September 26, 2007 / 10:44
I'd tell him to Sukhpreet my left nut, but I wouldn't want to offend him eh?
September 26, 2007 / 11:00
In some ways Mr. Singh is correct. Can someone tell me what is Canadian culture? Outside of hockey, curling, what do we really have? To me Canadian culture means picking and choosing from different cultures. There's no such thing as Canadian food. Please don't say it's back bacon.
We could blame Trudeau I suppose but since LB Pearson, Canada has stressed that we are a cultural mosaic, not a melting pot like the US. The govt gives billions to ethnic groups to promote their cultures.
Frequently when a person is asked “what does it mean to be Canadian?†they'll say…….. free healthcare, we're peacekeepers, we a multi-cultural society, we're not American……… That's about it.
September 26, 2007 / 11:09
You know, every single immigrant no matter where they come from should be loaned a canoe and sent in to Algonquin park for a week before they are allowed to stay here. That is the root if not the whole of our culture. Tools like this guy have no clue what Canadian Culture is because they come here and immediately begin to join in communities that replicate where they came from. That's not necessarily bad thing when people share their culture with the rest of us but when people ghettoize themselves it can lead to comments like this. Maybe somebody should ask why so many people like Sukhpreet Singh immigrate to Canada if it is so lacking in Culture?
September 26, 2007 / 11:17
Our country does have an cultural identity problem. We get upset when our neighbours to the south think about us in terms of snowshoes and Mounties. But whenever some dignitary comes to visit, the first thing we do is drag out the old chanting, shuffling First Nations show. I cringe every time I see it, and have to wonder if we do have any true identity at all.
September 26, 2007 / 11:22
Argie I can see where you are coming from on this point, but Mr. Singh is trying to cop out on things by using Hockey and the word eh. In Canada such a comment is often used by others to impose their culture on people around them. Most of the time a culture is defined by the food they eat, the weather they incur, the sports they play and the words they use, the only difference is that some of them have one very strong religion that represents the majority of the population.
Canadian culture is one of acceptance and the ability to not be persecuted for your beliefs, freedom of speech and rights that many other countries do not allow. Mr Singh may say that Allen is trying to incite people into racisim, but Mr Singh is trying to incite the members of his organization as well.
I don't think that by any means Mr Singh should have to agree with the comments, but that he should take them for what they are. They aren't racist ramblings they are the frustrations of one man who thoughts also reflect many others. Would the voice of a minority group even be given the chance to speak in Mr Singh's home country?
September 26, 2007 / 11:47
This pisses me off. You cannot say there is no Canadian Culture. It is factually wrong and just plain ignorant. This gets me so angry I hope I can covey what I mean in words. Canadian Culture exists and I am proof of it. I was born and raised in Canada. I am Canadian. I have many Canadian values. I celebrate boxing day and yes I have played hockey on a frozen pond in the winter. I have never worried about money to pay for the doctor. I grew up with other ethnicities around me and never really thought much of it. I had Turkey at Thanksgiving in October and enjoyed Sunday Roast dinners at my grandmother's house. I went to Wasaga, Grand Bend and Sauble Beaches on weekends with my friends. I learned French in school and all about Quebec.
My so-called non-existent culture has defined me as all other cultures define those that grow up in it. It boggles my mind that there are so many people that deny this. Yes we don't have a thousand year old history. But I am 33 and Canadian is what I am regardless of the age of the culture.
September 26, 2007 / 12:04
Andrew should really get some sort of governor generals award for his comment, seriously.
September 26, 2007 / 12:09
Irvine: I guess the education system is flawed out there. I grew up with a clear understandng of the west as an integral and viatl part of our country. Maple Leaves and beavers not withstanding. Too bad the system out there only teaches you things about our part of the country.
P.S. Way to sterotype yourself. Hockey Boy.
September 26, 2007 / 12:11
Andrew Thanks for saying it WAY better than I can.
September 26, 2007 / 12:15
For Canadian culture watch Freddie's Trailer videos, It's all there.
September 26, 2007 / 13:22
Andrew: Sorry to burst your red & white bubble but the culture you describe is a combo of British and American. I'm not knocking it; it's pretty much the same as mine. To call it Canadian would be factually (that's your word) incorrect.
Nooooo doooot aboooot it!
September 26, 2007 / 13:32
Someone once said "East is East and West is West and never the twain should meet" Although I don't agree with this statement totally, I do agree with the fact that these are two distinct cultures. Western societies are generally secular and religious practice is primarily a private matter that doesn't necessarily define who you are. The east is different, Eastern religions pervade daily life far more and therefore make them a difficult fit for the western model. Don't get me wrong, western doesn't mean white, Canada is a testament to the fact that all peoples can get along, to me being western is not a racial thing at all, it's more of a way of life.
Maybe I'm just trying to explain the unexplainable. I don't know
September 26, 2007 / 13:57
There is no doubt about Canadian culture being wrapped up in our landscape, nature, food and love of winter sports. What is the US culture? What is Frech/ British, German culture? Much of the same things define who they are.
One of the reasons why Western culture is great is because we have the freedom to not let religion dictate who and what we are. Christianity played a key role in buliding the fabric of this country, but we are not dictated by our religous rules. We are free to believe and practice almost any religion.
Many newer Canadians are more passionate about their religion. It is in their place of worship that they communicate with many of their own heritage, and they feel comforted. What a great country!
September 26, 2007 / 16:56
I'm sorry, Argie, but hockey is NOT british. And it's not american either. You are factually incorrect.
Andrew, you are a poet. Thanks very much for that inspiring declaration.
September 26, 2007 / 17:37
Well said Andrew,
Every teacher should read your post to their students to get them thinking about and expressing their views on what it means to them to be Canadians. We are way too modest (and polite, sorry).
September 26, 2007 / 17:45
My name is Joe and I am. Canadian.
Didn't some morning show do a parody of that? ;-)
September 26, 2007 / 18:27
Irvine: Miriam-Webster definition of Western - of, relating to, or characteristic of a region steeped in or stemming from the Greco-Roman traditions.
By this definition, Poland? Brasil? Yes and Yes. Secondly Greed and over consumption are general human traits varying in degrees from person to person and are part of the reason Communism could never work. Finally, when was the last time you heard a call to prayer in the Bible thumping United States?
September 26, 2007 / 19:54
Trish: You are factually correct on hockey. I should know that being a former OHL player (I wasn't really. I just wanted to throw in an Irvineism - you know where you lie about yourself so that you'll appear to have some credibility).
September 26, 2007 / 19:54
Trish: You are factually correct on hockey. I should know that being a former OHL player (I wasn't really. I just wanted to throw in an Irvineism - you know where you lie about yourself so that you'll appear to have some credibility).
September 27, 2007 / 08:59
Argie,
To say that Canadian culture comes from America and Britian is correct but it is still Canadian. All cultures borrow from others. Your statement is just plain agrumentitive.
September 27, 2007 / 09:16
Andrew,
I wasn't trying to be argumentative. In the grand scheme of things I'm on your side. I believe the early immigrants to Upper Canada (British) established a foundation for a culture in this country.
Due to the influx of immigrants - which I believe was necessary to build this country - the foundation didn't grow or build. The culture and upbringing you described is very similar to mine. Therefore, I'm going to guess your parents or grandparents came from the British Isles.
Had we followed the American model of a ‘melting pot' I believe we would have developed a distinct culture. Instead, Canada's govt's stressed the mosaic theme over the melting pot idea.
There is one exception in Canada. The province of Quebec has done a great job at building and preserving a culture. Even though it is similar, their culture is unique from France.
September 27, 2007 / 09:55
Argie - you rock - that sums up Irvine nicely.
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This morning I was listening to the John Oakley Show on am 640 and one of his guests of Sukhpreet Singh of the Canadian Organization of Sikh Students.
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