A recent Ipsos-Reid survey asked over 3,000 Canadians five open-ended questions: What is Canada’s defining person, event, place, symbol, and accomplishment? Reactions were gathered and respondents were asked to rank their top ten from the list. While results differed to a certain extent across regions, Canadians were unanimous on certain Canadian icons – the maple leaf for one. Here are the results:
Canada’s Defining People
Atop the list with a wide lead is Pierre Elliot Trudeau, the former Liberal Prime Minister and father of multiculturalism in Canada. Following him is hockey superstar, Wayne Gretzky, and then Terry Fox, who ran the Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. Several other prime ministers made the list, including Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and the current one, Stephen Harper. Tommy Douglas, the creator of Medicare, environmentalist David Suzuki, hockey legend Maurice Richard, and Céline Dion, a celebrated singer, are also among the top ten.
Canada’s Defining Places
Niagara Falls takes top honour as Canada’s most defining place, followed by the Rocky Mountains on the West Coast. Parliament Hill and the nation’s capital city follow, and the top five is rounded out by Toronto’s CN Tower, one of the largest free-standing structures in the world. The other five are places in Canada to make the list: Quebec City, Toronto, Montreal, the Province of Quebec, and Vancouver.
Canada’s Defining Events
Far and away, the most defining Canadian event, according to this poll, is Canada Day. Celebrated every year on July 1st, it marks the anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, the event which takes the number two spot. Other events on the list include Canada’s participation in several wars, its involvement in international events, and several defining cultural and sporting events, like the Calgary Stampede and the Quebec Winter Carnival.
Canada’s Defining Accomplishments
Peacekeeping, diversity & multiculturalism, and freedom are three top ten accomplishments that Canadians are proud of. The Canadian Constitution andthe Charter of Rights and Freedoms also make the list. The number one spot goes to Canadarm, which was fist used on a space shuttle in 1981. Other accomplishments include universal health care and the Canadian national railway.
Canada’s Defining Symbols
The maple leaf is by far and away the leading symbol of Canada, ahead of the Canadian flag which took the third spot behind hockey. Following these three are the beaver, the Mounties, the Stanley Cup, wilderness, the Loonie, maple syrup, and the moose and caribou.
Pretty Canadian, eh?