Ask A Canadian

[Zanarkand]

In the past, this idea has proven to be a success. The idea is simple: Ask a question of the Canadian members about the country they inhabit.
Quite like the US, but different as well, I find there is much to learn about the Big Dominion to the north. I understand there are several Canadian members
here. In my experience, Canadians are well informed and enjoy participating.
How bad was the whole "Swine Flu" incident up there?

[Steve T Power]

It's here for sure, usually people coming back into the country from Mexico or wherever with it and spreading it. Overall as of June 19th there were less than 5000 cases across Canada, resulting in 12 deaths. There were less than 10 cases reported in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and so far as i know, none in Newfoundland.

EDIT: Apparently there were 24 cases in Labrador - which is unsurprising considering its proximity to Quebec. Quebec and Ontario are the regions most heavily hit.

[Gabriel Girard]

I don't know how many cases we have in total but i think there's been around 10 deaths. The funny side happened to me at the beginning of the pandemic - a lady asked me to wash my hands before I made her latté.

[Andrew Forbes]

Piglet juggling is way down in summer festival circuits, and new medical guidelines have been introduced, ensuring that physicians use thermoumetres (thermometers) to measure fever, rather than laying a strip of bacon across the patient's forehead.

[Steve T Power]

Piglet juggling is way down in summer festival circuits, and new medical guidelines have been introduced, ensuring that physicians use thermoumetres (thermometers) to measure fever, rather than laying a strip of bacon across the patient's forehead.

Better safe than sorry i always say.

[Zanarkand]

Wow. You guys have more cases than in the US. Here in California, where we share a border with Mexico, there are Mexicans all over the place, the more "intense" people were
expecting a full blown plague. Nothing of the sort went on of course. Here the cases were mostly people under 25 who were in Mexico for spring break. Many schools closed when
a case was confirmed, and stayed closed for about a week each. There has been only 2 deaths in CA that I am aware of.
Did you guys have many school closings?

[Steve T Power]

Wow. You guys have more cases than in the US. Here in California, where we share a border with Mexico, there are Mexicans all over the place, the more "intense" people were
expecting a full blown plague. Nothing of the sort went on of course. Here the cases were mostly people under 25 who were in Mexico for spring break. Many schools closed when
a case was confirmed, and stayed closed for about a week each. There has been only 2 deaths in CA that I am aware of.
Did you guys have many school closings?

No school closings in my region. I can't vouch for Ontario or Quebec though.

Aside: i think your numbers may be off..

California alone posted 1245 cases as of June 19th, and 8 Deaths. About on par with Quebec.

Total for the US as a whole was 21,500 cases and 87 deaths reported as of June 19th.

[mkiker2089]

Ok, here's one. If Smarties are M&M's, what are M&M's?

What type of biscuits do you have, the english style that is a little sweet and flatter or the american style (not sure of the true origon) that is thicker and more of a buttery bread.

[Steve T Power]

Ok, here's one. If Smarties are M&M's, what are M&M's?

What type of biscuits do you have, the english style that is a little sweet and flatter or the american style (not sure of the true origon) that is thicker and more of a buttery bread.

Smarties are Smarties, and M&M's are M&M's.

[Stubblecat]

But Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is Kraft Dinner. Fancy...

[molly1216]

so what's the deal with making fun of Newfoundlanders...is that like Canada's New Jersey?

[Gabriel Girard]

so what's the deal with making fun of Newfoundlanders...is that like Canada's New Jersey?

Yes, only worse.

[Zanarkand]

OK so Michael Jackson is dead. Was he a big deal up north? In his prime he was a big deal here, but that faded along with his skin tone, as the scandals piled atop
one another. What was his status with you guys?

[Gabriel Girard]

Jackson was a big hit here in Québec - we have a local band that recently did a cover of ''Billie Jean'' and back in the day a child star recorded ''C'est mon idole Michael Jackson'' to the tune of ''Maniac'' from Flashdance.

Steve, I've always wondered if you ever heard anyone say ''aboot''. I never heard it myself.

[mkiker2089]

Ok, here's one. If Smarties are M&M's, what are M&M's?

What type of biscuits do you have, the english style that is a little sweet and flatter or the american style (not sure of the true origon) that is thicker and more of a buttery bread.

Smarties are Smarties, and M&M's are M&M's.

you have both? that's not fair

Aren't smarties pretty much the same as m&m's? have you ever had the american smarties? They are yummy goodness but not chocolate, nothing like what others call smarties.

Why is it that everyone in Canada likes to club baby seals Sir Paul McCartney said so.

[Zanarkand]

What are Smarties? I never heard of them before today.

[Steve T Power]

Smarties are like a flatter version of MnM's - i actually prefer them to MnM's because the chocoloate is sweeter and the candy coating isn't as thick.


As for the baby seals thing... It's actually illegal to kill whitecoats.

[Zanarkand]

Ah...Aboot has come up(a few posts back) I've heard about "aboot" for years. I've never met a Canadian, (the closest I came was once driving behind somebody with an Ontario license plate.
Cool blue crown design.) but the Canadians I have heard on TV have never said that word either. I would chalk it up as a simple Urban Legend.

As for Smarties, do they cost the same as M&Ms? I ask this because every time I buy any sort of candy, for about the last year or so, it seems to cost more than it did the last time I got any.

[Steve T Power]

Gabriel - I have never heard anyone say "aboot". EVER.

Newfoundland accents are more akin to Irish and Gaelic mixes with a hint of French thrown in.

Molly - Newfoundland is nothing like Jersey, don't listen to the cheese eating surrender monkey! We've the dubious honor of being ridiculed by about a third of the country and loved by the rest. I'll throw this out there, i know of very very few people who've ever visited here and left disappointed, from either anywhere else in Canada or further south to the US and even into Central America. That aside: We have no problem whatsoever with making fun of ourselves.

[reefa]

As one who's coming up there in August, what's there to do/see/eat in Toronto?

[barnaclelapse]

Gabriel - I have never heard anyone say "aboot". EVER.

Newfoundland accents are more akin to Irish and Gaelic mixes with a hint of French thrown in.

Molly - Newfoundland is nothing like Jersey, don't listen to the cheese eating surrender monkey! We've the dubious honor of being ridiculed by about a third of the country and loved by the rest. I'll throw this out there, i know of very very few people who've ever visited here and left disappointed, from either anywhere else in Canada or further south to the US and even into Central America. That aside: We have no problem whatsoever with making fun of ourselves.

Yeah, I was born in Alberta, grew up on Vancouver Island and lived there until I was thirteen.

Not one time did I ever hear "Aboot", except on old episodes of Degrassi Junior High.

[Zanarkand]

I have to disagree with you. As a confirmed Degrassi Junkie I have seen every episode of every version of the series ever made. My local PBS station began showing DJH back in 89
and I fell in love with the show (and Stephanie) And I never once heard the word "aboot" on Degrassi.

[Future Man]

How Scottish is Nova Scotia?

[Steve T Power]

How Scottish is Nova Scotia?

Pretty goddamn Scottish. My wife's father is from that area.

[Andrew Forbes]

I'm from Nova Scotia, and of Scottish descent, and I have never worn a kilt, nor am I careful with my money. I do shout "Freedom!" every morning while I stretch, though.

[Dimwitted]

I've never understood where that aboot thing came from either. And funny, the best on air newscasters on US network TV are Canadian too. They never say aboot or get commented on about their "accents".

[Zanarkand]

Who is the richest Canadian? Unless I'm much mistaken, the richest American is still Bill Gates (from software of course) But who holds the Canadian title of wealthiest?
And in what Industry did he amass his fortune?

[Gabriel Girard]

I'm gonna guess Céline Dion. I'm sure you know who she is.

[Steve T Power]

I'm gonna guess Céline Dion. I'm sure you know who she is.

Actually, the Thompson Family, owners of the Thompson Corporation group of Newspapers and also Reuters, tip the scale by a huge margin. The closest to them would be Rogers Communications owner Ted Rogers, or Galen Weston, CEO of Loblaws.

Yes - i use google! *wink*

[Ptolemy]

I wonder if Galen is related to Bob?

[Dimwitted]

Who's Bob?

To be accurate, Thomson doesn't own many newspapers anymore. They sold most of them off about 10 years ago, which at the time looked strange but now looks brilliant. If it's not part of a media conglomerate like the Globe & Mail they got rid of it.

BTW, don't forget the Macleans, the Irvings and the Bronfmans. You may notice that Canada's wealthy like to run in families. Dynasties are so much fun!

[Gabriel Girard]

I'm gonna guess Céline Dion. I'm sure you know who she is.

Actually, the Thompson Family, owners of the Thompson Corporation group of Newspapers and also Reuters, tip the scale by a huge margin. The closest to them would be Rogers Communications owner Ted Rogers, or Galen Weston, CEO of Loblaws.

Yes - i use google! *wink*

Just checked Wikipedia- Dion's not even there! The first Quebecois is Paul Desmarais (Power Corp) at number 5 while Guy Laliberté (Cirque Du Soleil) is #17.

[Ptolemy]

Who's Bob?

Bob Loblaw, Attorney at Law

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/tv/ ... law180.jpg

[Stubblecat]

I know Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridus, the owners of Research In Motion (see that Blackberry on your hip?). I used to do the ground service for their jets. They're pretty goddamned wealthy, let me assure you.

[Zanarkand]

Did you ever meet any of them?

[Stubblecat]

Jim and Mike? Well, yeah. I was the last person to touch their plane before it took off, so you better believe I've met them.

I still see them every day or so. Jim used to be a bit more chatty, but the whole hockey-team thing seems to have him a bit more on the reserved side. Mike is very outgoing and friendly.

They were just passengers at the end of the day, just like anyone else who came through our facility. We dealt with the flight crew of any given aircraft. They were the ones who paid us directly.

[Dimwitted]

Don't forget Sergei Brin. He's worth a ton but I doubt he lives here anymore.

[molly1216]

is Great Big Sea is as big up there as the US promoters say they are?
i have been fans since their 2nd album but i am still surprised they aren't more popular in the US.

[LarryLockyer]

i know they are in Newfoundland no clue about the rest of Canada ... think steve went to school with one of them

[Steve T Power]

They are huge. No trouble selling out a stadium show. Celebrities from all over generally flock to see em when they play the big cities as well.

Things are pretty quiet with them these days, some people are whispering that they may be done, but then again, that was going on before their last album materialized too...

I went to high school with Alan Doyle, he's decent people.

[Zanarkand]

Does Canada still belong to England? If so, do you have to follow British law? Do you pay taxes to England?
I never did quite understand the situation regarding Canada & England.

[mkiker2089]

I think Canada's is just waiting a bit longer to surprise England. We did it too soon, it wasn't nearly funny enough. There's talk of taking the Queen off the money and replacing her with Alex Tribek.

I'm not from Canada or England, but I had an English teacher for US History. Ironic I know, as he was fresh off the boat and everything. According to him our revolution was mostly unfounded and over identical taxes that still exist in England to this day. It was actually a VERY interesting perspective.

[Gabriel Girard]

We're still a part of the commonwealth but I think our only link to the monarchy is the fairly decorative office of the governor general. We have our own laws, taxes etc. Each province even has its own movie rating system!

[Zanarkand]

It is my limited glimpses into the Big Dominion (Entertainment) that leads me to ask that. Things like:

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Bank (I think it is called something like that)
A courtroom scene in a TV show where the Judge wore Colonial era wig. (To me, that had England written all over it)
A pro wrestling documentary about Bret Hart where he showed his awards for British Commonwealth Champion.
Constanst mention of the British Royalty, traditions, etc, had me wondering.
So, In my opinion: Canada, somewhere along the line, booted the Brits out, leaving the Brits with an
ownership slip of the country, but with no actual ownership. There is a figurehead position in which a Brit
"supervises" the country, but with no actual authority, leading me to think he simply gives advice if anybody
actually bothers to ask for it. Not often, I would guess.
One wonders how they would teach this in English schools. The situation here in the US is simple, you all know it,
in the 1770's Colonists beat the Brits off. But in regards to Canada, it would seem they tell the kids that a rather large
colony simply told the Brits to take a hike.
Why did the Brits hike when suggested? I know I would not simply let go of a colony that big without a fight. Heck, the Brits
fought over just the 13 colonies they founded down here. How did you all get the Brits to agree to this:

CANADA: Go away Brits. You can still say you own this place, but you don't. If it makes you feel better, you still have a
slip of paper saying you own this place. Now go.
ENGLAND: OK.

[Steve T Power]

The United Kingdom has zero hold over Canada. We are a sovereign country. We are considered a part of the British Commonwealth as a former member of their Dominion, that is all. They have no ownership nor claim to Canada. When Queen Elizabeth signed our constitution in 1982 she effectively became the Queen of Canada as well as England, however her power here is merely as that of a political figurehead. She has similar titles in several other countries who were formerly members of the British Empire as well.

[mkiker2089]

That brings up an interesting point, she's on your money. In the US the system was set up to prohibit living people from being on the money. I'm told it's because of the fear of them having too much power. That doesn't really make sense though because the picture on the money is pretty much meaningless.

[molly1216]

what's the deal with nunavit?
did they actually give it back to the indigenous people and drive out the white people?
do they have casinos too?

[Andrew Forbes]

what's the deal with nunavit?
did they actually give it back to the indigenous people and drive out the white people?
do they have casinos too?

Nunavut is simply one of our three territories, and formerly part of the Northwest Territories. It was given back in the sense that the division and retitling recognize the cultural heritage of the Inuit people who live there, but nobody was driven out. It is represented in the federal parliament, but also has its own government. As for casinos, I doubt there would be any point. Nobody would bother going, besides the locals, many of whom could not afford it.

[Stubblecat]

I read a story a few years back in the newspaper that every time there are elctions being held in the Northwest Territories, some people always manage to get a vote on the ballot to try to change the name from N.W.T. to "Westavut" or "Mostavut". You have to love creativity like that.

[Zanarkand]

We Americans are busy with the 4th of July weekend, When is the Canadian version and what do you do on it?
Is it Boxing day?