Is Canada the world's next superpower?
By Erin Burnett
Since Iceland's financial collapse in 2008, the country has debated whether it should stick with the krona or adopt the currency of another country.
The obvious choice seems to be for Iceland to submit to, say, oil-rich Norway or maybe even join the EU and adopt the euro.
But another currency has entered the debate. And it’s a little "loonie."
That's right: Iceland might adopt the Canadian dollar as its official currency.
There are precedents, of course – El Salvador and Ecuador have both adopted the U.S. dollar in the past – and, on paper, the decision seems to make sense for both Canada and Iceland. Iceland would have a currency overseen by a very strong central bank. Canada would get even more influence in the Arctic region. And it would probably increase foreign trade for both countries.
And Canada might be into it.
On Friday, Alan Bones, Canada's ambassador to Iceland, said, "What we know about the nature of the final agreement depends very much on the expectations of both countries. But in a straightforward unilateral adopt of the Canadian dollar by Iceland, where it's clear there's no input into monetary policy, then we'd be certainly open to discussing the issue."
So, should the U.S. be worried? Is Canada really a rising imperial superpower?
We took a closer look at our neighbor to the north, and this is what we found: Canada has the 10th-largest economy in the world. Its unemployment rate is 7.6%, compared with our 8.3. Canada has a Triple-A (Eh!) rating. And, after the U.S. delayed the Keystone pipeline, Prime Minister Stephen Harper went to China to discuss redirecting its oil (Canada is the sixth-largest oil-producing nation in the world) to the Pacific coast – where China's ships are waiting.
But maybe the worst part: The person who brought this story to my attention is a Canadian. They really are everywhere.
Do you think Canada could really be a world superpower? Should the U.S. be worried that Canada is bailing out other countries? What are your thoughts on the pipeline?
To me, the more important question is whether a country should strive to be a "superpower" in the first place. Many countries have been quietly excellent for years, and it's becoming clear that when you are on top you become the target for many others as well as the first country looked to for leading and taking international action. Countries like the US and China are huge and powerful, but countries like Canada, Norway, Germany, etc. are all doing extremely well for their citizens. Maybe flexing your muscles isn't as important as doing well under the radar.
As a Canadian expat living in Hong Kong, I find all of these comments utterly amusing. Canada – a powerhouse? Not likely. America is losing is superpowers to CHINA not Canada, not England, not the Middle East but CHINA.
Instead of arguing which country is better (Canada vs the UK vs the US) get out travel, see the world or at least read about it! So much is happening outside of 'first world' countries.
Given our resources and alliances we are in a wonderful global position.
Climate change, where a negative for many, is quite likely, economically an advantage for us.
Where other nations are running out of things, we are finding new things. .....we can turn the lights out for dozens of millions of people outside of our borders and given pan national relations and politics this only grows.
We may not be a bright light on the international stage, because we are inherently Canada focused, which can only be positive, given the obvious outcomes of globalization and an unfettered capitalist global environment.
.....you don't need 100's of millions of people to hold hundreds of millions of people hostage to energy supplements and food provision. Both of which we are a source of.
Have to call Erin Burnett out and just say that this is just a stupid article. Canada has some 30 million people and though efficient has a much smaller economy to the U.S. It's not that complicated to look at population and growth and size of economy to see who's next. Yes the military/influence/position is another card but this also reflects population with economy. Maybe in 100-200 years or if their is a massive worldwide immigration into Canada. Cnn just loses credibility posting something like this, ridiculous.
No. And the reason being is that most Canadians stand for nothing beyond their own borders. It is true that their military has supported, honoroably, missions around the world but are they willing to take the lead? In order to be a superpower, one must lead, not just be led.
This is very true, and I could not say it better myself. Canada is just bland with no identifiable national character or clear presence on the world stage.
Do not underestimate Canadians. We are basically Americans with a little common sense 😉 We take care of our own, are a proud people...And much respected world wide. The Canadians at red flag where some of the best pilots. We aint the biggest but we would hold our own. But I dont think we will ever or would want to be a super power lol.. No manifest destiny here boys
First off, Canada isn't looking to be a superpower (this is the writer's idea, not Canada's.) Secondly, for you to say we stand for nothing outside our borders tells me that you know nothing of our history... We were fighting with the Allies from the BEGINNING of WWI and WWII, not waiting years in to join like the U.S. did. We lost almost an entire generation of men in the trenches of WWI and thousands again in WWII. It's sad that not a single American I know has a clue about such things and I love them lots but they only know what they've been told and nothing else...
A country having a low unemployment rate or a new trade agreement with another small national economy has very little significance to the overall potential of a countries economy on in the global market...economics is very complex...
Canada is not an economic superpower and will not be one in the near future; however, the USA will continue to be an economic superpower for many years to come...despite it's dept and despite it's high unemployment...
The usa's is the strongest economic power in the world because of it's diversified global economic trade relationships, political stability, free market economy, large population, international banking agreements, large market...the list goes on and on...any economist would argue this..that's why despite usa's poor economic performance for last many years, it still remains the largest economic power..
I'm Canadian and I visit the US often for business and pleasure. Each country has it's strength's and weaknesses.
I look upon the US as an older big brother to which most of the time I agree with what he says and other times just keep my mouth shout if it does not concern me. However, I'm quick to add my opinion once and a while.
I often tell big brother he should drop by once and a while to see how I do things, he might learn something new.
Each of us can't be experts at everything.
World power because someone wants to use our currency?
Certainly not as defined in the 20th century.
If your definition or "World Power" for the 21st century is financial markets, then yes Canada will be a player.
Unfortunately if big brother keeps spending money on his toy guns he is going be very broke as the market for "Superpower country invaders" is quickly drying up.
I have a suggestion, take a chance, and bring all people together in a large building with one purpose... negotiate world peace. All peoples of the world should be represented. However, NO politicians can be representatives. Politicians are all bought and paid for and therefore do not have the proper motivation.
I completed masters degree in computer science in the US, and immigrated to Canada (which was a mistake) and waited for 2 years applying for 100s of jobs. They wanted me to go through their " immigrant resources centers" and my first 6 months was spent on "resume and cover letter" writing workshops. They would give me free bus pass once or twice a month. I stopped going to the resources center. I got just 1 interview call from my entire 2 years of Canada stay and that too was not successful. I returned back to US and within first 2 months I got a decent job, and still working...
My suggestion: Canadians don't treat US degree holders in the same manner to their own graduates. They are biased. They do it on purpose. It is NEVER because their education is better than US education.....No way........They are too negative about American....The want us to suffer in their country at least 4 or 5 years before we get a moderate job. I BELIEVE ITS NOT ONLY ME.....THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR STORY LIKE MINE...I think many immigrants are suffering there despite being talent ...I don't know Canada has weakness in sorting this out. I have many friends who were graduates from US and immigrated to Canada due to various reasons, and very few people have been able to get a job suitable to their training....most people are working as a manual labor despite having MS or PHD. BUT I HAVE NO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE country per say....beautiful country.
Maybe they didn't hire you because you have terrible grammar! An education in Canada is far more valuable on an International scale than an American Education. Canadians who don't have the grades to get into professional/graduate school in Canada just hop the border to the states because the entrance requirements are a joke. You just need to be able to pay the big bucks and own half of a brain and you're in (ahem, kind of like everything else in the U.S.A.). True north strong and free!
Typical arrogant Canadian. People with half of the brain and lack of motivation choose to stay in Canada. The bright ones move down South.
WHAT is your problem....
Simply put, if the world sees us as boring that's fine. We are confident in ourselves and our achievements.
Proud of our history and our people. Our banks are secure, our people have healthcare that doesn't bleed them, dry. Our natural resources abundant. We are polite. Americans see our politeness as weakness. We see it as a strength. Most people not everybody, but most like us. We don't hide our flag when we travel abroad.
Lastly. No one in Canada would ever take a politician like Sarah Palin seriously!
Why would they move down south? So they can pursue an education at Phoenix University? So they can proudly say "I'm and undisputed failure, and I'm a Phoenix!. Please you come from a country where the only free universal health care is given to the most evil men on planet earth in Guantanamo bay right before they are legally tortured.
I'm Canadian and I moved to California. I have a degree in electrical engineering from Canada. The jobs down south pay a lot more. Like almost double. When I worked in Canada i was making just over 50k. Now I make almost 100k.
Really? You can more than 100k a year running a dozer
With an Engineering Degree, in North-Western Canada right now you start out at $150,000 and quickly move up to over $250,000. I don't know where you were working in Canada to get $50,000 as an Engineer (perhaps Eastern Canada where there are far fewer jobs). $ rich Western Canada is were the BIG $ is.
Martina, either you are a troll or some Canadian guy picked you up in a bar and left you with nothing more than a broken heart and a stubborn case of anal warts! Either way, lay off the Poppa Johns and turn off Fox News and get back on the horse girl!
JReed – I have spent nearly 15 years of my life oversees and you sir, are talking out of your ___. And no, I am not saying that because I am an American as opposed to you...
A very familiar stories. I had nearly exact same experiences. Don't listen to stupid haters here that say the the US education is less valuable than Canadian. In fact, it is the best and the most recognizable education in the world. Canadians just gave you a hard time out of envy.
Story I meant to say.
Oh and "Martina" your terrible grammar makes me honestly question if all Americans are as under developed as your brain is or if you're just a fluke?
They are protecting there sitizen and there investiment first and that is the way it should be....
Sensationalism is sensational.
LOL wow, that should brought the insecure out of the woodwork.
Should the U.S. be worried about another global superpower? I vote no, so long as the superpower is led by some form of democratic government. In my 19 years on the planet, the death of international American supremacy has been forecast as a dark time on the horizon. Personally, I tend to believe that we are finally seeing economic convergence as a consequence of globalism. Firstly, I note globalization as a more positive than negative force in world growth and subsequent development. While there are innumerable cases of globalization being ultimately a negative world force (just google "Nestlé Scandal" for a powerful look at downside of multinational corporations) there have been, significantly, no examples of successful development without trade and global integration–just look at the Four Tigers. Secondly, if we are really to credit convergence to the rise of other world superpowers, isn't that what the U.S. fundamentally stands for? If the United States fears the success of our close friends, say Canada, we really look hypocritical as we also work to defend democracy far beyond our shores. Articles like this scream out to growing and developing nations, "we want you to be successful, just not TOO successful." I hope that in my lifetime I get to see a thriving world economy in which every individual across the globe has the same chance for economic and personal prosperity.
"Oh Canada, Our home and native land; True patriots hearts, in all our sons command; With glowing hearts we see Thee rise, the true North strong and free; From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on Guard for Thee...GOD KEEP OUR LAND, glorious and free, O CANADA we stand on Guard for Thee..." And the Queen; the Monarch; the Governor General (the viceregal office as the "Governor General acting by and with the Advice of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada) and the Right Honourable Prime Minister, to whom we call this great land home and open for all whom would wish a new life and true freedom from despair. God (YHWH) keep our land; glorious and free.
Good grief, Paulo, where do you get your information from? You have doubled Ontario's unemployment rate! Do you realize how many people are homeless in the US? People in Canada who don't have a family doctor can walk into any clinic or hospital and get medical treatment. They don't have to worry that they will go into debt for the rest of their lives because of it like millions of Americans do. If you are going to trash Canada then at least get your facts straight. And if if you find it so awful here then why don't you leave?
As of 13 March 2012 here are the unemployment rates:
Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador 12.9%
Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island 10.8%
Nova Scotia Nova Scotia 8.2%
New Brunswick New Brunswick 10.1%
Quebec Quebec 8.4%
Ontario Ontario 7.6%
Manitoba Manitoba 5.6%
Saskatchewan Saskatchewan 5.0%
Alberta Alberta 5.0%
British Columbia British Columbia 6.9%
Canada Canada (national) 7.4%
I am a canadian and Canada is a poor country, and will never be a superpower. SIMPLY CANADA does not have the population, in fact canada has to stop the immigration numbers, if not the chinese, indians and muslims will take over the country. ANOTHER reason that canada is going to fail miserable is that canada is not a teck genius it is a poor country, CANADIANS ONLY CAN SURVIVE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MANY NATURAL RESOURCES. HEALTHCARE FIVE MILLIONN CANADIANS DO NOT HAVE A FAMILY DOCTOR,. WHAT CANADA IS GOOD IS MARKETING.I NEVER SAW SO MANY POOR PEOPLE IN EUROPE AS I SEE IN THE STREETS OF TORONTO, THE REALLY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN ONTARIO IS 14%. TO MUCH CANADIANS CAN NOT AFFORD TO EAT A HOT MEAL A DAY. CANADA IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN, CANADIANS ARE BLESSED NOT BY THE NATURAL RESOURCES, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE U.S SOUTH OF THE BORDER. CANADA IS A JOKE.
Did you know that Kim Jong Il was a member of the North Korean national basketball team that beat the USA in the 1960 Olympics? Bet you didn't know that.
For those reading this is complete BS. Kim Jong did not play basketball and North Korea has NEVER beaten the US basketball team
YOU are the one that is total BS.
I have you know that on top of the Team North Korea DOMINATING international basketball, Kim Jong Il came out of retirement in the 1970's and joined the Celtics to form a formidable lineup along with Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White, and Hondo.
Not only do we have oil that we will soon trade on world markets, we have a government that had the brains to keep tight regulations on our banks! So when the US had to put trillions into keeping their economy afloat, we had little exposure! Perhaps the real message from Canada is the US has made massive mistakes lately and we would be fools to continue to put all of our eggs in one basket! Your government has become disfunctional and you continue to mislead yourself about the solutions! Alternative energy sources will require a $2 trillion investment per year over the course of decades (you cannot afford to make that kind of investment). You still have not regulated your banks and have simply shifted your debt to the government (taxpayers). Maybe it is the Obama admin. and Congress that should get their heads out of the mud and wake up – cause if you leave it too much longer the world will have passed you by!
Not to forget that the people of Canada are just too darn nice to be the bullies required of Superpower status.
Living in the cold is the limitation to population, and that is most of Canada. I was born and raised in a part of the US where we joke about how the majority of Canadians lived south of us.(Maybe not anymore, with the jobs to suck heated tar out of sand in Alberta growing so fast).
I would love to emigrate, just to get away from the fear mongering in the U.S. (as illustrated by most of the comments here). I have always enjoyed visiting, and working with the Canadian Forces who came to the U.S. for our aircraft testing facilities. If Canada proposed it, I don't think it would be a stretch to get many of the midwest and northern tier states to switch their borders and become provinces. Especially as the populations age and realize how much their lives could cooperatively improve as Canadians instead of Consumers.
Canada could never be a superpower for the simple reason of population. We have fewer people than California. Having said that, the one group of people that would love Canada to become a superpower is the Canadian government, otherwise known as the Harper government. This government loves to throw its' weight around, get their own way, if not, they scream and yell like children, want to join international trading organizations, but demand to do so on their own terms. This government loves to lecture the world in their self righteous indignation while doing the same thing at home, ie robocall scandals while lecturing the world on democratic values. Shuts down any scientific group that they don't agree with, and closes their eyes to anything they don't want to accept, ie global warming.
Believe me when I say that under the Harper government, NO ONE would want Canada to become a superpower.
Canada needs more population, much more, to be in the world power category. They might have the 10th largest economy but it is probably 1/10 the size of the us. You also need a military. Maybe they can be a western hemisphere arctic superpower.
This cliche ridden, sensationalistic, drivel is what passes for journalism at CNN (the self-proclaimed world news leader)???
You shouldn't base your editorial opinions off of a drunken viewing of "Canadian Bacon"....
To Ex_Canadian_4_Good and others who have moved to the US and away from the "racism" in Canada. I'm very glad you've found a place that you feel well-treated and comfortable. Not everyone has had your experiences: been treated badly in Canada or well in the US. Unfortunately there are racists everywhere and you can't judge a whole country on your personal experiences in one town. If one town could be used to judge a whole country then American would be damned – do you know what a Sundown Town is?
Canada has the best economy. Highest rated quality of life (opinion). one of Highest avrg. lifespans. Number 1 tourist spot in world. most educated pop (although some of the idiots have found there way to this forum). Canada is rich in resources, from fresh water to food, oil, to minerals. Has one of the lowest population densities.
MAKES SENSE TO ME!
I have to say that as a European, I find your post pretty funny. #1 tourist destination, huh? My home town, which is some hundreds years older than Canada, has more cultural venues, universities, museums, theaters, concert halls, etc. than entire Canada. And those are again hundreds years old. Not to mention a gorgeous old architecture. And that is just one European city. You really have a somewhat over-inflated opinion of what Canada has to offer.
Your city maybe older and sure Europe is quite popular for us North Americans to travel to but really you think his opinion is over inflated your universities are low standard depending upon where you live in Europe unless you do wish to study some sort of arts. We do have alot of the fresh water and with it comes lots of wildlife and scenic views and cliffs. Sure if your a person who likes to look at buildings go to Europe if you wish to see the vast outdoors and experience the feeling of not being crowded. The only thing you Europeans have over us as far as attractions is your Art and your "culture". Come see real beauty in you know nature not some smog filled or over populated city. I have travelled many places in Europe and loved every experience however Id say your some unexperienced troll looking to put their idiotic 2 cents in.
Oh god! For all your short history and miniscule "culture" you have just an incredible amount of arrogance. Europe has a plenty of beautiful nature and wild life as well as architecture. If not for Quebec, BC, and may be the East Coast, you'd have absolutely nothing to attract the visitors. Zero. Our "low standard" universities were producing world-renowned physicists, mathematicians, and engineers hundreds of years before Canada appeared on the map. They still do. Which Canadian, except Pierre Trudeau, the world even heard about? You have let's see 4 or 5 legitimate universities in your entire countries. The rest are a joke. So, shut up about your "high quality education" and crawl under your rock, you ignorant Neanderthal.
Martina, get over yourself. Seeing all your ridiculous and constant posts on here just proves you are just ignorant and biased against Canada period. Sorry your experience here made you that way, but you are in a VERY limited number of people that don't like this country. Enjoy your US paradise.
You are the ones that need to get over yourselves, and your arrogance is really annoying. Even Quebecois don't want to have much to do with you. Why do Canadians always say that they have the best of everything? It's a typical defense mechanism of those, who deep inside feel inferior.
Alex, I'll take "famous Canadians" for $500.
Who are Keanu Reeves, Celine Dion, Alanis Morissette, Neil Young, Jim Carrey, Leonard Cohen, Pamela Anderson, Shania Twain?
Oh, yeah... and Alex Trebek too.
And that's just the entertainment industry, you utter buffoon.
you failed to mention how expensive it is to live in example,Vancouver,food housing,long winters an short summers!
Bobby it's expensive to live in any large city. Think it's cheap to live in Seattle? (next large city down the left coast). Or Chcago, New York, LA etc. No, and prety irrelevant to the original 'super power' hypothesis anyway.
Canada is larger than the US with the population of California, there simply are not enough people. In addition Canada is too dependent on the US economy but diversification is hard when shipping anywere else is so expensive. The US and Canada are still each other's largest trading partners.
Yes, why stay in Vancouver when you can just go a few miles south and live in sunny Seattle with Acapulco-like weather!
Granted, Seattle has lower cost of living. Then again, Vancouver has 7 percent unemployment rate vs. Seattle's 8.1 percent. Pick your poison.
Yeah, it becomes even more expensive to live somewhere if there are no jobs there, like in BC.
Canadians have influence but no military might. Erin should go over aspects other than economy in her blogs.
They would need a military to become a superpower.
Not necesserialy. they dont have to have a military.But it really helps. But hey, the U.S. has the best so haha. 😀
Today's post seems to indicate otherwise: http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/16/canadian-helps-soldiers-disappear/
We have a military. It's called The Toronto Police Department.
What is the big deal with both the Canadian and American haters? Lighten up folks.
I've had the opportunity to travel in alot of places in the world, and also traveled extensively in the US and Canada, and I can tell you for certain that BOTH Canada and the US are topdogs in many cases in terms of standard of living, commerce, culture, education, professional sports to name a few.
We have many more in common than differences, yet many in this forum are choosing to focus on both country's warts. Neither country will EVER be perfect (at least in our lifetime) because, well, our democracies is still a work in progress.
On that note, Martina, please stop reading Anne Coulter's book "How to make Canada better". You'll find yourself alot less bitter and alot happier.
I've never read anything written by Ann Coulter. I've read the "book" of my own experiences. As far as my bitterness goes, I could not be happier where I am now. Did you expect everyone to sing a praise to Canada? Even Americans have a sense to admit that their country is not perfect and their history if short. But tell is to Canadians, and they'll eat your head off.
Hi Martina,
If being bitter makes you happy, I'm aint gonna stop ya.
Do I expect people to have high praise for Canada? Sorry to dissapoint you but I am well past that expectations. I heard praise from many Americans and other countries WAY BEFORE I read this article and your extreme right-wing views (you don't have to read Anne Coulter's books to think exactly the same way as she does),
The average Canadians are good at criticising themselves but just a tad sensitive when criticised by foreigners, especially with baseless "facts".....hmmmm.....sounds alot like averate Americans to me, which is the whole point of my original post.
I just looked in the dictionary and there is no such word as "averate", so I'll change it to "average".
You are the one who sounds bitter and angry. And I've heard enough of abuse from your compatriots. So go stick your "praise" in your know what, and leave me alone.
Stick it in what? Your "happy" face"? Ha Ha!
Alot of the "abuse" are not just Canadians, but from YOUR "compatriot" Americans too. Explain.
Btw, this is exactly what I've got when I lived in Canada. That is that I'm a foreigner and always will be. Here in the US, I'm just one of Americans. And nobody stares at me with huge eyes, when they hear my accent.
Btw, my parents are from the Philippines. Not once did they see "huge buggy eyes" when they spoke with their heavy Filipino accents in the 40 years they've been here.
Ah, you are philippino. Never mind then. Glad your parents haven't had any problems. But then, one would expect of them have an accent. I'm white though. YOu can find racism everywhere, I suppose. Though, I believe we actually have much less of it than in most countries. Travel to France, for example, if you don't believe me. I love that country, btw, but I also knew people who had to change their names to more French-soundung in order to attend schools or get hired. Besides, with all our racism, we have the 1st black president in the Western world. When Canadians elect their 1st black PM or at least a governor, then they may be can claim they are less racist then the US.
French-sounding that it. always forget to do a spell check.
I'm sorry you had a very bad experience here in Canada.
I'm just glad your unfortunate story is very rare here. I've met many white European immigrants from France, Britain, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, former Soviet Union countries. and Greece (all of them with heavy national accents) who decided to not just work here, but to happily stay and obtain their Canadian citizenship.
I'm pro Obama and glad he is in the office, but a country does not necessarily need a person of visible minority to be commander-in-chief and be "much less racist than the other country". But it's one of the good indications how far the US have come. We not only have Civic leaders from all minority backgrounds serving the government, but also handycapped and openly gay leaders are well represented.
Unfortunately, what Martina encountered is not a rare occurrence in Canada. I was born and raised in Canada and I am all to familiar with the racism that exists in Canada. I went to a predominately white elementary school in London, Ontario and it's shocking how openly kids would call me out for my dark skin or the fact that I was less financially fortunate than the white kids I went to school with. At the time calling me "paki" was really fun for the white Canadians. I remember we were once debating an issue about a Sikh Indian that joined the RCMP and did not want to remove his turban for religious reasons. One of the white kids in class said "that paki should have no right to change a Canadian tradition that is 200 years old". There was another occasion where after 9/11 I over heard a white Canadian saying he would never get on a plane if there Arabs on board. So you see it is just an illusion that Canada is racism free. I now live in the US and I can walk proudly with the skin that God gave me without fear of some racist singling me out.
Wow! And you never heard an American say anti-Arab remarks? Come on, give your head a shake.
x_canadaian_4_good
Let's just agree to disagree. In this case it's personal exprience.
My skin color and features are just as prominent as yours and nowhere did my experience with racism reached nearly as bad as yours. Again, I'll say that Canada is not perfect and I did have a few run-ins with rascism here. Is that any worse than if I lived in the US? Well, it so happens my brother lived in Minneapolis for 10 years and Indiannapolis for the past 6 years. He mentioned that he is enjoying his stay in the US as I expected, but he also mentioned racism is an ongoing problem in both cities.
I do feel bad for what happened to you x_canadian_4_good. and it's good you found a place where you can be at peace.
Hey Martina, let me just give you a heads up of how many people are laughing at you and your utter ignorance of this country which becomes apparent when you claim we're racist because we haven't had a black Prime Minister. Firstly, in order for someone to be the Prime Minister they need to run for the position and seeing as no black people have run for the position its hard to give the job away. Secondly, our country is divided into riotings and each rioting has a leader known as an MP. In our house of commons there are several female, Hindu, black, First nations, and Chinese representatives. So i suggest you educate yourself at, how did you put it "the greatest schools are european school" funny how your schools are so wonderful yet they have yet to educate you in foreign policy or basic grammar.
I meant to say "tell this"
argggghh Martina still here and trollin Canada I said good day Martina
As a Canadian I am sorry if it does happen. Sorry for countries that get our currency, healthcare, education and what not.
I am from Canada and after what happened in Syria, I am beginning to see the Americans in a different light. After China and Russia turned their back on Syria, I sure am glad that we are on the same side as the americans with respect to human rights and personal liberty. Can't imagine this world under chinese and russian rule.
As far as Canada being a super power, its not what our country is all about. We want to live in peace and prosperity. But when it comes to defending our way of life and speaking out against injustices in the world, one doesn't have to look much further than the battle of Vimy Ridge, juno beach, and Beaumont Hamel. Not forgetting people like Terry Fox either who died trying to raise money for cancer research. We have our hero's too and we are proud of our country.
Their entire Navy consists of 2 tugboats and a slingshot.
I would bother to take the time to post actual facts to refute the stupid remark, but it's very obvious this poster would not read or comprehend facts. Don't your knuckles get sore from dragging on the ground like that ?
As a Canadian who worries about his country's ability to protect itself... that is one of the most hilarious things I've ever read about our navy.. fyi major hotbutton issues for our defence spending right now are whether we should spend money on getting new subs to replace the four we have now that self combust and buying new helicopters to replace the ones that can't stay in the air.
by the way the money that we're talking about is equivalent to one moderate size oil sands development.
Judging from the tone of the article and the responses from some of the audience, there doesn't seem to be much understanding of geopolitics at all. So, briefly, both Mexico and Canada do not have the geography to develop a large enough population or sufficient trade to ever compete with the U.S. This is irrespective of of whether the countries like or hate each other or how poorly the U.S. wants to mismanage its affairs. Both Mexico and Canada have little choice but to accommodate the 900-pound gorilla they live next to if they want to prosper. Now, does anyone have the intellectual capacity to have an intelligent conversation about any real geopolitical concerns? Perhaps not on CNN...
I've figured it out!
MARTINA is actually Erin Burnett, keeping the pot stirred, which is what the original piece was about too –
a great big put -on for a very slow news day.
Superpower indeed. However, it generated a lot of material for social scientists and shrinks to study.
Stirring the pot are those that claim that Canada is somehow superior to the US. It never will be no matter how bad the US economy is. In fact, if the US were to go down, which I don't believe would ever happen, it would take Canada with it.
I just find this discussion truly entertaining. There is not much else to debate these days in the US. Same old circus of the Republican presidential race. Just waiting until election's over, and Obama gets his 2nd term.
Wow Martina you are still here, think you would grow up a tad and get that chip off your shoulder you silly troll you.
Apparently, you are still here as well. So, how are the things in Moose Jaw these days?
Ahem, Let's start with just the uneducated response of your comment. Seeing as i'm sixteen years old and currently am in the financial standing to purchase a street corner in the "Oh so wonderful United States of America" we can already see that Canadian youth surpass American economy. Secondly lets study illiteracy rates in the United States. Down the toilet how about?. The American youth have no future. Finally lets judge as to why America has in the past reigned it's star spangled fists over Canada. One word. Military. America is the second largest nuclear state in the world and has the capacity to make itself the first. In the military world, America calls the shots. Without their military America would be nothing. The day america has no more money to fund their lavish spendatures for their military the military will crumble. Although Canada will suffer greatly, we are strong enough and independent enough to carry on, on our own. we would lose a great trade partner and military ally but Canada's independence on a global scale is obviously undermined. Any ways feel free to contact me or reply with another one of your Oh so uneducated responses. Please.
Here we have another fine Canadian who thinks everyone in America is illiterate and that Canadians are somewhat smarter then everyone else in the universe, typical Canadian. Your arrogance is just astronomical. If you honestly think that Americans are so dumb, then you are truly a bafoon who's never been outside of Canada. America has world class universities, think of MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Berkley. The list goes on and on. Yes we do have many students that are well below the acedemic standards of other countries but that doesn't mean everyone falls into that camp. There are roughly 2.5million PHD's living in the USA vs 100,000 employed PHD's in Canada. The reason we have the greatest military the world has ever seen is because of our technological prowess. Think of Bell Laboratories who's research division developed the worlds first transistor and the worlds first laser, think of DARPA who developed the Internet etc. These revolutions in science and technology will continue, just think of all the research and development going on in silicon valley where the smartphone revolution is taking place. I'm sorry to say but all I see is Canada falling further behind when it comes to technological innovations, and I think Canadian arrogance is partly to blame for it, just look at your former technology darling Research in Motion, Apple and Android are about to seal the coffin on that company in due course. The only thing Canada is really good at is hockey and digging rocks up from the ground but hey you don't need a PHD for that!
Yes, I would have agree with you. Anyone that says american university's are sub standard clearly does not know what they are talking about. The only advantage in Canada is the fact that higher education is readily available to anyone, rich or poor. The government will finance the cost for you and the cost of education is much lower. However, this does not mean Canadian universities are any better than american ones.
Well now i've heard it all... an American calling a Canadian arrogant!
LOL!!
The irony is amusing indeed.
Erin Burnett,
Are the stereotypical references truly necessary to your story? Your use of "a little loonie," "eh," and mentioning that "they are everywhere" reflects poorly on any attempt at respectful or serious journalism.
Try Victoria or Vancouver – palm trees and almost no snow.
PS- Erin is super cute.
I'm a US American who knows the historical difference between French Canadians, Acadians, Cajuns, English Canadians, New England and New France. I'm a bit disappointed in my northern neighbors and countrymen who are making petty arguments favoring division. The US and Canada are siblings, so rivalry is expected. But still, these countries should be closer to each other than to any other on the planet.
Bet you didn't know that Canada once had a TEA party too – back in the 1960s. The Take Eleven Association. It was dedicated to making the U.S. our eleventh province. Too bad it didn't get very far....
dont worry America Canada will always love you. Iceland is just a flirt. America ur the one the true and the only love
I propose we start flexing our wealth by purchasing the Hawaiian Islands from our debt. ridden neighbors.
I like the sound of that. I know the Hawaiians would love free healthcare.
Hawaii already has a state mandated health care system, so fail.
Although if Canada does want Hawaii you could take it over the way the U.S did.
Looks like the Canadian job market aint so hot after all, following article states Canada lost 2800 jobs in the month of February contrast that with 227,000 jobs added the USA, Any Canadians looking for jobs???
http://www.canoe.ca/Canoe/Money/News/2012/03/09/19480701.html
Maybe so. A lot of it has to do with the falling USD however. It hurts US exports from Canada. In June however, the province of Alberta created more jobs than all of the United States. With oil sands production increasing dramatically, this will be the norm. There will be labor shortages.
Erin, you're really cute. You should stick to more credible angles on your stories to encourage me to forget what you look like and listen to your words. Oooooopsss, you caught me contradicting myself....carry on.....
There's more news...There's a movement for the Turks and Caicos Islands to join Canada as well. Canada shied away from the idea once before, but it's being raised again. Bad news for the U.S. South if Canadians can take their holidays in the Caribbean and still keep their money circulating within the Canadian economy.
Yeah we should have taken them up on it the first time. Nova Scotia could use a nice sunny warm county. We were too afraid it would look ba dto have a 'colony'. LOL
We visited Mexico recently and spent our Canadian Cash there. It seems that the Ameican dollar is so widely copied that merchants and hotels are skeptical to take it. I would say that more and more countries will adopt Canadian money over the yankee buck as the years pass.
Canada stinks. Racists rule there. USA is also racist. China and India will be super powers. No, they already are. North America and Europe: Your turn to be poor. Look who is laughing now!!!
I am not fully clear on why Canada is being called a racist country who are distrustful of foreigners and have no sense of humor.. We have one of the highest immigration rates, Toronto is internationally recognized as one of the most multi cultural cities in the world; my parents, and the parents of a lot of my friends, were immigrants who were welcomed to this country with open arms and plenty of opportunity. My best friends are of all different ethnicities, and nobody here cares. What in sam's hill are you guys talking about? And we call our dollar a loonie; who says we have no sense of humor?
So you came as a child, with your parents? That would definitely give you a perspective of how you have to fight to survive there. May be your parents do. Would love to hear about those "opportunities" they found when they first came.
well, just before i turned 16 i moved to new brunswick (eastern canada) to attend school, then university and graduated fairly easilly and upon becoming a citizen joined the canadian military. parent moved here much later to a small town outside of moncton new brunswick, both work and own their own home and are extremely happy. where i come from, iraq, the world 'struggle' has a whole different meaning then what it does here. and i mean canada AND the united states. i retired from the military quite four years ago and now live a very comfortable life teaching in canada. we did it okay and if the continent of north america has been rather kind to me and ESPECIALLY my older very orthodox muslim parents who were very widely accepted by their community and had to undergo some radical culture changes when they got here. its not that bad up here. TO GET BACK TO WHAT THIS ARTICLE WAS ABOUT THOUGH, i doubt we will be a superpower anytime soon. maybe one day in the hundreds of years it takes for nations to change and shape but not anytime soon lol
Grow up there sport
Racists? Compared to the U.S., we're utopia as far as racism is concerned. We have the highest immigration rate in the world and multiculturalism is official government policy. While we may not be perfect, we are very far from being a racist country, especially when compared to our neighbors to the south.
You are in denial. How would you know anything about racism if you were born in Canada? And forget about the immigrants.Do some research on how your Ridiculous Canadian police is treating native Americans in Saskatchewan or Manitoba.
Gotta love "native Americans" having lower-case native yet upper-case american.
matina, you're and idiot.
Why is their racism? Its a lose lose situation. And it doesnt get anyone any where. Its a waste of effort, time, money, and their mediocre brain power. Stop being racist, accept what is on our amazing planet what 'God' gave you. Work together to make a better world for you, and generations ahead.
Canada, a superpower? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...........no.
Be afraid... be very, very afraid!! Muahahaha
Wow. Saying to Canadians that their country is no good for some people is like a burning an effigy of prophet Mohammed in front of a bunch of muslims. I thought Canadians were just kind of cold and distrustful of foreigners. Looks like they can also be really mean and have NO sense of humor.
were you born and raised in small town Oklahoma?
No.
Hey Martina,
Could you enlighten us as to how many factories you mopped with your two degrees when you were in Canada?
And you do realize that a deo stick costs like a buck or two, right?
But you were probably born in Swift Current or Moose Jaw.
Hey Martina,
Why don't you answer where you were born (Hyderabad) and use you real gulti name?
Martina you must a hillbilly or a redneck.
Typical Canadian stereo typing an entire nation. Maybe if I stooped to your level I would call all you Canadians up there lumber jacks eh?
Martina you must be a hillbilly or a redneck.
We are better positioned than our neighbors to the south. Our banks are much more regulated and in much better shape. We are less materialistic as a whole. We have a higher literacy rate and a lower poverty rate. Canada is not an "every man for himself" state like the US, where if you don't have a good paying job and decent health insurance you are screwed. We don't meddle in other countries affairs, and are actually respected abroad. It is safe to walk the streets anywhere, and guns are illegal. Need I go on?
While you have good points, I have to point out that guns are not illegal. You can own rifles, shotguns, handguns, all sorts of guns. The difference is you can't use them to protect your property or for self defense. Many of them can only be used at a shooting range. They are merely for sport. Some Americans may find that ridiculous, but not using guns in that way also greatly reduces the chance that you'd need to use one in that way. Not having guns around keeps gun crime very low.
Martina do have a tendency for female?
Robin Williams once gave a very good description of the Canada/US relationship. "Canada is like a nice family living above a biker bar". He was right based on some of the comments posted here.
Its a shame the article didn't mention the issue of Newfoundland (where I am from). Its not the first time Canada would have developed a closer economic relationship with a country that has defaulted on its debt. Newfoundland, Canada's newest province (1949) has the distinction (sort of) of being the only independent country to ever lose is sovereignty because it could not pay its debts. It joined Canada given the choice between a Britain that did not want its oldest colony back (it was pretty broke itself after WWII) and a wealthy Canada that had come out of the war fairly unscathed at least in terms of its infrastructure. Iceland may well watch itself. There is certainly precedent.
There are plenty of countries that have lost their independence because of their debt. American example, though anyone from this state will disagree with you = Texas. Texas joined the U.S. because of their debt from the the Tex-Mex War. Its not unheard of in the past, but with how governments and international dialogue works now. Unlikely similar events will occur today when the word is "Independence" and the answer is "bailout".
CANADA = USA made in China
Possibly a problem with your interpersonal skills?
haha very weak moose head.
YESSSS!!! Now Canadians can have a thriving relationship with a country that has a warmer climate than we do – a new vacation paradise!
Oh yeah, let's all get there for vacation, and the asians women are so beautiful.
I left Canada for USA. Why? cause they only hire white French Canadians, white English Canadians, and white immigrants from Europe. Non whites are left with low paying, lousy jobs if they can even get those. There is racism in all countries but at least when it comes to making a living, no country beats USA. USA rewards education, talent, and hard work. Goodbye Canada. I will visit you but never move back.
buddy, I can't tell you how many non-white foreigners I've met that have found success in Canada, with or without education. It's all how YOU are, not the Country. You just labeled a whole Country. Where are you from, by the way..?
ex-canadian has a point, I to witnessed the all to familiar favoritism towards white-canadains and there white european counterparts. It's very difficult for a non-white person to be treated with the same respect as white person. The main reason is that there are very few high paying jobs and god forbid if one of those went to a non-white canadian!
I now live in the USA where non of this exists, it may exist at higher levels of the food chain like politics etc, but for the average person like me it doesn't matter. There are ample jobs to go around and as long as you are qualified for it the opportunities america provides are endless. Only in america can a black man become president of their country or become the top engineer or CEO of a top company. Please provide me with examples of high paying or high profile jobs such as CEO's etc, within corporate Canada that are claimed by a non-white...anyone?.....
Prime example for you is Nadir Mohamed, the president and COO of Rogers, the company that now owns Maple Sports And Entertainment as well as the Toronto Blue Jays.
Very true. Although it's not whites vs. non-whites. I'm white but I had the same problems because I'm not from one of the Western countries. YOu have probably heard that saying in Canada. "It's not what you know but who you know." As a result, a lot of people in Canada occupy positions they are not qualified for. Cronyism breeds incompetence.
In the US, it is the opposite. It's what you know and what you can do that really matters, especially on the West Coast. No "connections" will help you if you are incompetent. That is why people, who are willing to work hard and learn, become successful here.
I left Canada because good jobs only go to French Canadians, English Canadians, and Europeans. Immigrants (non white) are left with low paying lousy jobs if they can even get that.
I love my new country USA that has prospered me beyond imagination.
I totally Agree with you. i lived in America for 14 years now i moved to Montreal Canada and it sucks so much racism in jobs. French Canadians are always favored. I have 4 years experience in America plus an MBA from a very good school in America and i was only offered a crappy job.
STOP going to Montreal and Quebec they are bad examples. Most other areas in Canada dont give a rats ass about race
You guys went to Quebec...that's your first problem. Nobody likes Quebec....most Canadians don't even like Quebec. Im in Vancouver. Vancouver is pretty great. I work at a very nice restaurant and I can tell you the clientele is very well mixed. In fact Vancouver is one of those places where white people are in a minority. Montreal is nice to look at and all...but Quebec...ick.
The office of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has reportedly responded to Iceland's desire to adopt the Canadian Dollar. He has attached five simple conditions:
1. A 12-Canadian minimum for its national hockey team (if it has one)
2. "Extreme market penetration" of Molson and Labatt beer
3. Öræfajökull volcano to be fitted with Canadian "volcano vent" turbine power plant
4. Mandatory implementation of Canadian English in all schools
5. Immediate, permanent ban on the artist known as "Bjork."
Am a Canadian living in the US for over ten years.
Certainly Canada will not become a super-power. We are likley to become more self-sufficient as time goes forward.
It has been our history to be under the wing of larger more power empires (British now US) and we are now just starting out with our own legs. The world doesn't know who we are yet but our oil will perhaps finally put us on the map.
This article is for Americans like Burnett to 'get their egos off on'. They see Canada the same way Russia saw Romania during the USSR – just a territory that they dominate. They enjoy the feeling of power – thats what life is all about to them. They are in a different league as a nation and they don't like others stealing attention from them (ie. narcassistic). Don't fret – they have had their little jab at us – we really can't do anything about it – they go away feeling confident in their over-whelming power again.
My experience in Canada was mostly working for companies that were foreign owned (and mostly American at that). Our major industries are already predominantly American owned – they are the bosses in many places in Canada already. We are there to make those bosses and other American shareholders richer. Outside of our government employess that are free of foreign corporate bosses we are mostly working towards those ends whether we like it or not.
Such is life – we are the little guy – we are the underdog. And frankly many of us pride ourselves on that. Americans can't really understand us from that perspective – they have their own legacies and psychological burdens to carry (ie they need to be heros). Our nation is sitting on the second largest proven oil reserves in the world. Americans will do what they can to control those assests (as they have done so far) – and the 'liberals' in the US that don't want the pipe-line until they have found a way to maximize their control and profits over the oil. It would be nice to see Canada open up a pipeline with China. It would allow Canada to stand more on its own (as opposed to being just an outpost of Britain or the US).
But with change comes a little fear. And a little of the sarcasism in Burnett is based around that – The US likes it the way it is in the world right now. They are on top. They like the feeling of superiority – they like viewing Canada as pehaps that they do Mexico, or any other nation that is just a blip on their radar, or a bug on their windshield. Canada will never be as big or powerful as the US that is certain. We might someday be respected as a country on our own though. Hopefully we can still be friends when that day comes.
Hockey! that's what makes us the super power
Oh Erin...you're devious..just to set things right...Great Britain,USA,Canada,Australia and New Zealand...we all share the same last names and speak Anglo-Saxon English. Somebody drew a line in the sand once and split us up but in the end we're brothers and sisters of the same parents.Over the years the mosaic has been enriched by different last living side by side with us. The U.S. and Canada are permanently connected at the hip and that will never change.If Iceland wishes to join the family, so be it..welcome aboard!
Go Canada!!!!!!
How about this for a foreign policy plan. We drop Puerto Rico as a Commonwealth and annex Canada.
will you be contributing in the fight? or just another arm chair guy?
You tried that in 1812 and we burnt your White House.
What we need is more co-operation. We are entering a new era in technology and new energy. We all should take the time to consider how co-operation is essential for humanity to discover new ways for all of us to benefit. It is more important to share ideas than share a common currency.
But but I don't want to be a super power. Just want to be happy and healthy. Let the yanks police the globe if they want. We can give them wood, water and a good "atta boy".
Canada may not become a super power but Canada has everything to be much stronger and the US don't have to be worried at all, historically we are more than good neighbour, we are friends. The US should have go with the pipeline yesterday so, hurry up guys and God bless America.
Canada would require their own warm port before they could take super power status.
Um, Big Bird, ever looked at a map? Vancouver is one of the world's largest ports.
One thing to remember is that Halifax was the most important port in both WWI and WWII. Without the deep water, year round port faciliities to keep England supplied during the early years of both wars (when the US was not involved), all of Europe would likely be speaking German right now. So, your comment about ports is inaccurate at best.
By the end of WWII, Canada had the fourth largest navy in the world.
As to the article, Canada has no desire to be a world superpower. I don't think any significant number of Canadians would want to see us as a military force engaged in continuous wars over resources like the US has been in the last 120 years or so. We invented the Peacekeeping concept carried out by the UN, but our military has mostly been small scale because we tend to keep the military budget low unless we are in a war.
Americans like to laugh at us though – this article is a typical example. As a result many Canadians are kind of brusk with Americans as a whole – we don't like being laughed at, but with only 1/10th the population there is little we can do about it. I *love* the Robin Williams quote someone posted, its brilliant.
No, I think we should keep doing oil business with Saudi Arabia. You know, the country that just beheaded a woman for witchcraft.
As a Canadian I am thankful for our American friends to the south. We have had our moments of adversity but mostly we have worked together achieving great things. We have won WW1 and WW2 together, fought in some wars together while developing a deep respect for each other in the process. Where canada is and always will be a superpower is in that it has America's ear. We are now going in to the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812, the last conflict between our great nations. Thru that conflict and working together into the future our relationship has become the envy of the world.
To my neighbors in NY, VT, NH, and ME. I want to know why you think we are rude people?
We love Canadians. Especially Mike Holmes and crew. If this election get any weirder, you might pick up a few provinces soon...
Hugs from Vermont.
Vermount, most Canadians love Americans, as well other than most arrogant French, people that should break away from Canada, they threaten too but will not because they will not survive. Also, Vermount....Thank you so much for your mighty military that protects Canada, most of my fellow canucks are not inteligent enough to figure out that we are hiding behind that Awesome military machine and are not doing our share to keep North America safe, not because we can not but, our tiny but per capita Awesome Brave men and women do not have the tools to do so. Again, Thank you for your brave men and women doing their job in the mighty US military! as Canadians most of us that can figure this out and are willing to admidt it, WE salute you! God Bless!
Where are you from? Canada? We love you, you aren't generally rude at all. Quebec in particular? Not rude, but I bet you can't drive. Massachusetts? Well, that's because you are...
Honestly, because we know you. The rest of america may not, but we do. We see canadians on a day to day basis. Let me stipulate, not canadians.. People from Southern Ontario. I grew up in WNY and its an awful place, I am well aware of that. However, people from Southern Ontario love to throw that in our face, tell us how bad we are, how great they are, etc..
Yes people from Southern Ontario or at least the GTA are incredibly arrogant.
You'll have to forgive our brethren in Leaf Nation...they've not had any reason to be cheery since 1967.
Should the U.S. be worried about another global superpower? I vote no, so long as the superpower is led by some form of democratic government. In my 19 years on the planet, the death of international American supremacy has been forecast as a dark time on the horizon. Personally, I tend to believe that we are finally seeing economic convergence as a consequence of globalism. Firstly, I note globalization as a more positive than negative force in world growth and subsequent development. While there are innumerable cases of globalization being ultimately a negative world force (just google "Nestlé Scandal" for a powerful look at downside of multinational corporations) there have been, significantly, no examples of successful development without trade and global integration–just look at the Four Tigers. Secondly, if we are really to credit convergence to the rise of other world superpowers, isn't that what the U.S. fundamentally stands for? If the United States fears the success of our close friends, say Canada, we really look hypocritical as we also work to defend democracy far beyond our shores. Articles like this scream out to growing and developing nations, "we want you to be successful, just not TOO successful." I hope that in my lifetime I get to see a thriving world economy in which every individual across the globe has the same chance for economic and personal prosperity.
Lived in America for 14 years in Charlotte, NC. now it's been almost 3 years that i live in Montreal sorry but i have to say this. Canada is nowhere close to America in many ways, i have seen the wrost racism here in Canada than in the south because i was born in Morocco. people are weired a lot of bums and homeless people. highly qualified foreigners are offered only crappy jobs in Call Centers and kept away from good jobs.
try to get a decent treatment in a hospital; 1 and half years wait time for a hernia sergery...
i would expect Canadians to pay less in pump becuas they're a major exporter of oil however they have been paying over $5/galon for a while
people are away less patriotic than Americans no sense of belonging
if canada was so great why there are tons of them in America trying to get work visas?? i worked as in engineer in charlotte and i personaly knew several Canadians at a personal level.
Canadia has a longway to go they need a Tea Party to save them. their Gov is BIG it gets involved in everything.
What you're saying is the Canadian system will make you wait over a year for what is probably an unnecessary surgery. The view of hernia treatment has changed not just in Canada but in every other country with publically funded systems. While in the past its cut first, ask questions later, it is widely accepted that most hernias do not need surgery. Your doctor has put you on 'watch and see how it develops' list. Now you are inconvenienced but that's the sort of logic which means our spending on healthcare despite providing universal coverage is still lower than that of the US on a per capita basis. If you were in NC, yes you'd get your surgery straight away. Probably an unnecessary and expensive and risky surgery because all surgeries are. And those costs would be passed on to all the other policy holders. That is why the US model doesn't work.
I find your arrogance quite shocking really. You seem to expect to rock up and have the word handed to you on a plate the minute you land at the airport. I would wonder why if you were so thrilled to be in the US you ever considered leaving. Maybe it is best that you do consider returning. Everyone deserves to happy and you don't seem to have much to offer the country to be honest.
Canada..America's hat..
America= where Canadians go to buy cheap houses (foreclosures).
For Canada to become a super power would require a redefinition of the word for sure but seeing as how poorly equating super-power status with military might has worked out for several countries would this be a bad thing? Canada has an extremely well regulated banking system that other countries should be learning from. Canada has a decent education system and a social safety net. I write this from a computer in a hospital I have spent three weeks in now. In the US I would be bankrupt with the sort of health I have had.
Canadians as a whole have no desire to be the kind of super power the US has been. We have despite the jibes of some Americans in this thread pulled more than our weight in all sorts of world conflicts including mopping up and rebuilding in some of the latest war zones. We have the reputation we do as Peace Keepers because we don't think it is up to us to dictate to other countries what sorts of governments they should have or to make insane leaps of logic about what another country is up to. Despite that we have stood by our American allies as you opted to fight the wars that have ruined your country economically.
Canada is a stable country politically without the extremes we see in the US. When I watched the first set of the Republican debates I actually thought I was watching political satire. I triple checked that I wasn't on the comedy channel.
If Iceland adopts our currency good for Iceland and probably good for Canada as an arctic nation. It won't make us a super power but it will likely put us on even better footing as an economic power. I don't need my country to be the next US. In fact I would move back to Denmark if it started looking like it was trying to. I will settle for a relatively safe, stable country where I am well looked after by courteous people.
Like we always say at the secret meetings when we talk about America behind her back, "never underestimate the value of being underestimated".
We don't want to be a superpower. You have fun with that while we continue to run the world unnoticed like we always have.
I'm a Canadian. I went to New York a couple of years ago. They all thought that Canada was Quebec (only). They all were amazed that we could speak English so well (they thought all Canadians spoke French only). Anyway, we explained that we were from Western Canada, where we spoke English. However... I just want to add that EVERY person we met in New York was super nice, and the city around us (Manhattan) was totally safe. We rode the subway system to get to Flushing Meadows... everyone was respectful and pleasant on the subway. Tons of cops everywhere (which we liked, they were nice too). To all Canadians... Make a trip to New York! Visit the "Smith & Walenski" steak house! OMG good food there. Tons of sushi places, Italian, China town in New York is very small tho. Still... we found good food there too.
"God Bless America, but God help Canada to put up with them!"
More like "God bless America" and the military protection it lavishes on Canada.
Protect Canada from what? Who is going to invade us? I'm tired of hearing this protect Canada crap. There is no need for ANY large army. Its all part of this military industrial garbage to keep corporations and banks fat with cash......
AMERICAN INVENTIONS-ARTIFICIAL HEART, POLIO VACCINE, SKYSCRAPERS, ANESTHESIA, THE ATM, MICROWAVE OVEN, THE MOTION PICTURE, MRI, TELEPHONE, SPLIT THE ATOM/NUCLEAR POWER, MODERN AVIONICS, AUTOMOBILE, ASSEMBLY LINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, PERSONAL COMPUTER, GPS, INTERNET, AND OH, WE LANDED A MORE THAN A FEW MEN ON THE MOON. NOT TO MENTION PRE-EMINENT MILITARY TECHNOLOGY AND SOFT POWER CULTURAL PREVALENCE AROUND THE WORLD.
OH, AND THE DOLLAR AS THE WORLD-WIDE RESERVE CURRENCY (NOT JUST PEONIC ICELAND)!
ASK THE AVERAGE BRIT OR CHINESE WHAT THEY ASSOCIATE CANADA AND THEN THE US WITH. I MEAN, IS THERE SUCH THING AS A CANADIAN CUISINE? TRUE GLOBAL CULTURAL ICONS? WORLD CHANGING INVENTION?
NOW, TO BE FAIR, I WILL GRANT BASKETBALL AND MAPLE SYRUP TO CANADA. BUT THESE AND SELF-LAUDATORY "PROGRESSIVISM", GOOFY POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, EXTREME POLITENESS AND GAUCHE PENCHANT FOR EVERYTHING FRENCH AND THE QUEEN IN TOTALITY DON'T EVEN REMOTELY COMPARE TO THE GAME CHANGING SHAPE THE WORLD HAS BECOME BECAUSE OF THE US.
SO, YOU WERE SAYING OF THE CANADIAN SUPERPOWER?
THE US COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT CANADA BUT CANADA COULD NOT WITHOUT THE US.
THESE ARE HARD FACTS. DEAL WITH YOUR INFERIORITY COMPLEX, CANADIANS!
We as Canadians have made huge contributions to the world. But we have also done so with humility and respect. We don't write long-winded rants in capital letters and bully and belittle others. The US has become a true empire, but if you were able to look past your ego and ignorance you might remember that every great empire has fallen, and usually because of its own stupidity (Rome,British,Mongolian,Russian). Canada has no intent nor desire to be a 'super-power' and our way of life, our people, and our culture will survive because of it. The USA does need us, its called Oil. We have it and you don't PERIOD.
Oh and a couple things you might not have learned in your textbooks (no surprise there... The United States is currently 18th among the 36 industrialized nations in education...Canada is 3rd)
Canadian Inventions,innovations, and discoveries (Ohhh look i can write a long list too!!!!):
Electron microscope – The University of Toronto, Electric wheelchair – George J. Klein, Cystic fibrosis gene – Lap-Chee Tsui, Basketball – Dr. James A. Naismith, Five-pin bowling – Thomas E. Ryan, IMAX – Grahame Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, and Robert Kerr, Insulin – Frederick Banting, Jolly jumper – Olivia Poole, Kerosene – Dr. Abraham Gesner, Pacemaker – Wilfred Bigelow, Paint roller – Norman Breakey, Panoramic camera – John Cannon, Standard time – Sandford Fleming, Speed of sound – Dr. George Wong, Velcro – George de Mestra, Walkie-Talkie – Donald L. Hings, Zipper – Gideon Sundback, Oh ya and Smarties! mmm I like the Red ones!
Of course, you will never fall. You have to reach some heights before you can fall from them. Let me guess. Those people you mentioned invented the electric wheal-chair etc. while working in the States. Because Canada has no money for research and it doesn't not reward creativity.
The Telephone was invented in Canada Brantford, Ontario to be exact.
You sound like you want Canada to fail. All Caps? Really? Just another redneck. Buddy please go to school.
Chris M....... First, most of those inventions you note were indeed invented by foreign Americans. Second, most Brit tourists I've me here have terrible things to say about their visits to your country. Third, Superpower is an old, outdated and useless term. The Cold War was a way for politicians and big business to spend your tax dollars on weaponry and getting rich.
Culture? What? Is there any culture at all in North America except for those First Nations people? Buying iPads and surfing the net is not culture. Typing BS in all caps is not culture. hahaha Canada has always been the little Cousin of the U.S.? Did you forget that we all came here together? Did you forget that we joined both WW before the US? That your people travel up here secretly for health care. That 99 % of Canadians struggle to think of something they care less about than American influence. How about Brazil? One day India and Brazil will be vastly more wealthy than both our Countries. Do you have your Brazil bashing speech ready yet? You sound like such a little man. Superpower hahaha. The article is a joke. You knew that, right?
Well, you are right about that. "Foreign" Americans invented a lot of stuff. In fact, one of Google co-founders is Russian. That is because in the US, they were given the opportunities to apply their knowledge. No matter if they spoke with an accent or what their skin color was, as long as they had skills and intelligence. And have you ever wondered why so many of Canadian actors live here in the States. Because they would have never made it in Canada. As far as British people go, when have they ever had anything good to say about anybody?
Way to perpetuate the stereotype of the loud, stupid American.
I often come to the defense of the US, but you're the reason that the world thinks you're all pompous idiots.
Regarding your last statement, actually, Canada could make do without the us' supposed military protection. The US could not however, make do without water, oil, uranium, electricity, natural gas, building materials, and many other daily essentials. Without Canada's help, the US would come to a screeching halt.
We don't need you guys as a trading partner. There are plenty of others in line to buy all of the main exports you consume. Small business would suffer if their access to the US market was shut off, but it would by no means be a death blow to our economy.
If America stopped trading with us, there would be a shortage of cocaine and Illegally obtained handguns (handguns aren't illegal here, you just can't bring your glock to the supermarket.)
Oh, I guess TV would really suck if it weren't for you guys though.
The truth is that the reason Canada is a blessed country is because we have such good neighbours, yeah that's you Americans. Your freedoms and mistakes have helped bless us to not repeat your mistakes like for profit health care, little to no social safety net, and bi polar politics. Your freedoms have inspired us to be well much like you except for the previous mistakes mentioned from my Canadian perspective. Our National Population is smaller (33million) than yours at (300million) so it is far easier to manage. America will always be a super power and well in Canada we enjoy being a middle power indefinitely. Media stories like this are a real problem because they are only sound bites of infotainment that serve to do nothing but to momentarily keep your attention and channel turned on to the media companies who use them.
I think I saw this episode of South Park.
II was born in Canada and came to the US in 1964 I hold dual citizenship, I love really love Canada but I really love living in the US, I haven't shovelled a drive way in over 50 years, yeah I say that things are a bit screwy here are they always have. Has anyone ever thought what the world would have been if there was no US.(Not including the GW era none of us like that time) We would all be speaking either German or Russian. Not that I have a problem with those countries today. I fell that the US and Canada are bonded by their commitment to each other. Canadians are not bad or good and neither are Americans, admit it we all have are group of nuts. Believe me each country has it's fringe groups. The US and Canada are the two largest trading partners we both benefit each other. The only problem I find is who was the nut that drew the boarder between the US and Canada it should have gone north and south...
What do I think of the USA's Northern Neighbor? O, Canada, give me half a chance, and I'll stand guard for thee. Go Great White North!
No matter where you live, your from this planet, and that's one thing you'll never change. So stop seeing nations,cultures,religion and etc . Enjoy life and stop getting stressed by every comment or article about who's d*ck is bigger.
TOTALLY AGREED!!!!!
Canada rocks!
Maple Syrop
Hockey
Everyone seeming to get along, eh
No racial divide
Cool, and I mean that literally as well
Cute ponpons for girls
Snowmen
You could go to Montreal and feel like your in Europe
Good beer
What more could you ask for, eh?
Lots of smug self-righteous Canadians boasting here about how inclusive and fair minded Canadians are. Well guess what, Canadians can be just as bigoted as anyone, anywhere. I was born and raised there and have heard the kitchen table garbage that comes out of their mouths about Americans.
One of their favorite all time TV show was about this smart assed gay guy going around doing fake interviews with Americans and in the end, ridiculing them. "Talking To Americans"
I'm sure there are clips on Youtube. Look them up and see what your Canadian neighbors think of you!
Superpower can be only one, or two. The U.S. definitely, China possibly, Canada unlikely. - Lets not forget a rising power: Brazil, with 200 million consumers and by now the 5th largest economy. India is there too, and even Mexico, the always criticized neighbor, has a larger economy than Canada.
Canadians have the biggest inferiority complex of any humans on the planet. Seriously, it's like each one of them has a 2 inch pennis and drives a Corvette. And finally, If it weren't for America, you would all be French or Russian. Maybe that is why you are all so insecure.
Don't dis the Canadian, they torched the White House once already and now they want to aim a pipeline at the US.
Yes... We will take over your foolish countries, slowly but surely.. One day, you will wake up in your igloo, have a cup of maple syrup, feed your pet beaver, and ride the polar bear to work...
And you will never suspect a thing.
I love my pet beaver!
Last time I came out of my igloo which was tonight, a Chevy and a Hyundai passed by. And you Mitch, I suspect that when you got out of your MUD HUT, a few Apache ran after you claiming your scalp. Tell me...what did you do?
Yeah, Eh, that was the British, since canadians were not even present during the war of 1812........learn your history before you decide to educate the masses, you most be a Canadian history teacher.
Canada already is a superpower eh! Look at our navy. Much like the US we have a two ocean navy! Half our fleet is on the atlantic and the other boat on the pacific
hmmmm....uh wasn't that the british? Wow Brian has got to be the first most patriotic Canadian I've read, thought all Canadians were above that more than Americans. Anyway the argument itself is stupid it's a matter of numbers and effiency. Canada will never be a Superpower in the next oh 100 years unless there is a huge mass migration but that's because they have around 30 million people, so even if they were 3 times as efficient as Americans their economy would only be less than a third of America's. Who really cares when each person's quality of life is higher although economic power and influence overall will be less. China will be the next to challenge America which won't overtake but will counter-balance the U.S. along with several other countries which is good for the world.
Who wants to be a super power anyway? I can't believe Americans are still trapped in this Cold War mentality – the us v. them mentality.
Some things to ponder- facts that make interesting contrasts between Canada and USA.;
Toronto, Canada, the 5th most populated city in North America (that includes the USA of course), with a population of 5.5 million residents had only 45 murders in 2011! Similar to other major metropolitan Canadian cities.
Handguns are illegal in Canada, US citizens own 25Xs more guns than Canadian Citizens, per capita.
In Canada, only 0.38% of all mortgages are in arrears – foreclosures are estimated at 0.25% – no sub-prime debacle.
Canadian house prices are higher than the pre-recession highs by 10%.
Canada was the fourth country in the world to recognize gay marriages – first non-European country.
Canada permits safe injection sites for drug addicts to inject themselves with illegal drugs under care of nurses.
Life expectancy for both men and women is longer is Canada than the USA.
Canada has the 3nd highest integration of immigrants in the world, USA ranked 9th.
The Canadian government can suspend individual rights and freedoms for : peace, order and good government – individual rights are important but not paramount.
3 of the top 10 most livable cities in the world are in Canada, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, non of the top 10 are in the USA. The Highest rated US city was Honolulu at 26th.
Canada is rated as having the best banking system in the world.
Health care spending in Canada is 10.9% of GDP, 3.4 hospital beds per 100,000, USA Health Care Spending is 16.2% of GDP with 3.1 Hospital Beds per 100,000.
First Muslim Mayor of major North American city was elected in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 2010.
Christians in Canada opened their churches to Muslims to celebrate during Ramadan, as the mosques did not have enough space for worshipers.
?
handguns aren't illegal here..lol They are just well regulated. I have about 6 of them, and a dozen or so rifles. I only wish we had a well articulated 2nd amendment like the USA
I concede the point! Illegal is pretty close if you don't have all your permit!, I was in the USA, borrowed a friends car, looked for a road map and a loaded handgun fell out of the glove box! Highly regulated or illegal – at very least we don't drive around with them in our car convenience trays!
I recommend better friends as a crucial first step...
you're painting us with quite a broad brush, I think. I'm 62 and have never owned a gun of any sort. Nor do any of my friends. Or adult children. I feel most of us fall in that category, but the gun nuts here are extremely vocal and supported by the industry. Therein lies the problem. The only weapon falling out of my car's glove box is a Swiss army knife.
I agree. The US second amendment, is a strong symbol of the power held in the hands of the people instead of the government. I love my country, but Americans do seem to have a greater grasp on the concept of freedom and are willing to accept whatever the costs of that freedom are. Too many of my fellow Canadians are addicted to their "safety net"
Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary??? Been to all 3 cities and yes there great places, but nothing beats living in Montreal!
I live in Toronto but I used to travel a lot to Montreal on business and it is indeed a great city. People work to live. They don't live to work like many in Toronto, New York and other cities.
I'm only reporting on the Economists conclusions, I've been to Montreal too, and I think all Canadians should go – it would end all the discussion about the distinct society – it is distinct and should remain so – its a very special part of Canada! All Canadians should at least visit the Maritime's too.
I live in the Maritimes and I agree everyone should come here at least once in their lifetime! It is truly Canada's hidden gem! 🙂
Hey, Been to the USA, facts, evidence, logic, reason, education, etc. don't matter to the twits who like to bash Canada.
I would have expected more response to the first point and the last point – those are both fascinating insights into Canadians and very different from Americans – it shows a different point of view on the world.
The other fascinating difference is you could drive down any major street in Canada and not know what country you are in – whereas if you drive 2 blocks in any American town city or village, you will have seen 17+ American flags – yet Canadians are no less patriot. Weird.
Been to the USA,
I assume you live in Montreal? Don't assume that Quebec serves as a proxy for how the rest of Canada displays its patriotism. I live in British Columbia and there are Canadian flags EVERYWHERE. On homes, on cars, on lamp posts, etc. You most certainly DO notice which country you're in when in English Canada (I have British, Australian, and even American friends who will attest to this).
Nope, I'm your next door neighbour – no flags in Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon! I like our flag, would love to see it more often, but don't.
Odd.
Canadian flag is EVERYWHERE in BC. And in Ontario too (in fact, a town just outside of Toronto has drawn up plans to erect the highest flag pole and biggest flag in North America). You can read about it online.
Highly doubt there are "no flags" in Alta or Sask. Bit of a stretch I'm assuming.
I wish more Canadians would fly the flag. I think it speaks volumes about the indoctrination our kids are getting in our "education" system, that pride in our country, or patriotism are deemed to be archaic.
Depends where you go in the States too! There are without a doubt more Canadian flags here in BC than American flags in Hawaii. Trust me. Many school districts in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, etc, begin their day with the singing of O Canada. I think it's an old stereotype to assume Canadians aren't visually patriotic. This is probably the most patriotic thing I've ever seen - and it don't come from no Americans. LOL http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-559303/Pictures-shame-reveal-shabby-way-Britain-treats-fallen-heroes.html
Handguns are illegal in Canada? Hardly. I'm Canadian, and I legally own three.
And home prices are just going to keep soaring into the stratosphere. The avg price of a home in some parts of Canada is already close to $1million.
"Canada has the 3nd highest integration of immigrants in the world, USA ranked 9th."
Canada's immigration laws are based on a score that takes into account education, language skills, professional skills etc.
America's immigration policy is based on being able to out run a border guard.
The average immigrant entering Canada has gone slightly passed a bachelor's degree.
The average immigrant to the US never went to middle school.
I have used Canada's immigration policies as a model for what the US should use for our immigration policy. Unfortunately, when an American recommends reading, writing and speaking English would add points to the total, we are called racist.
The measure is a reflection of how well the new immigrant integrates into the life of the new country – it considers anti-discrimination laws, ability to reunite with family, education and employment opportunities, the new immigrants opportunity to live a dignified, life with the same socioeconomic opportunities as citizens. This does not reflect policies relating to the acceptance of immigrants – but from so many new immigrants to Canada, I have heard, how little discrimination, prejudice or racism they face, especially those from middle eastern countries.
The proportion of immigrants that are illegal in the US makes a huge difference. Illegal immigrants have minimal contact with the population at large. Political opportunists use any new immigration law to spread fear and mistrust amongst legal immigrants. Employers are concerned about hiring immigrants, for fear that they can caught with illegal employees. And so on. It is a huge mess.
What has made a mess of many things in the US is republican democracy. Canada is a parliamentary democracy.
In a republican democracy small political parties have essentially no voice. Ultimately, they fall by the wayside. It will always degrade into a two party system. Then to get elected, the two parties will drift toward the center. Fewer ideas are brought forward for consideration.
If you belong to a party that has the support of 10% of the population, in a parliamentary democracy your party has ~10% of the votes in parliament. On the other hand, that party will have 0% representation in a republican democracy.
" 45 murders in Toronto " that number was produced by Stats Canada....they consider drug related crime as a health issue and not a crime..therefore they do not include those murders in their numbers....I wish I could make this stuff-up
It is only my opinion that any country finding themselves in the economic situation that the US is in, should NOT be calling themselves "Super" or Powerful".
The US consumes more oil than any other country on the planet, roughly 19 Million barrels per day, which is DOUBLE the next in line (China). The US produces roughly 9.5 Million barrels per day ...uses 19 Million, produces 9 Million... hmmm the math doesn't seem quite right.
So ...where does the US get the extra oil they consume to survive?
It is Canada that the US is most dependent on for providing oil exports to them. Not Saudi Arabia and not he Arab League. Canada supplies double what Saudi Arabia exports to the US.
The top three countries in the world for proven oil reserves are Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Canada. Each of these three countries has reserves of over 175 Billion Barrels. The US comes in at 15th place with reserves of less than 20 Billion Barrels.
Perhaps all of the US citizens who feel much more "Superior" and "Powerful" than everyone else on the planet should stop for a moment and realize that you DO NOT exist without the aid of the world and when it comes to oil and petroleum, statistics speak for themselves
Open your eyes and stop being the bullies that the rest of the world has come to see you as; it's no wonder. If all you've got are shots at igloos and beer, maybe it's time to grow up a little ....eh?
I like this guy. We also beat the States in education, healthcare, banking, social security, and quality of living
This topic is not only implausible, but absolutely absurd. Canada suspends individual rights and accepts gay marriage, therefore it is a superpower. Laughable to the extreme.
Truth is, Canada has always and always will be a little ingrate cousin to the north who lavishes its population with niceties, politically correct dogma and social welfare benefits at the expense of... THE USA. Yes, Canada enjoys a peace dividend, thus can afford such utopian aspirations, BECAUSE IT enjoys military protection of the US. Think about it, would it have survived Nazi germany, Soviet Russia, et. al without the US? Sure,it has a tiny NATO conventional force contingent, but slumbers peacefully only because it knows Uncle sam will use nukes to defend it.
Ahem...
Fact check...if it had not been for Canada keeping England supplied from 1939 – 1942, there would not have been a war in Europe for the US to join after Pearl Harbour. Canada had its own beach on D-Day and we fought the most decisive battles in 1918 to end the first world war. We have a proud military history. We just don't see the need to try to police the world.
Canada will always be The US' little cousin to the north. Ottawa lavishes its population with utopian idealism and generous social welfare benefits because it has a permanent peace dividend. That is, it sleeps peacefully at night under the protection of Uncle Sam and the US military. The US would use nukes in the defense of Canada only because it is contiguous, not because it accepts gay marriage, is politically correct to a fault or self-congratulates because it resettled half of Karachi in Toronto.
So, enjoy it Canada, but remember who's footing the bill, and its not the Queen.
Chris..... no, we sleep peacefully at night because we know we have no worries of being attacked. We have not meddled in the affairs of every other country. The only fear we may have is of the mistakes our southern neighbours will make. And as far as trying to possibly annex us, (from other comments) how much of the world do you think would be on our side? Most, I say.
Sure, Toronto had a much less than average year with its murder rate. But look west to Edmonton, a city of 800,000 people, where in 2011 it recorded 46 murders.
thhese are reasons why canada is better...god half the reasons are why I dont like it here!!!
If you don't like it here then leave. Don't like having public health care or a safe living enviroment or being able to be who you want where you want when you want, then gladly leave and dont let the moose hit you on the way out.
I agree with you, although in fairness Been to the USA didn't say they were all reasons Canada was better; they're just differences.
Informaitonal, first muslim mayor, I like it
Our stats would be similar if we could only jettison republicans to the moon base planned by newt gingrich.
Forget about Canada!!! BRAZIL has overtaken Britain as the 6th largest economy, yesterday, according to the London based Centre for Economic and Business research (CEBR). It's economy grew 7.5% last year, and is projected to overtake France in 2015, and Germany in 2020.
I am a brazilian-born canadian . .so I could not be in a more comfortable position. The US is gone .. no doubt .. the next superpower will not be measured in terms of military power but rather intelligence, health care and housing to everyone and amazing quality of life for its own citizens. Well .. as you can see.. the US is way off here ...
Really? Canada a superpower with the military strength comparable to Portugal? Overtaking the US $15 trillion economy and strongest military power in the history of the world, because, it accepts gay marriage?
Come on, get real. CANADA EXISTS ONLY BECAUSE OF PROTECTION OF THE US MILITARY/NUCLEAR DEFENSE SHIELD. WITH NO US, CANADA WOULD LONG AGO HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED BY NAZI GERMANY OR THE SOVIET UNION.
INGRATES!
Wow, couldn't agree more!
Brazi;'s not doing too hot at the moment. Might even lose "BRIC" status (Canada's growing faster): http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/breaking-views/brazils-slowing-growth-from-bric-to-brick/article2363240/
Andrea, Brazil may have a larger overall economy (because of its population) but GDP per capita is what really matters. Canada's GDP per capita (nominal) of $51,200 is significantly higher than Brazil's of $12,900. Incidentally, Canada's GDP per capita is also higher than the United States' of $48,150.
Brazil is not growing very fast at all. In fact, it migh even lose its "BRIC" status. Canada is growing faster (and has a substantially higher GDP per capita): http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/breaking-views/brazils-slowing-growth-from-bric-to-brick/article2363240/
Of course the US won't stay dominant forever, I doubt that Canada will take its place. Canada is, however, very important in our role as the world's superpower: Canada is our biggest trading partner and our largest supplier of oil.
I can't say I'm surprised that many Americans have nothing good to say about us. How would you feel about a nation that dumped Celine Dion and Justin Bieber on you?
Cirque du Soleil shows during last Oscars and Super Bowl were pretty hot.
Who is invading who now ?
unfortunately, most americans do not have anything good to say about anywhere...except the usa...that's all they have ever seen
if we didnt send them to the States, we would have to put up with them here. I do not understand the attraction, but if they're happy there, feel free to stay!
You did not dump them. They left because they are more successful in the States. Btw, I really like Celine Dion. Not everybody likes her songs but no one can deny that she's got a real talent. Feel free to supply more of artists like her because LA does not produce a lot of talent.
Look, if you watched this on TV you must have seen Erin's smirk as she read the story. It's a fluff, humour piece. Erin is making fun of Canada. No need for Americans to get their knickers in a twist at the very idea of uppity Canadians forgetting their place. And Canadians shouldn't rise to the bait.
Correct, Jean, correct. This was bait and many have taken it. Perhaps because Erin knows Canadians rise to it... :>)
I don't think many people take Erin Burnett seriously. Everything about her delivery says "lightweight", but she does have a quick mind and flexible outlook. Even if she doesn't accomplish much in front of the camera, she could still make an impression in print journalism. The Smirky Princess routine gets very old very fast, but that's what editors are for.
We are doing great right now in Canada but let's not get too excited just yet. We still have lots of work to do here at home before we need to be looking for ways to become a "superpower". If Iceland wants to adopt our currency without expecting any kind of monetary say back home in Canada I think it could only benefit both countries. As far as the whole USA vs. Canada thing we all know where things really stand. The USA is SO much larger than us in population and military terms that we will never be on the same level. With that said Canadians will probably continue to enjoy a higher standard of living for many decades due to the fact that we have a lot of natural resources with a low population. Canadians and Americans are closer allies than any other two counties in the world and we need to focus on ways to improve that relationship so both of our people's can benefit.
Cheers from Calgary!
I have nothing against Canada, but right now, they're not to our level. Even then, I, personally, find Americans and Canadians alike to be too patriotic. I've lived near London, Canada and I met some of the nicest, weirdest, f-ed up, and patriotic people there all at once. I've lived near Iowa, and it's the same way there. In the future, Canada will prosper, only to be over-thrown by the Chinese and Indians (all of us will be). However, although I do love both America and Canada alike, seriously... get over yourselves. Citizens of the United States and Canada are simply TOO patriotic. I'm from England, and I've never seen that much craze.
and your point...?
England is a bloody liberal cesspool now! and broke as well... I'd rather live in Detroit, at least gas is cheaper
liberal is not a four letter word here.
Remember your 1812 history?
Just kidding....
We love our southern cousins, even when they know less about us than we do them.
If you want to know how we feel, then Google gordon Sinclair famous essay on it.
Ross
Ross Craig, thanks for the advice. I just watched "The Americans" on YouTube, and you're right, it's how most Canadians do feel about the US. As a Canadian living in the US, I have become much more defensive of my new home, and I get so annoyed when my Canadian and European friends say rude, ignorant comments about the US, and I get even angrier when my American friends say rude, ignorant comments about Canada. If you haven't lived in both countries, then you have no right to insult the other country. They're both great places to live, and I am proud to be a part of both.
well said, my friend.
This whole commenting thread was pretty funny though, overall.
@ Atlanta Canuck: I think perhaps you just dislike ignorance. You don't have to have lived in both countries to be able to comment on them. Looking at the country's basic policies, the things the citizens have a hand in allowing to become said policies, is a pretty good indicator of what a country is like. Having said that, we aren't so happy with Harper up here. Canadians, pretty generally, are more educated about the United States than Americans are about us. It's not the fault of the citizen necessarily, though they are largely to blame, its the combination of media coverage and educational emphasis on learning about other countries that is the problem...in that there is none in the States. Brazil is rising in power at the expense of its rain forests and short-sighted militarization of its cities....something the citizens won't put up with for long. China has exhausted most of its natural resources and must continually rely on heavy polluting forms of energy to sustain itself. What the world saw America do in the last 100 years, China will do in the space of about 20 years....this includes a general descent into oblivion with a circus of idiots running for office and a lousy banking system. With no speculation whatsoever, this is what Canada brings to the table: 2/3 of the world's fresh water, one of the largest reserves of oil, mine-able goods, fisheries, and forests, the strongest banking system, plenty of room for geographical expansion, and a fairly accountable government. We have nowhere to go but up. This is not speculation about my country, it is purely observation.
Midwest Canuck...so I lived overseas also..Australia is so much like the USA...and New Zealand is laid back like Canada..
Was in the mining world..worked with all...everyone has there own opinion which country is better..however I feel more at piece in Canada, Cheers mate
Nope. China is. Canada might have the potential to become an economic superpower, but again, that's only potential.
On a personal note, I love Americans who are educated enough to not ask me whether I live in an igloo, drive a snowmobile, or eat whale blubber for dinner.
so many of you are so ignorant, it's sad and ridiculous. you should be so lucky to be neighbors with Canada. Unfortunately, some of you kind southerners haven't poked your head out of the bubble you live in for quite some time and really made an attempt to understand how important the cross-border relationship really is to both countries. We're clearly not going anywhere, so we'll continue killing you all with kindness!!
and honestly, all this 'Canadians are racist' banter.......i don't even know where to begin telling you how wrong that is. Some of you are simply awful, throwing out entirely false assumptions from your dunce-perch. truly sad.
Send this new super power to deal with Syria.
deal with Syria no way why should we deal with Syria you mean war ok well its natural with you guys your losing treak is not long enough!
Why do you assume any country has to deal with Syria? Did you know that Canada was just as involved as the US and other countries in Libya? You should be really happy your President finally gets this – the US is broke and can't afford these ridiculous international excursions and have to rely on international efforts, which is the way it should be anyway. Heck, your former president Bush invaded Iraq in order to get reelected, and even lied about the premise for invading in the first place.
Canada is the superpower when it comes to nursing an inferiority complex. Advice: Ignore the trolls, they have numbers on their side.
I'm moving to canada..changing countries
superpower like the USA! No thank you we just like be Canadians a good and friendly country loved everywhere in the world.
We've always been a Super Power -we're just modest and humble about it, keepin it on the down low ya know. And yes, Heads up Americans we are Everywhere
stop
Canada has not got a president like we have. Other wise we would have gas at $2.00 a gal.
Gas in Canada costs roughly $6 a gallon (We use litres, with 4.5 litres per gallon, and it cost around $1.30 per litre in major cities). Just saying.
Alexander – there is actually only 3.87 L to one US Gal. It is 4.54 L to one Imperial Gal. Just saying...
That's 3.78 L per US gallon.
Canada next superpower ?? are u kidding me??? canada is the 10th-largest economy in the world, that answer you, 10th, not 1st and soon it will be out of top 10 largest economies, no longer one of the G8 countries. Look at the world billionaires at Forbes, the top 100 billionaires, only 1 canadian. Largest companies in the world, just few canadian companies either, all they have are just natural resources. that's it. You hardly see any canadian company dominate the world, oh wait, they have crackberry!! A phone of the past! You turn on the TV there, they all watching AMERICA TV, their news are also spending more times talking america than their own country.
American education system at its best right there lol. Get ready to welcome your new overlords from the north my Yankee friend.
Well, I must say that we do use spell check a little more often,or, perhaps our education system is just a wee bit better? Grab a dictionary and a clue before you put someone down moron.
WELL MIKE YOU HAVE PROVED WITH YOUR IDIOTIC STATEMENT WHY MOST OF THE WORLD LABEL AMERICANS AS UN EDUCATED ARROGANT BAFOONS. ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT GIVE ALL THE DECENT AMERICANS A BAD NAME.THE LAST I LOOKED IT WAS AMERICAN BANKS THAT ARE CLOSING AND AMERICAN COOPERATION'S CLOSING. WHERE ARE ALL THE AMERICAN MANUFACTURING JOBS GOING. YES AMERICAN GREEDY CORPORATE OWNERS SOLD THEM TO CHINA FOR PROFITS.CANADA HAS A TRIPLE A RATING, WHAT DO YOU HAVE. ID RATHER BE OUT OF THE G12 THAN BE THE BIG BAD POOR COUNTRY WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO SUPPORT THEIR MILITARY OR MORE IMPORTANTLY THEIR OWN CITIZENS. MOST CANADIANS COULDN'T CARE ABOUT WERE WE PLACE WORLD WIDE. WE CARE ABOUT PENSIONS, HEALTH CARE AND A JOB AND BANK TO PUT OUR MONEY IN WITHOUT HAVING IT CLOSE LEAVING US HIGH AND DRY. JUST REMEMBER ALL DICTATORSHIPS HAVE CRASHED IN RUINS AND IF YOUR COUNTRY DOESN'T WAKE UP YOU WILL BE NEXT.
Relax, its truly tough to be Americans these days. The only thing holding them together is a president who’s actually trying, despite the GOP doing everything feasible to bring him down. 20 years ago, a dollar American was $1.47 Canadian. Now, its $0.88. Soon, their hate will overcome and the Republicans will take over. Rush Limbaugh will anoint the next president, and they will, predictably so, get into conflict with Iran. Then the average American will look at Canadians with contempt, wondering why we have it better.
Simple: No enemies, no wars, with credibility, and a healthy sense of humor to deal with the realities of life. We’ve no overwhelming desire for hand guns, a crime rate that pales in comparison to any other industrialized nations in the world, and we genuinely exercise respect and acceptance towards each other. We’re nowhere near perfect, and we do have some things to complain about too. But there’s never been a day when I wished I lived anywhere else but Canada.
To answer the question properly one would first have to define what a superpower is. For example, is the US really a superpower when the education system ranks 30th among countries in the world, and even lower when it comes to accessing basic needs like healthcare? It's one thing to say the US is a military power, but quite another to say it is a superpower when you look at the health f the country generally speaking. And although you point out that Canada does not have large multinationals, relative to its population it does extremely well internationally – on many different levels including economically, in sports and in delivering education and healthcare. Frankly I don't think too many Canadians are worried about being a "superpower" anyway because it makes no difference to us at all. The US seems obsessed with this, and look how costly that perspective has become.
So, having a national health care system (financed because Canadian taxpayers enjoy US military protection and don't have to foot the bill) and self-laudatory pretense of social progressivism a superpower makes?
Well, New Zealand and Norway all meet the above criteria and any sensible person would laugh at the notion of their being a superpower.
Canada provides substandard healthcare to all its citizens, (which is why they come in droves to the US top surgeons and medical technology). It educates its citizens universally (which is why so many value an Ivy league degree over the best Canada offers) and it prides itself on having low gun ownership (which is why Alberta is stocking up).
Canada has the pretense of being unique, but they secretly ask themselves if they are truly American (why almost every TV station is American, they drive only American cars and, with the exception of a few notable words, talk American English, wear American clothes, eat American food and watch American sports teams). And the small Canadian military-all US equipped.
You are truly delusional.
This whole chain of posts has only cemented my belief that, after serving my country in jungles and deserts carrying a machine gun for peace so the idiots back home can wallow in the "freedom" myself and other patriotic kids provided them... They can have it!! I don't even want it anymore. I would trade my citizenship here in a heartbeat to be Canadian, Norwegian. Swedish, Kiwi etc..... I don't believe the government here (I mean corporations) have my best interests at heart. I have been denied education, health care and constantly see the government put big money and lobbies first every time. Sorry its my opinion and I carried a gun for many years in my governments service to earn the right to spit it out so don't anyone dare tell me I don't have the right to it. I am pretty sure that the overwhelming majority of lawyers and politicians running things never spent the time I did sleep deprived, tired and sometimes scared in "service" for their country.
Mike, Canada will be a super power not by the sheer size of its size and economic domination, but for its stability. As a country it is very economically and emotionally stable. The US has been plagued by dark ages ideology (watch the GOP debates) and is no longer the progressive country it once was.
While you're beating your drum about having the most billionaires, you're neglecting the fact that you're the only OECD nation in the world without universal healthcare, despite spending almost twice as much tax dollars on coverage. The standard of living in the US has declined while Canada's has remained the same or increased over the last decade.
Keep beating your drum. It's deafening you to the fact that the rest of the world is passing you by
Mike – you are obviously a product of the inferior US education system. Lol!
Canada is the largest country in the world with land mass.
Correction Pau, Russia has the world's largest land mass, by over 30%. Just saying...
so if Canada becomes this so called "superpower"..who will be in control of this power? it wont be the people thats for sure. Canadian taxes are so high that a gallon of milk is 8 dollars at some stores. The people are raped and its all for the dollar. we people in canada dont own Canada..we just pay our taxes to Canada. Our education system sucks...as for the ones who say that we are all racist...we are pretty much a interatial culture..that is owned by the imagrants. Go to banff sometime and try to talk english to half the bussiness owners and you will not be able to understand them. go to a 7-11 and for the most part the immagrants are ok..but i have seen some who work there with the strong accent who will gloat and look down on theri own customers of course talking in their own language. the poloce force you will see the officers wearing their cultural turbins because if you say something..its called "racist and discriminitory" look up in fort macurrey...most of that property belongs elsewhere but not in Canada..we just sell out to them. how can Canada be a superpower and in control of anything..when we the people dont ow much of it but the small bussinesses like roofing or subsiduary companies. Iceland is making a HUGE mistake if they meld into Canada cuz that will be thier ruin. Id say its world banking influence govenring this project and they are the ones to prosper..it wont be the Candains. its all about the one world banking system..its a coming dont you worry about that...eh!
My god you are a stupid human being. Are you illiterate. Can you not write a grammatically correct sentence. You make absolutely no sense and are dumber than any "immigrant" I have ever encountered in Canada. Just because you are personally a moron doesn't mean the Canadian education system sucks. I never write comments but yours inspired me, because you're so obviously stupid
if youre paying $8 for milk anywhere other than nunavut where they have to fly it in, then thats your own fault.
Are you sure immigrants are the only people you can't communicate with? Looking at the way you are tormenting the english language, I wonder whether you completely master this language, unless you are suffering from some type of psycho-motor issue, in which case I totally empathize.
This is foolish and possibly the worst reporting I've seen in a while from CNN. Canada is a country just like any other... Except most of their land mass comes from tundras and only the Southern half has a decent population. They rely on American companies (Don't tell me that they don't have a Wal-Mart or a Best Buy there) and have a miniscule military. They are consistently ridiculed for being too soft. Hey, I have nothing against Canada. My dad plans on living there and his friends love Toronto. But seriously... A superpower? How ignorant.
Wow that is why Americans have the rep they have! Calling others ignorant out of their own ignorance! You might want to get a little more educated before you attempt to speak publically again!
Dmitiri – In a recent survey, Vancouver was ranked as having the best quality of life in the world and all major Canadian cities ranked within the top 15 worldwide. No US city cracked the top 25, so as far as being a quality of life superpower, Canada leaves the US in the dust.
http://www.mercer.com/press-releases/quality-of-living-report-2011
Here's the Economist survey showing Vancouver as having the best quality of life in the world for 5 years in a row...
http://www.economist.com/node/21016172
Perhaps you should look at this list of cities from Business Insider. We can look at lists all day long Heck i bet you can find a list to support whatever your point of view might be on whatever subject. http://www.businessinsider.com/best-cities-on-earth-2010-5#1-new-york-40
Clearly you are uneducated. Canada has more resources than any other country on the planet, clearly making it a financial super power. Canada is rich with Oil, gas, silver, gold and any other metal you can think of. Canada has no bloody past, like most other countries. Canada has a universal health care and education system. Canada has human rights for all, and has 2 of the top 10 best cities on the planet to live in, among it's other cities. I think you need to go back to communist russia dude and get a library card.
Joke question, joke column and so many ridiculously antagonistic posters using it as an opportunity to insult each other.
A little research shows Iceland plans to join the eurozone. Someone talked about adopting Canadian currency instead. The Canadian ambassador to Iceland said maybe it could work. Somebody else said the Australian currency would be better. Canada isn't trying to become a superpower and even if Iceland asked to adopt the loonie that wouldn't change.
CANADA IS RACIST
Canada is a country, not a person, and therefore can NOT be racist. Many Americans, on the other hand, based on how they treat immigrants in Arizona and Alabama and how their police treat blacks (Rodney King, LA riots, etc.) definately are racist. Canadians have the world's highest per capita immigration rate and we support immigration.
Canada Next Superpower. I actually Lol'ed when i read that. Ahhhh the canadians are invading!!?? pleaseee
Kyle, why do you have the strange notion that for a country to be considered a Superpower, it has to invade another country. That's just a recipe for creating enemies. Moronic. Kind of like what the US did in Iraq. Canada would never be that stupid.
How can Canada become a superpower if it can't even get hockey right??!!
You got a bunch of stolen Canadians in your hockey ranks!!!! 😉 That's why we can't get hockey right... 😛
Wasn't it the Yanks that came up with the laser pucks because Americans were too slow to follow the game otherwise?
In a way Canada has already achieved super power hood. Its economy is well based in oil, minerals, technology and food. It has a small population that is well educated and one large peaceful neighbor. To the credit of Canada and the US we share the longest unguarded border in the world. Canada doesn’t need to spend billions on defense because it’s worked out a win-win agreement with the United States. Canada is an economic superpower that was not born out of the imperialistic wars of WWI &II as was the US. That’s not to say Canada did not give all it had to protect the free world, indeed they did especially in WWI and WWII. What makes a supper power today is not who has the most battleships, tanks or ICBMs. It is far more complex today. Battleships, tanks and ICBMs have been replaced by what is most rare today and what is most sought after by other countries. Specifically, a stable economy, a strong large middle class, a stable happy population ruled by a stabled uncorrupt pluralistic republic. Few enemies, many friends and a low world profile also should be in the profile of the 21 century superpower. Most importantly, a superpower’s government must be able to say no without disrupting the aforementioned. Canada has the qualities to fit the bill. However, policing the 21 century planet can no longer be done by one country. It is too awesome and expensive a task to do alone. Therefore I welcome Canada to superpower status especially because Canadians understand “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” just as well as Americans.
i don't know...i think montréal's twenty-four championships show that hockey is not a problem here.
Mirza is a fool. To say that her anecdotal evidence about Canada is true of Canada as a whole is absurdly reductive, and, of course, misses the point entirely that stories of immigrant hardship are not anomalous to any one country. Her point, implicit or explicit, that the US does a better job than Canada of minority / immigrant uplift ignores so many factors (like facts, for example, based on per capita studies of racial diversity in jobs requiring professional certification) that I feel ashamed even dignifying her stupidity with a response. Unfortunately, she's chosen to air her petty grievances about Canada in a story that has nothing to do with trying to determine which country is morally superior to the other.
More to the point of the blog: Is Canada the world's next superpower? No. China is. And I suspect most Canadians would find the question incredibly funny, despite the intriguing bits of (ultimately inadequate) justification offered in the article.
I think the only person to mention 'superpower' was Ms. Burnett.
Canada has and will probably always be a middle power on the world's stage. If the world wants to follow our policies (that work well for us) fine but if they don't we are not going to force our views on anyone. America can rest easy knowing we won't be flooding over the border anytime soon forcing you to learn the Metric system or putting the letter u back in words like labour or flavour.
I have lots of relatives in the States and I think Americans are fun and free-wheeling but I don't think I would ever like to live there. My choice, I like the pace of life I have here and see no reason to change it.
Lots of posts here dis-ing both Americans and Canadian but I harbour no resentment to my American neighbours (sorry for the extra u's but that is how I was taught to spell) My dear departed relatives born in what was to someday be called Canada and who lived through the War of 1812 when we fought the US and burned down Washington might disagree with my views but they are dead and buried and the was has been over for a very long time.
Its time for North America to show the rest of the world how to get along like civilized people, get our acts together economically and laugh all the way to the bank.
Hello, From South of the boarder down here in the USA. You have some great insight and I can respect your commentary. The first sensible post I have seen so far. No bashing, no superiority complex, just simple and insightful.
I Love all the true colors that are showing, Some of these petty USA citizens are soooo damn jealous of Canada that they resort to false information and assumptions to try to break us down.
Why not take a long hard look in the mirror, and realize how silly you look in a Country that elects mentally retarded men as presidents, One whom has no birth certificate to show you LOL
Wake up... Canada is a beautiful PEACEFUL country with health care, lower unemployment rate than USA, good education system and our leaders arent mentally challenged or born out of the country. and you would be lucky as hell if you lived here
So you can make up all the BS you want about our army bailing out your bogus wars.
Do the math USA population is 10X Canada's, of course you will have a bigger army.
Like that even matters, we arent fighters, we arent the meat head jock who takes roids and has to flex all day
Is Canada the next superpower?
If you mean militarily...then no. Although in the early 70's there were nukes kept here under Canadian control. But we got rid of them. Now if you mean economically, then yes we are. We have a low national debt. Triple A credit rating. Lot's of room to expand, diamonds, coal, and we have more moose and polar bears than any other country in the world.
So I'd watch out US, or you just might find that soon WE'LL own more of you than YOU do. 🙂
I am Canadian and I couldn't care less about becoming a "Superpower". I care more about creating a strong, stable, and fair economy, social justice, and balancing human consuption needs with protecting the environment.
Well said.
Agreed. (from Kitchener, ON).
How is it that my THREE comments have not been posted and comments by someone as ignorant and foolish as Martina can post loads of comments? What is going on??
Advancement and becoming a Superpower is not just in politics and economy but in humanity. Advancement means the betterment of society and its people. I have travelled all over the world and have deep admirations in different aspects about different countries. Without humanity, there is no future. The world would be a much better place if people just focused on being a better person with compassion and care. I was born an raised in Canada and very proud and privileged to be here. I love travelling to the US and frequent there often. All the arguments here are kinda scary. I am sure that there are different aspects of Canada and the US that are better, but the world as a whole scares the &*#% out of me. We have advanced so much in Technology, Politics and Economics, but we still don't know what it takes to be human. I want my kids and their kids to grow up safe and prosperous. Unfortunately I can't say this will be for certain with the way things are in the world today.
As an American-from a long line of Americans, I love Canada and Canadians. They are a respectable and kind people- who we could learn a lot from if we had a long enough attention span.
I love the USA!! Miami is the best place on earth:)
Awesome! So, do we get to choose our superpower? If yes, I vote for either invisibility or turning into fire. Flame On!
@Tommy
You need to learn a few more facts before you post something stupid like 'we appreciate the 45 soldiers you sent to WWII'
Yes, Canada's military might not be what it once was, but our past contributions should not be made light of.
In WWII, just look up Dieppe, or Juno Beach on D-Day for examples.
Go back to WWI and search for Vimy Ridge.
Or, better yet, dig into the Korean War and look up Kapyong to see what Canada did.
By the way, we still appreciate getting that Presidential Unit Citation from President Truman for that one.
Cheers!
A well thought out and researched comment on CNN. And one with good spelling and grammar. I really have seen everything!
I am an American Soldier, and I have seen firsthand what our Canadian allies have done for the cause of freedom; only a fool or couch bound MW3 enthusiast would question the toughness and commitment of our friends to the north. Try looking at what the Canadian people have sacrificed for your a$$ before popping off at the mouth..
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html
oops...the comment was meant for Tommy,not you Stimpy...
Thanks for the reminder, Canada has made huge sacrifices in Afghanistan. Canadian soldiers fought along side the US and allies, were, 26 were awarded American Bronze Stars, including 4 for saving American soldiers who were pinned down by enemy fire in Operation Anaconda- Afghanistan, 4 Canadian soldiers were killed by US friendly fire in a bombing accident and unknown to many, US military forces have served under Canadian command, as have Canadian forces under US command. There is a long history of integration, one of the first commando forces, The Devils Brigade in WW II comprised jointly of US and Canadian forces.
Thanks buddy. I live in Canada and all of my family and friends have nothing but the utmost respect for you and your families. When my family and I hear reports of American soldiers dying we are saddened as much as if they lived next door to us. We appreciate all you are doing and never take it for granted. The US and Canada will always be friends and watch each others backs.
Cheers.
If were the next super power, can we at least fix up all the roads and bridges in Montreal first lol
Some things to ponder- facts that make interesting contrasts between Canada and USA.;
Toronto, the 5th most populated city in North America (that includes the USA), with a population of 5.5 million residents had 45 people murdered in 2011! Similar to other major metropolitan Canadian cities. This is the total number – all of them.
Nation wide, only 0.38% of all mortgages are in arrears – fewer still in foreclosure.
Canadian house prices are higher than the per-recession highs, by 10%.
We were the fourth country in the world to recognize gay marriages – first non-European country.
We permit safe injection sites for drug addicts to inject themselves with illegal drugs under care of nurses.
Life expectancy for both men and women is longer is Canada than the USA.
3nd highest integration of immigrants in the world (USA ranked 9th).
Our government can suspend individual rights and freedoms for : peace order and good government.
3 of the top 10 most livable cities in the world are in Canada, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, non of the top 10 are in the USA. The Highest rated US city was Honolulu at 26th.
Canada is rated as having the highest and best banking system in the world.
Health care spending in Canada is 10.9% of GDP, 3.4 hospital beds per 100,000, USA Health Care Spending is 16.2% of GDP with 3.1 Hospital Beds per 100,000.
First Muslim Mayor of major North American City.
Christians in Canada opened their churches to Muslims to celebrate during Ramadan.
Your list of comparables between Canada and the US are significant but aside, to me at least, is that while a US citizen, by birth, a New Englander, I LOVE CANADA and wish I could live there. We were in Canada on a diplomatic posting in the mid-seventies and we just didn't want to leave for a posting in London, though we did. While I love my country, even after all these years a part of my heart will always remain in Canada. Those few years we had in your country provide some of my best memories of our family life. Thank you Canada.
Thanks for the heart-felt reply. Glad you have such fond memories of Canada. Come back for a visit anytime.
Canada without Montreal can never be a super power!!
This is arguably the silliest article I've ever read on this sight. Being a superpower- as opposed to just an economic power- requires a few things that Canada does not and will never have. Military power is very important, and with the United States just south of Canada, ready to protect, convincing peace-loving Canada to raise a great Army is going to be impossible. This doesn't even mention the need for a navy, which would be capital-intensive. Next, there needs to be a large population. Canada has 30 million people, compared to America's 300 million, China's 1.4 billion, and India's 1.3 billion. A large population ensures a large production capacity, which leads to both self-sufficiency, and foreign influence through the dissemination of products. A large national dispora is important too. Having millions of nationals in other countries builds a cultural presence and influence. Population is required for this. A large population also means that a great deal of goods are consumed, leading to demand for foreign goods. While this sounds bad, it is not. Take the example of the United States and China. We depend on Chinese goods, but a far larger part of China's economy depends on America importing Chinese goods. It allows the economy of the superpower to affect production in other nations. Finally, there needs to be ambition. Canada lacks this. The United States would not be in the position it is in today if it had not seized international opportunities to assert dominance. Canada lacks this drive. They have no interest in being a superpower.
Hi All, Canada being a super power, wow is that a great story..yes story why because you cannot be a power let alone being a super power until you treat your population with equality. They treat whites on higher grounds and people with colored skin on lower ( lowest levels). If some one dont agree go and ask people from countries working there as Taxi cab drivers and security guards despite of having engineering or other degrees working in menial jobs. In my view Canada cannot never be a super power they are racist and racist dont make super powers..period. Some one dont like it I am sorry but that's the truth to the core. Why America is great just because of that if you have capability than you can make it in America but in Canada what ever you have but you are not white you are doomed to lowest level jobs.
What a load of rubbish. You've got it exactly backwards. Canadaians respect and encourage immigration. We encourage immigrants to retain their culture. Americans look down on immigrants and discrminate against them like in Arizona and Alabama. Remember, it was Canada that gave harbour to US slaves at the end of the Underground Railway.
I think your Native population would disagree with your assessment Brian. Exactly what was the name of the Canadian Bridage that fought to dissolve slavery?
I am with Brian – there was no Canadian brigade – but it is an uninformed opinion to say that we did nothing – we were the land that slaves escaped to, and thrived in. We need to vastly improve the treatment of our native peoples without a doubt, but we have been extraordinary in handling that issue compared with the same scenario in other countries around the world. we are far from perfect, but we are a benign people that look for dialogue, not hegemony – we can be a superpower, perhaps the first without imperial designs, without the flagrant militarization of our national endeavours and interests around the world. Who better?
I already stated that the Underground railway ended in Canada. In other words, Canada was a refuge for US slaves during the era when you had slavery and we did not. Don't you know your own history? Pathetic.
“Remember, it was Canada that gave harbour to US slaves at the end of the Underground Railway.”
Sure, I remember, just like I also remember Canada gave safe harbor to draft dodgers during the Vietnam War; what's your point, aside from the rubbish you're peddling about Arizona and Alabama? Remember, the Arizona immigration law is the same as federal regulations still in the books today (yet not enforced).
Yes, thank god Canada was around during the Viet Nam war (another completely useless war which the US lost after killing millions of innocent people) as we saved many of the best and brightest Americans. The stupid ones stayed, like Bush and Cheney. So what's YOUR point Morgan??? As for Arizina and Alabama, their racist immigration laws smack of Jim Crow – after 150 years, the South still hasn't matured into adulthood.
Arizona and Alabama are doing what you don't seem to support: enforce the rule of law. Illegal immigration is illegal because (get this now) it's ILLEGAL. There's nothing racist about it, it's simply enforcing the law, even if you don't like it. Unfortunately, it sounds like your opinions of America (especially the South) is too badly warped to be repaired.
Wow, your poor grammar is matched only by your lack of knowledge of Canada. Canada is more racist than the US? That's hilarious. Even compared to the Northern States of the United States, Canada is leaps and bounds ahead in regards to social issues. What a bunch of bull.
I work with Chinese, Indians, Iranians, blacks and whites in a tech firm. What are you smoking??? Yes there is racism still in the world but it ain't that bad in Canada as you say.
Seriously?! Do you know nothing of American history?
This is probably the most backward post I've seen on this thread. The reason skilled immigrants have a hard time applying their trade here has nothing to do with racism, but rather our poor policies on recognizing accreditation from other countries. You've clearly never been to Toronto if you have a vision of Canada being some type of white supremacy haven.
I am sorry to hear that you view Canadians in that light as racism in Canada is less likely then in the USA. We have a high density of different cultures as does the USA and are proud of our vast cultures across the provinces. As my children are of mixed race as well as my immediate family I have to say they have experienced less discrimination then when we lived in the USA. There mixed couples were frowned upon so I do have to disagree with you wholeheartedly and as I am a born and raised Canadian I have to say I am proud to be Canadian as you are to be an American. Both countries have bad histories as does most countries but we all strive to move past that and hope the rest of the populations on both sides would too. We have friends from Africa and India who have immigrated to Canada and have become Canadian citizens and are highly successful businessman and are much more richer then I who was born here.
You betcha!! We also hunt black people with shotguns (ask my best friend.. he's black). We make indian people wipe our butts. We make chinese people make our chinese food. We tell Lebanese people to make our shwarmas. When anyone who's not white don't listen, we chain them up in Quebec and make them eat poutine for years. Yeah, we're more racist than the hillbilly in Alabama that married his sister. But I agree with you, we SHOULD let lower class immigrants with degrees from "Moustafa's Medical School – Get Your Diploma in a Week" practice. They're a lot cheap labour that can serve me. ....... thanks for the laugh.
Mizra, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul
Billy Madison was a very funny movie.
Dkom, I agree with you.... right up to the point when you said "God". Hum... he doesn't exist. Point Final. Born french catholic, brainwashed like everyone else. It's the biggest fallacy on the face of this earth. "Oh, but why then do so many culture believe in a similar God?" Hum... try mindshare and let's follow what everyone else thinks / does. And you've got 1 billion people who believe in MANY Gods and 1 billion people who believe in Buddhism. So, who's right? Either way.. it's a crock.
Seriously? You're starting a religious debate on CNN.com in a thread about Canadian power over the fact that a random person whom you've never met nor ever will meet said the word God? You went out of your way to assume his religion, disprove it, and attack an entire group over the fact that he quoted a movie? You are the epitome of the anti-Christianity movement. In no way, shape, or form did he attack your beliefs, nor did he force them upon you. He simply expressed his use of the word (which he actually didn't, as I said, it's from a movie, but bear with me) and you bothered making a paragraph explaining to him that God does not exist. Well, Jesus Christ, where I come from we have the First Amendment which says him and I are allowed to express these beliefs. While it also allows you to express your disbelief, it's still shocking to see that you went out of your way to attack his for no gain of your own. May God Almighty have mercy on your soul. (And I'm not even Catholic)
I love it when people say God doesnt exists. So let me get this straight. First you must know everything to KNOW HE doesnt exist. Then you must be one of those 'accidents' you know that happened in soup. This also means life means nothing and your worthless, nothing maters.... I could go on. I'm sorry you feel this way. Fortunately there is a GOD and if you really seek him you'll find him.
OK Scott, if you really believed in God then you wouldn't say that people who don't are worthless. That's exactly back-asswards! Seriously, how could you put your name on such a stupid post?
I think I am actually enlightened by the actual level of ignorance of American citizens, although I honestly believe people are not that stupid......... or maybe I was wrong. For our friends in the south........ our economy is growing, our housing prices never crashed, we don't have a foreclosure problem, we have universal health care, we can travel and hold our heads high not worrying about terrorism, our population is educated, our banks don't collapse, we have freedom of speech and expression.
Love the double negative! Get a clue.
Mirza is this a joke? Why don't you research some of our highest paying jobs while you're at it. Every doctor I know is from a different country, mine is from Pakistan, my children's is from India and my husband's is from South Africa. The only " white" doctor I ever had was when I was living in Washington and she just happened to be from Canada. Our country embraces immigration and we are taught to embrace different cultures , their foods, their beliefs from a young age. Your whole argument is about a taxi driver.....hahaha. My friend drives a cab ( he is a white dude), and he makes a crap load of money doing so. Enough of this colour thing, I wasn't brought up to talk about people in that way, we are all one race and it is called the human race. BTW GO JETS GO !
Mizra you sound like you have an ax to grind. Maybe you couldn't cut it in Canada. I am a 4th generation Canadian who happens to be white. My wife is not, her parents are immigrants – an engineer and a public servant, both working and successful. Canada is the most sought after destination for immigrants becauuse of our social policies and our acceptence of people of all colours from around the world. We have always been a moral superpower. People ask us to run their elections and act as peacekeepers. Where are you from? Somewhere better? We don't wave flags or make people become Canadian. They want it, and with good reason. We have no natural enemies. do you think a Dr. or Engineer from Pakistan or Romania can just come here and practice (or in the US) because they are a Dr. and an Engineer? You seem a great deal more prejudiced than the white people you describe but do not know.
No Mirza you are wrong, there are no more racist in Canada than in US, we never hanged people because they were black, and we have Ku-Klux Klans over here neither. That never happened in our history. As a matter of fact Canada in number one for education exchange in the world. There are many Africans and different cultures coming over here to study and most of them stay after their education because of the good relationship they're having here with Canadians. Do you math before accusing us of something you guys are doing.
Miraz you couldn't be more wrong. You wouldn't know unless you lived here. The fact that you would make such a statement just shows your ignorance. I can just as easily make the same statements about America given the stories I've heard and seen in the American media. The fact that Canada will not allow you to be a doctor, lawyer, or any other "high end" job as you put it has nothing to do with ones skin colour but rather the simple fact that the level of education one received in their homeland must meet our countries practices and standards before they can do so. My friend who came from the Philiippines had to wait a year before they would allow him to be a nurse here in Canada not because of racisim but to ensure that he was qualified by Canadian standards to do so (Really it's just a matter of taking some tests over to ensure that you received the necessary education required to perform that job here). One of my good friends father who is Hindi was a practicing doctor in Canada until his death for many years after he immigrated here. So Mirza unless you've had experience first hand you shouldn't assume as I could just as easily make assumptions on America but being an Italian -Canadian (yes we're allowed to say our culture first unlike our neighbours below) I keep an open mind in regards to other countries, and their cultures. It's people like you who keep hatred between nations alive. Shame on you. In all your statements your displaying that you're the closed minded one making such bold statements of America the great when you should be considering the fact that we all belong to one planet one we all share and being that I wasn't brought up ignorant I will accept your narrow mind for what is it and hope that in your future you'll learn to open up your mind to what's around you....the rest of the world.
then go back to your own country
BRIAN
CANADA DOES NOT NEED A NAVY OR ARMY BECAUSE THEY HAVE ARE NAVY AND ARMY TO PROTECT
CANADA, SO DONT GO THERE. AND MY FAMILY IS FROM P.E.I SO I AM NOT PUTTING CANADA DOWN EITHER
Well at the very least I guess our education system can't compare to yours. Also, please stop shouting, it just perpetuates the ugly American stereotype.
Sincerely,
America's Hat
"CANADA DOES NOT NEED A NAVY OR ARMY BECAUSE THEY HAVE ARE NAVY AND ARMY TO PROTECT
CANADA, SO DONT GO THERE. AND MY FAMILY IS FROM P.E.I SO I AM NOT PUTTING CANADA DOWN EITHER"
In my opinion Canada may likely never become a superpower, it does not have the population nor the sophistication of its economy to be a world leader in R&D and product development. That being said, if it allows for our its population to increase and increases its R&D interaction with our American brothers (i.e university and entrepreneur spirit) , I believe that a CAN/AM empire with imperialistic sites may emerge as the Canadian and American social structures, social norms, economies, and military's are already intimately linked..... Most countries on the planet do not realize that Canada could have easily developed nuclear weapons and delivery systems back in the 1950's-1960's. She has the capacity to do this if need be immediately but has temporarily chosen the non-poliferation route which is the proper route. Although Canada appears as a peaceful country she has the capability to swell its military with superb soldiers and advanced weaponary with or without US technology. She has shown many times in the past that she is America's best friend, defending American values in WW2 , 2 years before America entered.....what a friendship, we should never take it for granted, even when they want to produce jobs in the USA (LOL) and are the largest foreign land owners in the US.
Sorry to break it to you but Canadians were not defending America's values in WW1 and WW2. We were fighting to defend free Europe while the US sat on its big fat a$$ for two years before joining the fight.
That's the funniest story I heard. Yes, Canada is a good country for 30 million people, but comparing to 10 times population country US, the economy of 30 million people country is too small to say anything. Canada is still a little brother.
Ok, but since we are the US's largest supplier of imported oil, excuse us while we tell you to get lost.
The majority of oil used in America is domestically produced. While most of our imported oil comes from Canada, we are by far the largest purchaser of Canadian oil. Could Canada place an embargo on us if they did not like what we were doing? No, because that would destroy the massive resource economy that Canada has built up. It'd be like China placing an embargo on exports to the U.S.- It'd hurt America but destroy China.
Sorry but as I write this Canada is planning two pipelines to the West Coast in order to ship our oil (not yours) to Asia where we will be paid a proper price for it. We can and will sell our oil to whoever we want. The US is not the only game in town. Looks like they might find out the hard way due to their general ignorance about their largest trading partner. Canada gets it – we're diversifying our markets away from the US. Next is a free trade deal with the EU.
Brian, he's right....
Dear Martina-
With your two degrees I am sure you are working somewhere in the U.S in your field of expertise – seeing as how you mentioned that you could not find a job in Canada with your two degrees which is the reason that you do not like Canada. You must not be very busy with your job or must have a great employer to allow you to post as much as you are on this blog or perhaps you are unemployed. Please do tell, how it is that you have so much time
Very well said Must.
You know, I guess I would not care if Canada became a Superpower. Americans and Canadians share one thing and that is we are family. No country in the world shares the bond that Canada and the US has. As an American, if the US has lost it's 'superpower' status (which is might as well have) I would rather see a country such as Canada pick it up. I love Canada and I love the US.
If you're from Montana then I'm probably closer to you geographically than I am to most of Canada.
Been to Great Falls several times as it's the closest American town to here, the peacefullness of Montana reminds me of much of rural Canada, it's a nice place and you should be proud.
You're all wasting your time measuring each other's ding dongs.
U.S. and Canada are allies..... good neighbors.... and very similar cultures. Canada needs the US just as much as the US needs Canada.
But brothers can squabble of petty things. At the end of the day we're both brothers.
Yes..but USA is the great brother and Canada a step one. Remember who they worship the queen of England and we got our independence from British rule.. so I am sorry we are different from Canada in every respect and we the good old US of A is the greatest country on this face of this mother earth.
You're the type of person that we like to make fun of up here. Thanks for all the great material!
I hope you are kidding. Canada gained it's independence from England in 1867. We still belong to the Commonwealth but the Queen is nothing more than a figurehead. We are an independent country, just like the US.
I just can't beleive what I just read Mirza. We don't "worship" the Queen. She's just a decoration. You worship other "things" and , judging by your GOP comming selection, I might prefer the Queen...
Excuse me Mirza, what exactly are you implying when you said the Greatest Country?
Mirza (or is it really Martina?), if, as you say, you are different than Canadians in every way, then I can only thank god (except I'm aethiest) that I'm Canadian and you're not. Stay where you are – please!
Just for your info she is also the Queen of Canada. Also our beer works better than American beer.
This. So much. I'm a dual citizen, and I love both my native country (America) and my new one (Canada). Granted, America tends to act as the frat boy idiot out of the two brothers while Canada makes fun for it, but that's sibling rivalry for you.
Why does this have to be a gigantic p***ing contest over who is better? Why can't we just admit that we both do things in our own ways? Without one another, we'd both be screwed.
Check out Tom Brokaw Explains Canada on YouTube. I guarantee that it will help steer the dialogue to a more positive subject.
Bravo Thomas.
I don't think it could have been said any better than this. I think we often take for granted the relationship between the two.
Canada is an incredibly rich country with a stable, responsible government. If they want to be the World's newest SuperPower., I say, let them. We're tired of it. It's their turn.
Tommy, the US forces don't protect some abstraction called "freedom," they protect a concrete thing called "US security and commercial interests." Since the US is 10 x the population of Canada it has many times the armed forces and has intervened all over the world, because its interests are everywhere. How does this relate to Canadians fighting for 'freedom' less than Americans? In fact, the per-capita contribution, by Canada, to both world wars exceeds that of the USA. The US entered WWI basically to sell coca-cola to the Europeans spread its tentacles into that continent. Canadians were part of the British side; however, the adversary, Germany, was perceived as an aggressor and expansionist power. However, I believe you're comparing penis sizes, and that's dumb. But then, so is this article, which, as the writer points out has been 'suggested' to her by a Canadian (and broadcast to please the Canada market for CNN).
As a Canadian, I agree with most others here that say we have no desire to be any kind of superpower. We're a capitalist/socialist hybrid that is more concerned with doing things right, than trying to do things big. That all said, without the U.S. as our trading partner, we wouldn't be as successful as we are now, we'd be a much poorer country.
Looks like a whole page of comments by a bunch of sanctimonious US republicans and some overly defensive Canadians. I would never fear Canada. But if the US keeps going in it's current direction, I might move there.
Grrrrreat, now Canada is going to get invaded. Fear not Americans, we're just a bunch of Maple Syrup loving, hockey playing, doughnut eating farmers, lumberjacks and fisherman. This article is the most stereotypical thing I've ever seen
You forgot to mention that we live in igloos, trap fur and say eh a lot
Uh, Canada already IS a major world player. Last I recalled, they were in the first group of nations that formed the United Nations. Their quality of living is better than America's. They're both in the G8 and G20. Oh, and their economy is much more sound than the United States right now.
Imperialistic? Hardly. They're not going in and claiming Iceland as a dependent state. Iceland will still have sovereignty over itself, it will just share a common currency with one of its closest neighbours, which will allow for better trading opportunities on both sides of the deal.
Canada is a major world power, much like America. Difference being that Canada doesn't need to flaunt it.
Maybe the US has forgotten – Canada is the only country to invade the US and win (war of 1812 ring a bell?). But they (the US) have done a nice job at rebuilding the White House at least. Maybe now they can look at rebuilding all the other crumbling things in their country.
Um. If you did any research, you'd realize that the War of 1812 was started by you lot in an attempt to throw the English out of North America. You got pushed back yet again by the British, us and the first nation people who saw you conquering their brothers in the south violently and did not want that to happen up here as well. You got lucky that the British were fighting Napoleon.The Brits were seriously considering sending a serious invasion force. Not just the token troops sent to New Orleans, but hardened Veteran units after the defeat of Napoleon
To Dan. Oh yeah the British. What did the British did in Africa and Australia again?
War of 1812 You aren't really stupid enough to go there with that comment are you??? Yep you are..... That was a war with the BRITISH
Um Mike, you might want to re-read your history. The British were busy with Napoleon in Europe and could only send a small force – which is in fact the real reason the US elected to start the war. The massive US forces were held off by a mix of Canadians (as the Quebecois were called), indians, and British forces together. It was not until later in the war when the Brits were finished with Napoleon that they came in force, invaded America, and forced the Americans to sign a treaty that gave the US nothing for all their efforts. The only reason popular American culture (after so many defeats) felt is was a victory was 1) The US victory at the battle of New Orleans – but that happend due to slow communications, as the Americans had already signed the treaty. 2) the Brits stopped empressing US sailors, but that really ended because they no longer needed them any more for the war in Europe – not because the US in any way forced the issue. If you read you history, you will see that the war was really a disaster for the US with the exception of a few naval victories in the Great Lakes. Remember, the history books you read are printed in the US and full of nationalistic propaganda.
Sayiing the War of 1812 was between Britain and the US is like saying the American Revolution was a war between the British and the British. Moron – study up!
Forget the oil, it's water mate; yes, the importance of Canada, will be as the largest supplier of fresh water in the future. The worlds # 1 natural resource. (Look up World Water Supply).
Except we're not going to be selling our water...espcially to greedy and rude Americans. Build some desalination plants. Our Canadian water is staying in Canada.
I agree Brian, it's better for us to make money on good clean drinking water than making money on polluting oil that poisoning the whole planet and the air we breath.
God, I hope not. I'm Canadian and the last thing I want is for my country to become more like our southern neighbors
Canadians – don't pay attention to the redneck comments. You really know how to run a nation. Americans just have trouble letting go of the saying "we're number one!"
Hey you guys are forgetting about NORAD. Defends the USA and Canada.
Without our Canadian Government to give you permission to install military base radar in the North you wouldn't be able to protect Canada and neither US anyway.
NORAD last i checked = NORTH AMERICAN Aerospace Defense Command
Don;t see one thing there saying stricly American Defense Command...
Wow if Canada does become a super power will they take over the north eastern United States?
If so we can look forward to affordable health care, much cheaper electrical power,
less expensive drugs and a 3 year longer life expectancy.
my god! the horror!!
Proud to be Canadian! If we become a superpower then let it be. Then we will redefine what a superpower will be, where guns will be replaced by dialogues and oil with alternative energies. We have always been in the sideline, if we need to shine and show the world what a true superpower is, then be it. We are the most generous people on earth, check the amount Canadians give to charities, even the tax that we need to pay(hehehehe!) We respect every race, gender and religion, that's why are culture is thriving. No white or black or asian superiors in here. Let the Canadians rule the world, and the new era of 'superpower' begin.
I couldn't have said it better than this myself.
I see Canadians a just as arrogant as Americans lol. But the fact of the matter is Canada will never be a superpower without the help and assistance of Americans. Just as The U.S. couldn't have become a superpower without Canadians. Both countries heavily need and depend on one another so a lot of the arguments about whose country is better than the other or whose country is doing better than the other is irrelevant because both of our economies heavily depend on one another. Especially militarily because its fair to say that the United States government treats and looks at Canada as part of its own because if a threat was to ever arise to Canadian sovereignty the first nation to jump as Canada's defense would be the United States and I would even say the Canadians would do the same. So lets put the argument to rest and celebrate Canada becoming a potential superpower. Because in the end both the U.S. and Canada would benefit.
U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
no wait!
CANADA! CANADA! CANADA!
Canada is too small (population-wise) of a country to be an overall "super" power.
China is considered to be the next in-line, when their per capita influence is miniscule, but 1.3 billion folks cannot be ignored.
Censorship=If I don't agree with what you say, I'm not posting your comment.
Can't we all just get along?
I wonder what the world would be like if the Americans stopped putting their noses in other peoples business for the sake of oil, weapon sales and of course the infamous "Do what I say or else" Everyone that has turned on the U.S was previously funded and provided weapons (and yes, weapons of mass destruction) by the U.S. If the amount of secret funds given to various countries for "help" was kept for the U.S only, would they still owe 16 trillion, would everyone still be waging war against the U.S.
Should we say thank God that the U.S "helped" ?? Except for World War I and II, they were better off worrying about their own problems and future, rather than playing Big boss man.
It scares me the amount of self-righteousness that a lot of my fellow Canadians are exuding right now. When your top dog in the world tough calls have to be made. Look at our mother country of England, not that long ago they were the "mean, nasty, controlling, do what i say or else" country. If Canada becomes a super power we will be seen as that too. A big reason why people think Canada is an angel country is the perception that we don't do much on the world stage. That's changing bud and along the way we are going to step on toes......Don't get me started on the financial situation, household debt is HIGHER in Canada that it was on the brink of when the US crashed. Also alot of people are rockin cut rate interest rates on their homes and barely holding on. I pray our housing market doesn't crash or things could play out alot similar to what our American friends are facing now....
@Greek Canuck.... Very well said!
Yeah, you are right. We should have never gotten involved in WW2!!!
The world would probably look very similar to the way it did prior to US (The United States of America) sticking our noses in Pre World War 11. Perhaps it would look similar to the situation in Greece, a country in complete collapse and unable to support itself without handouts from, oh yeah the US and the EU.
Canada...America's Hat
USA....a place for Canadians to buy cheap, foreclosed houses.
Making USA Canada's baggy pants?
As many people have already said, why would they want to be a super power? Their economy is booming and Canadians enjoy a comfortable lifestyle (including free healthcare). It's much better to be a Canadian than an American (and I am an American). I am tired of living in a country that wants to play world empire and neglect the needs of their citizens. Canada doesn't need a huge military and neither does the U.S., for that matter.
Just to be clear, our Health Care isn't free......we just pay for it in taxes and those with money pay more for it than those without. Although from Toronto I live in Montreal and my deductions for everything amount to 48% of my salary.
Our healthcare is universal without conditions and without excluding any member of society, and for that I am proud to stand in line and pay my share, just like the marines....no one gets left behind. It's far from perfect, needs lots of cleaning up, but I would rather fix it than have to fight to get it.
Sandy you are right on the mark with your comment. No bashing of our American Neighbors and no bragging of our Canada, just the facts, and I also pay about 48% in taxes. It's a lot of taxes but when ever I need Canada to step to the plate for me it does, and that is worth it for me. Do I have a big house and fancy car, nope but I get to travel alot, eat well and I have good health, that is all any one needs.
Sandy–you'd better get a better accountant. Unless you are ultra-rich, that 48% should only be a marginal tax rate that kicks in on income above a threshold that allows a very comfortable income with a much lower tax rate. It does not help to spread exaggerations about Canadian taxes when they don't differ at that materially for most Canadians/Americans. In fact, the US has a higher marginally tax rate than Canada – 35% (Canada's maxes out at 29%). Plus 28% kicks in at a much lower income than 29% kicks in, in Canada. Good idea to check facts before spouting out. I'm no fan of taxes, either, but they're a necessary evil.
Its actually closer to 60% when you include GST, PST, HST, carbon tax, gas tax, levy this and that, fee for this and that......those are ALL taxes out of my after tax salary. We are way more taxed than the Americans. And by the way....our great health care system forced my wife and I to go to.......the USA for fertility help. God Bless America.
Matt. Please make correct statements. Canadian Healthcare is not FREE. It is paid for by higher taxes. that is it is only FREE to the lazy and freeloaders. Those that work pay for everybody. Have you wondered why your gas prices are 30% higher than the US considering you have an abundance of oil? People sound so uneducated then they try to present healthcare as FREE. Do you all think the magical Health fairy pays the doctors and hospitals in Canada? Just because you don't have a line item on your pay stub that deducts for for health insurance doesn't mean your not paying for it. It is the oldest trick in the books to get people to believe they are actually getting something for nothing.
Very well said RetiredMP. It really gets to me when they're saying that our Healthcare is free which is not. I don't know who started this whole story up but he sure was uneducated alright.
Us a Superpower? With 30 million people? Puh-leeeze. Must be a REALLY slow news day at CNN.
A world player in energy for sure [we have about the same size oil reserves as Saudi Arabia] and commodities, but that's about it.
And why exactly would we want to be a Superpower??
wrong again...the most powerful nation is China
All any comments on this board reference is military power and being able to throw ones weight around. Is that really all it takes to be a Superpower? What about economics, diplomacy, foreign aid, culture and global respect?
A superpower nation would need to have a strong military. Canada barely has one, they rely on the US military for protection.
No. That is how YOU define superpower. And please, I love my American brothers but let's be honest, the only reason you protect us is to protect yourself.
Another naive Canadian. There are still many countries in the world that would love to take some of what Canada has, namely land containing valuable natural resources. Russia would be the most obvious jealous state. Just because you think you're nice, doesn't mean everyone in the world will treat you nicely. Naive.
We're not naive Dirk, we're just using more than 5% of our brain matter , that's all.
No two countries are as similar as Canada and the US with respect to cultures and beliefs. Canadians are like Americans close cousins. Most Canadian that I know have relatives in the US. A lot of Americans have no clue about anything about Canada. I am on the phone for work speaking with Americans and I still laugh when they think that I might know Bill on the other side of the country?
Canada's healthcare system rocks!
I know of no one here who would like us to be a superpower,so you can all relax.We are quite content being who we are.
all you ssilly people talking about canada like its a real place....whats next.....news reports on the current stock trends in narnia
The USA need not worry about Canada gaining influence – the two countries are friends. As it turns out, Canada has always been influential – in measures that were just oft off radar for the USA. The only way the USA would need to worry is if they try the 1812 thing again, as I actually do like the White House and the Capital Building.
Canada already is a super power.
A true super power is defined by a countries citizens, morals, policies and actions.
We have a strong military presence world wide, but are peace keepers, not war mongerers. We are financially responsible at a national level,. We are open minded, and invite peaceful imigrants from all countries, regardless of race or gender. We are experts at the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We help all countries in need where possible. We participate in all world wide peaceful activities and adventures. We are kind, loving thoughtful people.
Canada = USA Lite
Nope. Canada's economy is tiny compared to US.
Grow up-CANADA is far better than most think~!
Not true...........GDP per capita Canada #10, USA #15 and we don't have sports stars, actors, gangster bankers or Mitt Romney to boost our average.
All of you bashers are freaking morons. I'm an American and I've worked with Canadians Armed Forces several times and they were all good -honest hard working professionals. Additionally, guess who supported us fullbore in half a dozen wars and Police Actions. THANK God we have friends like Canada and we should be grateful. Canadians if you're reading this PLEASE ignore all those jerks- we are honored to have you as one of our closest and most honorable friends.
Here is an American that speaks with common sense, you are very welcome to Canada anytime my friend and glad to have you as a our neighbour.
Thanks for your kind and honest comments. You are correct. I like Americans like you who have their heads screwed on straight. But I'm going to battle against all the half-witted morons who don't have a clue about Canada.
IF, as many poster decry, military might is a measure of 'superpower' status, Canada is already a superpower since Canada has NEVER lost a war – ever. Canada even kicked US-butt back when we were on opposite sides back in the 1800's (not that US history books remember this!).
Apart from a winning military history, Canada has what the rest of the world needs: oil, water, minerals, timber, food.
NEXT superpower? Sorry, a little late for that statement.
Although not officially, we already are a superpower! We have abundant resources (many of which our neighbors to the south depend on), we are economically better off than most countries these days, we may wait longer at the hospital/doctors than others...but not having to sell my house to be there comforts me!
We also have some of the best looking people on the planet from every corner of the planet, the best hockey players, amazing nightlife and even better natural attractions. We don't need a strong military because we're so nice and don't get involved in other people's problems. And if we ever needed to defend ourselves, our pride and superhuman strength would crush any enemy.
We also have the best beer...
🙂
I am a canadian and so proud to be canadian. I don't think Canada will fight for anything greater. We have good minds and hearts and always the first in line to help people in difficulty in the world. Go canada eh!
They seem to be doing a much better job running their country than we do ours. I would welcome a bigger Canadian influence, it would only help us Americans in the long run. Both Canada and the US share the same core values.
Before you all get too high on the Canadian economy, you should know that analysts around the world are beginning to sound alarm bells on a very significant housing bubble due to incredibly low interest rates and subprime lending. Yes, Canadian banks are getting into the same mischief as US banks did.
I live in Alberta and work in the oil industry. We're selling our interests off in every direction, mostly to PetroChina. I don't think most Canadians want to become a superpower. We have some of the most conservative banks in the world and we're mostly a conservative, if not a little passive, country especially compared to the States. But make no mistake, most of us are neither jealous of the US nor do we wish to become Americans. World domination is certainly not on the agenda.
I'm Canadian and would rather be American anyday.
As a Canadian, i second that.
Speak for yourself. Alberta may be conservative but Vancouver is very liberal. You can openly smoke pot in front of the police and they will NOT arrest you. They'll probably join you!
Folks, don't get sucked into responding to a troll – they're willing to say anything to get you to respond and derail the conversation. Ignore them, and respond to the people you'd actually like to debate with. Replying to a troll is something like feeding a bear, it teaches them bad habits about how to get attention, and if it goes on long enough, they might be able to fend for attention in a natural way.
My opinon, is that we (Canada) will never be a superpower in the near future, because superpower status, IMO, is based in military might. I don't think America's star will sink so low, or for so long, either. It's pretty much how the "Western" world wants it, including Canada.
Glad to see some neightbourly love from both sides of the border in these comments!
Geez – I dropped both my "not"s – read: "...not be able" and "..not sink so low".
I'm American but the more I learn about Canada, the more I wonder why I don't migrate. I love the US but we've got to admit, in many ways Canadians have it better. Take away the cold weather, I don't see where the US fares better. They should be proud and we Americans can learn from them. At least we can respect them more unlike in some of the posts here.
If the only problem is the weather, move anywhere below Toronto. Here in Windsor we barely even get snow.
Metro Vancouver, where approx. 10% of Canadians live, is warmer than half of the US. We have palm trees and it usually doesn't snow in the winter. The average January temp is 43 degrees – not Miami but a lot warmer than Boston!
this is turning into a " my sandbox (or snow fort) is betterthan yours" argument. i enjoyed the article, and thats all it is. i love Canada, and America. sure we all have differences, but some of these comments are absurd coming from both sides. can we close this issue.
go jets go.......
Canada a superpower? ...BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Such a skillfull and witty writer. You must have gone to school in the USA. LOL!
Not until a Canadian team wins the Stanley Cup. Last one was the Montreal Canadians in 1992-1993.
Most of the Boston Bruins ARE Canadian so Canada DID just win the Stanley Cup...just like we do every year.....and when you Americans really need to be put in place we defeat you in the Olympics for the Gold Medal. By the way, in the last Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada won the most medals period. On a per capita basis, with 10% of the US population, ....I'd be embarassed to be American after that whupping!
Yes, it has been awhile since a Canadian team won the cup. But remember, out of the 30 teams in the league, only 7 are Canadian teams so statistically it is less likely for a Canadian team to win. However, the majority of players in the NHL are Canadian, regardless of which team they are on.
I love Canada and Canadians. I work with them everyday through my company and travel there a lot. Being a superpower is well deserved although I think they dont care... unlike the US who is obsessed with it.
Joe, I've been to many different places in the USA on business and on vacation. Most Americans are nice people. There is a minority that embodies the worst stereotypes, that foreigners have about Americans, but they won't sour me on Americans as a whole.
Having lived in the States for most of my life and only moving to Canada four years ago (for work and school) I have had numerous people ask me "So how do you like it here?" "How is it compared to the States?". At first when I moved to Canada I would be giving up a lot of the 'benefits' of living the States. Four years later at this moment there is no way I would move back to the States given the numerous amount of benefits this country provides. I think the major difference is this: You sleep easy at night knowing you don't have to worry about tomorrow here. You work very hard (maybe more than Americans) and a city like Toronto is very expensive to live in. Canada has an amazing healthcare, welfare, welcoming to immigrants (although that will stop very soon) and most of all an great education system. By no means am I saying Canda is a better country than the States but a more 'stable' one for now. I think the States was the best country in the world at one point and it will soon be agian by diverting from politics and greed and being more about the people again. I am a proud American and Canadian. I cheer for US Soccer and Canada Hockey. I think like these posts potray there are good people in the world and bad. Overall most Canadians and Americans respect each other and they will only continue to thrive by helping each other in the future. I think some of who are closed-minded by watching things on the internet or on movies should go out and explore more. Another thing that really sets apart Canadians from Americans is they travel extensively around the world and expose themselves to different cultures and values. The funny thing the most racist people in Canada are immigrants and the nicest and more open minded are your 'white' Canadians.
I think US will and continue be the World Superpower and Canada will always be it's ally. I think Canadians should be grateful to have a neighbour with such a strong military presence and American's should be happy to have such a resource rich country as it's neighbour. USA will always be the Dallas Cowboys/Yankees of the World whereas Canada is happy with being the Packers/Spurs.
Thank you and god bless America and Canada.
You are trying, (I think) but you just don't get what being Canadian is about. You are welcome here in Canada as a visitor, but you will always be seen as American to us.
The Mall of America has a larger Naval Fleet of Submarines than Canada
The Mall of America was built by Canadians.
It's funny how American's attack Canadians every chance they get. You guys must be really insecure.
LOL! I was thinking the same thing.
Very true – I was never so angered as about 2 weeks ago going to the Daytona 500 and listening to the DJ on a Orlando station go on about how she would not stand or remove her hat for the playing of the Canadian Anthem at the NBA all stars game. That was alarming enough but to hear some of the callbacks that she requested voicing their thoughts about Canadians in general was a real slap in the face. I cannot count the amount of times in Afghanistan that Canadians stood on the ramp when we lost one of our brothers or sisters – and did not consider what uniform that person wore. (Yes I know it is a military custom – but most of the Canadian civilians were also there standing shoulder to shoulder with our USA conterparts).
Envision going to a Maple Leafs game against any USA team (yeah i know TO will lose) and the crowd seeing someone refuse to stand during any anthem. I am sure some old boy would tear that person a new tushy. And to throw in comments to boot.
I consider Canadians a pretty easy going nation – but our author here sure seems to have rubbed the cat the wrong way!!
"And, after the U.S. delayed the Keystone pipeline, Prime Minister Stephen Harper went to China to discuss redirecting its oil "
Good. Let them pollute their own land and water with that filthy sludge.
Nothing good ever came from Canada, with the exception of a couple of hockey players
Bob
Maybe you should do some research on what YOU call dirty oil before you talk lies
Martina is Ann Coulter in disguise........
It is the Central Banks that have the control... They make the money and control the debt. The best thing Canada could do is never have a Federal reserve system similar to the U.S. It has been the downfall of the United States.
They might. They don't have Republicans trying to strip away government benefits to pay for wars and tax breaks for the rich.
I love Canada. Way to go!
Hats off to our Canadian cousins! Their banking system is a lot more sound than the US and should be recognized for being so. I suggest a book called the Civil War of 1812 that basically points out that we are the same people. Anyone who has crossed the border can relate to the frustration of heading to and from countries that are at the root of everything, the same, though we enjoy pointing out where we differ. WE probably should do some soul searching and seek some sort of union for our future generations. Not to mention saving some money by eliminating all those border guards. It would certainly turn the world economic engine on its head as well.
NOOOOOOOOOOO! CNN why would you tell them we have oil, they might bomb and kill us now
Comment of the day right there.
Canada is what it is because it borders the most power nation of people this planet has ever seen. Canada is more like a runoff politics, wealth, and power that the United States leaves behind.
Did you pull that straight from one of your history textbooks? Or was that written on the box of Freedom Flakes you just had for breakfast?
Oh it was pulled from somewhere, but I don't think my comment will get approved if I point out where from!
....I really doubt this guy is contributing to the "power" of his nation- more like contributing his lack of education..... Mo' lack he wonts to fine a sum gaz fur is truck! Cheep gaz bot he dont no wear to git it. He go-na pak is shutgon an hunt imself an Albertan wit sum oil
Good one kamikaze, nice name selection, do you know the history of that word..moron....look it up....
How is your unemployment rate? How are your investments doing? House worth more than when you bought it? Got a bill from your hospital lately....we havent......lol. See this is why we laugh at you!
Ssorry but the US depends more on our exports like fresh water and soft lumber then we do on anything imported from the United States. Also China is the most powerful nation on earth. Does the US have 100,000,000 people army?
Too bad you Canadians don't have hardwood. They have medication for that.
Shhhh! Don't tell him that! Let him believe what his government wants him to believe while they continue to destroy the lives of their onw people. Americans, you are being sacrificed for the sake of money and a bunch of old white guys who don't care a bit about you. The money ran out a long time ago and you are running on fumes right now...
I certainly hope that the replies presented by these so called Canadians are from the ignorant, uneducated, unintelligent. Your rantings about the demise of the US would quickly be followed by the demise of Canada. Are you that misinformed that you don't understand that your economy is almost completely reliant on the US ecenomy. This is typical jibberish from those who deny to their protectors that they need protection, but first to cry out where are you when the protectors leave. And by protector you need to factor in not only military, but economical, technological, capabilities, and numerous other factors.
No it's not. We have a surplus of everything in Canada thanks to our smaller population and thus make tons of money exporting it. The US portion of our exports has been declining for the last decade and has gone from 80% to less than 70%. As it has declined our standard of living has gone up while yours has gone down. Everyone wants what Canada has – gold, oil, natural gas, uranium, water, lumber, copper, nickel, zinc, lead diamonds, wheat, etc. Stand in line USA, we've got better customers than you. Screw us on oil prices? China beckons. Canada is the most liked country in the world as well so we don't have a problem dealing with the rest of the world like you do. Truth hurts. http://money.ca.msn.com/savings-debt/gallery/worlds-most-respected-countries?page=10
fair to say over about 20% of our trading is done with the US, thats a huge percentage of a nations trade. if the states just dissapeared it would be bad for alot of people their mass purchasing is huge revenue for alot of nations, day that money stops is gonna be a life changing for the world.
Sorry bro, China's military is ill-equipped and China does not have the kind of money to even mobilize any of their troops
Tell me, have they taken Taiwan back yet? I didnt think so
SIZE =/= POWER
Dkom......... It does not matter how many men they have in their Army if they have no way of putting their boots on American soil or Canadian soil. and while they are trying.....Poof 10,000 Left !!!
Mexico will be a superpower before Canada becomes a superpower. There are more cows than people in Canada. Not to mention half the country is uninhabitable.
Not likely at all. Canada already IS richer than the US on a per capita basis. Mexico is still just a developing country.
Oh man, I love these types of comments.
Really? Canada is just the runoffs? I love it when people say this, because you truly don't realize how much each country needs each other. How do you think America does most of its trading with? Where do you think America gets a large portion of its energy resources? You do realize that if Canada where to 'break' our alliance, you would be the hand cuffed nation right? Imagine, all oil/natural gas/water trade cut off. Could you imagine how fast China/Russia would come suck up to us to a) get cheap resources and b) ally it's self with the nation that sits directly above the US with the largest unprotected border in the world? Sure, you could attack us, but you couldn't use nukes cause you'd be nuking yourself and if you did attack, said nations would be more than willing to come help us to set up base directly above you.
I am a huge USA supporter on the world stage. I support any decision taken by America, but I think it's ridiculous how you people think you mean so much to others. Don't get me wrong, Canada needs America as well, but to sit there and think it's you doing us a favor is hilarious. You truly don't realize how much of an advantage it is to have your closest neighbor be your best friend. Look at everywhere else, neighbors competing with each other making it hell. Our close relationship has allowed you to go out an conquer the world.
And the US wouldnt be a world power if Canada hadnt been supplying them with very cheap natural resources for the last century or two.
The fact of the matter is that both countries are strong because they compliment each other. Canada doesnt NEED protection from the US, and the US could source many of its natural resources from other countries. But they work together because it is in the best interest of both countries.
Greatest nation the planet has ever seen? In the history of man? Ever? What about Rome in first and second century AD? What about the Mongols under the rule of Ghengis Khan? Macedonia under Alexander the great? They were superpower nations of their own time, and did it without nukes. Every era has an empire, but none last forever.
Don't any of you have anything better to do. This is my first and last post. going back to my very exciting Canadian life.
Keep telling yourself that as you point to your glory days that have long since passed and enjoy the wind in your hair as you keep picking up speed on your descent from the top of the heap
It is the posts and counter-posts to this article that:
a) make me embarrassed to be American, and
b) make me embarrassed by our neighbor to the north.
Don't you have anything else to do today?
The Chinese have a large unsophisticated army.. kind of like Iraq's used to be. They have no means of power projection and are a regional force not a world force.
We need each other. Canada is the single, largest exporter of crude oil to the United States, we ship more oil to you than Saudia Arabia does. Where do you think you would be today without that?
Amen.
LOL! You must be a proud product of the US education system.
Run off of America's wealth?
The recession barely hit Canada. Americas wealth? What wealth? When I moved down to the US a year ago, I could not believe how pathetic and broke Americans were. To make this even more pathetic, EVERYTHING IS THE US IS CHEAPER THAN CANADA. So how are people so broke?! Oh right because Americans are greedy and selfish
The only way Canadians wealth is a run off of America.... is that Canadians who come to the US (such as myself) are wealthy because our dollar goes a lot further in the US than Canada. When I converted a bunch of my money last summer, the conversion was so good that I basically bought myself a brand new BMW for free with the extra money I got from the conversion.
Nice try. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about
Canada is nowhere near a superpower. I think anyone that doubts our abilities to protect ourselves, shoud think again though. One of the things that makes us great is we have every nationality represented and welcomed. India and China are 2 of the largest communities represented on the west coast. We also have a huge number of Americans that live and work here. The flip side is I think you'll find Hollywood and America in general is packed with Canadians as well. Rather than being fixated on dominating each other we should be worrying about other things. The bottom line is we are stuck with each other like it or not.
This article has nothing to do with military might. Its talking about financial stability. Canada is leading the way with its banking policies as well as a strong dollar so that's why Iceland is considering adopting the Canadian dollar. Canada will never be a military super power, we just don't have the population to support it, but we can be leaders in other areas which is what this article is all about.
You really don't keep up, do you? Canada's economy is doing better than most of the G20 countries including the US.
As for military spending being the reason that Canada gets leftovers from the US, most of the US military budget has nothing to do with our security. We contribute to NORAD and NATO which provide actual security. Much of what the US spends on defense is spent to protect American interests, to benefit military contractors and for pork barrel politics. Often, as Ron Paul has pointed out, the USA's foreign policy often makes matters worse. It's called blowback.This doesn't even benefit Americans, let alone Canadians.
We sent soldiers to war in WWI, WWII, Korea and Afghanistan. We didn't wait to join the fight during WWII. And, up until Obama increased troop levels in Afghanistan, Canada had lost more soldiers in that war than any other country (relative to the size of our populations), including the USA. Still, Republicans of the Rush Limbaugh variety made a point of belittling our sacrifice, essentially spitting on the graves of our war dead. Classy.
NO, okay next article of stupidity.....
Cool. I like Canada, we have a good relationship with them. The US won't stay dominant forever, and I would rather Canada take over than some more hostile countries.
As a dual-national, living for twenty-years in Toronto, it is always amusing to hear remarks from both sides of the border.Canada prizes stability and common-good.America is an ambitious dreamer.We all have our cards to play.If Canada shared a border with Mexico our notion of immigration would change dramatically.If the United States was accustomed to universal health care and would internalize its' wealth, much of the pain and suffering and fear would be manageable.For all the backhanded, snide remarks, our two peoples have a long history of mutual respect and partnership.That shall not change.
I think that Martina needs more fiber in her diet!
If you dislike Canada, then stay where you are.... simple as that 🙂
What is a "superpower" anyway? Everyone agrees the U.S. is one, but we nearly bankrupted ourselves and the world a few years ago while simultaneously spending a fortune fighting wars overseas. We'll probably end up bombing Iran at some point as well. I think most Canadians are smart enough to realize that the traditional definition of a "superpower" is not really a favorable position.
What do the money changers have in mind, that is the question. Can-a-da is under the headship of the Queen and that was said by her own mouth ; Elizabeth is the Queen of Canada. However, the Crown is owned by the Rothschilds and that would mean that the Queen is a subject to them, the money changers.Here is a mind that has wisdom the seven heads are seven mountains (rulers,men of vast wealth) where the woman sits ( would this be a statue or the Queen herself for their are many statues of women throughout the world) and their are seven kingdoms. we know that the six was the roman empire and i believe the seventh was the british empire, i could be wrong however. The beast that was, but is not, is he himself the eighth and comes out of the seventh and leads into destruction. Oh Can-a-da will you be a super power ? Are there seven kings,men of great wealth but without a kingdom where the Queen of Canada sits. Food for thought !! In these latter days knowledge of Jesus Christ ,the Word is going to increase.
carl, amusing post but you're quite the nutter. Take another toke!
There is a much bigger story brewing in the North right now, and that is one of Electoral Fraud by the current ruling Conservative Government. Allegations are surfacing of disposable cell phones, voter suppression, and false and misleading phone calls up to and including on election day, convincing voters that their voting location had moved 15 miles away, when no such thing was true. Subpoenas have been served on call centers in Canada, on telephone companies in Canada, on pay-pal, and the head of Canadian Elections has opened investigations with more than 31,000 complaints of election fraud....The only person who wants Canada to be a super power is the leader of a party that may have committed fraud to steal control of an entirely peaceful Nation. Prior to the Conservative rule of our parliament our military role in the world was that of peacekeeper and helper, but with Stephen Harper in Power we have joined in bombing Afghanistan, and Libya, and slowly began turning world opinion against us, if that's what it takes to be a super power, we are well on our way. Also of note, we have the 6th largest supply of oil in the world, and yet here we are paying almost as much and in some cases more for gas than it is selling for in California!
It's not a bigger story; it's a media-driven tempest in a teapot in which there's no more evidence the Conservatives were involved than the Liberals or NDP. And it was the Liberals under Chretien that brought us into Afghanistan - not that I have a problem with that.
Oh Canada exemplifies the common arrogance that often causes us more grief than we deserve. You see, nobody has asked us to manage the world.
Why don?t we just take a lesson from our excellent neighbors to the North and mind our own business.
Why should we worry about Canada bailing out another country? I'm happy about it, it is about time some other country besides the US stepped up!!
Seems like a moot question.
Canada is a member of the G8, we have been helping fight in Afganistan and we lead the world (per capita) in sending peacekeepers on foreign missions. Canada has universal healthcare, low unemployment, a strong dollar (trading at par with the US greenback) and natural resourses up the wazoo. It's also the largest country in the world I believe, now that the soviet union has been broken apart.
Is Canada the next "Super Power"...I'm pretty sure it already is one. 😉
@Martina. Being the Canadian guy i am and reading your comments on how much you think my country sucks, i was wondering if i could give you some of my lumber and have a taste of your beaver (as we love our Beaver up here). Then you can decide if Canada sucks or not. Let me know Babe!!!!
Wait a minute, isn't Canada a liberal socialist country with universal medicare? How did they get so strong and keep a great credit rating?
If megalomaniac Indians could aspire to be a superpower one day, after steeling our jobs and growth, why not Canadians? After all, Canada has done some many good things, the population is more educated, economically much stronger than India and above all they did not destroy a budding nation which India did supporting Sri Lanka in its destruction.
FIrst off I am Candian, born and raised, and super proud of it. I have visited your country many times, mostly quick trips for vacation.
Of course we watch american televison, we hear your jokes about Canada, we laugh and brush it off................the reason............because most americans are so self centred and ignorant about the rest of the world that it is good for a laugh. Obamas last term he tried to give you universal health care......and everyone was angry about it...........those who oppossed......you are morons. Why would you want to pay for the incredibly exspensive health care costs. laughable and certainly a reflection of americas uneducated populatiion.
As for Canda, we dont care if you think we are a super power or not. We are busy working hard, de-valuing your american dollar, enjoying life, and being nice to eachother. We dont hate, we dont start wars, we encourage diversity, opinions and new ideas..............sounds like the old USA!
So keep making your tongue in cheek remarks about Canada, keep embarassing yourselves infront of the rest of the world, it makes for the best reality TV yet!
Oh yeah and by the way....Obama is the best thing to happen to you since JFK. Perhaps you republicans should shut your mouthes, realise your age old policies from the 50's are not relevant anymore and let Obama bring amercia back to where it once was. Unitl then................thanks for the laughs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am an american living in Canada and have lived here for the past 7 years. In my time here in Toronto, Ontario, where the winters are just a little colder than my native Boston with not as much snow, I have found a home that I have come to respect and love.
The people here just like anywhere else have thier short comings when it comes to certain things that I find inherent in the culture, but those short comings seem to be on the side of trying to be too nice. Unlike many americans who seem to be more worried about how to get thiers.
On the question of whether or not Canada is a superpower, who cares. Our economy is strong, our housing market stronger, immigration is looked at for what it is, a reason for growth economically and socially, and to be honest, people want to move here. Why is it that people from India, Hong Kong, Pakistan and the like choose a place like Toronto or Vancouver over a place like Texas or Florida? I can bet you it isn't the weather. More likely the political and social climate that exists in those areas. I can't speak to Texas from first hand knowledge, but I can for Florida.
The fact that there are individuals like Rush Limbaugh on the radio saying the types of things that they do, they turning around and blaming it on his rivals makes people from other countries laugh when they look at the state of US politics. In addition the fact that the self righteous right continue to blame every problem in the country on Obama is ridiculous.
There are hundreds of you in Washington, and to be honest everyone of you is just as responsible as the next for continuing to ensure that you keep what you have, and those who don't have thier fair share continue to listen to your rhetoric and believe that you actually care about them. Welcome to the American Aristocracy, and unless you are going to do something to change it you better get used to it.
I now live in a country where I pay almost 40% of my income in taxes, I get nationalized health care, and I am so happy and proud that I have made the decision to ensure that my children do the same and get the same. To be honest I would pay 50% in taxes to ensure that my children and everyone else's children continue to get the same.
The change that the US needs can not and will not start in Washington, it needs to start in every town, every home, every person.
Well said
I love my Canadian and American brothers and countries alike. All the other dialogue is nonsense.
Where-ever I may roam!
Maybe Canada knows something we need to learn. Here, we want to be the "super-power" that invests taxpayer money in the destruction of other countries and the destruction of our own soldiers and military equipment. Does this make us a more favorable trading partner? Does this make others in the world look up to the US as a nation that can be trusted?
Canada DOESN'T invest nearly as much of their citizen's money in defense and war. Maybe they're investing in things that improve their standard of living instead? What can we learn?
Maybe they can bail out the U.S. at some point. We're fast sliding to a mediocre has-been state.
Great. Let 'em be a superpower. Then we can do things to screw **them** over, and they'll just have to sit there and grin and bear it.
Wait a minute........I thought Canada is a state!!!
Another interesting point it that unlike the U.S, Canada does not beleive in world domination, reminds me of a James Bond movie (maybe a few).
Dude, US does not want to dominate the world, where do you get that? we would have done it already, man you canadians are too dumb to even take over Iceland.
LOL! Why would Canada want to invade anyone? You Americans are way too violent. That's why your nickname in Canada is the Excited States of America...and no, it's not a compliment.
You should pass this information on to Australia and the other SE Asian countries (except China) that recently came to an organizational agreement with the US that would permit more US military bases and influence in the region to counter and off-set the growing influence of China in that area. I'm sure they would appreciate hearing your pearls of wisdom. After all, I believe it was the leader of Singapore who said he was looking forward to the company of the "benign influence" that the United States would provide in SE Asia (and those were basically *his* exact words, not mine).
War of 1812. Come at me bro.
All right, the news we've all been waiting for here up-north!!
Now that we're a superpower we can start invading the yanks south while their armies are mudded in god-forsaken deserts like Afghanistan, Irak and (soon) Iran (Israel, anyone? Why don't you guys make Israel a US state, you're all over the Middle-East anyway...). I always dreamed to see a beaver at the White House ... I mean you'll have to learn to point Ottawa on a map, because current White House will be converted into our Prime-Minister summer shack (I'd personally go for Miami, but heh, you can't always have everything you want)
I think US should annex Alberta as a new state.
How about ..you can have Toronto.
If you can find it... I'm gonna beat you back with my hockey stick, attack beavers ... besides you guys will then start eating a lot of poutine and will get way more obese than you already are and you won't be able to move. We'll be fine 😉
What makes you think Alberta wants to be part of the US? Why jump on a sinking ship?
how about paying your Chinese debt and creating a few dozen million jobs for your fellow unemployed Americans first, before dreaming about invading anyone?
Remember, invasions are costly: it's mainly Bush's 2 wars of invasion (and his relaxing of US banking regulation) which got you in this financial hole in the first place. And the places you invaded were essentially some 3d-world deserts. So put the "invasion" word to rest for a while.
Are you forgetting what brought the US out of the great depression? World War II. Suddenly there were plenty of jobs building war machines and weapons.
pssssst, I think he may have been kidding...
ppsssssst.. I think he knows that 😀 (he' just making a point ... pssssst.. I think you know what)
We here in the US have been hijacked by the elite and have outsourced much of our manufacturing to Asia as we maintained our ability to make weapons like no other country on the planet. We have to occupy and war to sustain our hungry beast of a Defense Department and the contractors who profit so extremely well off of the scheme. Yes, it is insanely unsustainable much like our love for economic bubbles for the easy profit. We make you in Canada look incredibly brilliant by comparison.
What is going on with this censorship "waiting for moderation" bull?
I don't think they would want to switch health care systems with us, I know if I lived in Alberta I wouldn't switch...
How about you don't invade us and we give you Toronto. No questions asked. Just take it...don't forget to take the Leafs with you.
PLEASE take Toronto! And the Leafs, the Raptors and the Blue Jays.
First prize in a quiz show - a Week in Toronto.
Second prize - Two Weeks in Toronto.
Canada is 30 million people, united in their common dislike of Toronto, A Legend in its Own Mind.
Please invade. You are welcome to all our national debt and tea partiers.
Finally! I agree completely! Its time we to the north get the recognition we deserve,after all,we also fought in all the wars,backed the U.S. on almost every stupid thing they.ve done and stand back while the americans( little a) take the credit. We have the spirit,the guts and the brains to accept that we are NOT God on earth,nor do we need to insult, condemn or destroy other people, cultures or individuals to prove a point. GO CANADA!!!! We love it!
Irak???? IRAQ!
Invade, Invade.... I'm tired of the lines at the border. And passports now!?
The US alone created the mess at the Canada-US border. Please fix it!
Iraq
Go ahead and invade, lol! Just because our troops are overseas does not make it any easier. The last time I checked, the Boy Scouts were still here, they should be able to stop any invasion that your planning!
Canada is the United State's toilet!!
You are exactly the reson the US has no friends abroad. you must be proud of your ignorance so go vote for Santorum or Palin or any other one of your wingnut, ignorant US politicians.
Why so nasty? Remember, we're in Afghanistan too and we have no business being there. People like you are the reason Canadians are starting to be mocked and not liked in the world. Shame on you!
Hey, lol... this is sooooo funny. Basically, you need to be making a CRAPLOAD of $$$ to be a superpower. You need a LOT of people. Reality is that the U.S. population is what.. 300 or 350 million? Canada is 35 million. We'll never be a superpower unless we had a bigger population. That being said, I'm going to LAUGH my A$$ off if Santorum wins both the GOP nomination and the general election!! I'll also cry. And for those of you comparing "Canadian" contributions to "U.S." contributions to the world, you have do it on a per capita basis or else the numbers are not fair. For the rednecks out there, that means, if the U.S. sent 1 solider to war for every 300 citizens, Canada should send 1 soldier to war for every 30. 😛 Who we invading next btw? I'm excited!!!! I am Canadian.
Hum, my math didn't make sense... 😛 .. sorry.. was busy and tinkering.. what I MEANT to say is both countries should send the same amount of soliders based on their population. So, if you send 1 solider to war for every 100 people, Canada would be sending 350,000 soliders and the U.S. would be sending 3,500,000 soliders. That's fair.
as a Canadian I can honestly say we are pretty far from being a world power. Although compared to The US these days even Haiti looks powerful!
America: as long as you concur your fear based right wing, and accept a happy mix of socialized health care and, better education, and a little control over your guns.. you might have a chance. Let Obama continue to fix the mess Bush made and you'll be right back in the with Big – Boys!
( and send all the evangelicals to Guantanamo.. !)
Come on CNN you censorship most of the post Canadians are making, we are here being insulted by Americans and when we're replying you are rejecting our post, it's a good thing you did because it shows your hypocrisy and lack of partnership between us. Some politicians over here saw by themselves how Canadians posting are censorship by CNN, that will surely help the relationship between the two countries.
Can't be a "super-power" in the traditional sense with a land mass that approximates the size of US or Russia or China, only 35mil people, and ~$22 billion in non-nuclear military spending .
they might be since they don't have Obama
Obama rocks and Clinton should run the world! There's seriously something wrong with you guys if you don't like them.
They were also NOT BUSHWACKED!
The USA has been fading for almost 25 years because of the desire to help others. Giving our precious tax dollars away is finally showing the affects and the people of the US are watching. Soon all that giving will come to an end and nation building will be directed home. In the past 3 year alone, President Obama has rebuild the economy and brought US troops home from countries that don't try to do anything. Yet some folks continue to complain about Mr. Obama. Wonder where the US would be today had he not been elected president? I hope he is re-elected to continue getting the USA back on tract to care for our citizens, not the world's citizens. Canada is great because they have direct access to the USA and don't really care about the people of this country. Wake up America, stop giving everything away.
Canada is Canada.
Ask anyone in the world for their opinion about Canada.
We're not world police and we're not God – we're Canadians and 100% proud of that. You can't compare Canada to any other country in the world because there is no other place like Canada, free, honest, hardworking and open minded.
Free, Hardworking, open minded...........and COMPLETELY protected by your big brother to the south.
My Mom never needed a body guard, because she never treated people like trash, we don't need protection assistance from America, we need protection assistance, because of America.
Still waiting for an example of what Canada's being protected from and how exactly this protection works?
I'd like to know that, too.
Russia would own you by now if it wasnt for the presence of the USA. Oh and Jim, I see all the nice little comments you have about the practices of the USA. Must be nice to enjoy the freedoms you do without ever having to get your hands dirty. You just keep sitting back and let your big brother handle the dirty work.
Tommy, Canada was in Both World Wars years before the US joined in protecting your freedom so you should rethink your statement about us protecting freedom because we were doing it long before you were.
Yes Canada was and the USA really appreciated all 45 troops you sent over to help us.
you do realize the US followed Canadian troops in on DDay.
I lost an uncle in the war. That is just rude and disrespectful. You want hero cookies for being the big kid on the block? Fine. Just don't spit on the graves of others because they don't have your sheer numbers. That is ignorant.
please don't ever disrespect the hundreds of thousands of Canadians that died in both world wars protecting ours and your freedom before the US even decided to join. It makes you the worst kind of person. Also the US barely had a prescence in WWI. Your boys would come to Canada or go to England or France to enlist to fight as the US was refusing to join the war. Another thing you may not know, during WW! the Canadians were at the head of almost every major battle because of their fierce fighting tactics and helped turn the tide of the war.
Actually, if you go read up on the world wars you will see that the German Army was most scared of the Canadians.
Also and fyi the only war the USA ever lost (assuming you think you won Vietnam) was lost to Canada.
Tommy, respectfully, you should really do some research before engaging. Although I suspect that in your case, it's better to keep silent and appear ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Tommy.......you are obviously an ignorant person.....you and people like you are the reason your country is the laughing stock of the world....keep those comments coming....everytime you type something it solidifies the typical opinion of americans......ignorant, ignorant, and ignorant.....i bet you are republican!
Examples, Tommy, post examples. Enough with the rhetoric. Give us examples. What exactly have you protected us from? What are you currently protecting us from? Please help me get my hands dirty with you. I want to understand what you're referring to. What dirty work?
He might be talking about Abu Graibh or pi$$ing on dead people. Right buddy?
What dirty work??? Oh you know all those wars we have been in??? How is that for starters. Yes yes, I know you helped out in the world wars by sending over your entire army of 45 soldiers. That was very nice of you. However, if you really believe that you would enjoy the freedoms you have now, without your big brother's presence, you are insane. Every single time there is some threat in the world, USA steps in. Everyone else, such as your country, sits back and just judges. All the while forgetting this is why you have the freedoms you do.
You're obviously an uneducated person, Tommy who has no grasp on historical facts or actualities. "All those wars..." What wars? WWI, WWII, Korean War, Afghanistan? Canada was there along with the US and dozens of other nations. As far as I can recall, the only times we weren't were Vietnam & Iraq and it isn't coincidence that no other nations weren't there either.
If you're referring to the Soviet Union, they defeated themselves. Their way of life was unsustainable. Spend, spend, spend while domestic & social conditions deteriorated and the people finally had enough.
When you use the word 'protection' you're implying a direct & immediate threat against Canada whereby the US had to intervene in order to save our way of life. So what are those examples? When did that happen?
Also, just for reference, about a third of my family are American and I have 3 cousins currently serving in the US military. Not a day goes by that I don't think of them and hope they're safe wherever they are.
U my friend are a shining example of why your country is in the trouble it is......pure ignorance..
"Every single time there is some threat in the world, USA steps in. Everyone else, such as your country, sits back and just judges."
– who determines this threat? Threat to whom?
– and who's judging? Your own politicians & people are split on US involvement in foreign operations abroad. Any critical judgement is far more prevalent in your own country than coming from anywhere else in the world.
WW1 – 650,000 Canadians served (66,000 dead)
WW2 – over 1,000,000 served (47,000) dead.
Oh so silly and ignorant. We're the one's who always finish the job by mopping up your mess and helping these people to move forward by educating them on how to fend for themselves; teahching them to build not destroy. Hence "peacekeepers"! OH CANADA! Glorious and Free!
Canada has its freedoms because of Canadians – Americans have nothing to do with it. Our original freedom came from Britain when they granted us independance with zero bloodshed, unlike our violent neighbours to the South. Finally, we defended our freedoms in Europe during WW1 and WW2 right from the start of the war – not 2 years later like your country, the US did. Learn some history Yankee.
Does anyone remember Angry Beavers?
You need to do some reading before you post uneducated and incorrect assumptions. We are as free as the US, however we do not have to preach it at every single opportunity. We just know it. Canada lost as many lives (per capita) in all world wars as the US or any other country did.
Tommy, If i,m not correct I,m sure you will let me know but I think the only war you guys won without Canadians help was the American cival war
Me too! The US is so paranoid it's afraid of its own shadow!
Protected from what? All of those crazy Canadian life hating extremists in the world? Remember that to need to be protected means that you would need to be a target for something in the first place.
Protected from who???? I'm sorry but nobody wants to destroy Canada. Unlike the US they are not screaming death to Canada in the middle east
Don't Americans like to wear a Maple Leaf when traveling abroad.....for protection. If you feel like such a super power by all means wear a stars n stripes logo on your clothing and luggage.
Protected from whom? Seriously, do you expect China to invade canada and we're the only thing stopping them? Get real.
You mean China has never invaded us? Wow, who knew?
The US is the only country in the world anyone needs protection from. All others have abandoned their capability to invade other countries (With perhaps the exceptions of small ones directly on their border). Only the US still routinely invades other countries, often on false pretenses (Iraq). The ironic thing is the overreaction to 9/11 is the catalyst that will cost your country its superpower status and finally decimate the military, as is always the result in failing empires.
Ya thanks big brother for protecting us from "all of our enemies" that we wouldn't have except for the psychopaths to the south!
Our brothers to the south are the only ones we need to be protected from. No one else wants to take our water, take our oil, or treat us like their second cousin.
The US is a cesspit of corruption and the epitome of the decay of western society. And it's fools like you that think that we actually do anything of any value for anyone that make this place even worse. I'd be so proud to completely drop my American citizenship and move straight on up to Canada. And hell, I'm in Wisconsin so I'm already almost there. The US is done. Face the fact. A society has been created here which is completely unsustainable and the proof exists everyday of that fact. All you flag-toting, gun slinging country invaders should learn how to think with more than just .5% of your brains.
and you can thank our fallen soldiers for helping you out as well...correct?
Ha ha Joke of the day people : A first grade teacher explains to her class that she is an American. She asks her students to raise their hands if they were American too.
Not really knowing why but wanting to be like their teacher, their hands explode into the air like flashy fireworks.
There is, however, one exception. A girl named Kristen has not gone along with the crowd.
The teacher asks her why she has decided to be different. "Because I am not an American."
"Then", asks the teacher, "what are you?"
"I’m a proud Canadian," boasts the little girl.
The teacher is a little perturbed now, her face slightly red. She asks Kristen why she is a Canadian. "Well, my mom and dad are Canadians, so I’m a Canadian too."
The teacher is now angry. "That’s no reason," she says loudly. "What if your mom was a moron, and your dad was a moron. What would you be then?"
A pause, and a smile. "Then," says Kristen, "I’d be an American."
Love it!
Typical American bullcrap. Where was the US for the first two years of WW1 and WW2. AWOL. Missing in action while Canada helped to defend Europe and paid a terrible price. Far more Canadian casualties per capita than US. Google it. Canada can defend itself just fine – because threats against us are minor. We don't nmake the rest of the world our enemy. The US is world class at doing that.
Yep the Americans were there alright, but as usual they bombarded Canadians Soldiers, i know cause my father was almost killed by the Americans dropping bombs in WWII. He barely came out of it alive. If only they would know how to aim at the real targets and not at the civilians and Allies. They bomb everywhere and shoots everywhere without knowing what the target is.
I have lived in both countries, and have a decent amount of experience with both countries from first hand experience...
Canada:
-Free Health care. The myth that there is massive lines to medical attention is generally false. If you have a small cut on your hand, yes the woman who just had a heart attack is going to get helped first
-Taxes are lower (with the exception of sales tax which is slightly higher) –> The myth that Canadians pay higher taxes (income, property) is absolutely false
– International Reputation: We are friendly, polite, and like to party.
-Prices: Everything is more expensive. This is the biggest con
-Education: $1000-$3000 a year for better college education that almost all American schools with the exception of the top 10
America:
-Health care: Each person pays $800-2500 for health insurance per year. This may or may not cover you in serious events. Hospitals are businesses. For example, the cost of one patient with an acute infection to stay in the hospital for ONE day costs $13000. The cost of some stronger antibiotics (if you get infected by MRSA for example) is $7000 a dose. A coronary Heart Bypass can cost around $68000. I know this because I am a physician here in the US and did my training here.
-Health: Obese people who are stubborn and dumb. This leads to more obesity and all of its complications. This leads to obese people wasting all of your health care money
-Education: $7000-50,000 per year. Most of the college education is sub-par with the exception of the top 20 schools. Interest rates for students are high, unlike Canada where students dont pay interest until they years after they graduate
-General Intelligence: America far falls behind most countries in this category. If I tell Americans Im from Canada, its like I just told them to solve the square root of pi. When I ask some Americans things about their own country (such as basic geography) they cant even answer.
-Military: They are bankrupting the US. Period. What is the US afraid of? Although come to think of it, the US likes to poke most nations with a stick and than wonders why people retaliate (9/11)
America IS a collapsing nation. For America to get better, it needs to spend MUCH less on Military and more on its people. American government seems to care very little about its people. Americans generally are stubborn and DO NOT accept change. If you are known to be an obese country, fix it. Instead most Americans ignore this, people get obese, and everyone suffers directly or indirectly (health care costs). Americans need to learn how to treat other nations.
AMERICANS NEED TO ACCEPT THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER THE BEST NATION. Period!
Canada? No we will not be a super power. We have the resources, but we lack the population and probably desire. Canada is great the way it is. Sure, lets give another country our currency. At least its more stable than the US dollar
This American agrees. You have a great country, I will make a point of visiting again soon.
Yes we are proud of being Canadians, taking care of our people is not being socialist or comunist,I know your country and I love your PEOPLE and I first of all respect your PRESIDENT what a great man.I m watching the GOP race WOW so much hatred from a bunch of religious freaks! RELIGION =WAR=GREED Controling Women really sad to watch!
God Blees America !
I wonder why my comments are flagged...
I'm a very happy and proud Canadian eh, and I love my American neighbours. I wish them well and pray they shake off this mess they're in and step up to being the country admired all over the world once again. (But this time, make much smarter choices with your international politics and spent more education dollars in those southern states).
Canada will always be a powerful exporting country. China is the next superpower
The only reason Canada may become a super power would because of the true super power to its south. Because of the US military, Canada has had to spend relatively little on their own military. Due to Canada's immigration policies, the US has had to beef up its northern border security and intelligence. Remember that the only border crossing terroristic threat came from the Canadian border not the Mexican border. They enjoy a pretty nice place in world politics because they can always say they are not the US even though 95% of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the US border. As for Canada's health system, yes it is universal but if you talk to those that use it, it can seem nightmarish. Their education is no better than the US except they do require everyone to learn two languages due to the unnatural influence of one province. When I went to train US personnel based in Canada, we had Canadian Law Enforcement attend as well. It was amazing to see their genuine lack of knowledge on some very basic anti-terrorism information. Can Canada be a super power? Yes thanks to the good old USA.
What terriosts came from Canada? They all flew directly into the US from UAE. The only direction that the US is going is down..if you can't see this, you are in a bubble. The only superpower in the world will soon be China. Get a grip.
Why doesn't this surprise me....no wonder must of the world sees Americans as arrogant! Wow! Nice job falling into the stereotype.
Ignorant comment but par for the course. If you think the drugs that are pouring in from Mexico are less threatening or kill less people than the terrorists that entered US from Canada.... you're kidding yourself.
As for the size of your military and therefore Canada not requiring to bulk up our own... bulk up to what? Who's invading? Where is this monster army coming from? China's too busy becoming a global economic powerhouse, they're not invading anyone. N Korea? Please. Russia? Same Russia that doesn't have the capability of putting gas in their tanks & ships yet they have one of the greatest gas reserves on the planet but there's so much corruption & dysfunction over there to do anything? Did I miss anyone? Is Brazil or Uganda the next big threat?
You did defeat those pesky aliens in Independence Day – that was good. Your armed forces didn't fare well but that quirky scientist guy... definitely an 'outside-the-box' thinker.
You forgot about the attempted great invasion of the american armies into Canada.We kicked their ass all the way back across the border. So we don't need help for any illusional invasion.
for those who don't know what I am talking about (americans) check your uneditied history books.
Well said jimdog33. I find it interesting that there have been several comments about this need to protect Canada. It seems to come from their own fears that the whole world is out to get them. What they seem to not realize is no one wants to attack Canada, and that has nothing to do with the American military but with the fact that Canada just hasn't made as many enemies.
I enjoy the fact that each time you've responded to one of these posts questioning their reasoning, they either don't respond or avoid answering the questions completely. There are obviously a great deal of fallacies in what they're saying, and the fact that they can't seem to respond just further demonstrates this fact.
....you Americans just can't get past yourselves can you? Sad really....no wonder you are in the shape you are...maybe time to start opening your eyes to others beside yourselves....
Why doesn't this surprise me....no wonder most of the world sees Americans as arrogant! Wow! Nice job falling into the stereotype.
Codswallop! Not a word of truth or accuracy.
You bring up some valid points, except one. Canada pretty much has a stangle-hold on the US since it supplies the US with most of its oil. If Canada were to stop oil shipment to the US, the US would crumble pretty fast, and the military will come to a complete halt. Don't tease the hand that feeds you.
If the US would invade Canada to get at the oil, I'm sure China would have something to say about that. Sometimes it's not what you have, but who you know.
I use the health care system and it's pretty sweet. Sure it lines up. Of course it does. There's 30 million people using iit. But it beats the poor dying in the street. And the education system is pretty solid. All my kids have good schools and they have a special program for my daughter with dyslexia. But what I realize about school is it's not the state's job to educate my child. They can provide the basics, provide the resourses but if I want her to really step it up, I have to parent her. And FYI, hardly anyone our west speaks French.
Canadian students outperform most of the world in all categories. The US is far back in international comparisons even though it spends more on education per capita than just about everyone.
you do not know what the hell you are talking about except showing your true american ignorance. as for our universal care it is just fine. at least people here are not turned away at the door dying. and if you do not have insurance you lose your whole life savings. do not get sick in the good ole USA.
Wow! Where were you getting your information for this defensive rant?
Really? Typical American. Don't worry though, seems like America is quickly becoming the new Mexico. No jobs, lots of debt, and now your talent is trying to cross in to Canada to take jobs. Funny that.
Don't worry, we all know that China will own the US simply through the sheer amount of debt owed to them. We'll just keep doing our thing up here and laughing at you.
As for healthcare, the system isn't perfect, but I don't need to worry about spending $50k+ for a hospital visit. In terms of education what's wrong with learning multiple langauges? Oh right... you're american and don't get it – it's all about you...
BTW... training for anti terrorist work? We don't go around the world like we own the place... Guess we don't have the same issue you do... funny that. Finally, ever notice when an American doesn't want to be pulled out of a crowd, they claim they're Canadian? hmmm.
Lots of falsehoods in the idea that we're militarily dependent upon the States. We've been in Afghanistan since forever and have suffered, on a proportional basis, higher rates of casualties than the US. I raise this point because we are an active participant, militarily, on the world scene. We were also one of the first countries helping out in Libya,
No one in Canada is required to learn 2 languages. We do have 2 official languages but that is because we are not interested in forcing a portion of our population to feel like second hand citizens (i.e. the ever growing spanish speaking american population).
The world could do alot worse than having Canada be the next super power.
I am not sure who you are talking to, but up here in Canada almost everyone is, on balance, happy with the the medical system. We could use more doctors since they run to the US for more wealth. Nighmarish is worrying about not having coverage or losing your savings to illness. Learning French? Part of being an educated person.
"It was amazing to see their genuine lack of knowledge on some very basic anti-terrorism information"
They didn't know Iraq had WMD? No, wait... that can't be it.
You cant be serious?? lol Your response is loaded with arrogance...first of all our Healthcare system is not nightmarish....our educational system is far superior to the US, what/who exactly do we need protectron from? and last but not least.....arent you the country that elected Bush twice? lol
You are wrong on several points. What "terroristic" threats entered the US from Canada. Hopefully you are not thinking of the 9-11 hijackers, as this early error was later corrected by Napolitano in 2009. None of them entered the US from Canada. The greater flow of criminality is generally south to north. Canada ranks significantly better than the US in both health care and education - anecdotal "nightmarish" experiences notwithstanding.
Woow! true American, failing to recognize the obvious truth staring at you in the face. Canadian Literacy rate is way higher than American literacy rate. And very very surprised at your comment on Canadian healthcare, all I know is nobody gets turned away at the hospital or clinic and neither do we leave the burden to only the rich to carry. The poor and the rich have equal access to health and Canadian physician clinical diagnostics skill rate is 5.6% above their American counter parts. The law enforcement seemingly lack of knowledge on terrorism is not any different from the general lack of knowledge majority of Americans seem to have on their Northern neighbor (Sarah Palin's comment on Russia: " They're our next door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska" lol. Look Canada has the fiscal foundation, resources and the global influence to become whatever the country wants to become. Diplomacy and intellectual empowerment has always been our approach to global conflict resolutions not guns.
I AM CANADIAN, AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE!
We don't need protection. We don't go around making people mad enough to want to attack us. But we do step in to clean up, hand out food and blankets and medicine and help rebuild.
I'm sorry, TooClose2DC, but you are considerably off course on your statements about Canada. Your ignorance is understandable, however, as you are clearly a right wing nut-job of the highest degree. The constant "USA! USA! USA!" chanting you hear all day is coming from inside your head.
First – Practically nobody in Canada goes bankrupt because they get sick and have to go to the hospital. In the US this is a very real possibility. Having a longer wait time for some services isn't the worst thing to have to put up with compared to that financial risk. So, on healthcare, please shut the f*** up. You are clueless.
Second – Our country is much larger in size than the US, but with only 10% of the population. We simply cannot derive the revenue needed to create and resource such a large military. The US mainly uses its military to attack countries for their resources or to impose direct or indirect control. The US has been so military focused for so long that it doesn't make sense for Canada to do the same. We can't compete, and wouldn't want to. Because Canada doesn't go around toppling other countries (good, bad, or otherwise) we don't have to worry about "the next 9/11" because, honestly, if it happens, it's not like we're going to be able to stop it, just like you weren't able to. Your security at home is pure theatre.
Third – we have to learn French, like as in we are forced to learn French? When did this start happening? Besides the point that your statement is patently wrong, what is the problem in learning another language and culture? Your xenophobia is showing!
But really, at the end of the day, we are a country with 10% of the capacity to generate the income that the US has. So no, we're not going build up a huge military, USA. You're going to protect us when we ask, plain and simple. And we're going to be nice to the world instead of kicking it about. It works so much better in the long run. Comparing numbers like GDP and bank holdings may sound impressive, but only because there are so many more people kicking into it in the US. Purely a strength in numbers game with a moronic mob mentality to boot.
As the US continues to swirl around the bowl, we in Canada will be looking elsewhere to play. Thanks for coming out.
As always, the ignorant, egoistical US citizen talking garbage..
Re: "Canada's health system, yes it is universal but if you talk to those that use it, it can seem nightmarish", that is a myth and a lie that has been spread with surprising effectiveness (spread by American health insurance companies, perhaps?). As a Canadian, not a single person that I know, family or friend, has ever claimed that Canada's healthcare is a bad thing. In fact, in a national survey on who Canadians considered the greatest Canadian, Canadians voted Saskatchewan's 7th premier, Tommy Douglas, first, largely in support of his advocacy of universal health care in Canada when it was first introduced over 50 years ago. We love our healthcare and appreciate it very much. And you Americans don't know what a benefit you're missing!
Me again...
and that vote for Tommy Douglas beat Alexander Graham Bell (the telephone inventor who came in 9th in the survey), Canada's first prime minister Sir John A. MacDonald (who came in 8th), Pierre Trudeau (who came in 3rd), and Wayne Gretzky (who came in 10th)!!
And you forgot that they do most of their shopping across the border and spend their winters in Florida. Truthfullly , the two items that I disagree with you about are on the health system and education. Personal family history has proved to me that their system has given excellent care ( except for the whiners and they are always with us) ;and Canadians are very well informed on world history and international issues. We studied American History and American Government in grade school back in the forties. Canadians have a tendency to modesty and don't always show all their cards.
As an USAF retiree and having been stationed at the Canadian NORAD headquarters for a few years, the model which we based ours on, and having married one and we still spend time up there when we can; I'd have to say you're either a liar or an idiot. Unlike many Americans they don't spend all their time telling everybody how much better they are than everybody else and strangely enough especially their fellow countrymen or friendly neighbors(based soley on an American slanted story). I've got news for you the world is changing and if America doesn't adapt to it we will most assuredly perish whether you want to believe it or not makes no difference.
@ Too – Typical blumberring american fool. Way too full of yourself, even though all of what your full of is brown and smells. Canada doesn't need to spend crazy $ on its military because it doesn't seek to invade other nations. The US military is an offensive force. Canada is defensive. There are no countires that threaten Canada. And the only countries that are capable of threatening it are the US and Russia. Canada's universal healthcare system is fine. The vast majority of people aren't always waiting for operations or specialized treatment. Being in a line a couple of times in your lifetime isn't a big deal. The day to day things are what matter and the advantages of universl care are fantastic. Americans are just a bunch of whiners.
you should look up JTF2. They are one of the most active Anti-Terrorist special forces in the world.
Born and raised in Vancouver and I've never had a bad experience with our health care system. It's a pleasure, actually. I had to go to emergency 3 times last year in the middle of the night because my baby had severe croup. I was in and out in about an hour to 2 hours with medication and not one penny was spent. I like being known as "nice" and "non-agressive" instead of a country who likes to shoot first and ask questions later. I am glad to be here.
The U.S. hasn't been forced to beef up its security due to Canada's immigration policies, it has been forced to beef up its security because of its own imperial policies.
If you want the rest of the world to stop hating you, you should really stop giving them reasons to do so.
Canada will never be a true super power. I believe Erin was refering to an economic power which we definatly will be. Go Canada.
One day as a canadian citizen I may like Canada again...and my demands are fairly simple. When I can go into a grocery store..and not have to spend a quarter to half my paycheck on a half a cart of food. Ill like it when I can actually go camping..and not be charged each and everytime for aplace to set my tent up...or for a armload of wood. when I can go to a nightclub one night and not have to watch my back for worry of getting mugged or having a group of immagrants who were ony two or three years before "boat people", yell out racial slurs because I am white. I will like Canada when I as a cacasian am not the "minority" . Ill like canada when I am not always watchung my ecery step with the new laws that are forced into place because the older ones have not brought the income they use to. (that driving while talking on a cell phone is a joke..but a money maker to say the least. The cops sit with binocular and watch the motorists..too funny) Ill like Canada when the taxes for a jet to the west coast of BC isnt as much as the actual fare itself. Ill really like Canada when the government lotteries are actually won more in the west than always being in the east. Illl like Canada when I go to quebec and the people actually treat me with geniuen kindness and talk to me in english instead fo pretending that they "no speaka english!)
I am not "pro Canada" I live here..work here...pay half my check to taxes before i even see it and then pay more at the tills and in electricle bills etc..etc..the list is endless how many times we are taxed. Oh yea..its a beautiful country...if you can offord to pay for the scenery through the parks. Every time there is a atrraction of scenery..the government steps in and takes it and turns it into a park..to so call " protect it" and then they charge outragous fees to the citizens to see it and use it..under their strict governing laws. we get the throw aways form the states...(the stuff that has already been on the shleves in the states and sent here cuz its outdated or not in style anymore) Canada censors everything coming inot the country..such as internet, broadcasting, books, education, medical. the ones getting rich are the politicians in the east...who more or less enforce our laws based on how much income can be extorted fomr the citizens.
Ya..im Canadian...you pro Canadians thknk the world is phucked up and we are all better..well yoru eworng. We are just blinded. fricken travel a bit before you judge..go to the states and go grocery shopping and walk out with a ful shopping cart and pay under 100. like to see anyone buy a shopping cart full of groc in Canada for under 100 bucks. I guess you can if you grocery shop at the dollar store. travel around overseas a bit..and realize that you dont have to open your wallet to stay in a campsite or pay for beautful scenery.
Iceland is craze....they are uts if they want to be part of this!
There you go. We've got just as many redneck mouth breathers per capita as they do. They just don't weight quite as much.
There you go. We've got just as many redneck mouth breathers per capita as they do. They just don't weigh quite as much.
LOL! I don't even know where to start with all of your American ignorance so proudly displayed!
You lost me with the thing about the two languages. Are you one of those people that want English (the language from the country of England) to be the official language of the US to slow the inevitable conversion from anglo to latino culture here?
You're certainly TooClose2DC...in fact, you've been brainwashed...
I think we have Rush Limbaugh's take on this , Thanks
If Canada is smart, and I think it (the people) is smart, it will avoid being a superpower at all cost. The costs outweigh the benefits, and if the US is smart it will let Canada and China and everyone else worry about keeping the world safe for commerce. Of course, they won't, and we will have to do it, but at least they can try it once and see what its like.
You serious? Canada, a super power? Their GDP is 1.5 T. France, Italy, and even California are ahead of them.
As a dual American/Canadian citizen who has lived many years in both countries, I find these comments below amusing. Folks, I can tell you, there are advantages/disadvantages in both countries. Both aren't mirror-images of each other, but there is probably no closer cultural similarity between two countries as there between any two other countries. For both, there is probably no better neighbor.
Canada has been laying clam for a long time just building foundation policies and their infrastructure. Now while the other parts of the world are falling and crumbling they are about to shine. They have the $$ and we have the punch, like the freak and the mighty. We better be that military support before someone else steps up and takes that role
Canada has its own problems. French and English Canadian don't like each other, with a possibility of Quebec independence. Manufacturing sector is shrinking because of the high Canadian dollar. Many provincial governments are deep in debt.
There are housing bubbles in many Canadian cities. Current Canadian economy is supported by housing and natural resources. Most Americans cannot name a single Canadian company
If it is not owned by Wendy's, Tim Horton's? Canadian Humour, for those that are American, notice the "u" in Humour and for Canadians notice I said Tim Horton's Everyone happy now?
30 million people will never get you to superpower status, but it does seem we are on the upswing. The driving force behind this, which appears to be lacking in many countries, particularly the US, is that Canada is very practical.
Decisions are based on what makes sense. Many countries are in trouble economically largely due to the banking system. Banks have made reckless, stupid decisions designed to help themselves at the cost of the economy as a whole. In Canada those things are illegal, because they are reckless and stupid. This has left us with a solid economy to build on, a system largely intact and a comparatively small debt. In that sense we don’t have a lot of equals around the world.
If we needed to fix our health care problem, we’d do what works. Politicians wouldn’t set themselves on fire to protest a modest law, people wouldn’t scream “Keep your hands off my Medicare” when the law had nothing to do with that. They wouldn’t say “The government is taking over health care” when in fact they are simply fixing a disastrous system. The ultimate question for us is “Does it work better?”
Another advantage is our political system. It breeds efficiency and production. We are effectively ruled by a king. With a majority government in charge, Harper can basically do as he pleases until the next election. This would terrify Americans but for us, it works. So we can get things done that need to happen and we don’t get hijacked by filibusters, two year election cycles and fringe parties.
As an Albertan I see the sunny side of Canada more than most. But the practical approach has set the whole country up for what could be a nice long run of prosperity, at least compared to the situation some of these countries find themselves in. But what’s even better is our system keeps us out of those messes going forward. Superpower no, but things look pretty good.
Well said Travis!
We tend to be less ideological, more pragmatic, than Americans, due to our very different history, politics and culture.
The US elected George Bush. Twice. Nuff said.
It is refreshing to see so many comments about Canada. They must really like us! Or a slow news day?
I remember a couple years back that Turks & Caicos wanted to become a Canadian province and adopt our currency as well... whatever happened to that proposal? That would be a great southern province! The state of Florida wouldn't fare so well if we were to ship our aging snowbirds to the Caribbean islands instead.
All the more reason to invade Canada now, before they get too powerful!!!
Hey Dog, I think you're missing the boat on the word Superpower, we don't need a army or our brothers to the south's army either to strengthen our way of life. We as Canadians feel that a lot more talking and a lot less bulling can satisfy other people in this world who do not believe in what we do. Canada will never become a Superpower in the sense of military strength or economically , we do not think that way. My family and I love and admire everything the people of America have done for us and the world, its too bad that a lot of others don't think the same. We Love You Man
I respect Canada because it's a responsible and respectable nation. I'm a U.S. citizen and been to Canada only once but I know enough about it to say their rise should be a cause of joy for the US, and not a concern. Canada and Canadians are America's greatest allies. I think everyone in States should celebrate the rise of a great nation with intellectual and intelligent people to its top place in the world where it deserves to be.
Canada a superpower???? Now that is funny. Dont get me wrong, I really like the country and its people....some of the nicest people around. However, you have to learn to fight and defend yourself if you want to be a superpower. You can not rely on another country....say one to your direct south, to protect you if you want to join the ranks of Superpower.
They've fought with the US in ever major war since WWI.
Exactly. You have to have a military to be considered a Superpower.
Funny I don't remember the US ever defending us against anyone......
True dat.
– a proud canadian.
Based on our population, I think we can defend ourselves quite well. Look what all your 'defending' of other countries has done for your deficit.
I'm not sure what you mean? I'm Canadian and I know for a fact that Mexico doesn't protect us at all.
Why is it everytime Ameriacans talk about Canada they bring up our military? In WW2 we had a population of 10 million. Yet we had 1 million in the war effort, 10% of our population. We have govenment created free to all and equal access to all health care, one of the best in the world. We have energy and lots of it. And yes, if the United States doesn't want it we are going to sell it to China. We have the best banking system in the world and one day soon the American system is going to come apart. I know it and you know it. Good Luck America, your neighbour to the north doesn't need you to fight wars for us.
where were you in 1914 and 1939? we were there
@ Tommy: Ahh, but the difference is, you see, no one hates us enough to want to attack us. But go ahead and waste your money on your overbloated military. We'll keep plugging ours into universal health care and eduation.
Don't get me wrong but your military has no respect for human life. On training missions your units are allowed to lose 20% of your people no questions asked. That means in your navy on a aircraft carrier that holds 6000 people 1200 could be killed in a fire, lost to sea, shot through a miss fire, or any other number of things, and there woukdn't even be an investigation. And those are your own soldiers.
On D-day in the second world war Canada took Juno beach after the Americans failed twice. It's recorded that the US said send in Canada, it's a suicide mission and we do t want to lose any more American soldiers. We were out numbered and out gunned coming from the open ocean to a heavily fortified beach, yet we still took the beach.
We do t have the largest or most expensive military, but we do have the best trained one. We're taught to fight as a team leave no man behind, your soldiers are taught to be a one man army.
Oh yeah, PS, you guys went to war with Canada and lost, we burnt down your whitehouse... Twice! So suck on that buddy!
Hoo-rah.
Pure baloney. Do a little research into Canada's military spending and our international participation.
Why have open dialogue & communication with other nations when you can bomb or invade, right? Let me be direct. The US has armed forces operating in Iraq & Afghanistan (incl. Libya to a degree) because of their oil reserves. Those reserves failing into the hands of others would spell disaster as the prices would be astronomical (if they even sold it at all).
The US was a UN partner during the Baltic crisis in the 90s in former Yugoslavia. Had they had any oil or precious amounts of anything, the US military presence would still be there.
Jimdog33. you need to brush up on your history. The US is in fact still in the Baltics. We have troops still keeping the peace in Kosovo and preventing more bloodbaths. I actually spent a tour there with British and Irish forces in 2011. ( I am confident that the canadian eductation system teaches the protection of Kosovo by US forces) You reliance on Liberal media is most obvious as displayed by your harping about Oil. Fact is the US actually has the largest untapped oil reserves in the world if we can get politicians to stop playing politics with the topic. I actually like canada as I lived less than 80 miles from the border in New Hampshire, but for you to deny that the US has played a significant role in Canada's success is rather ignorant.
Tommy – You should do a little bit of research before you make comments. Check who stormed the beaches of Normandy.. It wasn't just Americans, pal.
You forget your history, Canada was the first in North America to fight in both World Wars and not because they were obligated but because it was right. Large fighting force or not, seemingly tame and gun-shy as they are don't ever forget that when push comes to shove they will stand up for themselves and what's right. Had the US remained insular during those war's and not get involved like they originally wanted to (and most of the US did want to...) North America would be dramatically different, it would be their industries that were tooled up to mass produce and innovate and after the war those same industries would be poised to convert and start producing cars and finished goods. That is how the US grew to what it is. Just because they are quiet and considered doesn't mean they are meek and dependent to others, no one should overlook that and count them out, they just don't advertise what they are capable of doing as a nation. They live within their means and don't go overboard producing for the sake of producing, I'd say that's the way every nation should exist..
Also your country in in debt 13 trillion dollars to pay for your war. What happens when all your soldiers cheques bounce, and the cant afford any more bullets because no one will let you borrow anymore?
When did the US ever have to protect Canada? Yes, there is a strong alliance there and the US has a large military and Canada does not.... Why would that be? Hmm possibly because Canada doesn't start wars, Canada doesn't invade other countries just because they feel like and Canada isn't being attacked by terrorists. However, the US does all those things which is why it requires a large military. We haven't done anything to require US protection, that is just the inflated American ego talking.
And remember, we lit the white house on fire the last time there was a scuffle between Canada and the US.
Canadians have fought alongside their American brother and sisters for a hundred years. The War of 1812 was the last time where , when they were invaded, they defended with success. WW1, WW2, Korea, The Cold War. They have evolved since as "peacekeepers". I do think they should expend far more of their budget on defence and it appears as though the new govt is dong so. They tend to think before action. Time for people to read some history.
Fight and Defend ourselves??? Have a quick look at recent history. We joined WW1 at the outbreak of the war and had a very impressive fighting reputation, never losing a battle when the British had lost all of there's up to that point. Have a look at what we did at Ypres and Vimy.
Now lets have a look at WW2. Once again we joined at the very beginning. We were the first allied force to attack mainland Europe...alone. Ever heard of Dieppe? Ya we got our butts kicked on that beach so that when the main effort hit the beaches of Normandy two years later we all knew what to expect. We had our own beach by the way. Its called JUNO. We did some serious butt kicking there!
Now lets look at Korea. Ever hear of Kapyong? Might want to inform yourself there as well. A Canadian battalion of light infantry on one hill with another battlalion of Auzzies on the other holding off 10, 000 freaking Chinese suicidal maniacs, all of whom were trying to rush through the gap left wide open by the US battalion whom conducted a "tactical withdrawl" without bothering to pass the message onto us. No big deal, the line was held.
Sorry about Nam, we decided to sit that one out. It sucks having to sit back and watch your best friend wreck his car...but I'd prefer to watch it than be in the car.
Fast forward to more recent times. Dont think we missed out on Afghanistan. I'm still trying to regain use of my left foot from that war. BTW I served witht the 82nd PIR in the ARV in 2010...as a Canadian soldier. Canada has been fighting in Kandahar since 2005. Weren't too many Americans there...they were off crashing another car in Iraq or something. There weren't too many Taliban left by time you guys "surged" in. Have a look at OP MEDUSSA, it'll explain why the Taliban suddenly stopped wanting to fight us in Kandahar.
Last but not least lets re-visit the War of 1812. Remember that one? Probably not. That's the war where you invaded us and we were so insulted we went down to DC and burned down the White House. Your high school history books probably omitted that one but once again, look it up. Ya, ya, I know, you guys burned down Toronto but thats because we let you. Canadian's dont much like Toronto...unless you are from Toronto.
I don't think anybody up here has any great ambitions for us to be a "superpower", I know I don't. We sure do like to drop the gloves once in awhile and lay a beating on some deserving bad dudes though.
Peace homey, we'll see you at the next legit war.
P.S. I think Obama is a closet Canadian. If he loses the election can we have him back???
The US thinking they still are a Superpower. Now THAT's hilarious!
Canada has ENORMOUS natural resources. In order to become a world power, they would have to expand their military far more than their own population can sustain. Mind you they can AFFORD to do this monetarily, but not demographically.
That said, our neighbors do NOT want to destroy us (like most in the ME). They have been proud, courageous and generous military partners in fighting the Nazis during WWII. They had very heavy losses, considering their population.
All in all, we could do FAR worse in having them as a co-military and economic partner.
Hat's off to you folks in Canada. May the Sun shine on you!
sanjosemike
I am Canadian. We don't need to increase our military to become a superpower. Increasing the military is what is dragging America down. Unnecessary expenditures - for nothing. America has lost its infrastructure and it social structure because of it. Canada is an amazing country, but we do apologize for Celine Dion and Justin Bieber. 🙂
I'd buy you a pint for your kind words! Cheers!
I agree with you, other than what the international press may tell you , 99% of Americans have nothing but great respect and admiration for Canada. I am very glad they are are neighbor. They helped us tremendously in evey conflict the US was ever in. Thanks Canada!
Maybe if the Canadians could learn to play hockey, they could earn a little respect and I might consider the question.
Who won the GOLD medal at the last Olympics? Who did we beat?
You're an idiot. Who do you think invented the game? You do realize that 90% of the players in the NHL are Canadian, right? Get your facts straight before you post nonsense like this on a public forum. Typical American.....
um....double gold dude.
Um ... dude. The guy above you was making a sick Habs joke.
Dude.. I think you fell into the sar-chasm!
Excuse me? A Canadian made up the game in the first place, and everyone knows most of the players in the NHL teams are Canadians!!!!(The Boston Bruin team were mostly Canadian players!!!
Can you name a country that can match the success of Canada's hockey team? I didn't think so. Also, if you look at the winners of the Stanley Cup you will notice that most of the teams are made up of Canadians.
Oh, please... haha! Do you play hockey, DBrock?
You don't read any Canadians saying anything about the USA's hockey ability, do you? 😉
More than 50% of the NHL is made up of Canadians. If you like the game and you are Amercian, you're welcome.
This is especially funny considering the current media battle between Don Cherry & Leafs GM Brian Burke regarding the # of Ontario-born players on roster (0) vs. American born players (approx. 6 or 7, maybe more). hahaha. Anyone that follows the NHL will know what I'm talking about.
play hockey...do you realize that most of the players on your US teams ARE Canadian...get you facts straight....
I am a Canadian. I don't want my country to be a "superpower". I don't think most Canadians do. We like who we are and what we do. If we get paid fair price for our resources and treated with respect, we're all good. As far as boring and depressing, obviously those who think so have never seen a sunrise over Lake Muskoka or been at a Saturday night hockey game between the Leafs and the Habs in Montreal or hung out in the nightlife district of Vancouver. We have polar bears, maple syrup and Timbits. We have a rainbow of culture, language and lifestyles. And we maintain our ties with Europe to the point that if you travel there with a Canadian flag pin on your lapel or backpack, you get that extra smile and service.
Proud to be a Canuck and would like it to stay that way.
You, sir have it right! I wish people in the U.S. felt as you do. Canada has been the best of allies, and the best of neighbors. God bless Canada!
Very wise. Being a superpower wouldn't benefit the average Canadian. It would just make you targets. It's a nasty world out there. Keep your wealth and resources hidden and as secret as possible. Don't brag and live simply. Be a Canadian!
Of course you don't want to be a world super power, why would you? You couldn't ride the coat tails of the USA anymore and live in anonymity. You're dirty laundry would be exposed to the world. You would have to beef up the military and police the world. Oh the responsibilities... Yes, I think it's best to hoard your resources and remain the good ole' neighbor to the north of the US. Personally, I would love to see you as a super power to take some of the burden off of us. It's about time, quite frankly.
Oh, and btw, you shouldn't wear that embroidered flag everywhere you travel. Might as well put a bulls eye on your back for thieves. I mean, your Canadian... Seen it many times first hand. And yea, the rest of the world looks at you as insecure because you are so worried that someone may consider you an American. I've travelled as an American all over the world and never have had any problems with locals – just sayin... It's not the flag you put on your bag, but the individual.
Moral of the story – Do something for the world and you won't have to distinguish yourself as a Canadian by a silly little stamp.
Nathan, Canadians are the most respected people in the world. Americans pretend they are Canadian when they travel abroad for their own personal safety... http://money.ca.msn.com/savings-debt/gallery/worlds-most-respected-countries?page=10
II think you hit the nail on the head! Greatest place in the world to live as it is! Don't want or need to be a superper!
Very well said.. I'm a proud Canadian and I totally agree!
well said!
Hey Martina, judging by your comments and attempts to inflame people into a rage – I thereby label you as a TROLL and you should be dealt with as such. Everyone please ignore her and do not respond – it just ensites her to do more of the same.
Give her a break. She's hurt and angry. We've all been there for some reason or other. I love Canada, but everyone is not required to.
No, I won't give her a break because she's full of it. I'll call her out on every one of her falsehoods. Americans should do the same with their lying and shameful Republiccan candidates, who embarass your country internationally with their lies and buffoonery. Not fit to lead their own party, let alone other countries.
No, don't dismiss someone just becuase their opinion differs from your own, I know what she's talking about. I lived most of my life in Toronto, and I've met many immigrants who were doctors, engineers, teachers in their home countries but when they come to Canada they wind up being taxi drivers or security guards because their credentials are not recognized. Of course people like that are going to be bitter, we're not perfect and one thing we can do better is try to speed up the certification process so they can do what they do best in this country.
Has anybody here seen the movie Canadian Bacon. They have bad beer
If by bad you mean it has body and flavour and doesn't taste like used dishwater, then guilty as charged.
Bad beer ? Yeah sure ! Our beer has flavor. American beer taste like ......water. We have alcohol in our beer. American beer has trace of alcohol. So stop calling your stuff beer when in fact you drink beer flavored water !
I doubt that my country Canada wants to be a super power. All we want is a good living including healthcare which many folks in the US seem to reject. .
I'm a Canuck and extremely proud of that. We have a wonderful country and are beholden to no one. We love our American cousins and know our place on the Power Ladder. We go with America .. NOT China. But of course we have to look after ourselves first. Militarily we have Big Brother just south of us to protect us. And we know it.
Spoken like a true American plant.
Dear Martina,
On behalf of my fellow Canadians, I find it regrettable that your experience in Canada was less than favourable. Perhaps your expectations failed to match the realities and challenges that many landed immigrants face.
America is certainly a different country, with different challenges, opportunities and experiences. Personally, am glad you have found a place that better represents the things you value. Based on your ongoing commentary, I doubt you would enjoy many of the things many Canadians value in this vast and diverse country.
Perhaps it would be best if you stay in the States, where you may enjoy the US version of liberty, freedom and choice.
Sincerely,
I AM Canadian!
AMEN! 🙂
Yep. I'm planning on staying in the US. It's a better place for people like me.
As a Canadian, I find this a silly question. No, this idea has nothing to do with Canada being a super power. It makes sense for Iceland because Canada's currency tends to follow the commodity markets very closely, as a result of being heavily invested in oil and minerals, forestry, agriculture, and fishing. Iceland's economy is also heavily linked to commodities, and if the estimates about their offshore oil supplies are accurate, they'll become even more of a commodity-based nation in the coming years. Neither the US or EU are similarly commodity-heavy, and so would be inappropriate currencies. Again, nothing to do with Canada being a super-power, just Iceland looking at what currencies make sense for them.
Dear Martina,
On behalf of my fellow Canadians, I find it regrettable that your experience in Canada was less than favourable. Perhaps your expectations failed to match the realities and challenges that many landed immigrants face.
America is certainly a different country, with different challenges, opportunities and values. Personally, I am glad you have found
Dear Martina,
On behalf of my fellow Canadians, I find it regrettable that your experience in Canada was less than favourable. Perhaps your expectations failed to match the realities and challenges that many landed immigrants face.
America is certainly a different country, with different challenges, opportunities and experiences. Personally, am glad you have found a place that better represents the things you value. Based on your ongoing commentary, I doubt you would enjoy many of the things many Canadians value in this vast and diverse country.
Perhaps it would be best if you stay in the States, where you may enjoy the US version of liberty, freedom and choice.
Sincerely,
I AM Canadian!
I agree. They are a super power in hockey.
1. Canadians nice? I never considered passive-aggressive nice.
2. A country the population of California doesn't have enough manpower to pull off being a superpower.
It's probably because they offer birth control in their universal health care and don't have to worry about over population and excessive abortions.
Funny people think attacking Canada would be easy. Yeah the Canadian military is smaller, but Canada has a lot more allies, who in short would love to defend it. Plus our cold winters and thousands of Zamboni would stop any invader.
Is Zamboni really plural for Zamboni? Life's little wonders...
As a Canadian who has lived in China for the past 5 years, I want to thank everyone here (Canadians, Americans, even Martina the hoser) for making reading all these posts so enjoyable. Canada, I miss and love you very much.
Oh and a superpower? Take off, eh.
Can you or your fellow Canadians remind me what your official Canadian meaning of "hoser" is?
I don't think we need to be worried but maybe a little jealous. Canada sailed through this recession unscathed, they have a great health care system, and they're just a great country. Toyota built a huge manufacturing plant outside of Toronto and you want to know why they didn't build it in the U.S.? Health care, that's why. They couldn't predict future health care costs in the U.S. I was born and raised in the U.S. but I'd rather vacation in Canada because the people aren't as stupid as we are in the U.S.
Would you be jealous if your brother landed a great job or his family could afford to buy a nice home? Heck no. Don't be envious of Canada, be happy for them.
Superpower is a rather overstating the idea isn't it. Just because Canada could sign a currency deal with Iceland, does not mean it will become a superpower. It is typical of America to be sarcastic when it comes to Canada. They refer to the little loonie. Why is Canada always treated like this. It is a free, wonderful society just like the USA. This article is pure disrespect for Canada. You would have to be an idiot not to see it. If American's(mainly American Media and Government) can't treat Canada with respect and sincerity, then how can it really deal will it's foes. I think deep down Americans feel insecure when it comes to Canada as they realize when they travel the world how the country to the North who did not join the Union is so popular. Sure people hear alot of anti American comments coming out of Canada, but they come from everywhere. It goes with the territory of being the modern Roman Empire. I know Canadians and Canada well, and mostly all Canadians love the USA, but they feel they are not treated with respect. The Whitehouse and media have to wake up and start listening to the Canadian Government. You always hear on the news on CNN about the world economy. You always here them mention that they are meeting with the Britain and other European nations to discuss issues. Also when it comes to war issues. Always Britain and other allies. Canada is right next door to us and they have one of the world's best economy now. In wartime, they have always been there withus(except Iraq and Vietnam-very good sound decision from a smart government) WWI and WWII if you do your research, look at the contribution they made for a country that has 10% of our population. They were also known for being very reliable and smart soldiers. We use to complain about the British soldiers, when we were with Canadians we knew they had our back and wouldn't bail. But history will only talk about the USA, Britain, Russia, ect...That is the reason why the Canadian Armed Forces is so small these days. The government cut the budget long ago, because we didn't give them any say, no respect. That is the truth folks. They said why should we build a huge army, and send our citizens off to war in such huge numbers, if they are just going to use our stregnth and then not give us credit for what we accomplished. This is fact folks. The Canadians actually liberated Rome, but American troops rolled in for the glory. We all know Canadians liberated the Netherlands in WWII, but when they had the official ceremony, not one Canadian officer was invited. The Dutch stood around and said, where are the Canadians. WHITEHOUSE wake up, start dealing with the Canadian government on the same level as you do with Britain. You can learn something. AMERICAN MEDIA wake up. Stop ridiculing Canada, you are only making idiots of yourselves and embarrassing America. Canadians and American are pretty much identical. We have the same culture or lifestyle if you prefer(not sure what culture actually means anymore)Stop the nonsense.
Thomas, thank you. That was the most intelligent post by an American I've read in this whole thread. You are bang on. Thank you! From a Canadian who actually values many, many things about the US, but who can't stand the majority who are morons!
The theme of the 1967 World's Fair in Canada was . . . "The next century belongs to Canada!" Maybe, finally, the boast might come true!
Martina,
You are irrelevant.
Oh Canada will be relevant when the US is looking for oil.
After going back and reading her posts, it's obvious that she applied for a position there and didn't get it. So now she hates the entire country.
Anyone else seem to think that "Martina" is just rampantly commenting to get a rise out of everyone? Even so, I'll chime in and offer a lowly opinion. Those of us who have "dared" to travel up North know that it's a country filled with just as much opportunity as we have here in the States, as well as a place we could probably take a few lessons from -on many different levels. Life is short, Martina. Go out and live it....trust me, it's much more fulfilling when you have a more positive and embracing outlook.
ah-hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Just read a large number of these comments and just had to send (another) message to the persistent MARTINA:
Girl..... if that's what you are (and not just 'gender-confused') shut up and go away. You've said nothing worth anything all day.
See the thing is you might say we have free health care and education but we are feeling the surging gas prices more than u.. avg price is $1.31 a litre x 4 = $5.24 per gallon and by the summer perhaps $1.50 a litre = $6.00 a gallon!
Super power a?
ya hoser!
lol- Canadian banter is the best!
Canada is a friend and we should welcome the opportunity for their influence to expand. They share much of the same values we share as a civilized nation. We should support their rise and continue to have a great relationship with our friends from the north. As a proud veteran and American who has been there and defended our nations interest with Canadians by my side, I will tell you they are some great folks.
God Bless you sir, Canadians and Americans will always be at peace and our soliders forever brothers
Finally, one rational comment and no one replies. The only replies are to the wackos on both sides.
Hey Canada, I have a warning for you. After China takes over America, you're next.
Here's the scenario: They buy up a block of millions of underwater mortgages, foreclose on the whole lot, and start to move in their people, the new owners. When we catch on, there will be a war that we will appear to win in the beginning, but their ability to outmanufacture us will tell in the end, and they will win by attrition.
Enjoy your new neighbors.
Canada may be our saving grace. Perhaps they will be the ultimate defense against China owning North America!
ummmm have you ever BEEN to Vancouver or Hong-couver? This is already happening...
That's exactly why Canada is so great – because we welcome and embrace the world. Most Americans don't even have a passport! PS. I live in Vancouver and we have the best Chinese food in the world. Google it. Our cities always rank higher than US cities for quality of life – immigration is a big part of that. Meanwhile, Americans discriminate against Mexicans. Pathetic.
Typical paranoid Yank. Seriously go dig youself a pit of despair and bury yourself in it. Then the rest of us sane people can get on with our lives and prosper without you.
When I look around me,I can't believe what I see,
It seems as if this country has lost the will to live.
The economy is lousy, we barely have an army,
But we can still stand proudly 'cause Canada's really big.
Hahahahahahahahaha...
Is Canada the world's next superpower?
No
Sadly this well deserved praise on Canada is going to be a bit short lived. If you dig a bit deeper, Canada's fertility rate is about 1.5. compare that to the US at 2.1 – the natural replacement rate. That may not seem like much, but it means Canada is losing 30% of its population per generation – today 10 million people(1.5/2.1). Even with lots of immigration it should be about 10 gen's before we completely disappear, like the Neanderthals. Way before that the US will assume a large, resource rich and unpopulated country with their growing albeit debt ridden population. Why? The taxes and lack of "capitalist aggression" in socialist Canada is creating a fertility crisis. Remember the Puritans – nice people – but they died out. If Canada wants’ to be the next superpower or even survive, they have to up their fertility rate to 2.1. Since this fertility rate sank progressively since the 1970's, something very big would have to change to pull them out of the death spiral. Here’s an old military adage "It's not who's right it who's left."
Actually, in the last 5 year period, our population grew faster than any other G20 country....it's called immigration. 100,000 immigrants a year are moving to Toronto alone, another 40,000 a year to Vancouver....
We will never become a super power, The better our economy does compared to the U.S.A the worse we end up being. Alot of American companys are moving back to the states because it has become cheaper to build there product back at home than it is here. When our dollar is lower more companys are willing to invest in Canada. Until Canada learns to provide for ourselves and stop relying on Foreign corporation's for job's we will never become a super power . As the third largest oil reserve we should'nt be paying $1.30 a litre. But that is what you get when you sell our oil to the American's than buy it back from them.
When a country become too liberal it may not survive the test of time. Canada is an off shoot of England. Other cultures embraced by Canada may overtake Canada as what is happening in Europe. In the power struggle, becoming a super power may not be and easy task.
The real story here is about Iceland – you know, the country that really did experience financial collapse after their central and other banks nearly gave away their natural assets, etc. And they are now the only country
who is prosecuting their bankers for wrongdoing. Europe told them 'tough luck, go away' so now to link with Canada?
Its brilliant and both countries will be stronger.
"Too liberal" ? Why is the internet full of wannabe monarchists?
Liberal in what sense? Latin-Americans call neo-liberal what U.S. media call conservatives.
I don't think Canada might become a "super-power" but it's conservatively managed "loonie" might attract interest now that the U.S. is meddling with the dollar and the Euro is severely handicapped by the Greek and Spanish troubles.
I don't know if any other country could follow, but just like the Swiss franc, the Canadian dollar is a relative "safe haven" for investment today.
With that said, only U.S. policy makers believe that the 8.2 % official unemployment. If you avoid the nonsense regarding the exclusion of several thousands from the work force, supposedly because they "quit looking for jobs" [yeah right] you have a more real 16 to 20% unemployment, in symmetry to Europe.
Huh?
to Michael Chapel Hill – how did being more conservative than the U.S. colonies work out for England? And if being liberal will cause Canada to fail, how did it pass england? Canada has been far more liberal than England. "Liberal" regulation of Canada's banks is what prevented them from collapsing because they didn't get as involved in high risk investments as the U.S. banks. So I guess what I'm saying is, you need to learn history and spelling/grammar before spouting your conservative nonsense, because you sound like an idiot.
Eh, US is also offshoot from England, if my history memory serves me well 🙂 US even adopted the English legal and law enforcement system (Grand Jury, Sheriff) after Independence. And even in modern politics and culture there is probably more similarities than differences between the two countries. Let's not throw rock in the glass house.
Um, We were originally an offshoot of TWO nations, England and France.
But, nowadays that is not very relevant, as we have inherited so many good things from so many countries.
When China becomes the next super power, the world will start to pick sides, USA or China, and the Canadians are smart enough to side with China given how bad a neighbor USA has been.
Ah, no...
We're not your buddy, guy! We're not your guy, pal! We're not your pal, buddy!!!!!!!!!
Ah, NO!
TBH I dream of moving to Canada one day from Ohio.
As a Canadian, I have to laugh at the idea that we would ever think of ourselves as a "superpower". The reason we are not drowning up here, for the most part, is because we have been careful with our lending and we take pride in being able to take care of our own people, among other things. We don't just grant mortgages to anyone who has a pulse. We don't have the same masses of people that the US and other countries do, so things tend to be less chaotic. We aren't looking to be a superpower, just stable. And, as for those of you who say Canada is boring, I'm not sure what part of Canada you are talking about, but life on the West Coast is pretty sweet. If you are bored, it's your own fault:-) The reason Americans tend to think of us as the weird cousin is because they know nothing about us.
Being Canadian, I've personally felt that citizens are accountable to the government in Canada and not the other way around (as it should be).
From a natural resource perspective, Canada is a super-power that will only build more international influence as time passes.
From a feet on the street perspective, I strongly disagree with the unemployment % quoted in the article. I'm pretty sure that government is playing games with the stats by counting people that work part-time and seasonal as "employed". Those positions are not gainful employment. Lets see an honest statistic that takes the federal definition of a cost of living wage (for government employment) and apply it to the masses. I'd be willing to bet the under-employment rate goes to 30% +
To all the Americans who have nothing but nice things to say about Canada, God Bless you and thanks for what you said. Your neighbours to the North love you guys, and we'd back you all up until the death. OTher than a few differences, we are all the same, we want freedom and we want hapiness. This is a Canadian speaking, and I know we won't be a superpower militarily, we might have a strong economy but we don't spend very much on our military. We care more about our citizens. And we care about you USA, after 9/11 we were right behind u guys in Afghanistan and we've lost good men and done some good work over there. Iraq was a different story because we didn't see Iraq as a legitimate war, and many of you people don't either. Anyways, Love ya and thanks for the nice words~!
I'll be retiring with you guys!
This article has more to do with american paranoia than canadian power.
The elefant is scared of the mouse.
People and countries, when they live in fear, tend to be agressive.
The Keystone pipeline could have increased US production of oil by 500 thousand barrels per day. The current usage in the US is 90 MILLION barrels of oil per day. With that said, I do not think the small dent the pipeline would have made in production would be worth selling out our land and environment for. I also think we have nothing to fear from Canada because they are allies, and their success and growth would likely mean increased exports for the US.
Correct. What's actually ridiculous from a Canadian standpoint is that we sell our oil to the US to be refined, then buy it back at a significant cost to then put in our cars etc.
Still don't understand why we don't refine our own oil, use it ourselves and sell the surplus?
I'm not certain, but I think it's difficult to build refineries now due to the environmental impacts (regulations)... Or the costs associated with the environmental taxes are too extreme. It's one or the other. Although, you would think building a refinery would be the most logical solution.
Martina is just looking for attention. Stop feeding her addiction and let her get back to therapy!
They produced John Candy!
Once again the wrong question is being asked and Americans worry about not being the "Best," "Biggest," or the "World Super Power."
Instead, let's examine what opportunities exist if this does occur. Canada is the U.S largest trading partner. That's right bigger than China. Canada is also a powerful ally with whom we share a common border and language.
Our arrogance seems to be hurting our economy.
pretty soon canada will know what its like to have unwanted immigrants crossing their southern border illegally looking for work. I can only hope they treat all those lazy moochers the same way [i] other [/i] countries have treated their new-comers.
ok...so if China are sending their ships to the Canadian Coast, we should send some of ours too! If ever an oil spill happens, its on their turf not ours.
As a Canadian I think that us a as superpower is expected we produce a lot more things then Americans realize and we are very humble about the power we hold and unlike the US we don't try to promote that. That's why CANADA KICKS ASS !!!!
If the author understood Canada, he'd realize that Canadians don't care about 'superpower' status.
I have been to many beautiful cities in the US. I have many wonderful American family members who are intelligent and knowledgeable people. I really dislike your political system (I'm from a country where religion doesn't hold their political candidates hostage), but it's something I cannot change. I wish you guys luck in figuring out what ails your country. Canada has its problems too, and it's up to us to figure them out.
That being said, I wouldn't leave Canada for a second. I love our diversity. I love our freedom (some of which many Americans are unable to experience), and I love HOW MUCH FUN it is to live here. I'm from a city where if I choose, I can be on a ski hill, beside the ocean, downtown at a world-class restaurant, kayaking on a lake , hiking through ancient forests, or just chilling at home... all within minutes of each other. If i want to spend a little more time in the car, I can find a great river to raft down or a desert to horseback ride in. I'd call that pretty exciting. We have an amazing cityscape, and our backdrop is spectacular. An ocean-side city can't be beat. I'd say the Olympics were a success as well.
You can call us as boring as you's like, but unless you've been to my city, you don't know what you're talking about.
One thing that is for sure about Canada–they care more about their citizens and their well being!
As a US Marine, I would personally like to thank Canadians for their sacrifices in Afghanistan alongside us. I personally served with them on a daily basis in Kandahar and they were top-notch warfighters, heroic soldiers, and brothers-in-arms. While out on patrols, it did not matter the flag we served under or politics or pipelines, we were freedom loving peoples working together to bring schools, hospitals, and hope to a people so devoid of the luxuries we (Americans and Canadians) take for granted each and everyday. Thank everything you hold dear if you live in either amazing country. And as a proud US Marine, I would lay down my life for any of my borthers and sisters to the north. And you know what? They would do it for me. I saw it daily during the crucible of war. And when heroic Canadians did fall during combat, I made my way to the airfield and saluted their caskets as they were loaded onto planes and made their final journey back to their beloved Canada. And when one of our Marines or soldiers fell, the Canadian soldiers saluted our caskets out on the tarmac too. This is the ultimate show of respect that people who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for each other do for one another. The tears shed never claimed a nationality but rather a bond between us that will always stay with those whose served together.
However, if you want to tease a Canadian (trust me, they can dish it out too), ask them who the Queen of Canada is (they usually don't know it), tell them to stop wanting to be European (especially their French-speaking Battalions), and ask them how they feel about the Bruins beating the Canucks!!! Oh, and offer them a cigar, tobacco is crazy expensive up there....
And if anyone can make it to Halifax or Montreal, please visit, beautiful cities. Go Bruins!!!
Out here!
Thank you John. As a military brat myself and come from a long line of soldiers in my family. I respect everything you just said.
Thanks for this 🙂 well except for the Bruins Part – GO LEAFS GO!
Hey John so well written a fine testament to our being human beings!
Thank you, John. You tell it as it should be for all of us. Canadians love our American brothers and sisters and we will always be the best of friends.
Amen buddy. Thanks for all your work and from my point of view, there is not a Canadian that I know that does not shed a tear when we hear about an American friend losing their life in some far off war. We all appreciate it and never take it lightly. We teach our children that Americans and Canadians are both sensitive, caring, hard working friends. We love the USA and love our Canadian lifestyle and country. We will stand with you.
Hey John, thanks for that post. As a Canadian soldier I was attached to the 82nd PIR in the ARV in 2010. I have nothing but praise for their dedication to duty, courage and proffesionalism. Amazing guys! They welcomed us as brothers and treated us with utmost respect. I would fight alongside them again in a second. Never served with the Marines but it would be a honor if I had the opportunity.
BTW, we loved getting teazed by the yanks cause it was soooo easy to come right back at them with something! Lol. Tons of laughs.
SEMPER FI!
I am a proud Canadian living in the U.S., and a proud Marine girlfriend. Thank you for your service and kind words for Canadians.
And yes, the Bruins victory still stings.
Thanks, John. It's nice to hear that from a Marine. Clearly you get it.
John,being Canadian i want to Thank you, for being our neighbor and i want to Thank each service member in the US military for giving their all and making the ultimate sacrifice! We honest Canadians are proud of the Mighty US military, for being there for us as well....Thank you for your part in Afganistan, we are proud to work along side of you! God Bless
Canada will never be a "superpower" in the traditional use of the word for one simple reason – it lacks the population.
From a military perspective, even lacking in numbers, they punched way above their weight in WW1 and 1812 was America's equivilent of the Soviets Winter War with Finland. Canadians, indians, and British forces held of the US even though outnumbered by a large factor. Once the Brits were done with Napoleon and had troops free to send (and no longer needed to conscript sailors), they invaded the US, burned the White House down and the US requested peace without significant changes to borders. We should call that unfortunate war "the day manifest destiny died".
I always maintained that Canada (aka British North America) won the war of 1812 because they made the US take back captured Detroit.
Another good one!!!
This is the actual radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. Radio conversation released by the chief of naval operations, 10-10-95.
CANADIANS: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
AMERICANS: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.
CANADIANS: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
AMERICANS: This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
CANADIANS: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.
AMERICANS: This is the Aircraft Carrier US LINCOLN, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers and numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that's one-five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
CANADIANS: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
Martina, it is apparent that you are an angry unhappy person and your view of Canada reflects your life. I, too have lived and travelled extensively there and found the country beautiful and the people friendly and helpful. It's hard to understand how someone can hate a country that is so innocuous. I would bet that you have similar problems wherever you are. You mention having two degrees and not finding adequate employment. May I suggest that you do a thorough self inventory and change as necessary. If you can. You poor sad soul
...and seems to me terms like "social justice", 'universal healthcare", "affordable education " in Canada are not prohibited profanity like here in US
My comment is awating moderation, in violation of CNN terms of agreement.
(I love posting that)
BTW let Canada poison someone else for a change.I am tired of being sick of Canadian Chemical plant in Sarnia and their oil production.I hope they do convince the Chinese to take there outdated dirty power.
I love Canada, but give it a rest CNN.
A superpower with 60,000 troops?
Not much of a "superpower" now is it?
China could buy the entire country of Canada out of petty cash if you mean money.
Just what is this piece of dribble article about, eh?
Why is that so shocking? Canada's practically a little USA. It's almost bothersome when people talk about Canada as such an insignificant country and are shocked when it does something of worth and moves forward.
This is exactly why CNN reporting sucks.And Erin was better on MSNBC and affiliates.
uhh...yeahhhhh
Some of these comments are too silly to re-read.
Canada has issues, to be sure.
Iceland converting to the loonie is no big deal here.
Less than 1% of our GDP, a sustainable green energy source for them, and we have a long and storied history.
Icelanders are some of the finest craftsmen(and women) in the world in seafood processing equipment and technology.
The 'Landers' come to the Maritimes constantly, to sell, create and help out fisheries become more efficient.
This is a long standing friendship and a solid source of trade and understanding.
This is a very smart move for we both.
And yes, I have travelled/worked in 45 states over the last 25 yrs, and I LOVE my American friends and neighbors!
The bank and gov't, well, not so much.
With a population smaller than California and a Senate that is appointed like the House of Lords and Prince Charles to be the technical new Monarch of Canada with Queen Camilla...there is some way to go for Canada's own development before they take on the world.
Their bacon is round. Your argument is invalid.
Let's not forget their most important export, unbelievable women. If you've ever met a Canadian girl in Vegas you know what I'm talking about. Way more fun than Americans, not uptight, happy and they love to party. Go Canada we love you! I know you believe America is basically a large Walmart populated with conservative religious nut jobs (similar to Iran but with better deals on clothes, fast food and gas) and you're right. However we do have a couple cool parks and a decent bar or two. My point is, please keep visiting. On behalf of every guy I know and all of my closest friends, thank you Canada, thank you!
While I think Canada is a great place to live, its necessary to be realistic about it as well. A few people I know have moved south to avoid the fleecing taxes that sustain the programs and policies we have. I have always appreciated the benefits of living in a stable economic country, even if sometimes my tax bill makes me cringe.
Canada's banking system prevented the country from getting into the real estate bubble. You reallly had to have a real job and there was no such thing as a 120% loan to value in order to get a mortgage. Canada has what the it appears the US lacks in its financial system, integrity and transparency
I haven't read all the posts here (can hardly be blamed with the insane vitriol from the likes of the Martina's here) but one resource that I haven't seen mentioned in this "discussion" is water. Canada has the majority of the world's fresh water and this will be the next oil IMHO. Canada has about 20% of the world's fresh water resources (albeit only about 7% of the worlds renewable fresh water) but with only 33 million people. It also has significant oil reserves in both the easy to extact drilling sense and the abundant oil sands in Alberta. It is a stable, financially well-run country of reasonable and tolerant people who perhaps didn't join the "Coalition of the Willing" to invade Iraq (kudos Canada!) BUT who were a sizable NATO contingent (and one of the first) to send forces to Afghanistan. Close to 200 Canadians died there from 2002 onwards fighting the Taliban in the dangerous Kandahar area in the south.
Anyway, as a Canadian living in the USA, I see a lot of reasons to think that Canada will play a strong role in the future but one that is mostly aligned with the USA, it's largest partner in trade and closest historical ally.
The article failed to tell that Iceland actually HAVE applied for membership in the EU, how this will effect what currency they will end up choosing is a different story but there was NEVER any discussion for Iceland to adobt the Norwegian Krone, that sounds like pure speculation. Also if Iceland is accepted as an EU member and they decide to take on a currency that is Canadian I am not sure how that fits in with the EU policy but I won't go into that as I haven't got a clue.
As for Canada being boring? Say what? Neither is Finland or Sweden. IMO no country is boring so I really do not get that kind of comments but to each their own.
As for Canada being the next superpower..who knows? I have no clue about that
Hi there,
I became Canandian right around 1994. To have that privilege, I lived in Canada as a refugee (from Nicaragua), worked in factories, etc, etc . Became resident and then sword the oath. It was a pleasure to live there, the country taught me a lot and as somebody else pointed out above, Canadians are not into hanging there flag on another country. If Iceland decides to join Canada, the most likely scenario is that Canada will respectfully ask the Icelanders if they CARE to have the Canadian flag flying on their land.
By the way, I married an american girl (that seem impossible) and became american too and I love it over here. The problem is that I missed the freezing winters at the ICE PALACE!
@martina, You must have never visited Russia to say that. I agree about Canada though. They are scramble so hard to increase their dwindling population that Eastern part of Canada nearly turned into the Middle East / India while its Western part is about to turn into China.
you sound like the racist... There are good things and there are not so good things about living in this country. For the most part, and this coming from an immigrant family I'm proud to be a Canadian!
Amazing discussion (sort of)....I am a Canadian, but have lived in the USA for 16 years now, travelling home quite frequently. My wife is American, and our 2 kids?....one born in each country. My observations over the years are not profound, but they are obvious....both countries have positive and negative aspects to them, but I goptta say.....the similarities out weigh the differences.....I've been bored (and excited) in each country at different times. I think Canada should be thankful for our great neighbors to the south, and I like to think that most Americans feel the same way about Canada....M2C
Can we stop using the idiot phrase "super power".
But then we won't have sensational news headings...
No.
Yes! We won't be a "Superpower" because that means "Military". Our economy is strong, but we are nothing to fear ? Why would US be "worried". This article is typical from CNN. Trying to scare you guys. We have a very limited military when it comes to weapons and spending. Besides, we love u guys!!!
No, we can't. We like it. Super-duper power! Super! Power!
Can we change it to super duper power?
How about hegemon?... But wait! Haven't the terms hegemon and super power become synonymous? And isn't a hegemon's job to impose authority over others? Can it be? I guess we Americans should start practicing the change from a Fonzy 'EHHHHHHH' to a more liberal 'EH'. Maybe this isn't all bad.
Here are my 2 cents as a Canadian.
(1) We are a relatively humble understated nation with a quiet sense of national pride
(2) We are very aware that of our good neighbor to the south (USA) and its long term friendship with Canada
(3) Economically, we are wedded together and will be for some time as each others largest trading partners
(4) We have each others backs when push comes to shove
(5) We don't always agree – but who does?
(6) Canadians knowledge and awareness of US affairs (Domestic and international) is arguably greater than most Americans
I am a proud Canadian and proud neighbor. We have no legitimate right to comment on US internal affairs but we are allowed to hope. And most of us hope to see a strong, vibrant America that accepts a diversity of views. We are, most of us, very distressed by the polarization that has become the rule in your politics...America is better than that!
However you may feel about Canada you need to look at the facts.
Canada has the 3rd Largest Proven oil reserves.
They control the cost that the pharmaceutical companies can charge for a drug.
Canada has had a drop in Unemployment rate down to 7.6.
Canada's publicly funded health care system is also an important attraction.
They are not in debt like the USA.
So why do we still treat them like the red headed stepchild.
With their oil exports growing we should be borrowing money from them not China.
And approving as many pipeline from Canada to the USA as possible.
Instead Obama and the Democrats keep blocking these pipelines.
Obama and the democrats aren't blocking the pipeline in and of itself. They wanted a workaround for the parts of the country whose drinking water could be rendered undrinkable due to the pipeline. The company running the pipeline hadn't submitted that yet, but the republicans added a rider to a bill completely unrelated to this issue forcing Obama to give the go or no-go before solutions were reached. They did that because they thought it would hurt him in an election year. All it did was cause a forced premature decision, and any responsible person would have had to make that same decision.
Dear Canada,
Thank you for being the peaceful neighbor to the North that you have been for so long now. We hope that you will forgive all of our "eh?" jokes– although we still find them pretty funny. Now, please do one of the following two things:
A) Make your "quarter" the same size/weight as the American one if you like to keep the money being exchanged the way it is or B) Lobby the idiot laundry/vending machine manufacturers to accept your currency as is. It is very frustrating that the stupid machines will not take your coins, get jammed and then never work because lazy companies never check/update their machines. (Especially considering that your currency is sometimes more valuable than ours nowadays.)
Sincerely,
USA
Sincerely,
I have a friend who left Canada because of their "free" healthcare. Free, that is, after he a 60% tax hit on his income. Nothing is free, unless you are lazy.
The maximum tax rate in Canada is 47%. In NYC it is currently 75% once you factor in City, State and Federal taxes.
We do pay a lot in taxes.... but trust me it's not 60%! Mind you, I did used to tell my American friends that it is clearly better to be Canadian than American – the evidence being that it costs so much more! And we all know, you get what you pay for!
The world is in a financial crisis. We will all have to work together to get out of this. As for "world power" the write is correct, I for one could care less. It really does not impact my little corner of life regardless of who is a "world power".
You had me along with you, right up until you threw in the anti-Obama thing at the end and out of nowhere.
It was not Anti Obama it was just fact.
Because they say "aboot" when they mean about.
As a Canadian born and now living in America and a citizen, thank you for the intelligent and kind words about Canada. Your observations are spot on.
Welcome
Ivan,
You are saying the facts about Canada very clearly.
The cancellation of the Keystone pipeline was a bone head decision by the Obama administration. The re-routing of the most dependable oil to the US to the Canadian West coast will be the outcome of this decision.
The bottom line is that this was a strategic blunder and the American consumer will pay dearly for it.
The environmentalists do not know where to draw the line between what is worth fighting for and what is not. If we are against drilling in the Arctic circle, we somehow have to get the oil we are using from somewhere else and what a better country than our next door friendly neighbor Canada.
The Keystone pipeline will be built. Obama is appeasing his left wing tree huggers and hollywood know it all environmentalists for now because it is election year. It would be ridiculous to let Canada build the Northern Gateway pipeline to Vancouver to have to sell oil to China. Obama knows it and Canada would obviously rather sell it to the USA. Canada has already re-applied to have the Keystone project go because they know after the election no matter who wins it will be a go.
Randy said
"Canada would obviously rather sell it to the USA. "
Why? Any industry with only one customer has a BIG problem! All the eggs in one basket, bad idea. Better to diversify,
So you don't think that Chinese ship captains know how to get to the Gulf of Mexico? That oil is destined for China no matter where that pipeline goes. Why are Americans so eager to accept a pipeline that the Canadian people have forcefully rejected? Do you think that they might know something that some Americans are too greedy to see?
Have you looked at a map lately???? why would you ship oil ( pipeline) to Texas instead of going West to BC and have less then 1/2 the distance
Because they are very polite. It goes against our cultural values.
Canadians are not about to start shipping more gas south to the USA so that Americans can pay less for gasoline than Canadians do.
The pipeline from Canada was an environmental disaster in the making, you forgot to mention that Canadians are very highly opinionated on environmental issues.
This “environmental disaster in the making” is an Obama scare tactic.
Just like the Alaskan Pipeline was going to be an environmental disaster in the making.
The true environmental disaster was the Exxon drunken ship captain.
Red Headed Step Child...LOL. Our dear American friends....
The US, for the most part, subsidizes their defense.
do your research on the pipeline thats coming from canada the orginal jobs it would of created came from infalted numbers and the oil would of went to other countries not us we would of been a transit hub at best and our gas prices would stil be high and maybe 25,000 jobs would of been created if that.
Ivan, you must be a Canadian? Everything that you pointed out is 100% accurate. Having said that, Canada still depends on the United States for 80% of it's trade. We are currently in danger of "Dutch "disease, that is to say, we are becoming a resource rich country and we are losing our manufacturing capabilities. I live in Ontario and I have watched my province go from a "have" province to a "have not" province. This has nothing to do with the left wing socialist government in Ontario but rather the emphasis being put on oil, minerals and other commodities produced in other parts of Canada. When the US goes back into recession on the back of the collapse of the EU, the Canadian dollar will not doubt trade back to 85 cents US. Canadians know this and are currently buying US real estate and other US dollar denominated assets. I have bought US dollars every time the Canadian dollar has taded at a premium and gone the other way at 95 cents US. At some point I will stay in US dollars and wait until we test 85 cents US again. Good hunting.
You are right in that Canada, as a country, has it's debt under control but household debt for the average Canadian family is at a all time high. If mortgage rates ever got back to more normal levels of around 8% then the Canadian housing market would collapse like a pack of cards, very similar to what happened back in 1981 and to the US 3 years ago.
Luckily we have the resources with oil and minerals to export but along with the rest of the so called Western world our manufacting base is being decimated, especially in Ontario and Quebec where 63% of the population of Canada live.
having friends in the usa who complain about the government all the time makes me glad im in canada. the other bad part is half of them have lost their jobs and houses. i hope canadian oil goes to refineries in usa and canada, not china.