|
People from Toronto are weird (pg. 2)
|
View this Thread in Original format
| amb_ |
| quote: | Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
sitting infront of her Oprah and eating Cheesies. |
 |
|
|
| Moral Hazard |
Malek, I'll try to actually take a stab at this one as a serious question.....
First and foremost I think that it is incorrect state that the reality of Ontarians not being provincially minded or identified is a Toronto phenominon. Very few Ontarians pay any mind to the fact that they are from Ontario or that being from Ontario makes them special in any way. The truth is that we in Ontario identify ourselves as Canadian first and don't really think our provincial identity matters.
From an Ontarian point of veiw there is very little difference between what we see as a Canadian and what we see as an Ontarian. Why is this.... because we effectively control the "Canadian identity". Since Ontario is the most populace provice we essentially control the federal government (representation as a function of population has served us well). Thus the political culture of this country disproportionatly reflects the interests of Ontarians. Subsequently, we benefit from confederation in a very meaningful way.... our will gets imposed over the rest of Canada's (in many instances but certainly not all). Since it is our will that governs the country the identity of the state and the accompanying national identity is largely reflective of us. Because we see little difference between ourselves and what the stereotypical Canadian is there is very little need to associate ourselves with a provincial identity.
In addition to the question of cultural identity one must examine political priorities. Since many in Ontario are more dependant on or in some way connected to interprovincial and international commerce than we are regional commerce we tend to be more concerned with issues that effect us on a national or international level. The federal government has jurisdiction over all things pan-national or international. If we are more concerned with the national and international then it only makes sence that we are going to be more concerned with the business being carried on in Ottawa rather then Toronto as we see a greater corolation to federal responsibilities and are daily lives then we do with provincial matters. To us the federal government controls the important things (foreign policy, healthcare - despite what the BNA states, international trade, immigration, taxation, etc) while the government in Queens Park is more of an administrative body taking care of our infrastructure needs (highways, education, etc). If we are more heavily effected by happenings at a national level then we are as a provincial level then it only makes sense that we are going to think of ourselves in national terms prior to regional identities.
The regional clevege that exists in this country is lost on the average Ontarian. To us it only makes sense that all Canadians should think of themselves as Canadian first and a Quebecois/Albertan/Newfoundlander/etc second. We see the whole regional issue as being minor differences in an identity that is largely the same. Is this correct..... I can't judge, I'm biased by my very socialization and point of view. Unfortunately, it is by our lack of understanding that we alienate so many Canadians that do not live in Ontario. The federal government (due to the fact that it is mainly comprised of Ontarians) doesn't understand why the provinces feel ignored and subsequently cannot take effective action. Moreover, since the federal government is dependant on the Ontario electorate to maintain power, even if they did understand the problems they wouldn't have the political will to act on them.
Sorry I digressed with my last paragraph but I hope that my insight sheds a little more light on the issue for you. |
|
|
| Moral Hazard |
| ^^^^ I should point out that the population of Northern Ontario does not fit with what I have stated above as their interests differ greatly from those of the south and much like the rest of Canada are largely ignored by the federal government. |
|
|
| psychosomatica |
| Yea.. it's not like we want to separate or anything... |
|
|
| perpetuous |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
The regional clevege that exists in this country is lost on the average Ontarian. To us it only makes sense that all Canadians should think of themselves as Canadian first and a Quebecois/Albertan/Newfoundlander/etc second. |
+1
Interesting article, it seems the well will never run dry of Ontario vs. Quebec newspaper articles. Does anyone remember when the Star did a huge feature on Toronto vs. the rest of Canada? They quoted Canadians from across the country, and the majority kind of hated us. |
|
|
| St_Andrew |
Hahaha, funny article :)
Something that's funny too, the obsession by quebeckians about their provincial identity :toothless |
|
|
| malek |
Québecois or Quebecker
Quebeckian sounds like an armenian dish :) |
|
|
| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
Hahaha, funny article :)
Something that's funny too, the obsession by quebeckians about their provincial identity :toothless |
In truth, we are the only Canadians that do not care about their provincial identity. |
|
|
| ShadoWolf |
Maybe it has to do with this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Province_of_Canada
and
http://www2.marianopolis.edu/quebec...ral/npolicy.htm
In other words, Ontarians think Ontario (and to a lesser extent Quebec) is "Canada." The Maritimes and the West are mere colonies (which provide natural resources for "Canada").
| quote: | | The first thing to note is that the national policy was not a "national" policy in any proper sense. In an age of imperialism, it was an imperialist policy. Macdonald's country was essentially Ontario and, to a lesser extent Quebec where the important Montreal financial interests were found. The Montreal-Windsor axis was to be the heart of the country, its pole of development, and the policy was specifically designed to benefit its population. |
| quote: | | Macdonald's purpose was not to develop viable, autonomous communities in the West. This had to be avoided at all cost: industries were not to locate in the West, they would compete with eastern ones; |
That attitude persists in the Lieberal Party to this day. If the Lieberals aren't stopped, Canada will split up. It's inevitable. |
|
|
| malek |
| well for some reason, i always thought when going around toronto that I was in Canada... its hard to explain. but basically that i couldn't be in any other place more canadian than there. |
|
|
| arek |
kiss deeper!
does that mean quebecers deep throat? |
|
|
| Cosmic Fur |
| quote: | Originally posted by arek
kiss deeper!
does that mean quebecers deep throat? |
No, they just suck. :p
I apologize, but this was waay to easy, and if I didn't say it, someone else would have.:p |
|
|
|
|
