Canadian identity

In 1999 the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) held a competition whose goal was to compose the conclusion to the phrase: "As Canadian as ..." The winning entry reflects the ambivalence, self-questioning and ultimate pragmatism of Canadians. It read "... possible under the circumstances."

Robertson Davies, one of Canada's best known authors, once commented about his homeland: "Some countries you love. Some countries you hate. Canada is a country you worry about."

Pierre Berton, a Canadian journalist, once alluded to Canada's voyageur roots with this famous : A Canadian is someone who knows how to make love in a canoe without tipping it.

John Ralston Saul said, "Canada is either an idea or it does not exist. It is either an intellectual undertaking or it is nothing but a resource-rich buffer zone to the north of an empire."

William Shatner, the acclaimed actor, singer and writer, is a useful person to mention if someone challenges you that there are no famous Canadians.

See also : Canada