NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, everyone else has a post of asking, so I decided to start one of my own. I'm not omniscient by any means ... but maybe I can help. That is, if you've been curious about Canada or Canadians.

Note to fellow Canadians, if I'm wrong about something (could happen), feel free to pitch in. For the record, I come from the province of Manitoba, in the west-central portion of the country. I suppose you could say I was a Westerner, but I don't really feel all that 'Western', per se.

So ... fire away

How disappointing ... *bump*

we already had a "ask a canadian" thread i think.

Hey there! Possibly, you could elaborate to me if Canada (In your opinion, of course), is a socialist country? I.E., the government provided healthcare, housing, etc.

Not really. Most developed countries, with the exception of the US, have fairly extensive social services. Canada has never had a socialist government, and most people are not socialists. For approximately 75 of the last 100 years, however, it has had a Liberal government, which has on occasion, used policies from a democratic socialist party (the NDP) for its own purposes.

Canada's social service net is considerable compared to the United States, but is less than many countries in Europe, for example. There may be a certain socialistic element in it, but I think it's largely safe to say that Canada is quite centrist in the balance. Most Canadians believe in a basically market-oriented economy, with some social services to aid the less fortunate in society.

I guess I should also say that Canadians have a slightly different view of the political spectrum than most Americans. Generally speaking, Canada tends to be somewhere in between the US and Europe in what we would consider socialist, conservative, etc.

For general reference (for Americans), I would say ...

Liberals- relatively equivalent to the Democratic party, although without the conservative part, and some of the extreme liberal part. Very much a centrist party by most standards, liberal by US standards.

Conservatives- relatively equivalent to the Republican Party. Recently reformed in a slightly different direction. The Republican comparison is probably more applicable now than maybe it was in the past.

NDP- New Democratic Party, officially social democratic, but most people tend to consider them left-centre. They used to be more socialist, but have drifted somewhat to the center over the last few decades.

Bloc Quebecois- Quebec seperatist party.

Is it true that all able-bodied Canadian males are required to keep a sharpened hockey stick in their home to repulse the inevitable U.S. invasion? That's what Fox news told me.

Is it true that all able-bodied Canadian males are required to keep a sharpened hockey stick in their home to repulse the inevitable U.S. invasion? That's what Fox news told me.
Damn! Who informed on us? Fucking traitors..
(I hate hockey... hate it so, so much.)

*sly tone*

Whatever would make you believe that? I suggest you put such silly ideas out of your head. That and the one about the polar bear cavalry and the suicide moose. Indeed.

since there is a Quebec "Civilwar" trhead...
My question is:
Will Canada survive..if Quebec gains its Independence?

do you all say "eh" after everything?

since there is a Quebec "Civilwar" trhead...
My question is:
Will Canada survive..if Quebec gains its Independence?
Let's see . . . Quebec has Quebec City and Montreal, two economic powerhouses - the rest of Canada has Toronto and Vancouver . . . those two cities should balance it out enough.

Let's see . . . Quebec has Quebec City and Montreal.....So Super7...you are Canadian?

I am Canadian and most of these things you are talking bout are stupid and I never heard of it and well about the ËH"it's a habbit , you try saying it , you will get a ddicted and , YOU GUYS ARE REALLY WEIRD WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO (MUSIC) LIKE CLASSICAL. OTHER CANADIANS you can say stuff too. And I play Hockey and I am girl and I made aa team , abdout the hockey sticks we have really good ones here in canada , but what you said is just a rumor , okay!

Oceandrive: It might or might not, really. I doubt it would officially disappear anytime soon, but what remained of Canada would be even more dependent on the US than it is now.

Superpower07: It doesn't really balance itself out. Montreal and Quebec might be major centres, but Quebec isn't the wealthiest province by a long shot. Those would be Ontario, Alberta and BC. And I'm pretty sure Calgary and Edmonton would also be roughly equivalent to Quebec. Independence for Quebec would be a disaster for both Canada and Quebec, IMHO.

DHomme: Not after everything, but yes, we do say 'eh'. Some do it more than others. I prefer it to 'huh' myself.

I am from PEI , it is the smallest province

As a true Western Canadian, I would say British Hannover's introduction to our political parties is pretty on point.

As to the survival of Canada without Quebec, definately, they take more federal tax dollars to support than any other province, it would free up a lot of money if we could get over losing that much of our population so fast, but in the long run it shouldn't be too bad.

(p.s. don't flame me if you are quebecois) They are quite socialist in that povince, that one little region of Canada is much more reminiscent of Scandanavian social capitalism, and Alberta is on the opposite side of the spectrum, so we have a little bit of everything in Canada.

http://img72.exs.cx/img72/917/image17.gif
smily orgy!

... Independence for Quebec would be a disaster for both Canada and Quebec.well...the Leftover pieces of Canada would have a Political Crisis...some people would say why not join the US...

But I dont see any Economic downsides....for either of them...

The issue about the transfer payments is true, but we'd also be losing a lot of resources, about thirty percent of our population, and an equivalent portion of our domestic market. It would also create a Maritime exclave, and accelerate minority movements for sucession in other provinces, particularly in Alberta.

It would be devastating for our national image as well. I can't think of Quebec seperatism as anything but a disaster. As for Quebec being more socialist than the rest of Canada, that's entirely true. Makes me wonder why the NDP have never caught on there, especially among those Quebecers that vote Bloc for non-seperatist reasons (quite a few, surprisingly).

I'm from Manitoba.

PEI, eh? It IS a small province. Nice place, though, I hear. Might want to visit the old island sometime.

Do canadians always say, "Eh" when they finish talking?

:cool: Do canadians always say, "Eh" when they finish talking?


Just curious. Ok, maybe a little more than curious :headbang: .

Okay, guess you left, or maybe your all flaming me for asking... either way, im leaving before the storm hits.

First. Quebec is just a bunch of money sucking scum bags. (Province, and some of the people.. but not most)

They couldn't honestly survive on their own if they seperated, they don't have the resources and such. If they seperate, Id be all for pulling out all support from them, and if need be, blockading their arses. See how long it is before they come whimpering back to us. Cause when you consider how much support we provide for them, they'd have to basically drop tons of extra little goodies, and such just to survive, not to mention if we had the brains to pull out our currency and law system as well then we'd be damn free.

Yes we do say Eh.
As for provinces. I think the only one (Currently) To be able to survive for even a bit would be Alberta. Mainly because of soaring gas prices, our overwhelming beef N' Grain stores, and things like that.

(Yes I'm an albertan, No i don't support seperation, Yes I do support 'Equal' rights, but not 'Superior' rights like Quebec seems to have and want.)

Oh, and yes, I do say Eh. Because it sounds better than Duh. :cool:

As for provinces. I think the only one (Currently) To be able to survive for even a bit would be Alberta.you from Albeta huh?...are you aware some dude from sakatchewan wants to Form a new Country...Alberta&Saskatchewan...I wonder what the name for the new country would be? Albachewan or Saskaberta? :D

First. Quebec is just a bunch of money sucking scum bags. (Province, and some of the people.. but not most)

They couldn't honestly survive on their own if they seperated, they don't have the resources and such. If they seperate, Id be all for pulling out all support from them, and if need be, blockading their arses. See how long it is before they come whimpering back to us. Yeah baby yeah...I say you got to Blockade them...I m all for it :D

you from Albeta huh?...are you aware some dude from sakatchewan wants to Form a new Country...Alberta&Saskatchewan...I wonder what the name for the new country would be? Albachewan or Saskaberta? :D

Yeah I've heard that. Actually I dunno what I would think of that, Mostly because I know our Oil isn't going to last forever, but Sask does provide quite a bit of Grain and such, We'll see.

Not a serious grievance, but it is there:

Why does everybody forget Manitoba exists? Why? It's not like we don't have anything to offer. Minerals, agriculture, hydropower ... I think in terms of simply self-sufficency, it's probably one of the most potentially self-sufficient areas in North America.

That being said, I'm a Canadian and want Canada to stay whole. And I believe that it needs to.

...
As for provinces. I think the only one (Currently) To be able to survive for even a bit would be Alberta.Well let me ask you a simpler question...Will you be better off with or without Saskatoon?

hope you dont again say "I dunno what I would think of that"

tuf