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…

Gays!
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 :)