Happy Birthday Canada!
Well everyone, today is Canada Day, also known as Dominion
Day, also known as get drunk while wearing red day.
However you celebrate, today is Canada’s 145th
birthday. I should probably clarify that I’m not a Canadian. I wasn’t born
here, and I’m not a citizen of this country.
I was born in America, land of the free (sort of) and
enjoyed a pretty good early childhood there. Post 9/11, my parents, retired
now, and I moved to Canada. I went to school here for several years, including
junior high and high school, graduating here. I now attend a Canadian
university, and couldn’t be happier. I’ve thought, long and hard, about all the
reasons I would want to move back to the US, but at times like these, I simply
can’t think of very many.
Given, I have a lot of Americanisms. I have a fondness for
red meat and football that simply cannot be assuaged, and I often get teary
hearing the Star Spangled Banner. As well, American history is exciting, and
awesome. Canadian history, not so much. Just a lot of trading and French people
arguing with English people.
Anyway. I thought today would be a good day to talk about
some of the things that Canada gets right, because I do truly love it here.
Pharmaceutical ads. You are not lambasted by all the
different kinds of various pills that you can shove down your throat. Instead,
the ads that are allowed are vague enough that you really do need to go speak
to a doctor about what they’re even for. I think the big idea is just that:
instead of ordering crappy imitation Viagra over the internet, you have to talk
to a real MD about your concerns. Then the doctor
decides what the best treatment is. Every time I’ve gone in and needed a
prescription, the solution is usually a generic drug, and drugs in general are
cheaper here than in the US.
Religious Freedom and a Lack of Offended People
When I was in junior high, a public school, I came home one
day with a bible. The Gideons had stopped by and handed them out to everyone.
Coming from the US, this is unheard of. (Public schools are secular! Religious
materials have no place in the public schools!) From what I’ve gathered since
that time, any legitimate religion can show up and pass out materials. The kids
can then do anything that they want with them. It’s not a big deal here, so why
is it there? In fact, a big part of our government is a complete lack of
religion. The Prime Minister goes to church, but he does not talk about, ever. There
is very little talk of god’s way in the legislature, and that’s probably a good
thing. Speaking of which…
What about if some gay people want to get married? That’s cool. If your church doesn’t want to perform your marriage, they don’t have to. And that’s fine! There are plenty of non-denominational commissioners who are happy to help you out! And the best part? A gay marriage is the same as a straight marriage! No big deal. All the major cities have peaceful pride parades every year, and in general everyone is happy. I understand that some people disagree with being gay entirely, and some of those people are in Canada too, but generally, they just keep their mouths shut because it’s not their business what someone else is doing with their genitals.
We’re sorry!
If you’ve been wronged in some way, Canada doesn’t hold grudges! We apologize, and then go back to being friends. This is why so many countries like Canada. It’s because we’re too nice to hate.
And Finallllly…Multiculturalism
In Canada, we don’t care what color you are, you’re welcome
here. Like I said before, it doesn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, black,
white, catholic, atheist. It’s a live and let live kind of society. And that’s
what I love about it.
I could go on for hours about everything I love about this
country (and everything I don’t love. Canada is by no means perfect), but I’m
off to the Canada Day celebrations. Have an awesome holiday week, both here and
in the US :)