
SOURCE: xkcd.com

SOURCE: xkcd.com
Categories: The View From Up Here
Tagged: canada comic
SOURCE: Atlas of Canada
Categories: Canadiana
Tagged: Canada facts, Canadian Geography
CanuckSpeak answers YOUR questions. Got one for us – comment below!
Ernie: Perhaps you could go into some detail regarding the Prime Minister who received advice from his dog…his dead, stuffed dog (McKenzie-King wasn’t it?).
While I almost certainly will be doing a post dedicated to politics at some point. I agree that this is certainly a subject that is worth a special mention. The Prime Minister you are thinking of is in fact William Lyon Mackenzie King who led our great country from 1921 to 1948 and his 21 years in office makes him the longest serving Prime Minister in British Commonwealth history. Mackenzie King is of course best remembered for being, umm ‘eccentric’ for his habit of communing with spirits, including those of Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his dead mother, and several of his Irish terrier dogs, all named Pat. While there is no direct evidence, it has been suggested that some political decisions were made as a result of some of these – ah, meetings. We can say for sure that he sought personal reassurance from the spirit world, rather than seeking political advice. After his death, one of his mediums said that she had not realized that he was a politician. It should be noted in our defence that his occult interests were not widely known during his years in office, and only became publicized later. In 1953 Time Magazine stated, “that he owned—and used—both a Ouija board and a crystal ball and in the 1970s biographers used the extensive diaries he kept during most of his life to delve deeper into his occult activities. King never married, but had several close female friends, including Joan Patterson, a married woman with whom he spent some of his leisure time. Some historians have interpreted passages in his diaries as suggesting that King regularly had sexual relations with prostitutes. Others, also basing their claims on passages of his dairies, have suggested that King was in love with Lord Tweedsmuir, whom he had chosen for appointment as Governor General in 1935. It just goes to show how much you may dislike your current leader, things could always be worse. Wait! What am I saying? This guy was awesome – rock on Willie, see you at the séance later!
NOTE: I also liked Ernie’s unrelated but funny follow up note: In regards to our size, I think The Arrogant Worms (more famous Canadians) said it best, “We’re the second biggest country, on this planet Earth; and if Russia keeps on shrinking, then soon we’ll be first (as long as we keep Quebec)”.
Freelance Guru: Ok? So uh, in like uh, Cah-na-da, Can-ada, is that correct? Canodia or something? Is there like, is it like true that Canodians can leave their front doors open like in the Michael Moore documentary?
The short answer is yes. I actually used to live only a short distance from where that footage was shot. It is worth mentioning that it is in downtown Toronto, Canada’s largest city. That being said, our hardware stores do of course sell locks and we do carry keys. I actually always lock my doors and lots of us do. That being said, lots of people don’t – and although I hate to generalize, many who don’t likely live in smaller towns or simply grew up in a time when it was less important. There is crime in Canada and it is funny how often you read that criminals were able to make off with loot and/or cars because the doors were unlocked and/or kept in the ignition. I would venture a guess that while you find people who leave there doors unlocked around the world, Canada may have a slightly higher percentage, as to whether this is because they are lazy, trusting or forgetful is anyone’s guess.
Bucky: Why do Canadians buy their milk in bags?
Wow – people sure do find this interesting. For those who are wondering what we are talking about, you can see a picture HERE. The short answer is that not all of us do. That being said, it is an option and as someone who grew up on them, I actually prefer the bagged milk myself. I can only confirm that milk bags are available in Ontario, Quebec and BC- and I think I heard that they are NOT available in Manitoba and Quebec. It is worth mentioning that they are available quite a few places worldwide (see HERE), including Brazil, India, China and even California. Here in Ontario, (and the other places I’m sure) we do of course have both the cartons and, to a lesser degree, plastic bottles as well. The bags were actually adopted to reduce waste and other resources required to transport the milk. It does require a one-time purchase of a plastic pitcher that holds the individual bags and the one major complaint is when the cut on the corner is done improperly, it can result in a lot of spilt milk. The bags themselves are easy to sterilize and transport and some people even freeze their milk. (Blech.) While plastic does break down quite slowly, studies have shown that overall it is the most efficient way of packaging overall. As well, the fact that you buy such a large amount usually means savings. For better or worse, it seems that bagged milk has become a Canadian institution.
Well, that’s all for now – tune in next time when … oh, who am I kidding? I have no idea. (Maybe BEER!) Please keep those questions coming. Have a great weekend and all the best, eh.
SOURCE: Canucklehead.ca
Categories: Canadiana
Tagged: Canada facts, Canadiana
Clearly, Canada’s history is the dictionary definition of boring. Just centuries of people sitting around and coming up with new words for snow. It is worth noting that a lot of history of Canada is at some level the history of other countries: more than half of Toronto’s current residents actually were born outside of Canada. Of course, we all have to take at least one Canadian history in high school, but I would think it is fair to say that we likely know more about the history of other countries’ history then our own.
Well, let’s get this snore fest out of the way so that we can move on to more exciting subjects. To summarize, Canada’s aboriginal peoples lived here mostly undisturbed until the late 15th century, where they passed the time by getting in tribal wars with each other. I leave out the boring details – just your usual slaughter, rape, kidnapping and pillaging, yawn. Europeans first arrived when the Vikings settled briefly on the eastern seaboard AD 1000. We all know what a boring crew those Vikings were … so, moving on.
The next Europeans to explore Canada’s Atlantic coast included John Cabot in 1497 for England and Jacques Cartier in 1534 for France; in the 1600s the French settlers waged a frontier guerrilla war against the Iroquois, and later, when the English settled en masse, a vast imperial conflict had death and bloodshed filling every inhabited corner of the country. The swashbuckling privateers of France battled to the death with the British redcoats, with a series of four Intercolonial Wars erupting between 1689 and 1763. The most notable event being the two European superpowers’ bloody clash on the Plains of Abraham. Finally, it looks like the boring details will finally cease as I advise that New France was conquered and the Treaty of Paris (1763) ceded Canada and most of New France to Britain following the Seven Years’ War.
Oh, well – actually, no sooner had New France been conquered than the frontier boiled over and the damn Americans invaded Canada. They were gloriously ousted only to regroup for a later re-attack in 1812. Oh yes, Canada was a major front in the War of 1812 between the United States and British Empire and its defence greatly contributed to a sense of unity among British North Americans. All the while, the adventures continued as explorers braved treacherous whitewater rivers and wild beasts of every description as they continued the country’s expansion toward the Pacific. A dangerous and bloody conflict was then ignited on the western coast as Spain, Britain and the U.S. battled for control of the land. (Make the boredom stop!) The desire for Responsible Government resulted in the aborted Rebellions of 1837, which were summarily crushed by the British government. In 1867, the British colonies joined together to form a dominion, mainly as a defensive move to counter the U.S. Civil War, which threatened to spill over into Canada at any moment. Additionally, a railway way beginning to stretch itself across the land, armed Métis rebellions raged in the Northwest and thousands were making their way to one of the most remote and inhospitable places on earth – the Yukon, where gold was recently discovered. The west was won, the Artic taken and over Europe nations started to gather.
Canada automatically entered the First World War in 1914 with Britain’s declaration of war, and Canada came into it’s own as our armies established themselves amongst the best in the world. Heavy losses for minimal gains greatly contributed to the national identity. The Conscription Crisis of 1917 erupted when conservative Prime Minister Robert Borden brought in compulsory military service over the objection of French-speaking Quebecers. The Great Depression of 1929 brought economic hardship to all of Canada, turning the prairies into a dustbowl and shortly thereafter Canada was plunged headlong into war once again. (When will this yawn fest end?) Canada declared war on Germany independently during World War II three days after Britain, and well before our American counterparts. The first Canadian Army units arrived in Britain in December 1939 and Canadian troops played important roles in the Battle of the Atlantic, the failed 1942 Dieppe Raid in France, the Allied invasion of Italy, the D-Day landings, the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944. Despite another Conscription Crisis in Quebec, Canada finished the war with one of the largest armed forces in the world. In 1945, the Cold War began when a Soviet agent defected to our nation’s capital, bringing with him evidence of Communist penetration deep within – ah, why go on? I’ve bored you much too long already and like I said at the start, Canadian history is SO boring. It’s all just murder, mayhem and massacres.
The next important date of note is when Canucklehead Sr., filled with the bravery that can only be achieved through the consumption of a copious amount of rye whiskey, finally worked up the courage to approach my dear mother. My therapist has asked that I not dwell too much on the events of the next little while but in December 1971 the country welcomed Canucklehead: the man who would later come to define a nation. Until next time, keep those questions coming in – I plan to dedicate a post in the near future to addressing these alone.
SOURCE: Canucklehead.ca
Categories: Canadiana
Tagged: Canadian basics, Canadian history
Ask any Canadian to name things that define our country and beer will certainly make the shortlist. We didn’t invent it, perfect it nor do we drink a terribly large amount of it per capita (citation needed) – but boy – we sure do identify with it. Maybe Bob and Doug MacKenzie are to blame, I mean thank, however – for whatever reason beer is a point of eternal pride among Canadians and one of the few essential items we use to identify ourselves. Beer, along with poutine and strippers, was imported to Canada by the French settlers in the 17th century. For once, the Canadian climate was a bonus as the country could serve as the world’s largest refrigerator.
The first commercial brewery was built by Jean Talon in Quebec City, in 1668. John Molson founded a brewery in Montreal in 1786, Alexander Keith in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1829, Thomas Carling in London, Ontario in 1840, John Labatt in 1847, also in London, and Eugene O’Keefe in Toronto. Over the next century, these names became famous world-wide. After the First World War, Canada flirted with prohibition briefly but quickly abandoned the idea once people realized this would include beer and rye. (Canadian whiskey) Of course, many people became rich as liquor flowed across the border to our Southern neighbours. (You’re welcome.)
For better or worse, the market in Canada for domestic beer became dominated by large breweries like Labatts and Molsons. Their two main brands Canadian and Blue crowded out the market and restrictive liquor licensing laws gave Canadians little choice.
Since the 1980s, many of the draconian laws that restricted beer sales began to ease and Canadians have enjoyed a recent beer renaissance as of late, with many micro-brewery and craft beers being introduced. (Many very good). Canadians could choose more styles of domestic beer and even, god-forbid, foreign beers. Canadian beer did quite well for itself and the fear of being swamped by foreign brews never came to fruition. In fact, Canadian beers are quite popular in American markets, although mainly closer to the border.
There is a long-standing joke that every Canadian already knows. In short, American beer is like having sex in a canoe in that they are both ‘fucking near water’. I’m sorry to tell you that while Canadian beer is slightly stronger – it is only barely. You see, the numbers on the beer labels lie. The average Canadian beer is only 0.5% stronger than the average U.S. beer. You see, Americans use a different method of measuring alcohol content that we do. So, despite it going in the face I have been taught growing up – I feel it is my duty to set the record straight – a 5% Canadian beer is virtually equal to the 4% American. That being said, the fact you learned about ours being so much tastier and more awesome? That was spot on.
Of course, Canadians do drink all other sorts of booze as well, as many of my previous posts will attest. In fact, there is nothing you cannot get here – well, within reason of course. Anyway, I think I’ve written enough for now but I will make it a point to discuss both rye (Once again, foreigners know it as ‘Canadian whiskey) and for sure the Bloody Caesar (think Bloody Mary + clam pee and you’re in the right neighbourhood). Well, I think I’ll go celebrate another post the way I celebrate all of them – with a cold beer. Until next time, cheers!
SOURCE: Canucklehead.ca
SOURCE: Canucklehead.ca
Categories: The View From Up Here
Tagged: canada, cold
Canada and Canadians- a subject dear to my heart, and clearly yours, or you wouldn’t be here. Whatever you want to know – it will be here, all lovingly labelled for easy identification. I know, how Canadian (read: polite) of me. It reminds me of a joke that gets to the heart of the Canadian stereotype as polite to a fault:
Q: How do you get a Canadian to apologize?
A: Step on his foot.
Okay, well — jokes aside, I should note before I get to far that I do borrow liberally from a great book that I have been reading lately, How to Be a Canadian that all of you should consider buying if you wish to become a true subject matter expert on all things Canuck. Since this blog reaches a worldwide audience (no proof provided) I will start with the absolute basics and work up from there. This will allow me to get a feel for the subject and allow a beginner in all things Canuck to get used to our climate, if you will. So, where to begin?
NAME: CANADA (spelled C, eh … N, eh … D, eh)
LOCATION: We are America’s toque. Located between Greenland, Russia and our neighbours to the south – the U.S. Of course, 90% of huddled around the southern border for warmth.
POPULATION: 30 million or so, I don’t know exactly. Is Google broken or something? Geesh, do I have to do everything around here?
SIZE: We are really big. Like anywhere I suppose, size matters in Canada. It is however considered rude to point out that although the country is indeed huge, more than half of it is frozen year round. This is the ‘I burned your fries so I gave you extra’ school of thought. Gee, thanks God!
CURRENCY: Once the laughing-stock of the currency market, the now mighty Canadian dollar is the pride of well, North America. It does indeed come in a vast array of colours for easy identification, which explains are confusion when visiting the US and facing a pocketful of identical bills. Quite frankly, our way is WAY better when you are drunk, which I assume was the motivation. We no longer have a dollar bill, but a one dollar coin, the ‘loonie’ (it has a loon on the side) and a $2 coin, which of course in known as the ‘twoonie’. There was a recent report that we would be coming out with a $3 coin known as the ‘hat-trick’ which sadly only turned out to be an April Fool’s joke. Yes, I’m serious, our national mint plays jokes on us. Wow – those wacky Canadians!
NATIONAL ANTHEM: Well, officially it is ‘O Canada’ but it is pretty widely recognized to actually be the theme song from ‘HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA‘.
NOTABLE CANADIANS: Well, like many countries I suspect – who is considered famous within Canada does not exactly line up with who is famous outside of Canada. For example, a typical Canadian would likely mention Don Cherry, David Suzuki, the Tragically Hip and Stompin’ Tom, to name a few off the top of my head. However, for the rest of you who have no idea what the hell I am talking about, I’ll submit the following: Pamela Anderson, Dan Akroyd, Nickleback, Jim Carrey, Tommy Chong, William Shatner, Mike Myers, Celine Dion, Michael J. Fox, Avril Lavigne, Peter Jennings, Leslie Neilson, Howie Mandel, Alex Trebek, Norm MacDonald, the Barenaked Ladies, Seth Rogan, Keifer Sutherland, of course I could go on but I think you get the idea.
Well, I think that will do it for this lesson. We have a lot left to get to: history, the provinces, Canadian cuisine, culture, hockey, politics, beer and SO much more. Please keep those questions coming in and I’ll answer them all as we get to the topic. Until then, class dismissed and cheers!
Source: Canucklehead
Canadians talk funny. Not funny ‘haha’ – well, maybe that too but I’ve been told by ‘others’ that we Canadians talk strange. Strange! That’s what I mean. The following post will discuss the ways in which ‘Canadian’ is different. Oh, and by ‘Canadian’ I’m afraid I mean ‘Canadian English’ for the simple fact that my French sucks and there are some in Quebec who can be a tad touchy about their language – so I’m just going to skip it altogether. Nothing personal, eh? I just — you know, better safe than sorry and all that. That being said, it is a little ironic that English has become the lingua franca of the world, no? That reminds me, the following post, like the ones that have preceded it, and the ones that are sure to follow, ‘borrow’ liberally from a hilarious book, How to Be a Canadian (Even if You Already Are One). I mention this only because you should totally buy it! Eh?
Eh? That is of course where every conversation regarding language starts, and most the time ends. Eh? is what separates Canadians from the unwashed and envious riff-raff who live elsewhere (you know who you are). Many have mistakenly associated the use of eh? with the Americans use of ‘huh?’ This is a good attempt but horrifically wrong – the word eh? itself has more uses than duct tape – and that my friends is saying alot. However, for all its uses – it is notoriously difficult to master. Regardless, the use of this two-letter gem remains the clearest badge of Canadian citizenship – to the point where immigration officials continue to use it as an identifying clue. I’m not kidding. While anyone can say, “How is it going …. AYE’! Only a true Canadian knows how to say, “Howzitgoin,eh?” Seems easy, alas I can tell you from experience it is anyhting but. Not my personal difficulty with the phrase of course, but one I had the misfortune of witnessing countless times firsthand. Of course, those of a certain age will know that I’m speaking of the inexplicable (and blessedly brief) time when Bob & Doug MacKenzie became a huge hit with out friends south of the border. In short, it doesn’t work. When a non-Canadian tries to say eh? it is always to loud and too self-conscious. In fact, we Canadians don’t even know we say it. I had a English guest for a few months years ago who asked if we really said that. We all answered that of course we did not – and then the wanker in question spent the entire time pointing it out whenever we did – and as it turns out – we do!
A smart guy would wrap it up here – but seeing as I’ve just opened another beer I’m going to go ahead and give you a sampling of Canadian terms – and definitions I think. The list will be by no means comprehensive, but if you keep in mind that Canadian is what happens when you combine British and US English is an unusual way and then add brutally harsh winters and copious amounts of beer – well, maybe you can fill the blanks in. Okay, let’s have at it:
canucklehead: this one is not is common usage – but I’m trying to remedy that. In short, its a Canadian of limited intelligence. That being said, it is worth noting that it is also used to denote a fan of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks – but some would say that I already said that!
pogey: EI, (un)employment insurance, a step before welfare. Much like being a member of parliament – its getting paid by the government for not working.
C.C.: Canadian Club, a type of rye. Oops, there we go again, rye is a kind of whiskey. A delicious kind. Not to be confused with gut-rot like J.D. of bourbon. I believe others refer to this as ‘Canadian whisky.’ See also: Crown Royal (not listed). Anyway, goes best with ginger ale – or sipping. (read: shooters).
mickey: a small bottle of booze – smaller than a ‘26er’ but bigger than an airplane bottle. I have no idea what this is called. Not to be confused with a ‘Texas mickey’ which is a HUGE bottle of booze – maybe called a ‘40 pounder’.
beer parlour: a bar, tavern — umm, think ice-cream parlour – but with beer.
deke: vern or noun – to fool an opponent through misdirection. You know, like the running back who makes a last minute move and leaves the defender in his dust. As in, “Whatta deke!” or “I deked him outta his shorts!” Its a solid word.
Smarties: there are like M&Ms but WAY better. I’ve heard that Americans call those chalky Halloween candies ‘Smarties’ – which we know as ‘Rockets’. Two things to note about Canadian Smarties: you should always eat the red ones last and the blue ones make you horny. Well, so the kids say …
duplex: a house divided into two (separate) parts where each family does their best to ignore the other half. You can also have a ‘triplex’ – even higher I suppose.
S.O.L.: Shit outta luck. It seems hard to believe that this term is uniquely Canadian – but that is the word on the street. Can be used to describe and unfortunate situation. Even better – kids are allowed to use it.
Tim Hortons: Well, I guess it is like the Canadian Dunkin Doughnuts (Donuts?). Of course, people from both sides that nothing could be less true. So, they both have the same menu anyway – beyond that – it’s personal taste. It is important to note that Tim Horton was a hockey player who started the chain, which was eventually bought out by Wendy’s – it is almost a cult here with two ‘Timmy’s’ per block and a marketing and advertising campaign that has convinced the general populace that they are the ultimate Canadian icon. Case in point? There is a Tim Horton’s currently wherever Canadian troops are – it’s true.
chesterfield: while I have used this, it is falling out of fashion. It is a term for a couch or sofa. My grandparents, like most I think, ONLY used chesterfield.
snuck: to have sneaked, as in – “Dude, I totally snuck into the movie for free!”
toque: seems as good a term to end on. A woolen, knitted hat. The official headgear if Canada – keeps you warm AND looking sexy. Sweet, eh?
Now, I understand that I’ve done a great service to our enemies who will now be able to blend in when the inevitable invasion happens. Luckily, we will still know them as imposters for their misuse of eh? and the inability to answer even the most basic NHL & Beachcombers trivia questions. To learn more, travel to the Canadian destination of your choice and drink with the locals. (If you hope to understand a word, you may want to avoid the east coast.) Then, correct their grammer, laugh at their accents and strange words – offer to teach them how to speak properly. They will surely get a real kick out of this and offer a return lesson. Once you regain consciousness, write down everything you learned. You’ll make some new friends and learn a LOT of new words – some of which may even be printable. Well, I’m out for now, eh? Cheers!
SOURCE: Canucklehead.ca
Categories: Eh to Zed
Tagged: eh?, speaking Canadian
Source: Canucklehead.ca
Categories: The View From Up Here
Tagged: Beer, beer store, rainbow