The Great Canadian Mirage

In the United States, people there seem bent on imploding internally by obsessing on the failures or shortcomings of the American experience. In Canada, it's the opposite. If Canadians could boast more they would explode.

On the surface we seem like we're pulling our weight, with rock icons like Bono ridiculously addressing Parliament pleading the world 'needs more Canada'. Well, after the Liberals naturally used him like cheap Irish whiskey, it came to Bono's humanity that Canada wasn't all that.

Bob Geldoff, of Boomtown Rats and Live Aid fame, demanded that Canada bring up its foreign aid to .7% of GDP or don't bother attending a G8 meeting on poverty in Africa with him. Never mind that he is right that Canada has a terrible foreign aid policy, why is this man dictating our policies to begin with? The problem with concerts and humanitarian aid, like the tsunami one before it, is that too often the money is sent and promptly disappears.

George W. Bush has it right, you want our money you will be held to democratically account for it - this drives aid activists mad. But how else to ensure the money goes to the right places and is subsequently used properly?

'We're the best country in the world' is a popular slogan used by politicians, citizens and advertisers alike. Not bad for a supposed quiet and reserved people. When I visit family in Europe, Canadians are rather nerdy and annoying with their assumption that a Maple Leaf will earn them immediate recognition and respect. A typical Canadian trait these days is to be respected and loved without earning it.

Canada does have much going for it. For example, it attracts creative and talented people seeking a conducive atmosphere for art and bio-technology. But we're in the process of mocking our institutions and heritage. For years I was convinced that a 'Golden Age' of Canadiana was ready to conquer the world. It never happened. True, 'The Economist' not so long ago had it's 'Cool Canada' piece and Canada is held in high regards but in the place where it matters most -U.S.A.- we remain an obscurity.

How we measure ourselves is largely based on what parameters we choose to define our failures and successes.

All this is made the more annoying given our pathetically anti-American reflexes. The roots of anti-Americanism in this country are long and is not be the point here. We should treat polls with suspect.

Nonetheless consider one poll conducted by the International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland. In this country, a whopping 60% of Canadians view Americans in a negative light.

What's more appalling is how Canadians view the other countries. Specifically, only 39% of Canadians view China in a negative light? Communist China and all its human rights abuses is more respected in Canada! Only 19% of Canadians view France in a negative light. So France managed to pull a fast one on the public relations front. Big deal. France is also a mythical socialist paradise. Like I said, take polls with a grain of sea salt.

There is indeed a democratic deficit in Canada. To be sure, Canada is a stable and functioning democracy with a judicial and legislative process that is the envy of the world in many respects. But as I have mentioned, we are mocking this with our incredibly naive, childish and corrupt behaviour.

If Renaissance humanists came to Canada and rated this society for its achievements and contributions it would possibly earn a failing grade.

Best country in the world? In our little minds perhaps. Let's start acting like one.