Keifer Moriarty

7/5/2018

U1A1: Discussion Post – Canadian Identity

1. I would finish the phrase ‘As Canadian as…’ with ‘poutine.’

I chose poutine to finish the statement because it represents Canada perfectly.

Poutine is a Canadian dish that originates from Quebec, one of Canada’s French-speaking
provinces. It is a dish of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Poutine is perfect
symbol to represent Canada’s identity because it symbolises Canada’s culture and blended
history.

Poutine symbolizes Canadian history as it is a dish that originates from Quebec,

Canada’s French-speaking province. Canada’s history is a comparatively young one, and
one that had huge British and French influence dating all the way back to its first settlers. By
using poutine as a symbol for Canada, we recognize Canada’s French history and the
influence the French had on this country.

Poutine symbolizes Canada’s culture as it is a dish unique to the country. Not only
does the dish represent Canadian identity due to its Canadian origin, but also as a
metaphor. All these different ingredients form a heterogeneous and unorthodox combination,
and the result is something delicious and appetizing. Not unlike the culmination of different
cultures and people living and coexisting in Canada.

In summary, Poutine is a perfect symbol for Canada’s identity. It represents

Canada’s multiculturalism and diversity, while also recognizing and symbolizing Canada’s
history and French influence.

2. The image I would select to represent Canada is the Charter of Rights & Freedoms.

Figure 1: Charter of Rights & Freedoms

The Charter of Rights & Freedoms is an important symbol because it was a huge
step in making Canada a country where anybody can have equal opportunity. Immigrants
 Keifer Moriarty
7/5/2018

and minorities did not have to worry about being discriminated and all Canadian citizens
were provided with equal human rights. The Charter made Canada the country it is today
and I am proud to be a citizen of that country.

3. A quote that stood out to me in the Statistics Canada excerpt Canadian Identity, 2013 by
Maire Sinha was:

For every national symbol, immigrants were more likely than non-immigrants
to believe that they were very important to the national identity. The difference
in the appreciation of national symbols was greatest for the national anthem,
where 75% of immigrants viewed it as very important, compared to 61% of
non-immigrants. All national symbols were viewed as more important by
visible minorities than all other Canadians.

This quote stood out to me because it represents Canada’s acceptance of diversity,

and the impact of that acceptance. This quote concludes that Canada’s diversity and
openness to multiculturalism has made those who are immigrants and visible minorities very
proud of the country they came to. It shows that they feel welcomed and accepted in Canada
as well.

Fig. 1: http://citizenshiptaxation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/charter.jpg