Canada Day and American Independence Day

So today is Independence Day in the United States section of the great North American continent that we share. On Tuesday we celebrated our own version of independence, Canada Day. Both holidays mark our transitions from British multi-colonial status to united countries located mainly in the eastern portions of the continent, but destined (was that manifest?) to develop westward to the Pacific. The British went to war with the nascent American states in an attempt to deny the autonomy that they sought, but almost a century later supported similar desires which had been building in Canada throughout the early 19^th century. It’s not that the British had become profoundly enlightened in the meantime about the values of colonial independence. In 1867 their empire was spread profitably throughout the globe, only truly coming apart after the financial devastation inflicted by World War II. But the Brits are nothing if not pragmatic. The War of 1812 and subsequent Fenian raids over the border warned of a potential takeover of the Canadian colonies by the rampantly expanding country to the south. United, the colonies were more likely to avoid that future which gleamed in the eye of many an American president and adventurer.

And so it came to pass. The more numerous American colonists established their independence through a passage of arms against “the mother country.” ‘We won’t take your orders and taxes anymore! We’re out of here.’ Canadians gained theirs by a more gradual development of governing institutions, a growing reluctance to be kept in an inferior location, and the understanding in the “mother country” that greater independence would well serve both the colonies and “herself.” Just like in any family the kids will differ in their paths toward individual liberation and adulthood.

Our two countries enjoy the common heritage of language and of institutions developed over centuries in Britain which value the rights and freedoms that we cherish. But absolutely, we differ in many important respects from one another. The conditions of our independence, the impact of our significantly different geographies and demographics, and the historical struggles of each country to expand westward while holding together its disparate populations – all have shaped the central concerns and political tensions with which we continue to contend.

It’s kind of fun, simplistic to be sure, but fun nonetheless, to think of our countries as siblings of the same family who have a common ancestry but who have developed quite differently. Most Canadians live along the USA/Canadian border and have constant access to American media. We have happily imbibed much of American culture and learned in an on-going manner of American politics. From the other side there is considerably less awareness and/or understanding. Few Americans know or are interested in what goes on up here in the great white north (so depicted in weather maps on American TV). When American do think of us, I suspect the thoughts run something like – they are just like us, but less so. How’s that for a gross generalization? 

When my husband Mark moved to Canada in the late 1980s, his supposition was that the two cultures were the same and that his transition to Canadian life would be seamless. In the event he discovered that several years were to pass before he began to feel entirely at home here as the subtle differences in the ways that we approach life and politics became clearer to him. When I visit my American Hall family I find that Canadian/American issues arise from time to time. I have the best talks about our differences and similarities with our niece Jennifer Hall Rees. Recently Jennifer told me how she enjoys our conversations. “I consider myself an American patriot,” she said, “and I think of you as a Canadian patriot, so it is interesting to talk about these things.” Then she asked, “What do Canadians call a patriot?” I said, “A Canadian.” Being a Canadian and happily enjoying Canadian citizenship just doesn’t seem to be tied in the same manner as in the USA to particular political or ideological or historical determinants.

I found another one dollar book in the sale bin on Bloor St the other day. It was written 11 years ago by Michael Adams. The title is: Fire and Ice, The United States, Canada, and the Myth of Converging Values. Adams was addressing an attitude felt then that our two cultures were becoming so alike that their merger was most likely inevitable. His research into ways that Canadians see their own locations belied this view. Though it is somewhat dated (written as it was prior to the Harper government’s recent efforts to move our country away from its traditionally centrist location), there is much in the book that is of interest. I plan to peruse it and to hand it over to Jennifer on our next meeting. It’s fun having a foot in both countries even while my entire heart and soul are grounded here in the Canada that I love and celebrate. Happy Independence Day all you American cousins and siblings.