on your flagpole. LOL.
    PS as to the arcane Dominion thing, try googling Wikipedia........
  28. Jo Geoghegan from Canada writes: And in case I wasnt clear, Kelly, sing it loud and sing it proud. We Anglo Celts and our French partners founded this country. And it was going well until we diverged foolishly in the mid sixties.
    ' Nice Canadianism ' sent us into a downward spiral from being a sensible sustainable sharing caring hard working U.S.A. Lite into the amorphous multicultural melange of babelling inncompatibles who are now sinking fast into the mire.......
    Is it too late to salvage anything of it? Perhaps outside the big cities?
    Oh! Canada.
  29. Piltdown Man from Canada writes: Interesting discussion - though its clear that Welsh knows how to play to the policy crowd better than the others - even if what she says is off the mark in some cases

    what is lacking in this discussion is cold hard evidence - its all just opinion without any empirics to back it up

    we need to know what impact we are having on the world, where and how and in turn how it shapes us
  30. Piltdown Man from Canada writes: Badges? We don't need no stinking badges from Canada writes: What pathetic whiners...especially Valpy and Allemang. Must be navel-gazing Torontonians. How about picking folks who actually love this fine nation. Go Canada Go

    Yes Allemang is clearly out of his league - didn't he write an entertainment column for the G and M or some such - this must have been written during the playoffs given his obsession with HNIC and Cherry.

    Valpy is the only one actually being critical of the current state of things - Walsh is just carrying on the Liberal agenda but in a slightly more clever and repackaged way.
  31. fergus macduff from United Kingdom writes: hossein hajiagha - you cannot communicate in the majority language of the country which is ENGLISH. if you cannot do so, i am not sure how you got into canada in the first place. you are a bitter, bitter person and for the sake of all canadians leave now, immediately, don't pass go, don't collect your welfare cheque. just go back to iran where it is clearly so much better. the door was open to come in, and it is open for you to leave. just make sure it doesn't hit you in the a** on your way out.
  32. Claire Williams from Ottawa, Canada writes: Can someone please explain to me why Canadians don`t like immigrants but 1. All want to claim they are from some where but Canada (ie. they are Scottish, Irish etc) 2. Let immigrants into Canada but then get upset with immigrants for being upset that they have Phd`s and are driving cabs. Let`s get something straight here: it is a difficult experience up lifting your entire life, moving to Canada and then being discriminated against for not having Canadian experience, Canadian degrèss etc and then being told it is YOUR problem because you are upset about the discrimination. No, immigrants do not expect everything to fall into their laps as soon as they arrive in Canada. They do not want welfare cheques. They do not want a free ride - they want to be given a fair chance to prove themselves that is all. Don`t let immigrants in if you don`t want us - you let immigrants down and you upset Canadians. No one wants to be somewhere where they are not wanted. The caveat that - if you don`t like it here go home doesn`t work, after spending lots of money to move here, then being discriminated against in employment - we don`t have the money to go back!!! Do yourselves a favour, give immigrants jobs so they can go back home!Please!!!!! I am absolutely sure that most immigrants want to make fresh start of it and are grateful for being in Canada and then the truth hits hard: you were not really wanted here as an immigrant in the first place and then to add insult to injury are supposed to be happy about (or at least not complain about) being discriminated against! This is why immigrants feel bitter. Can we get something straight here: just because education or job experience is not `Canadian`does not mean it is inferior. Give immigrants a chance to prove themselves and to contribute instead of shunning them. Canadians stop disowning your national identity and then getting mad at immigrants for not immediately wanting to embrace Canadianism!
  33. J Law from Canada writes: Claire Williams from Ottawa

    So many people come to Canada and do the right things. We work with them everyday whether in medicine, finance or government. We never hear from those people. They just go about their business and are wonderful Canadians.

    On the other hand, there are those who come here screaming they are treated poorly, and discrimnated against. I am sure some have that kind of personality that brings that on, but other just try to shortcut and they get caught and start to blame us. Learn what you need to know to become a professional here in Canada before you come not after! And if you are not qualified then find a way to get the qualifications, don't just scream and yell it is our fault. But first of all learn to communicate with us in our language. Don't expect us to understand sign language of a doctor who doesn't understand how to speak English!
  34. Claire Williams from Ottawa, Canada writes: Thank you for your response. I understand what you are saying. Some immigrants do give up too early and have inflated expectations. Yes, there is a lot of hard work ahead in fitting in, learning the language and getting qualifications up to scratch - and this can be a shock, especially when you have been a respected professional in your home country. Unfortunately, there are immigrants who do all the right things as you say and still are encountering barriers. They do not have that "sort of personality that brings that on (discrimination)" (Clarification: Are you saying that it is immigrants fault they are being discriminated against?) As for your comment: "learn what you need to know to become a professional here in Canada before you come and not after" This is problematic. To get qualifications before you come to Canada is to get those qualifications in another country and unfortunately, these qualifications are not being recognised once immigrants arrive in Canada. (Ironically, it is on the basis of these qualifications they are "selected to enter Canada - that are now useless once they enter Canada.) I have friends from the U.K who are doctors, engineers and lawyers who upgrade their qualifications to Canadian standards (they go back to school and get that magic all Canadian degree) and still are not finding jobs in their field. They speak perfect English and have those all magic Canadian degrees and are still being actively discriminated against. This is because even though they have relevant experience it is not "Canadian" experience. Some have actually been told they did not get the job because they are not Canadian. As much as you may not like it, immigrants who as you say "scream and yell it is our fault" do have a point. There has to be some give and take here. Immigrants who are doing all the right things are not being given jobs and the only other explanation is that there is some active discrimination going on.
  35. no brains on this forum yes that means you.. from wetcoast, Canada writes: Claire Williams, I'm surprised that your friends are having a hard time finding work in thier desired profession. I've always looked at the so called upgrade as a down grade because education in the UK, Europe and even in India have higher standards, much higher. Speaking the language should not be required to do the job as most jobs today can be and are transported around the world and are continuely being worked on. So langauge cannot be an issue..Canada makes my sick as its citizens are among the dumbest in the G8....
  36. Joe xyz from Canada writes: It is a myth that ALL Canadians are hyphenated, as some people suggest above. If Canada could ever put together a world-class soccer team and make it to the play-offs in the World Cup, and the un-hyphenated Canadians could endure the boredom of watching a game, we would be waving Canadian flags, not Scottish, Irish or Greek flags. It is true that some Canadian-born people are born terminally Scottish and probably roll their R's when they talk in their sleep, but most second-generation Canadians are unhyphenated. And re hossein, yah, not being literate in at least one of Canada's two official languages is a problem. Re credentials, much of the developing world is totally corrupt, and credentials can be bought for the right price. It's a way of life in some places. I'm GLAD that foreign credentials are not accepted at face value. If people are truly competent, then taking a qualifying course should be a breeze. It's the ones with fake credentials who know they'll be found it if they have to pass a course or do an internship. Claire Williams, your story about immigrants from the UK is purely anecdotal, but I'm surprised that English-speaking people from the UK are even allowed into Canada the way the system works. I know that some professions have limited quotas for student places in their fields, and perhaps they see immigration as undermining that. You know, Johnny from Oakville can't get into pharmacy because his grade 12 average was only 96%, but somebody comes in waving credentials from goodness-knows-where and expects a job right off the bat. How many PhD's really drive taxis? That sounds like an urban legend.
  37. Claire Williams from Ottawa, Canada writes: Hello Wetcoast Canada - Yes, it was a complete and utter surprise to me too. I think unfortunately, the attitude is a parochical one of some employers wanting the "the best person for the job" and that person is too often than not Canadian-born, not foreign born. A matter largely I believe, of feeling more comfortable with your "own" Canadian compatriots perhaps? I really don't know. If it is hard for U.K immigrants to get professional jobs here, I can only wonder at how much more difficult it is for those immigrants who are racialized and/or who do not speak English as their first language. I feel obliged to speak up about it.
  38. Tom Hsieh from Vancouver, Canada writes: I think the very debate of this forum is VERY Canadian. Being a Chinese Canadian here for 15 years since I was a teenager, I think Canadianism sums up to one thing - Openness to the point of fault. Lacking in a common history, Canadian society is all about the debate and negotiation of the now, or better yet, of "what's next?" The pleasure of beer, donut, and hockey are iconic but not shared by all.

    Isn't that why people come here? Since the fur trade started in the 1700s, Canada has always been a land of opportunity and openness. It's all about establishing something new. Unlike the US, we have not forged enough rituals, traditions, nor MONEY to engineer images or ideas that we can ALL buy in to, new and old Canadians.

    But I think that's what's beautiful about Canada. Truly great things always come from those with contradictions and disfunctions. It takes courage to question our own identity, to debate, to accept, to reject and to let live.

    I LOVE Canada: free, beautiful, open, intelligent, and ever-evolving.
  39. steve allan from Welland, Ontario, Canada writes: Michael Valpy and Evan Solomon both unwittingly flew right over what it is to be Canadian, but neither seemed to grasp it.

    Valpy says he doesn't understand the cultural phenomenon of Tim Hortons, and Solomon thinks the GM plant demonstration was noisy. Both of these are related to our one true defining national trait - mediocrity.

    We aim low, or let's say we set modest goals, and we never disappoint in achieving them. Tim Hortons is a perfect example of mediocrity becoming a national standard, and that so-called demonstration at GM Oshawa was a pathetic cave-in by the union. All it took was a simple court order to send them scurrying back to the shop floor. If you want to see real 'noisy' protests that go the distance, try living in France for a year. Nothing boring or timid about those demonstrations!

    By the way, when foreigners say we're boring, they're just being kind. What they really mean is we're mediocre, they've figured us out better than we have!!
  40. Not the Green Taliban from Vancouver, Canada writes: Being Canadian means being mediocre for sure. The biggest reason is the unions in the country and the socialist agenda embraced by all pseudo intellectuals, academics, bureaucrats, teachers, etc.
    This is also why immigrants can't get jobs in their fields. It's because "Canadian experience" should really be translated as union members only.
    Being Canadian also means complacency. We're all going to sit on our hands and wait to be taxed into poverty by provincial and federal liberal governments because we can't be like those awful Americans and have a conservative majority government.
    In spite of those failings, having travelled throughout the world, Canada is the best country - it's certainly one of the cleanest.
  41. Claire Williams from Ottawa, Canada writes: Ouch! I may not like that immigrants are not able to get jobs despite being accepted on the basis of qualifications that become worthless when they enter Canada, but I would never describe Canada as mediocre. It is far from being mediocre. I LOVE Canada, that is why I moved here from Scotland eight years ago. Unfortunately loving a country is not enough, you also have to earn money to support your family. Not being able to do so despite having the genuine willingness to do ALL it takes to succeed is what is painful. When I first moved here I couldn't even get jobs as a volunteer because that required references - Canadian references! I was taking a French course, so I was able to draw on that one reference, fortunately this was sufficient. It took eighteen months of full-time volunteering build up "Canadian experience" to get my first job here (a three-month contract, mind you) - despite a university degree. Fortunately, my husband supported me financially through this. I also learnt to speak French at a fluent level (yes, a French speaking Scot!) - the reason why ironically, I was able to get my first job, again a one-year contract that turned full-time. Unfortunately, there is something very wrong with the immigration system here where everyone is being cheated - immigrants are becoming bitter or going elsewhere and Canadians are not getting the full benefit of the experience, qualifications and sheer energy immigrants have to bring. Something is wrong with this picture. I do not suggest taking foreign credentials at face value, but there has to be a better way. Canadians are hardworking, honest and have a great sense of humour. Socially, I have found Canadians to be very welcoming and I have been continually amazed by their kindness. This is NOT the problem - it is not having professional experience and qualifications recognised to the detriment of everyone especially immigrants.
  42. Piltdown Man from Canada writes: Tom Hsieh from Vancouver, Canada writes:Isn't that why people come here? I think the very debate of this forum ince the fur trade started in the 1700s, Canada has always been a land of opportunity and openness. It's all about establishing something new. Unlike the US, we have not forged enough rituals, traditions, nor MONEY to engineer images or ideas that we can ALL buy in to, new and old Canadians.

    Let us not forget the passports of convenience issue which frankly makes me ashamed to be a Canadian - when I hear about Lebenase Canadians who have not lived here asking to be rescued by the CDN govt or a Chinese Hong Kong Canadian being asked to rescind his CDN citizenship by China I ask why the CDN govt does not raise the bar on what is required to be a Canadian citizen.

    let's face it in the long run - Canada hugely underpopulated and close to large markets will be in demand as a place to live - we should place a higher premium on our passports.
  43. Dana Cruickshank from Canada writes: The sad thing is that more people probably flew flags for Eurocup than Canada day.

    We do have a serious problem with people coming to this country and still holding some stupid allegiance to their old country. What makes a country strong is its common values and experiances. I'm not saying to stop immigration, infact I like immigration. I just thing we need to integrate people better into our society. Mulitculuralism is the stupidest policy ever created. There is a good reason why everyone wants to come to Canada, because their old country is nowhere near as good a place to live, so why should these cultures be allowed to remain the same when they already screwed up their old country?
  44. Joe xyz from Canada writes: Carolyn Bongiorno from Glenham, NY, US writes:”I like Canada; it's friendly and beautiful and vast.” Thank you. “I still don't have much of an understanding of what the holiday is for. Is it a day for honoring the British national character of anglophone Canada?” Not now, although it used to be; the name was changed in the early 1960s from Dominion Day to Canada Day.” Are stores and shops and banks closed?” Everything except a few variety stories and gas bars. “Does the Queen or presiding monarch broadcast an address?” Her representative, the Governor-General, participates in the celebrations. “What do you stand on guard for?” Um, how do I put this delicately? We stand on guard against being invaded by the United States. After the American Revolution, those who remained “true” to the British Monarchy moved north to Canada, the land of British Empire Loyalists, “the true north strong and free”. Occasionally during the early 1800s the US would attack Canada, but we managed to fend them off, and have been standing on guard ever since. Obviously, the US and Canada are allies now, but we still sing the same words. Probably the US national anthem has references to the War of Independence, even though allied with the UK today. Personally, I like having the history embedded forever in the anthems. I like Americans a lot, and I don’t understand it when Canadians find their “identity” in not being Americans, because we are alike in so many ways. We are different in many small ways, e.g. Canadians prefer hockey to baseball, our spelling is somewhat British (“colour” vs “color”), etc. Also, to Claire Williams, and some others, I believe that it is generally true that in unionized trades and professions, newcomers are always put at the bottom of seniority lists, no matter how impressive their credentials, but it isn’t personal discrimination, it’s just how the seniority system works. Claire, I’m glad you love Canada, and wish you all the best.
  45. kel fitz from gueph, Canada writes: Jo ( Geophegan) called me a"poor, decent, duluded inncent" - nice backwards compliment, Jo. I like you, am sick and tired of apologizing for the "sins" of our fore-fathers, as I, too believe contemporary Canada has apsolutely nothing to apologize for - I think you misconstrued my comments. If Stephen Harper keeps this up, I'm going have a nervous break-down. (Seeing as he is in a minority government, however, I think you can figure why he's doing this - c,mon, Jo - your not that naive, are you? I guess I have to spell out "ethnic vote" for you, babe.

    Like I said, though, if this country keeps losing itself from its former glory, I'll be joining you in the South - wanna meet up on the beach and lament our loss?

    All the best, Kelly
  46. kel fitz from gueph, Canada writes: (p.s.): Forgive the spelling errors -I typed this missive too fast.
  47. Mark Bossi from Toronto (usually), Canada writes: How wonderfully ironic, yet shamelessly disengenous of John Allemang to slander Canadian soldiers as "shameless goons". You, John, should be ashamed of yourself for apparently having failed every history course you ever took (that is, if you even studied history in between toking or smoking pole). Furthermore, you could not be further from the truth when you libellously insinuate "jingoistic contemporaries ... [using] ... unevolved language ... [mock] those who suggested diplomacy, talking to people, [is] once again the best solution". How much Dari or Pashtu do you speak, compared to those "who've actually been in the arena" ... ? Sadly, John, you fail even your own shabby litmus test. Thankfully, we can measure your comments against a much more credible yardstick: "... It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. ..." -- Teddy Roosevelt, CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC -- Speech at the Sorbonne (that's in Paris, France, John ... just in case you failed geography, too) -- April 23, 1910
  48. gran2006 skipper from Hamilton, Canada writes: Hmm ... I posted a comment about the fact that no one has even mentioned the significance of Canada's Apology to Indigenous Peoples as an indication of something about Canada.

    I think the moderator has the Canadian disease of 'lets only look at the good stuff about Canada' ... the lakes, the rivers, the trees ... that we have no claim to, but hey, who wants to talk about that, eh?

    Donut? Beer? Now that's talkin Canadian!

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