
Ben Woodfinden: Canada finally has a reason for optimism about men’s soccer
For decades Canada was a spectator to the world’s biggest game, and its best players forced to play in exile. But this is changing.
This section of our reporting explores the culture across Canada and how this is represented within our public policy and government.
There is no single Canadian culture, but rather a rich tapestry of diverse customs and traditions that have been woven together over the centuries. Canada is home to many different ethnic groups, each with their own unique heritage. As a result, Canadian culture is constantly evolving, adapted to the ever-changing demographics of our country. Across the provinces, there are also significant regional differences in culture. In Quebec, for example, French is the predominant language and many of the customs and traditions have roots in French culture. In contrast, English Canadian culture has been heavily influenced by the British.
These differing cultural traditions help to make Canada a truly dynamic and vibrant country.
For decades Canada was a spectator to the world’s biggest game, and its best players forced to play in exile. But this is changing.
This past year and a half has been tough, and we deserve 60 minutes spread over three periods where we just hope for a win. Even if our team is not there this year, and even if we don’t care for hockey and are only watching to see what happens.
Many consumers will pay more for the sparkling wines that come from Champagne. But many wily ones will instead look to domestic bubbles made in the traditional method, that cost less and come from one of the cool climate regions within our borders.
Over the past 125 years, the Olympic movement has managed to carve out little islands of peace in complicated and difficult political conditions.
China is no place for the Olympics because extreme human rights abuses in the country clash mightily with the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter.
Cancelling Canada Day seems to be, in my view, the easy way out. And the people I know don’t take the easy way out. They face challenges with courage.
You may imagine that Canada Day came about due to a rich parliamentary debate about how best to celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s birth. In fact, it came about 40 years ago thanks to 13 MPs pulling a fast one on their colleagues.
Tensions in the history of colonization and migration reflects the perennial challenge of reconciling unity with diversity, and opportunity and freedom with equality and the nurturing of community and close ties.
If ever there was a sign that we are spending too much time indoors away from genuine human contact, it is the idea that of all the countries in the world, Canada is the one with such an outrageous history of violence and oppression that we ought to cancel the annual national holiday.
The Angus Reid Institute poll shows that the percentage of Canadians who think diversity makes the country better is growing in lockstep with the size of Canada’s visible minority population.
FREE weekly email newsletter. Cancel anytime.