So am I a Canadian … or a hyphenated Canadian? And if hyphenated Canadian, am I Canadian first or second?

I find it interesting to note, given all of the recent hypocrisy about racial intolerance, the words to the national anthem of our country.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love

In all thy 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.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

The ONLY words used to describe the people of Canada are …. OUR … and WE.  “Our” being the people of this country … and “We” as the group, or collection, of the entire population.  No where in the words to OUR national anthem do I see WE being a collection of hyphenated Canadians – at least not where hyphenated we are Canadian second.

The 2016 Census of Population questions, long form (National Household Survey), asked a number of questions around our ethnic backgrounds. They included:
#17  What are the ethnic, or cultural, origins of this person’s ancestors.

For example, Canadian, English, Chinese, French, East Indian, Italian, German, Scottish, Cree, Mi'kmaq, Salish, Métis, Inuit, Filipino, Irish, Dutch, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, Jamaican, Greek, Iranian, Lebanese, Mexican, Somali, Colombian, etc.

#19  Is this person:

White, South Asian (East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, etc.), Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian (Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai, etc.), West Asian (Iranian, Afghan, etc.), Korean, Japanese, Other (please specify)

Note, the very first option to question #17 is whether my ethnic background is Canadian.  Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with asking (or knowing) what the ethnic backgrounds of our country are.  Over the decades we have become a rich colourful fabric woven of many backgrounds … from all over the world.  It seems to me however, that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is bound and determined to wipe out any choice of being simply a Canadian.

So, am I a Canadian … or a hyphenated Canadian?  And if hyphenated Canadian, am I Canadian first or second?  For example, a Canadian of Italian descent … OR … an Italian–Canadian.  In my opinion, I live in Canada … I am a Canadian, therefore I am a Canadian of Italian descent. 

Question 19, at least in my opinion, runs the risk of setting up stronger ethnic bounds, rather than identifying as a Canadian first, and secondly of whatever proud heritage we may have.

John Diefenbaker, our countries 13^th Prime Minister said, "I have one love - Canada; one purpose - Canada's greatness; one aim - Canadian unity from the Atlantic to the Pacific."

He also said, "I am the first Prime Minister of this country of neither altogether English nor French origin. So, I determined to bring about a Canadian citizenship that knew no hyphenated consideration."

However, our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, believes, “There is no core identity, no mainstream in Canada”

Which is likely brought about the recent Twitter wars, with a gang-up, by some, on Maxime Bernier.  He was right – he is right – in what he has said over the past few days on this topic of a Canadian identity, and it’s diversity!

“Trudeau’s extreme multiculturalism and cult of diversity will divide us into little tribes that have less and less in common”

“More diversity will not be our strength, it will destroy what has made us such a great country.”

Which again leads back to what type of hyphenated Canadian we will be.  Because “… identity politics simply panders to another group to be bought off with promises, generally never kept!”

Maxime Bernier went on to also say: “Identity politics has become pervasive and is being practiced by all political parties trying to buy votes. Political debate has degenerated into a contest between different ways of pandering to specific groups instead of appealing to our common interests.”

Canadian citizens have rights and responsibilities, and they come to us from our history.  They are secured by Canadian law… and they reflect our shared traditions, identity, and values. And, according to the government of Canada, our Rights and Responsibilities as Canadian citizens include the protection of our Multicultural make-up.  Our multi-culturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity. Canadians celebrate the gift of one another’s presence and work hard to respect pluralism and live in harmony.

John Diefenbaker had it partially right when he said, “I determined to bring about a Canadian citizenship that knew no hyphenated consideration."

Hyphenated Canadians, YES … but second after FIRST being a Canadian.  We as Canadians do have a core identify, it’s that our country was, and is, made up of a rich fabric of people from all walks of life.  And we should, and do celebrate that rich diversity.

Despite what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may say, that IS what is mainstream in Canada.  Which brings me back to what I started with, and the words of our National Anthem:

The ONLY words used to describe the people of Canada are …. OUR … and WE.  “Our” being the people of this country … and “We” as the group, or collection, of the entire population.  No where in the words to OUR national anthem do I see WE being a collection of hyphenated Canadians – at least not where we are Canadian second.

The late Stompin’ Tom Connors may have said it best, in the song Believe in YourCountry:

If you don’t believe your country,

Should come before yourself

You can better serve your country

By living somewhere else

In Kamloops, I’m Alan Forseth.  I am a proud Canadian, and a muddle of ethnicities from Scandinavian, Saskatchewan Plains Indian, Scottish, Italian, and heaven knows what else.  And I am proud my forebears decided to make Canada their home.