Canada

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Canadians wear patriotism on, and under their sleeves

By: Michael MacDonald

Posted: 06/29/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Pawel Dwulit / The Canadian Press archives A survey shows we�re keen to display Canuck pride and love the Maple Leaf, too. (CP)

THE results of a new survey challenge the long-held notion Canadians are reluctant to be as outwardly patriotic as their American neighbours.

The Ipsos-Reid online survey of 1,100 people -- conducted for the Historica-Dominion Institute in the days leading up to the Canada Day long weekend -- suggest Canadians' national pride is becoming an in-your-face swagger.

That is particularly true when it comes to the country's most potent national symbol, the Maple Leaf.

One in five surveyed said they would consider getting a tattoo of a Canadian flag somewhere on their body.

Respondents from Saskatchewan and Manitoba seemed the most eager, as well as those under 55.

"We're talking about a country that traditionally was not very extroverted in a way that Americans or Brits are," said Jeremy Diamond, the institute's national director.

"We're breaking out of our conservative feelings that the flag should only be flown a certain way."

The survey suggests when it comes to the Maple Leaf, Canadians consider it their overwhelming choice for a national symbol -- and they like seeing it everywhere, even on their underwear.

Forget the Mounties in red serge, industrious beavers and well-worn hockey jerseys -- these stodgy icons each garnered only 10 per cent support when respondents were asked to pick a national symbol.

The polar bear, Inukshuk and canoe were even further behind. Poutine wafted into the survey at two per cent, smothering Anne of Green Gables at one per cent. The Maple Leaf, by contrast, was selected by 59 per cent -- one of the survey's most decisive findings.

"The fact that it was a clear front-runner surprised us," says Diamond.

"We thought (the other symbols) would be much higher up. ... It looks like there's an interesting consensus across regions, across age, across any demographic that the Maple Leaf remains the one symbol that all Canadians can agree on."

Deborah Morrison, president of Canada's History Society, says there are many reasons Canadians seem to love the leaf more than ever.

"It's recognized around the world. It's very distinctive. It's very simple. It's very clear, and it's got a long history," she said from Winnipeg.

The Maple Leaf Forever, written in 1867 by Alexander Muir, was regarded as Canada's national song for decades.

And on Feb. 15, 1965, the red-and-white Maple Leaf flag was inaugurated as Canada's national flag, displacing the Red Ensign after a long and bitter debate.

"Our flag is something that all Canadians have embraced," says Morrison, noting the design is based on the leaves of the sugar maple, found mainly in Eastern Canada.

"I think it's ironic, seeing as Western Canada doesn't even grow these trees. But they've still embraced it as perhaps the most unifying symbol of the whole country because it is so deeply ingrained in our history and heritage."

The survey was conducted online between June 20 to 22.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 29, 2012 A17

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