Eight Reasons Why Canada Isn’t Boring

Tom Green, funny? No.

Well, Freddy Got Fingered almost broke even, so somebody must like him, right?

(Okay, you’ve got me on this one. Hey, I said he wasn’t our proudest export.)

Okay, fair enough. And I’m going to pretend I didn’t read your outlandish claim that “Canada has dominated the past four decades of comedy.” You do not want me to recite the LONG LIST of American comedians who blow away your precious Michael J. Foxes and Michael Ceras.

I’m an American, and I’ve been to Ontario three times, and I live in Tennessee (drove up all three times through Detroit-Windsor). Don’t feel like you have to change to become popular. Canada is a great place, and I hope I can come back again.

I’m from the American south and I love Canada! So far I’ve been to six of the ten provinces (no territories yet unfortunately). Toronto is my favorite big city on the continent (far and away better than New York or LA). You did forget to mention the red/green guys as comedy masterminds though.

Montreal is a fantastic city.  I can’t wait to visit Vancouver.  Toronto has better ethnic food than any North American city besides New York.  Someday I’ll get to Halifax.  Even Ottawa is OK.

Canada rules - now if only you had a reasonable government.  Goddamn conservative oil-eating jerks in Alberta give you a bad name.

TambourineMan—Thank you for leaving my delusions of comic grandeur intact. You’re too kind to your poor northern neighbour. :D

Roger, Chris, and Tim - So glad you’ve all enjoyed my home country!

“Even Ottawa is OK.” - Ha, Tim, you just summed up how most people feel about my hometown, I think…

OK, I’ll chime in with two more: the Canadian Rockies are far more dramatic than our own Rockies and environmentalism extends beyond the west coast.

I met some great Canadians on a roadtrip to Flathead Lake, Montana.  Add number 9#  Those Canadians sure can drink!  I’ve never laughed so hard than with a bunk of Canucks.
I enjoyed my visit to Vancouver, BC and Montreal.  Would love to explore more of the provinces. Oh Canada!

Wow, I’m so impressed by all the Canada-love from you US travelers! Is it possible that most of the respondents who called Canada “boring and “average” had never actually visited us?

As I mentioned in that first blog post, you can add me to the list of U.S. Canada lovers.

Also: Don Cherry deserves that ! I love that photo.

Growing up in Seattle - there were a couple years where I would goto Vancouver about every other weekend. I love Vancouver!  Can’t wait to visit more of Canada.

Don Cherry cracks me up. I heard from my brother that most Canadians dislike him? I can’t see how that can be true!

Couldn’t agree more with this post, Canada is a great place! I lived in Toronto for a year and loved it. Algonquin Park is amazing and Montreal is probably one of the most fun places I’ve been.

Re: Don Cherry, he’s a love-him-or-hate-him kind of guy. I mean, he was voted into the Top 10 of the “Greatest Canadian” contest a few years back, so he certainly has his fans, but every now and then he’ll say something about women (should stay out of the rink) and/or Europeans (cowards) and/or French Canadians (yellow-bellied cowards) and get himself into trouble. Definitely controversial.

Personally, I love him the way you love the drunken, inappropriate uncle at the family gathering. Small doses is key.

I am a Canadian expat living in the US for 20 years (and I love it here). In my experience every American loves Canada. Everyone I have met who has been to Vancouver was there when it was sunny and beautiful (I used to live there - believe me, it is not always sunny). One American screamed at me for leaving such a paradise to come to the US!! I think the best thing about Canada is the wilderness. I had to move to New Mexico to get that same feeling here.

Jonah Hill is a full blown American. nice try though

Good catch, Tara. That’s weird—I’m sure I double-checked them all on IMDB! Ah well. He’s not that funny anyway. :)

Montreal and Quebec City are favorites. Very tough winters though for non-snow activitiies. Friendly locals too.

I’m a Canadian living in China and you’ve just made me nostalgic. Nice Saskatchewan plug (I was born in La Ronge)!

Are you angling for a position on the Canadian Tourism Commission?

I once wrote a not so well researched column about Kosovo’s love for Bryan Adams. I referred to the “Summer of ‘69” rocker as American.  That was a mistake.  I’m always amazed when I see lists of Canadian talent.

I’d like to propose a new motto for Canada: 1/10 the US population, 10x’s the talent.

Hey Mitch! Glad to bring back some memories. I’m a one-time Sask. resident, too. (Saskatoon!)

Kelsey—Ooh, I bet you got some angry feedback on the Bryan mixup! He’s all Canuck. I didn’t even get into the music stuff in this piece, but yeah, we produce a lot of musicians too. (Some more embarrassing than others… *ahem* Nickelback.)

Terrific list, Eva, with a lot of new info for me re: wilderness areas. They sound fantastic.

I heartily enjoyed my bike tour through the Maritime provinces this past summer, despite all the rain they threw at me. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Four words: Kids In The Hall

And, oh yeah, I love Canada too (especially Quebec).

i was able to visit Canada last december and i really love their poutine.. It’s recipe is very unique. if you also wanted adventure, there a lot of places to go like having a road trip to the Arctic Ocean. You will not also feel afraid or uncomfortable because the people are very friendly.

Can I add a number 9?

Where else in the world can you see it snow in August!?

I am born and raised in Canada. I love Canada, and I would never want to move anywhere else. I have been to all of the provinces and territories, although I didn’t really like the territories as much because they are as cold as the rest of Canada. I love Canada, and it is definitely not boring.

I am born and raised in Alberta Canada. Last summer I took a 6 week road trip across Canada, and I have to say that I loved every part of it. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t have more time to enjoy it. I think 6 months would have been more appropriate, but the fact that I am in school kind of leaves that option out for now. I like the fact that we have a national park where the polar bears outnumber the people, and I love Cirque du Soleil!

9) We’ve got one of the only remaining wilderness areas left in the world (the other 2 are in Brazil and Russia).  It needs protection from development, though: http://thebigwild.org

Having visited Toronto (my example of a clean New York), Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa and many small towns along the way, I have to say I’ve always enjoyed my trips north of the border.

And when you talk about funny…how about the movie “Strange Brew,” eh?

Eva, I am OBSESSED with your country and was just singing its praises on my own blog earlier this week. Love, love, LOVE Canada!

This American had the good fortune to play tourist (though only for 8 days) on a tour of the Canadian Rockies—starting and ending in Calgary.  Found the people we met warm and friendly.  My hubby is a vegetarian—he was able to stick pretty close to his preferred diet, thanks to actual vegan restaurants and many regular eating establishments with vegetarian selections.  The scenery was breathtaking and wildlife outstanding—bears, elk, etc.  We certainly would love to return to Canada someday—perhaps to take the train trip across country.  So much to do, so little time left.

Dear bloger you are absolutely right, I have heard from my friends that Canada has many beautiful sceney and conveniences. So it is really worth travelling .

“We’ve got a national park where the polar bears outnumber the people.”
This is really funny and worth paying a visit! :D

I call your glorious country three things:

1. The Canada
2. “America’s Hat”
3. Kind to the gluten-challenged

Per the last one, the hospitality industry in Canada takes food allergies really seriously.  My husband and I wandered all over Alberta and Vancouver Island last year, and no one ever had a problem accommodating my no-wheat-and-corn issues.  I even had a gluten-free high tea at The Empress Hotel in Victoria.  FAN-tastic.

i love your country (Canada),but i had never been there,i saw in internet very.very beautiful natures in Canada.You know i made tatoo on my body (Canadian flag) in 2002.
From Kazakhstan. I am sorry for my bad english:)))

I think that Canada is great place.. and everyone should see it !!!