Canadian, eh!

What was a Canadian to the rest of the world when I grew up?

A hockey-playing, beer-drinking, lumber-jacking adventurer? A highly capable and well-respected military force? A humorous, humble, and hard-working nation? A safe, welcoming, and polite neighbour? Proud and passionately Canadian, not American? Though the answer might change greatly depending on who is asked, the correct answer was likely all the above!

Stereotypes are oversimplified ideas about particular types of people or things. For decades, Canadians were stereotypically seen as polite and respectful. We were privileged to hold one of the most powerful passports in the modern world, using it to strap on a backpack and explore unique, distinctive cultures. Canadian travelers would take pride in sewing the maple leaf onto their pack before leaving home. That simple action showed pride in our home and its values but also the passion to differentiate us from others.

As the demographics of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas change, so too, theoretically, would the stereotype. If those new to Canada did not adopt the same characteristics the country was previously known for, and their numbers were large enough, they would inevitably spark a cultural revolution and create a new experience for visitors. That new experience, when shared, would inevitably change how people perceive Canadians.

What is a Canadian through the world’s lens TODAY?

An accepting leader in multiculturalism and diversification. A front-runner in green initiatives and sustainability. An international peace-keeper. A selfish, unwelcoming, and impassionate bystander? And everything previously mentioned… sort of.

Social media and media in general play a huge role in shaping a nation’s image. The world observes those portrayed in the media and forms an image—or stereotype—based on that portrayal. Largely, Canadians are depicted as kind and respectful, which is inviting to those who feel their home does not share those qualities. But I now question: Is that what a foreign traveler would experience when visiting or establishing a life in Canada today?

Small-town Canada and its simpler life can be immune to these changes for the most part. Locked in a time when warmth, friendliness, and loving one’s neighbour were core principles of daily life—always considering that one didn’t inconvenience the rest of the world with selfish actions and decisions. Canadians who are old enough to remember when these characteristics were more common must now either tolerate or relocate.

I am a proud Canadian! But I am less proud than I was 25 years ago. It is my opinion that life in Canada has changed to some degree over the past three decades. Someone visiting our vast, wild, and beautiful country today might leave with a different opinion of Canadians than they would have 25 years ago. I will fight to protect the decency and strength we once stood for, with the hope… that those I cross paths with, when asked, “What are Canadians like?” will still mention all the old-school characteristics I grew up with.

What will a Canadian be when my grandchildren roam this planet?

My hope is that our previous identity will prevail in time. This is only possible if those new to our nation are shown why we held that identity to begin with. They must have considered those qualities before visiting or moving to Canada and valued them. Hopefully, they will embrace them, teach them, and share them as they learn how Canadians constructed that stereotype in the first place. 

The legacy of what it means to be Canadian cannot be just a fond memory—it’s must be something we whole heartedly protect and rejuvenate.

Chris Walton