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It's a Fact, Eh? - Canada Day
- 07/01/08
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Today is Canada Day and I, like just about every other Canadian, am taking the day off from work. But it does give me a good opportunity to add a new article to the “It’s a Fact, Eh?” article archives.
Every year on July 1, Canada pauses for one day to focus on our nation. Though often compared to America’s Independence Day, Canada Day celebrates something quite different. The day marks the anniversary of the joining of the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces. At this time what had previously been the Province of Canada was divided into Ontario and Quebec. This all happened on July 1, 1867. However, even at this time Canada did not become entirely independent and it was not until 1982 that Canada fully and finally severed political ties with Great Britain.
Though Canada Day (or Dominion Day as it was known then) was first instituted in the 1860’s there is no record of any substantial celebrations being held at that time. The Canadian citizens still considered themselves British and saw little reason to mark the occasion. In fact, the day really only became an important national holiday in the middle of the twentieth century. The centennial celebrations in 1967 really kicked off the tradition of marking the day in a special way. This year marks the 141st anniversary of Confederation and also the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City, which also marks the founding of Canada. It is a good day to celebrate Canada.
Today many Canadians will mark the day by attending public events or celebrations—parades, festivals and the like. Most towns will hold public fireworks displays when night falls (around 10 PM in this area). The “official” ceremonies will be held on Parliament Hill on Ottawa and this is where our Prime Minister will make his Canada Day appearance. The province of British Columbia is celebrating in a very strange way by instituting a carbon tax that will raise the already-high gas prices by 2.4 cents per litre (10 cents per gallon) this year, rising to almost 8 cents per litre by 2012. Personally I prefer our plans, which involve heading to a local park and watching the kids have fun in the splash pad over there. Then we’ll probably enjoy lunch at McDonald’s (well, the kids will enjoy it) and head on home for a quiet afternoon. Because the fireworks are so late and because my girls are absolutely terrified of them, we’re unlikely to take in any of the local shows. We’ll have to wait until the kids are a little older before we do that. And, of course, we’ll pause to celebrate one of the greatest things about being Canadian—we’re not American.
Enjoy your Canada Day!
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (50)
And, of course, we’ll pause to celebrate one of the greatest things about being Canadian—we’re not American.
Some of us (dual citizens) have the best of both worlds. We can be both Canadian and US American.
I’m glad you enjoy Canada Day and celebrating that holiday, but that last remark hurt. I’m sure you didn’t mean to hurt anybody’s feelings, but please remember that we Americans read this blog too. Thanks, and have a great Canada Day!
You’re not “American” - eh? So on which continent does Canada reside? :)
One of my favorite shirts of all time…http://www.bustedtees.com/canadaamericashat
Happy Canada Day!
Mike
“And, of course, we’ll pause to celebrate one of the greatest things about being Canadian—we’re not American.”
Wow…Tim, jealousy never looks good bro!
But that’s ok, nobody takes Canada seriously anyway!!
And, of course, we’ll pause to celebrate one of the greatest things about being Canadian—we’re not American.
It certainly is a great thing to enjoy the benefits of living next door to the most powerful nation in the world without having the responsibilities that they have been given. We are truly blessed.
Like others above, and also as a dual citizen, I found the final remark of the Canada Day post distressing, though not unusual here in Canada. For so many in Canada it is, somehow, very comforting and secure to “not be American,” and to use sweeping generalizations about the shortcomings of the US.
Much more needed, in my view - and expected from someone whose book is entitled The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment - is an attitude of strong support for the good, and loving critique of the bad. In general, this blog does a lot for the former, especially in its generous support in the form of reviews of all sorts of good writing about good theology south of the 49th. Critiques are, of course, also easy to make on a wide range of issues. But a sweeping generalization such as ended today’s post is unbecoming, and strikes me as unloving and not very discerning.
Maybe the blogger was “off duty” in terms of clear thinking, since it is a holiday. Or maybe he had his tongue in cheek, anticipating the trip to the Golden Arches (…but not to Tim Horton’s?).
Whatever the case… Happy Canada Day to all who might celebrate it, and may the coming Fourth of July holiday also give occasion to celebrate, and reflect!
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,and our tongue with shouts of joy;then they said among the nations,”The Lord has done great things for them.”Psalm 126:2
It is good to laugh. Tim has a great, dry sense of humor. Or maybe it’s a bit of Canadian satire. God has done great things for us all, eh?
The comment I suppose was made tongue in cheek. Canadians pick on Americans, Americans pick on Canadians. It has been a way of life for a long time.
Canada has much to offer. It is a great country to live in and as much as our American friends are so patriotic, so do Canadians feel the same way about our country.
Tim, thanks for the fascinating info on Canada, Eh?
(Did I use “Eh” correctly? I’m never sure when it’s appropriate.)
I’ve never been to Canada and I don’t know that much about it so I thought it was a cool post. Which reminds me of the reason I don’t really have any desire to visit Canada… too cool (cold) up there. At least I imagine it is in the winter season.
Anyway, I wasn’t offended by the jab at America. All in good fun. Besides, I’m not really American anymore since I moved to Texas - “it’s like a whole other country”. ;)
Happy Canada Day, Y’all!
As a third-generation British Canadian with only American citizenship, I really appreciate the background on the holiday, Tim. My grandmother had dual citizenship up until recently, and my dad (living in New Jersey) was born with dual citizenship and flies his Canadian flag on every Canadian holiday. I take pride in knowing I have Canadian roots!
I am trusting that the “we’re not American” comment was included to elicit the kinds of reactions we are all giving it. And perhaps Tim did it as a “poke” at the remainder of the Challies clan, who I understand have all foresaken the homeland to live in the United States. (I assume those relocations were done of free will and not under some duress…like extradition!)
Still, I am reminded of the “b” part of Matthew 12:34, and have to wonder….
Sounds like a fantastic opportunity to hand out good gospel tracts! Whenever there are large groups of people congregating, it’s so easy to walk down the row and hand out the “Million Dollar Bill” tracts that livingwaters.com and customtractsource.com make. Also, there are other really easy ones to give out, like the “pink and blue curved illusions” and “giant money.”
http://www.livingwaterscanada.com/ has Canadian tracts, and Tim, you’ll be happy to know that the front page of their website is selling YOUR book! Pretty good, eh?
In my town, Three Hills, AB, it doesn’t get dark until about 11pm at this time of year. I think that might be why we don’t have fireworks on Canada Day. But we do have them about the first week of January when it gets dark around 4:30pm. We go to a local snow covered sports field and gather in the freezing cold (it was about -20 C this year) to consume free hot chocolate and hot dogs and to have a giant bonfire fueled by everyone’s now dead and dry and ready-to-burn Christmas trees. We all gather round the bonfire because it’s so cold and the hot chocolate and hot dogs aren’t helping much! The night is topped off with fireworks and then everyone grabs the last of the free hot dogs and leaves because they are too cold.
Happy Canada Day!
PS: It’s a sad fact that many Canadians seem to celebrate that they are not Americans (ironically we also boast in our incredible tolerance and respect for others). I’m pretty sure Tim’s comment was meant as a joke. Everything I read on his blog says that Tim is a friendly neighbour to Americans.
PS #2: The founders of Confederation named our country, “The Dominion of Canada”, based on Psalm 72:8 “He shall have dominion from sea to sea” (KJV). As Tim mentioned, our national birthday used to be called “Dominion Day”, until 1982.
Ah yes, Ben gets it!!
Pharisee.
:)
Tim:
I was enjoying reading your blog materials, as well as learning something new today about Canada and your country’s celebration of Canada Day—something I knew nothing about until reading your post. Until I came to the last line. I was astonished and greatly disappointed by your wholly unnecessary and offensive slam on Americans. What could possibly prompt you to manufacture an opportunity to inject an entirely irrelevant and demeaning comment like this into something about Canada Day? We get it—whether driven by a consuming jealousy, envy, or worse, arrogance and pride, Canadians by and large despise the U.S. and its people. This is curious and unfortunate, given that the U.S. is Canada’s long-standing ally and loyal friend, not to mention its greatest trading partner with whom it has more commerce than with all other nations combined. But as a purported Christian, one would expect you to “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth” rather than engage in making foolish and degrading stereotypical comments about people from other nations.
Jesus made it clear that our words proceed from that which fills our hearts. Your rude and inane comment reveals much about your true heart and character. Notwithstanding John MacArthur’s (an American, no less!) endorsement of your book, your comment was utterly lacking in either discernment or integriity, and I will pass on reading it or recommending it, since its author apparently doesn’t believe what he preaches.
Hi I am Nisa currently living in Haryana, Although I am an Indian but I think I can still talk about canada as my brother is living in canada.
most importantly I like about canada they allow indians frankly unlike americans.
skeleton tower is my favourite and ofcourse nigra falls.
I guess you have to be a Canadian, and one who is used to the kind of thing you hear on the CBC, to understand the “we’re not American” remark. “We’re not American” is the kind of thing Canadians of a certain stripe congratulate themselves for. It may be, in fact, their greatest source of pride. I think I can say with 100% certainty that Tim was taking a poke at them and not the United States. Calm down people.
I think I can say with 100% certainty that Tim was taking a poke at them and not the United States. Calm down people.
Indeed. Tim says that every year at this time, I think.
This world is not my home.
I am currently seeking a city whose builder and maker is God.
I am neither a Nationalist nor a Patriot. I am a law abiding, tax paying citizen, however.
I live in the United States by virtue of God’s Providence for which I am grateful. I would try to be just as grateful if I were born in a lesser country…. such as, Canada!
I’m laughing at your closing jab, which is what all normal, well adjusted readers should be doing. Anyways, thanks for filling us in on the Canada Day stuff. Enjoy the day off with your family.
Indeed. Tim says that every year at this time, I think.
I say it more than once a year. Search this site for “Things I Hate About America.” :)
Lighten up, people! Canadians hardly hold the monopoly on making fun of their neighboring nations! Just announce you’re Canadian when hanging out with a bunch of Americans and see what happens. It’s all in good fun.
You’re absolutely right, Tim. My admonition to my fellow (U.S.) Americans was going to be, “Ok, folks, settle down. Deep, cleansing breaths.”
I was also mindful of our pastor’s sermon on Sunday on Psalm 139. Before we take any form of “offense,” whether actual or presumed, remember verses 23 and 24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Happy Canada Day, neighbor!
Tom
oh, hardy-har-har on that last sentence.
Sing it with me everybody! “God Bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with the light from above!
COME ON! EVERYONE!
FROM THE MOUNTAIN, TO THE PRAIRIE (that’s where Iive) TO THE OCEAN, WHITE WITH FOOOOOOOAAAMM~
GOOOOOD, BLESS AMERICA! MY HOME, SWEET HOME! (one more time)
GOOOOD, BLESS AMERICA! MY HOOOOME, SWEEEEET, HOOOOOOOOOMMMMME!
ahem, s’cuze me. I had a moment and forgot where I was.
It definitely is all in good fun. But I’m wondering…where are the Altrogges? And then Pastor Paul? The fun really starts when they show up…
Having some Canadian friends, your final comment, “we’re not American,” made me chuckle. That is, without doubt, the unifying ideology of Canada.
Of course, American perceptions of Canada can likewise humble the sentiment. Once, while having lunch with a Canadian here in Los Angeles, he made a comment similar to yours and then asked with sincerity, “What do most Americans think of Canada?” And my equally sincere response was, “We don’t.” :)
Enjoy Canada Day… God bless America.
It took a while longer, but the greater difference in gaining independence is that it didn’t require a war.
Texan that I am, I still wonder about the Christian zeal in bloodshed, etc. in gaining US independence from George III.
Come on everyone who has a beef with the last sentence, lighten up, the last sentence is hardly to be taken serious, and I would definately not consider it to be “unwholesome”. Happy Canada Day!
Happy Canada Day!
To those who are so offended by the last line, do you really think Tim was absolutely serious there? Lighten up and stop being so easily offended. That is one of the biggest problems today, people take offense at everything as if it is their right to do so. I remember a person offended at a Subway commercial where the chimps start to dance to and Irish jig saying that it portrayed Irish people as apes. Sigh.
I live in Buffalo NY (just across a river form Canada), and this sort of humor is just a part of life along the border. Watch Canadian Bacon if you really want a primer on US/Canadian faux antipathy. Tim is jsut having some fun, as he should on his national holiday.
Now, if you really want to rile some Canadians try this:”Dunkin Doughnuts is wayyyy better tahn Tim Horton’s.” or”Budweiser absolutely buries Labatt or Molson”
How sad that ma patrie has become a fascist state well before its southern neighbor, as the latest news from Alberta & Bc attest. It is that subtle British understatement that so erodes a masculine response to the never-ending attrition of personal liberties in Canada.As Eliot once said - and I think he had Canada in mind - This is the way the world ends…. not with a bang, but a whimper. A mari usque ad mare.gamullet
Given the news , on this Canada Day, that Dr. Henry Morgentaler is to be awarded the Order of Canada, I feel like revoking my ctizenship. Dr .Henry Morgentaler crusaded and succeeded in changing Canada’s abortion law and is responsible for the death of countless thousands of unborn children. ” Those who forsake the law, praise the wicked”. Proverbs 28:4
Great post, Tim. We are truly blessed to be Canadian! Like the provincial commercials here in BC say, “This here is the best place on earth.” Happy Canada Day!
Tim, a few facts to pique the interest - and good-natured jibes - of your American readers. 1) Your first New World ancestor was a Dutch man who settled in New Amsterdam in the 1600’s - apparently a descendant of Jan Olden Van Barneveldt. Your ancestors then came to Canada as United Empire loyalists during the Revolutionary War. I have a transcript of the court case as they attempted to reclaim their land in New York later on…(Like a bit of Manhattan real estate?) 2) You are, of course, one quarter American yourself…3) We expended all our wanderlust while you children were young traveling in the USA…4) During our year in Edinburgh, you found a haven from persecution as a perceived “Yankee” in - the American School. Remember?
“Now, if you really want to rile some Canadians try this: “Dunkin Doughnuts is wayyyy better tahn Tim Horton’s.” or “Budweiser absolutely buries Labatt or Molson”“
What you really mean to say is, to rile some Canadians say this: Football is a better sport than Hockey! ;)
I think some people just can’t understand our Canadian humour. They think we’re weird because we spell certain things with an extra U in there!
I am a very humble, humble Canadian. Reading this post made me humbly remember this song I’ve heard:
“When I look around me,I can’t believe what I seeIt seems as if this countryHas lost its will to liveThe economy is lousy,We barely have an armyBut we can still stand proudly’Cause Canada’s really big
We’re the second largest countryOn this planet EarthAnd if RussiaKeeps on shrinkingThen soon we’ll be first(as long as we keep Quebec)
The USA has tanksAnd Switzerland has banksThey can keep them, thanksThey just don’t amount’Cause when you get down to itYou find out what the truth isIt isn’t what you do with itIt’s the size that counts!
Most peopleWill tell youThat France is pretty largeBut you can putFourteen FrancesInto this land of ours(it’d take a lotta work, it’s take a whole lotta work)
We’re larger than MalaysiaAlmost as big as AsiaWe’re bigger than AustraliaAnd it’s a continentSo big we seldom botherTo go see one anotherBut we often go to otherCountries for vacation
Our mountainsAre very pointyOur prairies are notThe rest isKinda bumpyBut, man, do we have a lot(we gotta lot of land, we gotta whole lot of land)
So stand up and be proudAnd sing out very loudWe stand out from the crowd ‘causeCanada’s really big!”
God bless all, and Happy Canada Day!
Every summer growing up, Tim and the rest of us Challies siblings would be made fun of insesantly by some dear American friends for the way we said things in our “Canadian way.” We were never hurt…they attempted to prove they were better, we in turn attempted to prove Canada was better. All in good fun.
As others have said, this is one of the bench marks of being a Canadian or American…proving the neighbor is better or worse. It’s important to remember most of this rivalry is all in good fun. It’s good to be able to laugh in life and not be too easily offended!!:)
What would the Queen think of her former subjects ‘squabbling’ like this ?
Tim, I appreciate the Canada Day lesson, and I laughed out loud at the last comment. I got the humour. Even though I have very close friends who live south of the border, it’s fun to tease them now and again.
So, in the spirit of good humour, here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29g57XTYgLE&feature=related
Happy Canada Day, in spite of the dimwits who decided the Order of Canada recipients for 2008.
I hope all of you who are Canadians have enjoyed a great holiday. You deserve to celebrate, after all Canada is the very best at being just north of the United States. :-p
(Just another Canadian vs. US joke…we have Canadian ffriends and like to joke with each other.)
A Russian, an American, and a Canadian were talking one day. The Russian said, “We were the first in space!” The American said, “We were the first on the moon!” The Canadian said, “So what? We’re going to be the first on the sun!”The Russian and the American looked at each other and shook their heads. “You can’t land on the sun! You’ll burn up!” said the Russian. To which the Canadian replied, “We’re not stupid, you know. We’re going at night!”
First, to olu, Canadians are still subjects to the Queen, only she is the Queen of Canada to us, and not the Queen of Great Britain.
Second, if Tim was in Newfoundland (or Labrador) then yesterday would have more correctly been Memorial Day.
Let’s face it, there is one thing the U.S. has that Canada will never have…
That is a fantastic, beautiful, warm, inviting, genuine country just to its north!
;-)
B
Tim,
I’ve been to Tim Horton’s, and I think you should be more grateful for McDonalds.
I’ve also been to Mexico, and all in all, I’d say Canada is the next best thing to America.
I’m glad to see that we are able to be light-hearted for the most part about our teasing of each other but for the sake of those who are not lets just consider this for a moment. I have American friends too with whom I joke about our differences however with some Canadians the joking goes too far and becomes “Anti-American”. I’m not saying that it is on this blog, but we must remember that comments that are “anti-american” are racist. Its not ok just to change the terminology to make it acceptable to say. Again, I don’t think that is what has happened here on this blog, but I’m sure all of us know people - Christian people who think its perfectly acceptable to berate our southern neighbors! I am fairly certain that Jesus would reprimand us openly if he were here as he was with his disciples. We must be careful even in comments that are all in good fun. I’ve got a friend from the south who attended a Canadian Bible college and was incredibly hurt by the treatment she received there. And THAT is not shining a beautiful light on our nation. It is exemplifying a “holier than thou” attitude and is not honoring to God. I realize based on government and various other things within the United States it is easy to go down that path of condemnation but we must remember that we have Christian brothers and sisters down there and as with the scripture about the body of Christ we cannot just say we don’t need them!
Please understand, I’m not trying to hassle the blogger or any other comments made on here. I just want to bring into the light that this IS a problem for some people and therefore we must be careful with our words rather than perpetuate negativity between us even if its done in jest.
Half of Canada is made up of American refugees fleeing the draft of the Vietnam War. :)
The Canadian/American competition has nothing over the Red Sox/Yankees competition. My husband is from the Boston area. At least Canadians will give directions to Americans. If you are a Yankee fan in Boston, expect to fumble your way around the city, cuz no one will help you find your way.
I’m late on the Happy Canada Day but Happy Canada Day! So funny! I think I wrote this already but when I studied abroad the Canadians wanted to make sure they weren’t mistaken for Americans! They all wore Canadian flags on their back packs.
See ya funny man,
Sweet. How can we get some of that tax party action!
“I am trusting that the “we’re not American” comment was included to elicit the kinds of reactions we are all giving it. And perhaps Tim did it as a “poke” at the remainder of the Challies clan, who I understand have all foresaken the homeland to live in the United States. (I assume those relocations were done of free will and not under some duress…like extradition!)”
When you’re 14 years old do you really move out of free will??? Hmmm….I am proud to say that I am still half Canadian (dual citizenship) and would be more then willing to move back to my beautiful homeland…Happy Canada Day, Tim and Aileen!