Canadian Stereotypes

I Am Canadian

Hey,

I'm not a lumberjack
Or a fur trader.
And I don’t live in an igloo
Or eat blubber
Or own a dog sled.
And I don't know
Jimmy, Sally or Suzie from Canada,
Although I'm certain they're really, really nice.
I have a Prime Minister, not a President.
I speak English and French, not American.
And I pronounce it “about”, not “a-boot”.
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack.

I believe in peacekeeping, not policing,
Diversity not assimilation,
And that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.
A toque is a hat. A chesterfield is a couch.
And it is pronounced “zed”. Not “zee”, “zed”!
Canada is the second largest landmass,
The first nation of hockey,
And the best part of North America!
My name is Joe, and I am Canadian!

What are some of the Canadian stereotypes mentioned in the commercial above? Did you believe any of them before you came to Canada? Do you believe any of them now?

Watch the videos below.

Great White North - Back Bacon & Long Underwear

Great White North - Using Snowshoes as Spatulas

Rick Mercer Report - Canada Explained

Rick Mercer On Annoying Canadian Stereotypes

Discuss some of the Canadian stereotypes mentioned in the videos with a partner.

Classified - Oh Canada!

Fill in the blanks on your paper while listening to the song above. What does the singer think about Canadian stereotypes?

Now, talk with a partner from another country. Tell them some stereotypes about your own country. Are any of them true?