national Identity
On the face of it, there seem to be two forces which cause Canadians to be very patriotic in promoting their nation and national image. 1. Excessively patriotic America on Canada’s front doorstep, meaning that many feel the need to establish themselves as an individual nation, with different morals and ideals to that of their egotistical neighbour. 2. After gaining independence from the British Empire, Canada needed to further establish its own individual identity; other than that of a British subordinate nation state. It could be argued that Canada’s identity was successfully achieved through Canadian patriotism and nationalism movements, after it gained independence. Ethnic diversity is therefore one attribute which Canadians love to cherish ‘diversity (or multiculturalism) is now one of the characteristics Canadians are most proud of, particularly in recent years’[1]. Also, Allan Gregg, who wrote an article entitled: ‘Identity Crisis’ for the online news website ‘The Walrus’, referred to Canada as the ‘model [nation] for how to manage diversity’[2] in the 21st Century. It therefore seems that this pride of Canadian ethnic diversity successfully unites the 2nd largest land mass in the world.
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Map of Provinces in Canada.
Canada is a democratic nation
which, to reapply the words of Abraham Lincoln, houses a ‘government of
the people, by the people, for the people’. Its political system bears much
resemblance to that of the British system; in that it has two houses of
Parliament (Commons & Senate) and a Prime Minister. A famous example of a tipping
point when action was taken on the part of the people, to uphold their national
unity and identity, was seen in the two Quebecois independence referendums in
the 70’s. These endangered the unity of Quebec with the rest of Canada. The
people acknowledged this fact ‘when Quebec (twice) held a referendum about
breaking away…the rest of Canada rose to the challenge and showed an unexpected
degree of unity around the desire to remain together’[3].
This is a clear example that unity, multiculturalism and the future of Canada
lie in the hands of the people, not the government or any other political body
or institution. The people ultimately define Canada, but the government’s
actions, through history, have not always reflected public opinion. Lotz argues
that ‘unlike Americans, Canadians spend a great deal of time discussing their
identity’[4]. The
people consider the theory of Identity regularly shown in their ‘sceptical’
consensus towards ‘the ability of a piece of cloth’ (the Flag) ‘and a sheet of
paper’ (the Constitution) ‘to unite such a diverse people’[5]. The
people are therefore the backbone of Canadian identity and it is they who
ensure that Canadian unity and ethnic diversity continues successfully
throughout the nation, rather than the government.
[1] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[2] Allan Gregg, Identity Crisis, March, 2006, http://walrusmagazine.com/article.php?ref=2006.03-society-canada-multiculturism&page
[3] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[4] Jim Lotz, History of Canada, B.Mitchell; A Bison Book, 1984, p174.
[5] Jim Lotz, History of Canada, B.Mitchell; A Bison Book, 1984, p174.
[2] Allan Gregg, Identity Crisis, March, 2006, http://walrusmagazine.com/article.php?ref=2006.03-society-canada-multiculturism&page
[3] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[4] Jim Lotz, History of Canada, B.Mitchell; A Bison Book, 1984, p174.
[5] Jim Lotz, History of Canada, B.Mitchell; A Bison Book, 1984, p174.