Daily Digest June 30, 2008

The DAILY DIGEST: INFORMATION and OPINION from ST. JOHN'S to VICTORIA.
ARCHIVED at http://cdndailydigest.blogspot.com/

EDITORIALs

CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
A country worth celebrating
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=148357&sc=30

CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
Anne: Canada's gift to the world
Canadians often celebrate achievements in areas of science and medicine, but don't notice their contributions to literature.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=148493&sc=103

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Gomery's dissonance
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1064990.html

AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
Not a lot to complain about
http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=148269&sc=61

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Unnecessary caesarians add risk and costs 
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=288bd0fd-3b3e-44d4-8993-92a4c8c086dc

Governments don't need to duel with holidays
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=897eceec-c89c-4347-9f00-9f535a4c68e5

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
A terrible rite of summer
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/editorials/story.html?id=88512c17-6759-4dd3-ab89-8bf7cdd14e61

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
State power reined in
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1093074

TORONTO STAR -
Of speculators and oil prices
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/450943

Hold CSIS to account
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/450942

GLOBE & MAIL -
Free legal advice, fishing expeditions
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.eHumanrights01/BNStory/specialComment/home

Prepare for revolution
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.eGas01/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
A northern rebuff to Dion's Green Shift
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=622825

HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
How much am I paying you?
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/395104

ST. CATHARINES STANDARD -
Be thankful we have Canada to call home
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1094900

NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
Food or fuel? The grain debate
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1094471&auth=MICHAEL+DENTANDT

LONDON FREE PRESS -
Zimbabwe's terror, world's shame
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Opinion/Editorials/2008/06/30/6024031.html

WINDSOR STAR -
Canada Day
Only in Canada could people criticize a paid day off from work because it falls on a Tuesday and doesn't create the three-day long weekend to which they have grown accustomed. http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/editorial/story.html?id=06d613d3-e0ad-4c7a-b254-84ca60f21201

ORILLIA PACKET AND TIMES -
True north strong and free
http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1094564

SUDBURY STAR -
Taxpayers not envious over Dion's carbon tax
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1094928&auth=LINDA+LEATHERDALE

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Liberal revisionism
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/editorial/story/4193077p-4784132c.html

A new NATO
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/editorial/story/4193078p-4784135c.html

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Canada's survival in spite of odds worth celebrating
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=7b2c3ab2-a62c-4ac4-bfbd-1a2dc58e300d

REGINA LEADER-POST -
Taxing the economy -- and our trust
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=a69d03a0-3877-4897-a59d-d983c55dc05b

CALGARY HERALD -
The killing of Thos. Scott
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=2812eebd-4d5c-416c-a266-db51a7bf6b67

LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
One thing on which we can all agree
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/article_11227.php

NANAIMO DAILY NEWS -
The history of this great nation is its future
http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/opinion/story.html?id=43f4dd29-f383-4fc8-b5f2-7e2cb419dab9


ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -
Honouring our aboriginal sons and daughters
These three native heroes and their stories are worthy of celebration this Canada Day
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.coaborig01/BNStory/specialComment/home

Lawsuit seeks apology, redress from feds for 'Experimental Eskimos'
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080630/national/experimental_eskimos


AFGHANISTAN -
Smoke and mirrors in the Khyber Valley
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JG01Df01.html

Reverend Bazooka, former warlord weigh in
"The Americans are like a blind man walking on a roof," said the ex-warlord. "I can see clearly that they are about to fall off, but they refuse to listen to my warnings." http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1065026.html

U.S., NATO deaths in Afghanistan pass Iraq toll
Analysts say the grim tally underscores the Taliban's growing strength
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25463822/

Funding shortage imperils Kandahar program for reconciliation with Taliban
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080630/national/afghan_taliban_reconcile

Mullah Omar wears shades, has trimmed beard, lives in Pakistan: ex-follower
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080630/national/afghan_taliban_omar

Afghan governor says civilians killed in U.S. raid
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080630/canada/canada_afghan_violence_col

Turning Afghan Heroin into Kalashnikovs
IWPR (06/30/2008)

45 killed in fresh Afghan violence
AFP (06/30/2008)

Amid Policy Disputes, Qaeda Grows in Pakistan
The New York Times (06/30/2008)

Chance to kill, vengeance, money: why Taliban fighters took up arms
The Canadian Press (06/30/2008)

Battle of the Taliban Bloggers Could Alter Counterinsurgency Efforts in Afghanistan
The Cutting Edge, DC (06/30/2008)

Prison break makes for an uncertain future in Afghanistan
The Gazette (06/30/2008)

Preparing the Battlefield
The New Yorker (06/30/2008)

Worsening Afghan security hampers humanitarian effort: UN
Reuters (06/30/2008)

UN official: Afghan civilian deaths up 60 percent
The Associated Press (06/30/2008)

Afghan government workers tied to attempt to kill Karzai
Chicago Tribune (06/30/2008)


CANADIAN FORCES
Canadians Join Maritime Training Event
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=622815


CANUSA/USACAN
U.S. court rebuffs Arar
A U.S. appeals court decision upholding the dismissal of a lawsuit from Canadian Maher Arar essentially enables the U.S. government to send foreigners to be tortured, http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/451986

Governors cheer oilsands
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=7f45ff73-84ba-4600-9f28-1d53ed2427fb


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
A blueprint for a more competitive country
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=622851

GDP rebound lowers recession fears
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/451725

Canada falling behind on innovation: report
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080629/conferenceboard_report_080630/20080630?hub=Canada

Commodity boom blinds Canada to problems: report
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080630/canada/canada_economy_report_col


FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Canada falls in world rankings: annual report
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=2d3bce14-8ad6-4a60-bf25-60b65fba3e3e

No public criticism for Mugabe at African summit
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/451684

African summit pushes Mugabe to negotiate
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.wzimbabwe0630/BNStory/International/home

The foreign policy myth
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.wcandayvalpytwo0630/BNStory/CanadaDay2008/home

US 'escalates covert Iran missions'
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/06/2008630173538122871.html


HEALTH CARE RELATED
Skin cancer risks fall on deaf (uncovered) ears
http://www.thestar.com/HealthZone/Yourhealth/article/451883

Giving nurses more say in care drastically cuts turnover rate
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=624429


JUSTICE SYSTEM
B.C. court clears path for cancer survivors to sue over hormone replacement
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.wbccourt0630/BNStory/National/home


MIGRATION
Immigrants possess strong sense of belonging, survey finds 
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=3f6b0099-9f4f-46aa-9de5-be54ffa93c66

POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
What we're for: Reflections on the Bouchard-Taylor Commission
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3727

New prescription for MD shortage
http://www.thestar.com/HealthZone/News&Features/article/451555

Former N.L. premier quits politics
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.wrideout30/BNStory/National/home

Tory aims to win seat by end of the year
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080630.ONTTORY30/TPStory/TPNational/Politics/

All the pain Campbell's inflicting could well be for naught
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080630.BCSPECTOR30/TPStory/TPNational/Politics/

Medicare debate under cone of silence
http://www.thestar.com/Canada/Columnist/article/451567

Mr. Charest's remarkable resurgence
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080630.COGAGNON30/TPStory/specialComment/columnists

Changes bring Ontario Human Rights Code into 21st century: Attorney General
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080630/national/human_rights_changes


PARTY POLITICS
Dion set to face West's ire in bid to sell carbon tax
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=b2abfadf-62b3-481a-873c-d48f8443822e

Denis threat?
http://translate.google.ca/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cyberpresse.ca%2Farticle%2F20080629%2FCPACTUALITES%2F806290498%2F1025%2FCPACTUALITES&sl=fr&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Harper says native apology sign of unity and strength on Canada Day
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080630/national/cda_day_harper_message


POLITICAL OPINION -
Tories trying to frame 'green shift' as a tax issue, not environmental
David McGuinty says Stephen Harper's 'screw everybody' language appears like he's 'a junk yard dog backed into a corner'
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2008/june/30/tories_green/&c=1

Lobbyists registrar says chance of getting a conviction on lobbying is 'slim'
After four years on the job, outgoing Lobbyists Registrar Michael Nelson heads into retirement and reflects on his time in office.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2008/june/30/lobbying/&c=1

PMO braces for 'quite a shakeup'
One source close to the PMO says 'everyone in the PMO is on tenterhooks right now.'
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2008/june/30/pmo_shakeup/&c=1

Constituency reaction to Poilievre's comments were 95 per cent positive
CFRA's Steve Madely says media's 'gotcha-style' fuelled outrage against Tory MP Poilievre.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2008/june/30/poilievre/&c=1

Canadians aren't buying Dion's carbon tax
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3726

Change in the political climate
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/450941

Keeping a grip on the economy
Canada needs to be able to say 'no' to corporate takeovers that are not in the national interest
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/450944

Your take on Green Shift
Readers respond to Liberal carbon tax plan at montrealgazette.com/soundoff
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=63506ab1-d627-4708-bdf2-2b718906ec7e

The Tory dilemma: a blue government in a green era
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080629.wcomartin30/BNStory/specialComment/home

Replacing the messenger
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080630.EBUCKLER30/TPStory/TPComment/Politics/


PROGRAMMES
PM's democratic reform agenda mostly stuck at second reading in Commons
Most bills still have significant hurdles and Commons committees to get through House yet.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=2008/june/30/legislation/&c=2

PM Harper makes more changes to public service
Simon Kennedy is new deputy secretary to Cabinet for plans and consultations in the Privy Council Office, effective Aug. 1
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2008/june/30/changed_public_service/&c=1

New law delays lobbying career for ex-officials
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1064939.html

The cheque's not in the mail
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/451569

High gas prices fuel gov't windfall
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=35b49b65-8c9d-489c-9e0f-00fcb0ff0bbf

The CWB's phony numbers game
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=5762993f-70c3-4b85-bf64-e8554a115e57


PRESSURE POINTS
The enemy within
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3729

Break the deadlock over global warming
Time is of the essence in facing the challenges
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=9d42a721-7ad2-4a8a-98ac-4d0015fc5ba4&p=1

Leaving Kyoto behind
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/westview/story/4192999p-4784162c.html


OPINION AND INFORMATION
Canada, then and now: A comparison
A comparison of Canada at Confederation  and now, in statistics, in cultural habits, in the way we live, as compiled by the National Post's Jenny Wagler
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/pages/canada-then-and-now.aspx

101 things that define Canada
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=f6460298-27ba-4a22-a3ae-6d47559b63e0

My Canada at 141: stressed, but magnificent
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1064964.html

Goodbye, Canada
As Canada Day approaches, a self-described 'Connecticut Yankee' reminisces about living and working north of the border
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=622850

We are the lucky country
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.wcowente01/BNStory/specialComment/home

Muddling through: a curious approach to nationhood
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080630.wcosimpson01/BNStory/specialComment/home

Canadian Pro-Life Groups Appalled that Abortionist Morgentaler May be Awarded Order of Canada July 1
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3725

Poll suggest 'some unease in the land' over direction of the country
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=d2d1963a-ae21-477e-b041-287c1485fbec

Water export idea for Manitoba should be considered 
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=727e11a3-2de9-46dd-b9c8-a77396d25be0

"Henry Morgentaler's Canada is not my Canada"
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/06/29/douglas-farrow-quot-henry-morgentaler-s-canada-is-not-my-canada-quot.aspx

A carbon tax might work in principle, but it won't work in Canada
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/06/29/jonathan-kay-a-carbon-tax-might-work-in-principle-but-it-won-t-work-in-canada.aspx

Relax about gas prices 
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/opinion/story.html?id=1e921e5d-da59-4cf0-a33f-ac5edca3b25c

Canada losing ground in telecommunications
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/editorial/story.html?id=a23a2c45-3852-4872-a38e-c1d10fd4d3a5

Sweating the small stuff: rural Canada needs help
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=0d1bfdcd-8aa3-461f-a6a5-9345dc6cdb02

Judicial integrity of supreme importance
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=c34ffbce-fbb3-42e5-9d56-8e23aa91af7b

Three ways to deal with climate worries
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=29560ee2-c1c4-49b8-85a0-1338254e04f1

Historic eco-decline sends sobering message
Canadians need to take a hard look at events that continue to unfold
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=05995282-7059-4b13-984c-76e5c5b0c4b0


INFOS 
Lobbying: la loi imposant le délai de cinq ans entre en vigueur ce mercredi
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/080629/N062958AU.html

La taxe sur les émissions carboniques de la C.-B. entre en vigueur mardi
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/080629/N062964AU.html

Les familles de soldats blessés peinent à joindre les deux bouts
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/080629/N062976AU.html

Caburant de substitution: Ottawa se préparait à être critiqué
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/080629/N062974AU.html

Day a privilégié d'anciens policiers et membres des services correctionnels
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/080629/N062940AU.html

États-Unis
La plainte de Maher Arar rejetée
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/International/2008/06/30/007-arar-appel-rejet.shtml

2008, année historique pour le Canada selon Harper
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080630/CPACTUALITES/80630088/1025/CPACTUALITES

Bilinguisme à la Garde côtière: le Commissaire aux langues officielles enquêtera
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080630/CPACTUALITES/80630085/1025/CPACTUALITES

Denis la menace?
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080629/CPACTUALITES/806290498/1025/CPACTUALITES

Décision critiquée par l'Opposition - Day a privilégié d'anciens policiers et membres des services correctionnels
http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/06/30/195853.html

Le mollah Omar aurait changé son apparence
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080630/CPACTUALITES/80630187/5846/CPACTUALITES


La Teoria Conspiratoria
Scientists: Nothing to fear from atom-smasher
http://pimpinturtle.com/2008/06/30/scientists-nothing-to-fear-from-atomsmasher.aspx

BELOW(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)

Enjoy this day that celebrates the founding of our Dominion of Canada from Atlantic to Pacific

A Mari usque ad Mare

http://www.everything2.org/node/702098
A Mari usque ad Mare is the motto of Canada, translating from Latin to " from sea to sea" or " from sea unto sea." Its origin is in Psalm 72:8 which reads:

"Et dominabitur a mari usque ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae."

The same quotation translated for The King James Bible reads:

"He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth."

A Mari usque ad Mare has its origins in 1872 when Reverend George Grant crossed the entirety of Canada as the secretary of Sanford Fleming, who at the time headed the Pacific railway surveys. In 1873, Grant published his book " Ocean to Ocean," and for years afterward continued to both preach and push for the adoption of " From Sea to Sea" as the official Canadian motto.

In 1906, A Mari usque ad Mare found itself used officially for the first time engraved on the building of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. In 1919, former undersecretary of state Joseph Pope was named to a four person committee to redesign the Arms of Canada. In 1921 (I love the speed with which committees work), Pope's design bearing the creed "A Mari usque ad Mare" was adopted and made the official Canadian motto.

"Our Arms are very handsome ... everything that can be desired. The motto 'A Mari usque ad Mare,' which is an original suggestion of my own, I regard as very appropriate."
--Joseph Pope, September 29 1921

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dian Info Collection
 

PRESENTS
http://members.shaw.ca/kcic1/canwhy.html
Why Canadians Don't Brag ...... MUCH!

 

I am a Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
or free to choose those who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom
I pledge to uphold
for myself and all mankind.
(Extract from the Canadian Billl of Rights)


QUOTES ABOUT CANADA

I think every Canadian should have a map of Canada in his or her house. It should be displayed in a place where one can sit and contemplate the wonderful vastness of this land.
As Canadians, we are continuously groping for an identity and a sense of love for our nation. We grapple with the concept, find it somewhat distasteful and leave it for another day.
We find American flag waving, hand over heart while belting out 'Oh, say, can you see...' too much and avoid doing the same. We admire their national spirit, but Canadians are, in contrast, understated.
To understand the identity that exists in our hearts think of our sweepingly majestic home­its quiet, serene beauty. A beauty recognizable to us all. We are proud of this nation and of who we are. We just don't say it to everyone we meet (and perhaps we should!).
It's like the map of Canada. It just sits there on the wall displaying the lines of our coasts, the bulk of our waterways and the breadth of our northern territories. Surveying all of this leaves me in awe.
It brings a tear to my eye ... 0h, CANADA ...!!!.
-Debora O'Neil, (from Reader's Digest)

Americans should never underestimate the constant pressure on Canada which the mere presence of the United States has produced. We're different people from you and we're different people because of you. Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is effected by every twitch and grunt. It should not therefore be expected that this kind of nation, this Canada, should project itself as a mirror image of the United States.
- (Prime Minister) Pierre Elliot Trudeau

It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw, not because she is Canada but because she's something sublime that you were born into, some great rugged power that you are a part of.
- Emily Carr (1871-1945)

For more GREAT QUOTES ABOUT CANADA
Please Click Here


MY NAME IS JOE

The recent Molson's Canadian "Rant" beer commercial on TV was very well received (?) by most Canadians (but maybe not so well by our American friends!). It is intended to NOT be taken very seriously nor, as a reflection of what Canada means to Canadians and their culture. It goes like this.....

(A man comes on stage, clears his throat .....)
Hey....!
I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader,
and I don't live in an igloo or eat blubber, or own a dogsled,
and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm certain they're really, really nice.
I have a Prime Minister,
not a President.
I speak English and French,
NOT American!
and I pronounce it 'ABOUT',
NOT 'A BOOT'.
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack.
I believe in peace keeping, NOT policing.
DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation,
(louder ..)
AND THAT THE BEAVER IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL.
I KNOW THAT A TOQUE IS A HAT,
A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH,
AND IT IS PRONOUCED 'ZED' NOT 'ZEE', 'ZED'!!!
CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST LANDMASS IN THE WORLD!
THE FIRST NATION OF HOCKEY!
AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA!
MY NAME IS JOE!!
AND ... I AM ... C A N A D I A N !


THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND

"This land is your land, this land is my land,
From Bona Vista to Vancouver Island,
From the Arctic Islands to the Great Lakes waters;
This land was made for you and me."

NOTE: (The refrain of "This Land Is Your Land" is taken from the original by Woody Guthrie and is the Canadian version, adapted by Martin Bochner for The Travellers.)
Visit our Songs Page for more Canadian songs


An American's View of Canada

(This editorial ran in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in August 2003)

It's not just the weather that's cooler in Canada: You live next door to a clean-cut, quiet guy. He never plays loud music or throws raucous parties. He doesn't gossip over the fence, just smiles politely and offers you some tomatoes. His lawn is cared-for, his house is neat as a pin and you get the feeling he doesn't always lock his front door. He wears Dockers. You hardly know he's there. And then one day you discover that he has pot in his basement, spends his weekends at peace marches and that guy you've seen mowing the yard is his spouse.

Allow me to introduce Canada. The Canadians are so quiet that you may have forgotten they're up there, but they've been busy doing some surprising things. It's like discovering that the mice you are dimly aware of in your attic have been building an espresso machine.

Did you realize, for example, that our reliable little tag-along brother never joined the Coalition of the Willing? Canada wasn't willing, as it turns out, to join the fun in Iraq. I can only assume American diner menus weren't angrily changed to include "freedom bacon," because nobody here eats the stuff anyway.

And then there's the wild drug situation: Canadian doctors are authorized to dispense medical marijuana. Parliament is considering legislation that would not exactly legalize marijuana possession, as you may have heard, but would reduce the penalty for possession of under 15 grams to a fine, like a speeding ticket. This is to allow law enforcement to concentrate resources on traffickers; if your garden is full of wasps, it's smarter to go for the nest rather than trying to swat every individual bug. Or, in the United States, bong.

Now, here's the part that I, as an American, can't understand. These poor benighted pinkos are doing everything wrong. They have a drug problem: Marijuana offenses have doubled since 1991. And Canada has strict gun control laws, which means that the criminals must all be heavily armed, the law-abiding civilians helpless and the government on the verge of a massive confiscation campaign. (The laws have been in place since the '70s, but I'm sure the government will get around to the confiscation eventually.) They don't even have a death penalty!

And yet ... nationally, overall crime in Canada has been declining since 1991. Violent crimes fell 13 percent in 2002. Of course, there are still crimes committed with guns - brought in from the United States, which has become the major illegal weapons supplier for all of North America - but my theory is that the surge in pot-smoking has rendered most criminals too relaxed to commit violent crimes. They're probably more focused on shoplifting boxes of Ho-Hos from convenience stores.

And then there's the most reckless move of all: Just last month, Canada decided to allow and recognize same-sex marriages. Merciful moose, what can they be thinking? Will there be married Mounties (they always get their man!)? Dudley Do-Right was sweet on Nell, not Mel! We must be the only ones who really care about families. Not enough to make sure they all have health insurance, of course, but more than those libertines up north.

This sort of behavior is a clear and present danger to all our stereotypes about Canada. It's supposed to be a cold, wholesome country of polite, beer-drinking hockey players, not founded by freedom-fighters in a bloody revolution but quietly assembled by loyalists and royalists more interested in order and good government than liberty and independence. But if we are the rugged individualists, why do we spend so much of our time trying to get everyone to march in lockstep? And if Canadians are so reserved and moderate, why are they so progressive about letting people do what they want to?

Canadians are, as a nation, less religious than we are, according to polls. As a result, Canada's government isn't influenced by large, well-organized religious groups and thus has more in common with those of Scandinavia than those of the United States, or, say, Iran.

Canada signed the Kyoto global warming treaty, lets 19-year-olds drink, has more of its population living in urban areas and accepts more immigrants per capita than the United States. These are all things we've been told will wreck our society. But I guess Canadians are different, because theirs seems oddly sound.

Like teenagers, we fiercely idolize individual freedom but really demand that everyone be the same. But the Canadians seem more adult - more secure. They aren't afraid of foreigners. They aren't afraid of homosexuality. Most of all, they're not afraid of each other.

I wonder if America will ever be that cool.



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