December 6, 2004 6:55 AM

The grass isn't greener, but it is frozen

Canada’s not so nice, after all: Anti-American attitudes are a daily fact of life in Great White North

In 1980, I swore that I was going to move to Australia if Ronald Reagan won the election. Well, he did…and I didn’t. Where, exactly, was I supposed to go in Australia, anyway? Life went on, I survived, and while I will never be one of those who lionize Reagan as a great man and/or a great President, my life was largely unaffected. It’s from this point of view that I’ve been listening to those on the Left who have been whining about going to Canada.

It’s not as if Canada is a bad place. Hell, I love Canada- and Canadians. I personally would have no problem with living there…except for the weather. What those who fantasize about migrating north of the border fail to realize is that Canada has it’s own set of problems. The grass is not greener, it’s just different. Very different.

Although I enjoy my work and have made good friends in Toronto, I’ve found life as an American expatriate in Canada difficult, frustrating and even painful in ways that have surprised me.

As attractive as living here may be in theory, the reality’s something else. For me, it’s been one of almost daily confrontation with a powerful anti-Americanism that pervades many aspects of life. When I’ve mentioned this phenomenon to Canadian friends, they’ve furrowed their brows sympathetically and said, “Yes, Canadian anti-Americanism can be very subtle.” My response is, there’s nothing subtle about it.

The anti-Americanism I experience generally takes this form: Canadians bring up “the States” or “Americans” to make comparisons or evaluations that mix a kind of smug contempt with a wariness that alternates between the paranoid and the absurd.

Thus, Canadian media discussion of President Bush’s official visit last week focused on the snub implied by his not having visited earlier. The media reported that when he did come, he would not speak to a Parliament that’s so hostile it can’t be trusted to receive him politely. [Bush did not speak in Parliament.] Coverage of a Canadian athlete caught doping devolves into complaints about how Americans always get away with cheating.

The Blame Canada song from the South Park movie is taken as documentary evidence of Americans’ real attitudes toward this country. The ongoing U.S. ban on importing Canadian cattle (after a case of mad cow disease was traced to Alberta) is interpreted as a form of political persecution.

In the wake of 9/11, after the initial shock wore off, it was common to hear some Canadians voice the opinion that Americans had finally gotten what they deserved. The attacks were just deserts for years of interventionist U.S. foreign policy, the increasing inequality between the world’s poorest nations and the wealthiest one on Earth, and a generalized arrogance.

I heard similar views expressed after Nov. 2, when Americans were perceived to have revealed their true selves and thus to “deserve” a second Bush term.

Canadians often use metaphors to portray their relationship with the United States. They describe Canada as “sleeping with an elephant.” Even when the elephant is at rest, they worry that it may suddenly roll over. They liken Canada to a gawky teen-age girl with a hopeless crush on the handsome and popular boy next door. You know, the one who doesn’t even know she exists.

The self-image conveyed in these metaphors is timid and accommodating. Perhaps this is how Canadians see themselves (or would like to be seen), but my experience is that they are extremely aggressive (if somewhat passively so) when it comes to demonstrating their deep ambivalence toward Americans. Take the popular TV show Talking to Americans, which simultaneously showcases Americans’ ignorance about Canada and mocks Canadians’ unhealthy preoccupation with what Americans really think of them.

We share a common border with Canada but not much else. Outside of timber, oil, and hockey players, Canada doesn’t seem to have much of anything that we want or need. Given that most Americans seem to look at relationships in terms of what we can get out of them (as opposed to what we can contribute), I suppose this is an understandable attitude. Canadians do on some level resent Americans, but then you can say that about people in most countries. We’ve done a very poor job of maintaining and fostering a productive and healthy relationship with our neighbors to the north. On the flip side, Canadians could benefit by losing the sense of smug self-superiority. Yes, there is work to be done on both sides of the border.

Me? I’m staying put. My family is here in south Texas, and I have no ambition to deal with winter in The Great White North. While I am not thrilled with the repressive and intolerant atmosphere prevalent in this country, this is home, and sometimes I think you’re better off staying home and fighting the battles you’re familiar with. I’ll stick with the devil I know.

Move to Canada if you really think doing so will make your life that much more bearable. I hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for. Don’t say that you weren’t warned, though. Good luck, and remember to dress warmly.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on December 6, 2004 6:55 AM.

Fumbling towards democracy was the previous entry in this blog.

We are at war with Eurasia...we have ALWAYS been at war with Eurasia is the next entry in this blog.

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